Babbel vs Duolingo: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Babbel and Duolingo comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Babbel
Learn new languages online with confidence through practical, conversation-focused lessons.
Best for you if:
- • Offers practical language skills for real-life conversations.
- • Utilizes a proven method with expert-designed courses and diverse learning tools.
Duolingo
Learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Gamified language learning platform.
- • Offers bite-sized lessons for various languages.
| At a Glance |  Babbel |  Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Online Course Platforms | Online Course Platforms |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Babbel | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Online Course PlatformsLMS | Online Course PlatformsLanguage Learning |
How Babbel and Duolingo Compare
Babbel
Learn new languages online with confidence through practical, conversation-focused lessons.
Free tier available
Duolingo
Learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons.
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Babbel
Want the highest-rated option?
Duolingo scores 86/100. Babbel is unrated.
Go with: Duolingo
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Duolingo
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are online course platforms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Duolingo
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Babbel
The Bottom Line
Duolingo (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Babbel or Duolingo better?
Duolingo scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Babbel and Duolingo used for?
Babbel: Learn new languages online with confidence through practical, conversation-focused lessons.. Duolingo: Learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons..
What does Babbel cost vs Duolingo?
Babbel is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Duolingo is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.