Head-to-head
Preply vs Babbel
Preply
50
Winner
Babbel
Babbel
75
Babbel is generally preferred for structured language learning, especially for European languages, while Preply's user reviews are not available for direct comparison.
Babbel offers a structured and progressive learning experience, often praised as superior to other popular apps for serious learners, though it has limitations in language variety and some interface issues. Preply's user reviews were not provided, preventing a direct comparison.
Head to head
Preply No user reviews were provided for Preply, so specific user opinions on its features and content are unavailable.
Babbel Babbel is praised for its structured lessons, grammar focus, and practical conversations, which many find more effective than other apps R2R6R14. However, users note a limited selection of languages, primarily focusing on European languages R3. Some desire more advanced grammar or unguided speaking practice R19, and a few find the content outdated or rigid in acceptable answers R29.
Preply No user reviews were provided for Preply, so specific user opinions on its ease of use and interface are unavailable.
Babbel Babbel is generally considered user-friendly with a good flow and direct teaching methods R18. However, some users report issues with small text sizes R18, audio quality problems , and the app not working in iPhone lockdown mode R9R31. There are also complaints about speaking exercises not remembering progress R7 and an annoying 'rate us' pop-up R19.
Preply No user reviews were provided for Preply, so specific user opinions on its reliability and performance are unavailable.
Babbel Babbel's reliability is mixed. Users report issues with streak continuity R21 and the app failing to work under iOS Lockdown Mode R9R31. There are also complaints about the app being unintelligent in marking answers and AI voices speaking too quickly R24. However, some users find the app generally good and stable R17.
Preply No user reviews were provided for Preply, so specific user opinions on its price and value are unavailable.
Babbel Babbel is a paid app with a free lesson, and many users feel it's worth the investment for its structured learning R16. However, there are significant complaints about billing practices, including difficulty unsubscribing, auto-renewals without notification, and chaotic pricing structures R1R33R41. Some users feel it's too expensive R24 or that lifetime purchases offer insufficient content R25.
Preply No user reviews were provided for Preply, so specific user opinions on its support are unavailable.
Pick Preply if
You are looking for a platform that might offer a different learning approach, potentially with more direct teacher interaction, given its model, but be aware that specific user reviews for Preply were not available for this comparison.
Pick Babbel if
You are a serious language learner looking for a structured, progressive curriculum, especially for European languages, and prefer a method that focuses on grammar and practical conversations over gamification R2R6. You are willing to pay for a subscription and can navigate potential billing complexities R1R33R41.
Evidence note: The comparison for Preply (App A) is severely limited as no user reviews were provided. All insights are based solely on Babbel (App B) reviews, making a direct head-to-head comparison impossible for most dimensions. The 'winner' designation for Babbel is based on the available evidence for Babbel and the absence of evidence for Preply.
Frequently asked
Is Babbel better than Duolingo?
What languages can I learn on Babbel?
Babbel offers a limited selection of languages, primarily European ones, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Turkish, Dutch, Polish, Norwegian, Danish, Indonesian, and Russian R3.
Are there issues with Babbel's subscription and billing?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 50 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R2] Babbel Brilliant: Yes it is better than Duo although it doesn’t have as many languages to learn as Duo but I’ve learned loads from Babbel. There are a couple of things I’d like to see in future version. One is short dialogues/stories to read and listen to, based on the lesson you’ve just finished, and the other is to listen and speak when driving the car. I could add another lesson a day if I could liste
- [R3] Babbel Limited options: I’ve heard great things from mates hence the 3 star review. Although the language options are very limited 13 , ES, PT, FR, DE, IT, SE, TR, NL, PL, NO, DK, IDN & RU. Happily use the app for these but not helpful if you’re planning on learning a language outside Europe or Indonesia / it’s 700+ other languages. It’s got a good platform and learning model but yes it’s limited to Euro
- [R6] Babbel It’s ok: For an app called Babbel I thought I’d be talking more. However the context is much more suitable than Duolingo. They are actual conversations. I’m using Babbel, Duolingo, Falou and Coffee Break French to see which one works best. Or if a combination is good.
