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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Busuu vs Babbel

Busuu 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Babbel
Babbel 4.7★ · Free + IAP 80

Babbel is generally preferred for its structured lessons and effective learning methodology, while Busuu offers a strong community aspect and a more comprehensive free tier, though it struggles with aggressive ads and inconsistent content quality.

Full reviews: Busuu · Babbel

Babbel and Busuu both aim to teach languages, but Babbel stands out for its structured, effective lessons and consistent quality. Busuu offers a unique community feature for pronunciation correction and a more generous free tier, but its free experience is often marred by excessive ads and some content inconsistencies.

Head to head

Features and Content Quality edge: BabbelR2R4R5R17
Busuu Busuu users appreciate its social aspect, allowing them to correct pronunciation with native speakers and engage in leaderboards R2. Many find Busuu's teaching style effective and easy to follow, leading to rapid learning R5R17R41. However, some users report inconsistent content quality, especially at higher levels or for less common languages, with missing vocabulary or grammar R4. The AI conversation and listening features are often paywalled .
Babbel Babbel is praised for its structured lessons, which users find effective for learning and retaining information . Its content is often described as practical and geared towards conversation . However, some users feel the app starts too advanced for beginners or that the review system is limited and repetitive . There are also complaints about the lack of Asian languages R76R112 and some specific languages like Hebrew or Greek .
Ease of Use and User Experience tieR3R13R16R18
Busuu Busuu's free version is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads that interrupt the learning experience, making it almost unusable for some R13R16R18. Users also report issues with muffled or computerized audio quality and problems with the review section not working R40. Some find the app's pace too fast without enough repetition R3.
Babbel Babbel users generally find the app easy to learn with . However, there are frequent complaints about glitches, crashes, and poor app performance, particularly with speech recognition . Some users also find the interface less visually appealing than competitors and wish for more AI integration and open dialogue .
Price and Value tieR7R8R9R10
Busuu Busuu offers a free tier that many users find comprehensive for learning grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation R8. However, the free version is severely limited by ads and paywalls for essential features like review sections and AI conversations R9R13R18. Some premium users feel the paid lessons are too basic or that the pricing for existing customers is unfair . There are also serious complaints about unexpected charges and refusal of refunds R7R10R34.
Babbel Babbel is a paid-first app, with many users encountering a paywall after just one lesson . While some find the lifetime pass a good investment , others feel it's not worth the cost due to perceived lack of learning or app issues . Babbel has a strict no-refund policy .
Reliability and Support tieR10R31R34R40
Busuu Busuu users report issues with the app freezing and the review section being out of action R40. There are severe complaints about customer support, including accounts being deleted, ignored messages, and refusal of promised refunds R10R31. Users also report being auto-enrolled and charged for yearly plans without notice R34.
Babbel Babbel users frequently experience glitches, crashes, and issues with speech recognition not working . Some users have difficulty reaching support for issues like syncing across devices or app malfunctions . Babbel also has a strict no-refund policy .
Pick Busuu if

You want a language app with a strong community aspect for pronunciation correction with native speakers R2. You are looking for a free tier that offers a good amount of content, even if it comes with many ads R8. You prefer a learning style that teaches a lot quickly, even if it means needing to revisit lessons for repetition R17.

Pick Babbel if

You prefer a structured learning approach that effectively helps information stick . You are willing to pay for a premium experience to avoid ads and access comprehensive, practical content . You are learning one of the European languages that Babbel focuses on R102.

Evidence note: Busuu's free tier reviews are heavily skewed negative due to aggressive advertising and paywalls, which is a common friction point for free users. Babbel's reviews, while also showing some free-tier friction, focus more on app performance and content quality issues, likely because a higher percentage of its active user base is paid.

Frequently asked

Is Busuu truly free, or do you have to pay?
Busuu offers a free tier that allows users to learn grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, but it is heavily limited by frequent ads and paywalls for essential features like review sections and AI conversations R8R9R13R18.
Does Babbel offer Asian languages?
No, Babbel does not offer Asian languages such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Thai, or Malaysian, focusing instead primarily on European languages R76R102R112.
How do Busuu and Babbel compare to Duolingo?
Busuu is often seen as teaching more in-depth content than Duolingo, moving beyond just basics R17R41R47, though some find Duolingo's repetition better for 'little things' R3. Babbel is frequently preferred over Duolingo for its more practical content, structured lessons, and less gamified approach, which helps information stick better .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 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.

