Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Babbel VS Simply Learn Languages

Compare Babbel VS Simply Learn Languages and see what are their differences

Babbel logo Babbel

Babbel is a paid language learning service that aims to strike a balance between thoroughness and cost efficiency.

Simply Learn Languages logo Simply Learn Languages

A phrasebook of 50+ languages for traveling (with audio)
  • Babbel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-23
  • Simply Learn Languages Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-01

Babbel

Website
babbel.com
Release Date
2007 January
Startup details
Country
Germany
State
Berlin
City
Berlin
Founder(s)
Lorenz Heine
Employees
500 - 999

Babbel features and specs

  • Structured Learning Path
    Babbel offers a well-structured curriculum designed by language experts, helping users progress systematically through various levels.
  • Interactive Lessons
    The platform features interactive exercises that include speaking, writing, listening, and reading to engage multiple aspects of language learning.
  • Real-world Conversations
    Babbel focuses on teaching practical, real-world conversation skills that are immediately applicable in daily situations.
  • Speech Recognition
    The app includes speech recognition technology to help users improve their pronunciation.
  • Multiple Languages
    Babbel offers courses in 14 different languages, providing a variety of choices for users.
  • Offline Access
    Lessons can be downloaded for offline use, allowing for flexible learning without constant internet access.

Possible disadvantages of Babbel

  • Subscription Cost
    Babbel requires a subscription to access the full range of features, which may not be affordable for everyone.
  • Limited Advanced Content
    While effective for beginners and intermediates, Babbel's content may be too basic for more advanced learners.
  • No Free Tier
    Unlike some other language learning platforms, Babbel does not offer a free version, limiting access for users who cannot afford a subscription.
  • Repetitive Exercises
    Some users find the repetitive nature of Babbel's exercises monotonous over time.
  • Cultural Context
    Although Babbel offers real-world conversation practice, it may not provide enough cultural context for deep cultural immersion.

Simply Learn Languages features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Simply Learn Languages has a simple and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all ages.
  • Offline Access
    The app allows users to download lessons and access them offline, which is beneficial for users with limited internet connectivity.
  • Audio Phrases
    Simply Learn Languages provides a wide range of audio phrases spoken by native speakers, aiding in pronunciation and listening skills.
  • Diverse Language Options
    The app offers a variety of languages to learn, catering to a wide audience with different language learning needs.
  • Flashcards for Vocabulary
    The use of flashcards helps with vocabulary retention by leveraging spaced repetition and visual learning techniques.

Possible disadvantages of Simply Learn Languages

  • Limited Depth
    While it covers basic phrases and vocabulary, Simply Learn Languages might not offer comprehensive language learning for advanced users.
  • In-App Purchases
    Some features and lessons in Simply Learn Languages require in-app purchases, which may not be ideal for users looking for entirely free resources.
  • Lack of Grammar Explanation
    The app focuses primarily on vocabulary and phrases, offering limited resources for learning grammar rules and structure.
  • Interaction Limitations
    Simply Learn Languages lacks interactive language practice features, such as conversation simulation and language games, which are critical for immersive learning.

Analysis of Babbel

Overall verdict

  • Babbel is a well-regarded language learning platform, particularly effective for beginners and intermediate learners. It provides a solid foundation in multiple languages, although it may not be as beneficial for advanced learners seeking in-depth proficiency.

Why this product is good

  • Babbel is considered good due to its structured courses designed by linguistic experts, focusing on conversation skills and practical vocabulary. It offers a user-friendly interface and short, interactive lessons that fit easily into a busy schedule. Babbel also personalizes lessons based on your progress, reinforcing learning through repetition and varied exercises.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking to learn a new language from scratch
  • Busy professionals needing flexible learning options
  • Travelers wanting to gain basic conversational skills quickly
  • Students who prefer a structured, curriculum-based approach

Babbel videos

Babbel | The ULTIMATE Review

More videos:

  • Review - Babbel Review: Not Groundbreaking But Good, Trusted Courses | ALR
  • Review - MY HONEST REVIEW OF BABBEL (FOR GERMAN)

Simply Learn Languages videos

Simply Learn Languages - App Preview

More videos:

  • Review - Simply Learn Languages

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Babbel and Simply Learn Languages)
Language Learning
98 98%
2% 2
Spaced Repetition
0 0%
100% 100
Education
98 98%
2% 2
Studying
95 95%
5% 5

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Babbel and Simply Learn Languages