- [R14] Babbel Great app: Fantastic app, allows you to learn in many different ways, and goes at a good pace. Practical and logical, really enjoying it.
- [R7] Babbel No continuity: When using the speaking exercises the app doesn’t remember where you were up to. Just starts from the beginning each time. Very annoying.
- [R9] Babbel Doesn’t work when iPhone is in lockdown mode: App does not work when iPhone is in lockdown mode. The app opens but when you try to do anything it fails and locks up. I’ve tried it on another iPhone - doesn’t. work in lockdown but when take phone out of lockdown it works again.
- [R18] Babbel Good but some interface problems: After using another popular language learning app for a couple of years, I find Babbel refreshingly direct with its teaching methods. Rigorous grammar and sentence structure training has helped me immensely. However, the text in the interface is way too small! This is especially so when typing answers using the provided text buttons where a very small letter float
- [R19] Babbel Good for language learning: The app is easy to use and the lessons are well-structured. There’s not enough unguided speaking practice, nor rigorous practice of grammar concepts. They need to stop the annoying “rate us” pop-up - I’ve downgraded the app to three stars because it’s exceptionally annoying. I’ve paid - now leave me alone. Down to two stars as they keep interrupting me with rate request
- [R17] Babbel Good App: Good
- [R21] Babbel Why did my streak not continue?: I had worked really hard to maintain my streak. I had a continuous 22 day streak going and was absolutely gobsmacked that on day 23 day of my streak it went back down to one! I cannot find a reason for this. This is not the first time it has happened, and I seriously do not know why. But… having said that I am pleased with the way Babbel has helped me move my lang
- [R24] Babbel Too expensive: The AI voices speak too quickly; my husband is French and even he can’t always understand it! Make it impossible to move levels without the necessary grammar and bring the price down as apps do not cost to run
- [R1] Babbel Cannot unsubscribe: Warning, they will keep deducting money from you but do not give you a way to unsubscribe
- [R16] Babbel Worst Language Learning App: Literally everything is locked up behind a premium subscription with only one free lesson, it’s just a duolingo ripoff with a minimal aesthetic; nothing much is different to be needing to lock everything up behind a subscription, most of the Spanish course seems to be the exact same AI npc talk as duolingo. Just use youtube videos to be more native casual sounding tha
- [R25] Babbel Misled on purchase: Got the lifetime purchase to learn Swedish only to find out there are not even enough lessons to fill a year. Very disappointing.
- [R29] Babbel German version very out of date: This app continuously wants me to learn out dated and useless words. Who in Germany calls a camera Fotoapparat? Who sends postcards and wants to buy stamps? If I complain I get a bot spouting platitudes. I really want to improve my German but this app is way behind my current level and I can’t find a way to get to more useful lessons. I cannot recommend.
- [R47] Babbel Extremely user friendly: I been on this app for like three years learning Spanish and i dont use it anymore so came to cancel my plan and it was crazy how easily i could deactivate renewal from the app itself. Just for that i came to give a good review
- [R12] Babbel Better than the owl: But seriously poor in so many other areas.
- [R23] Babbel Learning with Babbel: Great app - interactive and easy to follow, and more advanced than Duolingo.
- [R33] Babbel Pricing structure chaos: It's a good app. A bit boring but it's good quality. I just had an offer for 12 months and literally one minute later it had increased quite a lot! I won't be subscribing to an app that has a chaotic and nonsensical pricing structure. No thank you
- [R41] Babbel Very poor billing practice: I realised that they have been auto renewing my subscription for a long time (long after I thought I cancelled my subscription) but never bother to send any email or notification. As soon as I cancelled it for sure I started to receive tons of promotion emails. While it might be my mistake not to properly cancel the subscription, it is sneaky to the least to send even a
- [R31] Babbel ⚠️ Doesn’t Work with Basic iPhone Security Settings: ⚠️ This app is extremely frustrating to use. ❌ Basic functionality is unreliable. With iOS Lockdown Mode enabled, the app simply doesn’t work as expected, lessons fail to open, making it impossible to study. For a paid lifetime product, this is unacceptable. An app should not break under standard device security settings. 🔒 On top of that, th
Synthesized from 50 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store