Rosetta Stone vs. Babbel: Side-by-Side Test Reveals a Surprising Winner

Photo Credit: © Katrin Adam

Rosetta Stone or Babbel – Which language course is better? We tested both solutions and compare them in this article. Which one will come out on top by the end of our comparison?

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Table of Contents

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Rosetta Stone vs. Babbel – The Competitors at a Glance

Similarities: How Rosetta Stone and Babbel Are Alike

Based on their marketing alone, Rosetta Stone and Babbel don’t seem all that different. Although there are major contrasts and a clear winner in this matchup, the two providers share certain similarities. Both can be used on any device via app or web, with all available features.

Both brands position their programs as language courses that can serve as the main part of your study routine, focusing on mobile learning and short, manageable lessons. In addition, Babbel has Babbel Live and Rosetta Stone offers virtual classroom sessions, so both include live instruction options.

Differences: How Rosetta Stone and Babbel Diverge

Now let’s explore what sets them apart. Although the courses are promoted in a similar way, Babbel is far more traditional than Rosetta Stone. Babbel includes phases of explicit learning, practice exercises, and grammar explanations, whereas Rosetta Stone focuses entirely on intuitive, context-based learning. There are no long explanations or repetitive drills, yet the learning impact is significant—and German is never used in the lessons.

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Rosetta Stone or Babbel – Scope and Features

Babbel offers 14 languages for English speakers. Rosetta Stone, on the other hand, has 24 languages, including less common ones like Farsi. In Rosetta Stone’s well-designed learning suite, you’ll also find extra features such as short stories and pronunciation training.

Babbel unfortunately removed some great features in recent years; aside from the Babbel Live online classes and a few themed add-on courses, there aren’t many special extras these days. However, Rosetta Stone keeps pace with Babbel’s live lessons—both offer real-time instruction. Hence we conclude:

– Point goes to Rosetta Stone –

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Although it may not be the main factor in a language course, an intuitive and visually appealing interface is definitely a plus. No one wants to click through three tabs to find what they need. So, how do our contenders stack up in this regard?

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Rosetta Stone vs. Babbel – User-Friendliness

Both providers feature appealing, well-designed interfaces. Their respective apps are straightforward, and you can easily navigate either course. Rosetta Stone’s design might feel a bit more polished, while Babbel’s linear structure could better suit less tech-savvy learners. It’s close, but here we say:

– Point goes to Babbel –

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That covers design and features, but let’s get to the heart of any language course: the learning method and how it’s applied. Who excels here, Rosetta Stone or Babbel?

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Rosetta Stone or Babbel – Learning Approach

Babbel (right) relies on a classic, school-like method. Lessons are sorted by theme, introducing new vocabulary and grammar structures in an initial phase, followed by different practice tasks.

Rosetta Stone (left) instead presents a series of interlinked exercises that regularly introduce new vocabulary. You learn intuitively without relying on English or any other language you already speak – this unique concept has an impressive impact. Clearly:

– Point goes to Rosetta Stone –

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Even the best course won’t help if you never use it. Besides a strong learning method, motivational elements can be key. So how do Rosetta Stone and Babbel perform in that area?

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Rosetta Stone or Babbel – Motivation

Rosetta Stone takes the lead here. Its lessons are quick and fit easily into daily life. While Babbel also offers bite-sized lessons, it generally lacks the extra features you’ll find in Rosetta Stone’s learning suite. If you enjoy reading, for instance, Rosetta Stone’s short stories might keep you motivated.

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Neither platform has major motivational tools, so you may need to turn to strategies like Self-Nudging or our 1-Meter Hack for extra support.

– Point goes to Rosetta Stone –

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A solid language course is great, but the price also has to match what you get. More features, more languages, and a better method can justify a higher cost. What’s the situation for Rosetta Stone or Babbel?

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Rosetta Stone vs. Babbel: Value for Money

With Babbel, you can learn one language for as little as €6.99 per month (depending on the subscription). There’s also a lifetime option often available at around €299 for all 14 languages. See this article for complete Babbel cost details.

Rosetta Stone pricing starts at around $11 per month for a single language. There’s also a lifetime option: $399 for unlimited access to all 24 languages. Both courses are priced fairly, so:

– Point goes to Both –

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That wraps up our five categories in detail. Let’s check out the final results:

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The Point Tally

Conclusion – Rosetta Stone or Babbel: Which One Wins?

In a direct Rosetta Stone vs. Babbel comparison, Rosetta Stone emerges victorious with a 4:2 score. Its intuitive approach and wider language selection are major advantages, and its price-to-value ratio surpasses Babbel’s. There are some sizable differences among the top language providers.

Does that mean you should buy Rosetta Stone without hesitation? We certainly recommend it, but not every course suits everyone perfectly. You might also want to see how Mondly compares to Rosetta Stone.

No matter which language course you ultimately choose, be sure to use it consistently. If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below! We would love to hear your take on this.