Busuu vs. Babbel – We Tested Both: Here’s the Surprising Winner!

Image credit: © Katrin Adam

Busuu vs. Babbel – which language course is better? We tested both solutions and compare them side by side in this article. Which one will come out on top in our final assessment?

---

Table of Contents

---

---

Busuu vs. Babbel – The Contenders at a Glance

Similarities: Where Busuu and Babbel Overlap

At first glance, based on ads, Busuu and Babbel don’t seem vastly different. Though there are major differences that give us a clear winner, the two platforms do share a few things. Both Busuu and Babbel can be used across devices (via app or web), with all their features available wherever you log in.

Each of them presents itself as a complete language course solution, aiming to be your main study resource. Both emphasize mobile learning with short lessons that fit into anyone’s busy schedule. They rely on more traditional approaches—meaning you’ll find explanations and exercises reminiscent of school learning.

Differences: Where Busuu and Babbel Diverge

Now let’s discuss the major distinctions—mainly found in the additional features. Both rely on a similar overall approach, but Babbel offers Babbel Live online classes in virtual classrooms for small groups.

Meanwhile, Busuu shines with a well-structured community feature, letting you connect with native speakers and other learners. Official certificates and a personalized learning plan are also part of Busuu’s package.

---

---

Busuu or Babbel – Scope and Features

Babbel offers 13 foreign languages for English speakers. Busuu also has 13 options, though with a different set overall. Common languages like Italian, Spanish, and French overlap between them.

Busuu’s community feature stands out here – a feature that’s unfortunately all too rare. Busuu integrates it neatly into the lessons, so you can interact with other learners and native speakers from the start. Fantastic!

Babbel, on the other hand, has removed some great features over the years, including a former community section. Aside from Babbel Live online classes and a few topic-specific mini courses, it doesn’t add much. Our verdict on scope and features:

– Point for Busuu –

---

While it may not be the core of a course, having a user-friendly and visually appealing interface helps. Nobody wants to click through multiple tabs just to find what they need. So how do our two contenders do here?

---

Busuu vs. Babbel – Usability

Both platforms offer a well-designed, user-friendly interface, and you’ll have no trouble navigating either app. It really comes down to personal preference. Babbel’s course path is slightly more linear, making it a bit simpler for less tech-savvy users. It’s a close call, but we say:

– Point for Babbel –

---

All of that is great, but let’s get to the heart of each course—the learning method and how it’s implemented, which is by far the most important factor. Who excels here, Busuu or Babbel?

---

Busuu or Babbel – Learning Approach

Babbel (on the right) takes a classic school-like approach. Its lessons are grouped by theme, starting with an introduction of new vocabulary and grammar, followed by a variety of exercises. That’s largely the same for Busuu (on the left).

However, Busuu’s lessons (on the left) feature real people and incorporate the community for more interactive exercises. Some tasks aren’t graded by an algorithm but also by real people, allowing for creative, open-ended questions and feedback.

– Point for Busuu –

---

Even a top-notch language course is useless if you never use it. Beyond having an effective learning approach, motivational elements can make the difference. How do Busuu and Babbel stack up here?

---

Busuu or Babbel – Motivation

This one goes to Busuu: its lessons are short and easy to fit into any schedule. While Babbel also offers quick lessons, there are fewer unique features to keep you motivated. Busuu has not only a community but also calculates a personalized study plan, showing when you can reach your target CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level.

---

---

Neither platform has strong built-in motivational boosters. You could create your own—try strategies like self-nudging or the 1-Meter Hack from us.

– Point for Busuu –

---

A solid language course is important, but it also needs to be priced fairly for what it offers. The more features, languages, and effective learning design a course has, the easier it is to justify a higher cost. Let’s compare Busuu vs. Babbel in terms of price–performance.

---

Busuu vs. Babbel: Price–Performance Ratio

Babbel starts at $8.95 per month (depending on your subscription plan) for one language. There’s often a lifetime deal for around $299, which unlocks all 13 languages forever. You can find full details on Babbel’s pricing here.

Busuu, by contrast, offers its core course for free, including most features—even the community aspect. If you want a personalized study plan or official certificates, you can opt for Premium starting at around $5.25 monthly. The difference in both content and price is significant, so once again:

– Point for Busuu –

---

That wraps up our five categories in detail. Let’s take a look at the final result:

---

The Points Overview

Conclusion – Busuu or Babbel: Who’s the Winner?

In the direct comparison of Busuu vs. Babbel, Busuu comes out on top with a score of 4:1. Its well-designed learning approach and active community really stand out. Plus, it boasts a more favorable price–performance ratio. Our price comparison article shows just how big these differences can be between popular providers.

Does that mean you should sign up for Busuu without hesitation? We do highly recommend it, but remember: not every language course is perfect for every learner. Take a look at our Mondly vs. Babbel comparison, for instance, to see how another competitor stacks up!

Whichever course you choose, consistent study is the key to success. If you need tips on staying motivated, feel free to sign up for our email tips here—we’re happy to help!