Access to native pronunciation is just like the golden ticket. Nowadays, you can learn any foreign language on different language-learning platforms anytime and anywhere. These tools focus on specific language skills such as reading, listening, speaking, or writing, and the best part is they do not need you to be physically present in a classroom, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
Many apps tailor your learning experience to address your individual language learning goals. One of which is Babbel, which teaches you the basics of a language but has specific courses about holidays, family, cuisine, living overseas, and other enticing topics.
However, Babbel is not an ideal fit if you are an intermediate or advanced learner, as it can only help you with the language basics. Another thing that encourages many users to explore the best Babbel alternatives is its glitchy mobile app that won’t improve your speaking skills and is quite expensive.
Thus, we have come up with this article to help you dive deep into the Babbel alternatives.
10 Best Babbel Alternatives in 2025
Top 10 Babbel Alternatives
So, here are the best Babbel alternatives that help build your confidence and communicate effectively in real-life situations:
Duolingo
Having tested dozens of language learning apps, Duolingo is our top pick. There is no better free program to learn a new language than Duolingo, as it provides a seamless experience with no ads, a special mode for practicing your mistakes and other perks. The best part is it makes the process easier by offering learners strong content.
Features:
- It covers over 30 languages, including German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, and more.
- Includes made-up languages that are highly organized
- Allows you to change your target language without losing your progress.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Targets all the learning skills | Not suitable for advanced or intermediate learners |
| Uses organized, progressive lessons | Does not offer practical, usable language practice |
Pricing
- It has a free version.
- Super Individual: $7.99/month
- Super Family: $71.99/year for up to six profiles
Drops
Learn a new language by just giving 5 minutes a day. Yes, you have heard right; this is the objective of Drops. It is based on visual learning and pairing images with words in your target language.
Features:
- It provides you with consistent repetition-based vocabulary learning
- Useful language-specific extras like Japanese kanji writing practice
- Includes driver screening and background checks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ability to skip learned words | Only teaches vocabulary |
| 50+ languages offered | Minimal audio and no conversation practice |
Pricing
- It has a free plan.
- Monthly: ₹1104.51/month.
- Yearly: ₹5,946.53/month.
- Lifetime: ₹13,593.17.
Mondly
Mondly is one of the best Babbel alternatives that provides short bursts of learning through fun and high-tech methods. The platform also offers VR and AR products, allowing you to integrate its language lessons, chatbots and games into augmented reality and virtual reality tools.
Features:
- You can learn 41 languages, including Italian, Spanish, Arabic, French, Hindi, Romanian, Greek, and more
- It offers lots of useful words and phrases with competitive gamification
- It includes regular quizzes and challenges, a chatbot and a leaderboard.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports virtual chatbot feature | Grammar rules are not clearly explained |
| Highly affordable compared to other language programs | Sometimes, the app feels clunky and frustrating to use |
Pricing
- It has a free version.
- Monthly: ₹499/month for one language.
- Yearly: ₹2999/year for all languages.
- Lifetime: ₹5554 for all languages.
Lingoda
Lingoda offers hourlong online Zoom classes to make foreign language learning easy. Experienced-level teachers conduct classes in small groups of up to 5 people. The best part about the platform is that it allows you to speak with real people and get personalized feedback.
Features:
- Small group or one-on-one language classes via Zoom call
- It provides you with excellent learning materials that make learning effortless
- The platform allows you to save PDFs of all the materials before the class to know what the instructor will train about.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Placement test provided | The software-based course is not included |
| Highly qualified teachers | Includes only a handful of languages |
Pricing
It offers a 7-day free trial.
- 5 Classes: $20/class.
- 12 Classes: $16.50/class.
- 20 Classes: $15/class.
- 40 Classes: $13.50/class.
Yabla
Yabla delivers a potent solution to learning a new language by taking a video-first approach. Unlike many other language learning apps, this platform’s material helps you understand the basics of a new language effortlessly. Just imagine you are learning something by watching a YouTube video rather than opening a textbook. It works just like YouTube.
