Babbel is a paid language-learning app for beginner to advanced learners (A1–C1). The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening.
Checked October 2026 on the official site ·
About Babbel
Babbel is a subscription app with a structured French curriculum that runs from A1 towards C1, short lessons built around real situations, grammar explained in context and speaking practice. You can try a lesson for free; everything else needs a subscription, from €8.99 a month on the 12-month plan, or €299.99 for lifetime. It suits an adult beginner who wants a clear, ordered course on the phone. It does not replace listening to real people, and its dialogues are scripted and recorded for learners.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed audio | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babbel | From €8.99/mo on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year; €215.88 at the monthly rate); lifetime €299.99; first lesson freechecked 2026-10-09 (babbel.com/prices, shown from Germany) | A1–C1 | No | The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
| Busuu | Free tier; Premium €4.83/mo billed €57.99/yr (standard €116.28); Premium Plus €5.83/mo billed €69.90/yr (standard €142.80)checked 2026-10-09 (busuu.com/products, shown from Germany) | A1–B2 | No | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. |
| Duolingo | Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yrchecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | A1–B1 | No | The easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it. |
| Pimsleur | Premium $19.99/mo; All Access $20.99/mo or $164.99/yr; one-off levels $150 each, 5 levels $575; free first lessonchecked 2026-10-09 (pimsleur.com/learn-french; subscriptions from the US App Store, 2026-10-06) | A1–B1 | No | Best for speaking from day one on a commute; thin on vocabulary. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Guides
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Further reading
A longer guide on this topic from French with Amélie: read the guide.