Babbel Reviews

Best Memrise Alternatives (February 2025) – UPDATED
You can determine your starting point as Babbel offers courses at all levels for users looking to learn a foreign language.
Source: lingoly.io
15 Language Learning Apps Compared - Personally Tested
Part of learning in the programme is pronouncing the words you learn. Rosetta Stone was an early developer of speech recognition software, which gives learners feedback on their pronunciation. For more details about the app, see my reviews “Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Which Language App Stands Out?” and “Duolingo vs Rosetta Stone: Which Language App Stands Out?“.
Source: www.krioda.com
Apps Similar To Duolingo: Best Language Learning Alternatives
Duolingo, Memrise, LingoDeer, Busuu, and Babbel are popular choices. Duolingo makes learning fun with games. Babbel designs its interface for each language.
10 Best Babbel Alternatives in 2024
However, Babbel is not an ideal fit if you are an intermediate or advanced learner, as it can only help you with the language basics. Another thing that encourages many users to explore the best Babbel alternatives is its glitchy mobile app that won’t improve your speaking skills and is quite expensive.
14 Best Duolingo Alternatives to Learn New Languages
Babbel boasts a wide range of learning materials from app lessons to live classes, games, videos, and podcasts, making it a great Duolingo alternative. Progressing to the intermediate level won’t feel like a chore, thanks to the app’s immersive interface. Find out more with this Babbel review.

Simply Learn Languages Reviews

We have no reviews of Simply Learn Languages yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Babbel seems to be a lot more popular than Simply Learn Languages. While we know about 11 links to Babbel, we've tracked only 1 mention of Simply Learn Languages. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Babbel mentions (11)

  • LibreLingo – FOSS Alternative to Duolingo
    Anyone as experience with feedback on https://www.rocketlanguages.com/ and https://babbel.com/ ? I’m mostly interested in speaking out loud skills, and those two have voice recognition it seems. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Anyone else want to learn a language but suffer from crippling social anxiety?
    It’s by know means comprehensive, as I try stuff all the time but these 5 are the consistent ones. 1. Duolingo– This free language-learning platform has become incredibly popular in recent years. It offers interactive lessons, quizzes, and other activities to help you reinforce the material. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to keep track of your progress and you can even compete with friends to see who... Source: over 2 years ago
  • does it go with the territory of language learning to feel you're just not picking it up fast enough?
    I study with babbel.com and listen to Olly Richards on audible for 30 minutes every night. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Black Box Down: Pilots Crash Doing a Go Around / USAir Flight 1016 Crashes in a Neighborhood
    Title Black Box Down: Pilots Crash Doing a Go Around / USAir Flight 1016 Crashes in a Neighborhood Show Black Box Down Site Squad-team-force Thumbnail Link Length 46:06 Description A McDonnell Douglas DC-9 crashes seconds after starting a go around procedure. The crew of USAir Flight 1016 are cautious of heavy storms over their destination airport. As they are on final approach the crew decided to go... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Off Topic: The TRUTH About Elden Ring - #324
    Title Off Topic: The TRUTH About Elden Ring - #324 Show Off Topic Site Achievement-hunter Thumbnail Link Length 1:34:54 Description The AH Crew sit to talk about the Elden Ring addiction and the Dark Souls collective, the worst Batman voice, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and more on this week’s Off Topic! This episode originally aired February 25, 2022 and is sponsored by Babbel (Go to http://babbel.com... Source: about 3 years ago
View more

Simply Learn Languages mentions (1)

  • Help With (RE)Learning Serbian
    Simply Learn app: In this app, we can learn useful Serbian phrases for daily conversation. Moreover, you can get some vocabulary as well. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Babbel and Simply Learn Languages, you can also consider the following products

Duolingo - Duolingo is a free language learning app for iOS, Windows and Android devices. The app makes learning a new language fun by breaking learning into small lessons where you can earn points and move up through the levels. Read more about Duolingo.

Busuu - Join the global language learning community, take language courses to practice reading, writing, listening and speaking and learn a new language. Learn English with busuu's .

MondlyAR - Learn languages in augmented reality

Memrise - Learn a new language with games, humorous chatbots and over 30,000 native speaker videos.

Lingvo TV - Learn languages while watching movies on Netflix.

Rosetta Stone - Rosetta Stone is the world's most popular software for learning languages. It is offered at a cost of just $169 when purchased outright, but it is also possible to purchase language programs in a subscription format that offers ongoing support.