Both scored Aug 2026 · prices checked Sep 11, 2026
Babbel vs Duolingo (2027)
The most-searched language apps. Duolingo is free and gamified; Babbel costs about $9 a month and explains grammar. In our 30-day Spanish test Babbel scored 82% on the A1 placement, Duolingo 58%.
Head to head — same test, same rubric
Winner overall 
BBabbel
Very Good
8.6
Conversation-based lessons with grammar explained; highest A1 score after 30 days; 14 European languages plus Indonesian and Turkish.
$8.95 82 % A1 test after 30 days14 Languages
Visit Site vs
Best free app 
DDuolingo
Fair
7.8
Free tier covers the whole course; 40+ languages including Japanese, Korean and Arabic; builds a daily habit better than anything else.
$0 58 % A1 test after 30 days40+ Languages
Visit Site Pick by your situation
Spanish, French, German, Italian for work or travel → BabbelJapanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic → DuolingoBudget is zero → DuolingoWant grammar explained → Babbel
Side by side, from the same test
BabbelDuolingo
Score / 108.67.8
A1 test after 30 days82 %58 %
Languages1440+
Annual plan8.95 $/mo0 $/mo
Our verdict
Babbel teaches; Duolingo motivates. For a European language you actually intend to speak within a year, Babbel is the better course. For a language Babbel does not offer, or for building a daily habit at no cost, Duolingo — and many people run both.