Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Vocabulary.com VS Babbel

Compare Vocabulary.com VS Babbel and see what are their differences

Vocabulary.com logo Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary.com is the easiest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary.

Babbel logo Babbel

Babbel is a paid language learning service that aims to strike a balance between thoroughness and cost efficiency.
  • Vocabulary.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-23
  • Babbel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-23

Babbel

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

Vocabulary.com features and specs

  • Comprehensive Word List
    Vocabulary.com offers an extensive database of words, including definitions, example sentences, and pronunciations, making it a valuable resource for expanding one's vocabulary.
  • Personalized Learning
    The site uses algorithms to adapt to the user's level and preferences, offering a personalized learning experience that focuses on areas where the user needs improvement.
  • Interactive Quizzes
    Vocabulary.com features engaging quizzes and activities that test users on word meanings, usage, and pronunciation, making learning more interactive and fun.
  • Integration with Curriculum
    Teachers can integrate the tool into their curriculum, create custom word lists, and track students' progress, which makes it versatile for educational settings.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    The platform is accessible via mobile devices, allowing users to learn on-the-go, which adds to its convenience and usability.

Possible disadvantages of Vocabulary.com

  • Subscription Costs
    While Vocabulary.com offers some free features, access to its full range of tools, including progress tracking and advanced quizzes, requires a paid subscription, which may not be affordable for everyone.
  • Limited Contextual Learning
    The platform focuses heavily on individual word definitions and usage but may not provide enough context for how words are used in larger, more complex sentences or in different fields.
  • Overwhelming for New Users
    The sheer volume of features and resources available can be overwhelming for new users, potentially making it difficult for them to navigate the platform effectively.
  • Internet Dependency
    Since Vocabulary.com is an online platform, an internet connection is required to access its features, limiting its usability in offline scenarios.
  • Less Focus on Grammar
    The platform primarily emphasizes vocabulary learning and may not provide enough resources or activities for improving grammar, which is also crucial for language proficiency.

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.

Analysis of Vocabulary.com

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Vocabulary.com is considered a valuable tool for enhancing vocabulary skills. It is user-friendly and effective for both casual learners and those seeking to improve their language proficiency for academic or professional purposes. While it may not replace more comprehensive language courses, it serves as a beneficial supplement for targeted vocabulary development.

Why this product is good

  • Vocabulary.com is well-regarded for its interactive and engaging approach to vocabulary building. It employs adaptive learning technology, which helps tailor the experience to individual users' needs, making it suitable for a wide range of proficiency levels. The platform offers a vast array of words, meanings, and usage examples, alongside activities and quizzes designed to reinforce learning. Its community features, including leaderboards and achievements, can motivate users to continue improving their vocabulary.

Recommended for

  • Students looking to improve their vocabulary for tests and assignments.
  • Professionals aiming to enhance their verbal communication skills.
  • Language enthusiasts who enjoy daily challenges and word games.
  • ESL learners seeking to expand their English vocabulary knowledge in a structured yet enjoyable manner.

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

Vocabulary.com videos

How to use Vocabulary.com

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)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Vocabulary.com and Babbel)
Education
17 17%
83% 83
Studying
24 24%
76% 76
Language Learning
13 13%
87% 87
Online Learning
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Vocabulary.com and Babbel

Vocabulary.com Reviews

Vocabulary.com vs Lockcard
It's worth noting that Lockcard is a young app built by two language enthusiasts who happen to work as product designers by day. Therefore, there is a strong focus on smart interactions and minimalist visual design to give you a comforting experience every time you open the app. However, they currently lack in some resources; their dictionary is not as complete as...

Babbel Reviews

Best Memrise Alternatives (February 2025)ย โ€“ 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 โ€œBabbel vs Rosetta Stone: Which Language App Stands Out?โ€ and โ€œDuolingo vs Rosetta Stone: Which Language App Stands Out?โ€œ.
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 wonโ€™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 wonโ€™t feel like a chore, thanks to the appโ€™s immersive interface. Find out more with this Babbel review.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Vocabulary.com should be more popular than Babbel. It has been mentiond 67 times since March 2021. 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.

Vocabulary.com mentions (67)

  • Speaking of CB's shopping question...
    I happy Hobonichi releases their next year's lineup 4 months in advance. At first, I didn't get it, but now I understand! Hobonichi is pricey, and one needs to plan in advance on what to purchase but more importantly, what they need/see themselves actually using consistently throughout the year. So many unboxings on YouTube tells me, this is a great yearly splurge for most ppl in the planner world. I agree... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Resources for learning Somali
    Thank you! Probably ฤฐ will use any tools available but still Iโ€™m researching. My project is to improve the Somali language in any way possible, but my goal is opensource text-to-speech(tts) and speech-to-text(stt) models for language. ฤฐm learning ML so im still a beginner. As for now I collected 47k+ somali words & Somali-Somali dictionary in text file with different formats(Sql, Csv, txt). ฤฐ will be then creating... Source: over 2 years ago
  • What does this mean???
    Interestingly, according to vocabulary.com,. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Holy shit guys you're not bad at chess
    Definitions of chess player, per vocabulary.com. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I need serious helpโ€ฆ
    You can do this! There's nothing wrong with Junior college, very economical, even if you find a roommate and move to a different locale. The California system is Built on Community College. There might be tutors at your public library (there are in Miami, FL). Or a peer tutor (but that can be hard on an ego sometimes). a few other ways to boost RW- vocabulary dot com, membean dot com (am I allowed to write in the... Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Babbel mentions (11)

  • LibreLingo โ€“ FOSS Alternative to Duolingo
    Anyone as experience with feedback on https://www.rocketlanguages.com/ and https://babbel.com/ ? Iโ€™m mostly interested in speaking out loud skills, and those two have voice recognition it seems. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Anyone else want to learn a language but suffer from crippling social anxiety?
    Itโ€™s by know means comprehensive, as I try stuff all the time but these 5 are the consistent ones. 1. Duolingoโ€“ 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: about 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: over 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, Pokรฉmon Scarlet & Violet and more on this weekโ€™s Off Topic! This episode originally aired February 25, 2022 and is sponsored by Babbel (Go to http://babbel.com... Source: over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Vocabulary.com and Babbel, you can also consider the following products

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

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 .

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.

Bialect - Learn languages faster with personalized practice tailored to the words you're learning.

Drops - Visual language learning.