Babbel is a paid French app for beginner to advanced learners (A1–C1). The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening.
Checked October 2026 on the official site ·
About Babbel
Babbel is a subscription app with a structured French curriculum that runs from A1 towards C1, short lessons built around real situations, grammar explained in context and speaking practice. You can try a lesson for free; everything else needs a subscription, and the price is shown at checkout rather than on the public pages we checked. It suits an adult beginner who wants a clear, ordered course on the phone. It does not replace listening to real people, and its dialogues are scripted and recorded for learners.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babbel | See site; first lesson free | A1–C1 | No | The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
| Busuu | Free tier; Premium: see site | A1–B2 | No | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. |
| Duolingo | Free; paid plans: see site | A1–B1 | No | The easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it. |
| Pimsleur | See site; free first lesson | A1–B1 | No | Best for speaking from day one on a commute; thin on vocabulary. |
| French with AmélieRuns this site | Free weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yr | B1–C1 | Yes, with a slow version and a transcript | Real-speed dialogues by email and a private podcast. Not an app. Visit |
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Further reading
A longer guide on this topic from French with Amélie: read the guide.