Features:
- It offers interesting content, including cooking segments, music videos, travel shows, etc.
- Make you indulge in interactive questions to test your abilities and what you have learned
- It provides exposure to new words and expressions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Videos with a conversational pace | Few languages offered |
| Uses a variety of accents and speakers | Lacks structure |
Pricing
- It offers a free trial for 15 days and then $12.95 per month, $54.95 for six months and $99.95 per year
Busuu
Busuu hosts robust language learning courses that blend grammar exercises, flashcards, and casual conversations. It organizes all lessons into chapters and matches you with a native speaker of the language you are learning.
Features:
- Take quizzes to check your understanding and things you have learnt
- Its offline mode enables you to download lessons on your device while you are learning through this app
- The platform allows you to get feedback from the community.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Speech recognition tool | Covers just 14 languages |
| Aids AI vocabulary review | Limited features in the free plan |
Pricing
- It has a free plan.
- Annual: $6.95/month billed annually.
- 6 Months: $8.45/month.
- Monthly: $13.90/month.
Memrise
Another best Babbel alternative, Memrise, offers courses in various languages such as Italian, French, Spanish, German, etc. The best part about this app is that it enables you to learn the words and practice them by communicating what you want to say in the new language.
Features:
- Memrise offers a unique feature called ‘Difficult Words’, which increases your understanding, specifically for those you find challenging
- It helps you learn new words and grammar by using a combination of interactive lessons and flashcards
- The platform incorporates 30,000 native speaker videos into your lessons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy and Affordable | Repetitive exercises |
| It gives you access to multiple languages | Not ideal for advanced-level learners |
Pricing
- It has a free version.
- Monthly: $22.99/month.
- Yearly: $7.50/month billed annually.
- Lifetime: $100.00.
Pimsleur
Pimsleur provides audio-based courses in 51+ languages, such as German, Italian, French, and many more. It also has a driving mode that helps you enhance your language skills during long travels without looking at the screen.
Features:
- Its ‘Speak Easy’ allows you to enhance your communication by practicing with native speakers
- The platform focuses on audio lessons and repetition to help you learn a new language
- Its premium version offers additional features, including lessons, digital flashcards, and roleplaying challenges.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Practical learning approach | Courses may become tedious and repetitive |
| Easily accessible | It only focuses on speaking and listening |
Pricing
- It offers a 7-day free trial and a monthly premium subscription(Complete Course) for $575.95.
Lirica
Lirica is a subscription-based service that uses popular music and videos to teach English, Spanish and German. This fun app makes learning new language fun and is best used to complement other learning approaches.
Features:
- Breaks down song lyrics to teach you vocabulary and grammar
- Handy explanations of colloquial language
- The app also includes facts about the artist while you are learning a new language.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Uses a unique approach- music, to teach a new language | Gimmicky app |
| Offers personalized learning | Covers limited languages |
Pricing
- It has a free version.
- Monthly Plan: $9
- 6-month Plan: $20.
- 1-year plan: $30.
Rosetta Stone
The list of the best Babbel alternatives is incomplete without mentioning Rosetta Stone. It is an efficient program for learning a language that introduces you to new words and grammar, like conjunction and agreement.
Features:
- It offers great bonus content.
- Best for beginners and students at the early intermediate level.
- Its 2021 update brought AR into the mix, enabling Seek and Speak, which is a scavenger-hunt-style challenge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Optional online tutorial sessions | Repetitive at times |
| Polished interface on mobile and desktop | No placement test |
Pricing
- The platform offers a 3-day free trial, a 3-month subscription for $15.99, and a lifetime subscription for $199.
Conclusion
Learn a new language with any of these best Babbel alternatives. Memorizing new vocabulary is good for your brain as it improves your abstract thinking ability! Besides increasing exposure, it also opens up new opportunities for communication, travel, and work.
Get onboard with any of these language learning apps and make your dream of learning a foreign language come true affordably. The best part about all the platforms we have mentioned is that, unlike physical books, they provide instant feedback and support for interacting in the world.
