When it comes to pricing, there’s a world of difference between Babbel and Duolingo. You have to pay to play when it comes to Babbel, which operates on a subscription-based model. A 6-month subscription costs $13.45 per month, a 12-month subscription costs $8.95 per month, and for those who never plan to stop learning languages, a lifetime subscription comes in at $349 per month. If you keep an eye out, you can often find specials, with a lifetime subscription going for as low as $199.99. Interestingly enough, if you sign up through the mobile app, the prices are a bit cheaper, with the 12-month plan costing $7.50 per month and the 6-month plan going for $11.16 per month. Learning with Babbel isn’t cheap, but considering all of its features, you may just find it worth the money, depending on your goals.
One of Duolingo’s biggest appeals is its price — it’s free. You’ll have to endure ads to access the free version, but you get access to all of the content without paying anything. One of the downsides is a lack of continuity with the free version of the app if you run out of hearts (demerits for mistakes) and have to wait for them to fill back up. However, if you’re a casual user who only plans to study in short bursts, this may not be a problem. If you don’t mind spending a few bucks, you can subscribe to Super Duolingo for 12.99 per month or $7.99 a month for the one-year plan. Like Babbel, Duolingo often discounts these prices.
