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Compare language-learning apps

Pick up to four apps and compare scores, features, pros, and cons.

Select apps to compare
App
Busuu
Babbel
Overall score
85
90
TaglineA course with native speakers attachedLessons written by actual linguists
Best for
Exam & academicWork & businessConversation fluency
Travel-ready basicsWork & businessConversation fluency
Use-case fit
8
8
Level fit & AI tutor
Beginner
Intermediate
Fluent
AI tutor
Beginner
Intermediate
Fluent
No AI tutor
VerdictThe best pick when the goal is a measurable level — a certificate, a university requirement, or a visa language condition.If you want to actually understand the language rather than pattern-match your way through it, Babbel is the best-designed course app for European languages.
Pros
  • Explicit CEFR levels, so you always know where you stand
  • Native-speaker community corrections on your own writing
  • Official McGraw Hill certificates on completion
  • Courses are built per language pair, not translated from one template
  • Grammar is explained in plain language at the moment you need it
  • Dialogues are realistic and immediately usable
Cons
  • Free tier is quite restricted
  • Community feedback quality varies by language
  • Only 14 languages
  • Only 14 languages, all European plus Indonesian and Turkish
  • No AI conversation partner in the core app
  • Content runs out around upper-intermediate
Full reviewRead review →Read review →
Quick takeaway

Busuu leads this comparison with an overall score of 85. It is strongest for Exam & academic and Work & business. Babbel is the closest alternative at 90. Choose Busuu if explicit cefr levels, so you always know where you stand; pick Babbel if courses are built per language pair, not translated from one template.