  1. [R2] Busuu 5/5 · US It’s a game, a fun way to learn.: I like how you can correct your pronunciation with native speakers. I also like that there are weekly leader boards; it gives you a competitive drive to learn more.
  2. [R4] Busuu 2/5 · US A2 level for Chinese sucks: I spent 131 days learning A1 level. I was really looking forward to A2 level; however, when I started A2 level lessons. It had vocabulary that it never taught me nor did it teach me any grammar. This app has a lot of ads and I paid for the premium. It feels like a huge waste of time and money. The only good thing I got out of this is that I am proficient in A1. Wish th
  3. [R5] Busuu 5/5 · US After two days I learned a lot: So far this app seems to ba a really good tool
  4. [R17] Busuu 5/5 · US Love it!: I’m learning German, and this taught me more in a day than Duolingo has in a month! But, since you learn so much so quickly, go back and take the chapter reviews again to sharpen up your skills once in awhile
  5. [R3] Busuu 3/5 · US Busuu: So basically the app is really good and helpful but Duolingo is better. Duolingo focuses on little things and makes you do it again and again. Busuu grows alit at you and doesn’t repeat alit if it but its helpful.
  6. [R13] Busuu 1/5 · US Too many adds for premium: Have been using it for a while now and haven’t been keeping up the practice because of how many ads they have or how often they want you to go to premium
  7. [R16] Busuu 1/5 · US Can’t skip ads: Be great if I could skip through them
  8. [R18] Busuu 3/5 · US worth it for learning: its great for learning a new language and it allows you to help others through their journey in learning a new language, but when you do not have premium in the app you have endless ads and you cant use the review section.
  9. [R7] Busuu 1/5 · US I just downloaded may have gotten charged: I was downloading the app because I wanted to learn French when o downloaded the app I went on ChatGPT which told me it was free and I didn’t need a subscription but now I believed it charged me 200 dollars so I’m not sure why it wasn’t clear and I DO NOT want to get charged cause I am fully ok which just having the basics
  10. [R8] Busuu 4/5 · US Um app excelente para aprender outros idiomas: O Busuu é o app de aprendizado de idiomas gratuito mais completo que eu já testei! Mesmo sem pagar o plano Premium, você consegue aprender muita coisa, gramática, vocabulário, pronúncia. Ele é bem completo mesmo!
  11. [R9] Busuu 3/5 · US Avis: Belle application mais trop limité pour la version gratuite
  12. [R10] Busuu 1/5 · US No refund: Busuu promised a refund. They mentioned 14 days for a refund. After a day, I asked for a refund and they refused. Buyer beware! This program reminds me of all the reasons I hated High School Spanish class.
  13. [R31] Busuu 1/5 · US No Transparency, No Support, No Respect for Customers: A disappointing customer experience. I paid for a subscription using a valid payment method from a supported country. During the internet disruptions in Iran, I contacted support to explain my situation and request assistance. Instead of helping, the company deleted my account and later ignored my follow-up messages. This is not about company
  14. [R34] Busuu 1/5 · US AUTO ENROLLS FOR 1 YEAR: Beware, even if you delete this app, they will automatically enroll you in a 1 year plan and charge you for THE ENTIRE YEAR without notice.
  15. [R40] Busuu 1/5 · GB Review Section: The Review Section of the App is not working properly and from what I have been told will be out of action for sometime.
  16. [R76] Babbel 2/5 · US No Asian languages: If all you want to learn are European languages, it’s fine. But they offer no Asian languages at all. No Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Thai, Malaysian, etc. Very disappointing
  17. [R102] Babbel 3/5 · GB 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
  18. [R112] Babbel 2/5 · US Why cant i learn japanese??: I used to learn on duolingo but that was teaching me wrong so i wanted to restart and use a different app and i heard about this one so i look at the list of languages to pick Japanese and its not there
  19. [R41] Busuu 5/5 · US Busuu: It is a very good learning tool to help you learn new languages. I was doing Duolingo but it only taught me the basics. But Busuu has really helped me learn a lot more about Japanese.👍🏻
  20. [R47] Busuu 5/5 · US better than duolingo: teachers language is better than Duolingo

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store