Busuu vs Babbel at a glance
| Busuu | Babbel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier; Premium €4.83/mo billed €57.99/yr (standard €116.28); Premium Plus €5.83/mo billed €69.90/yr (standard €142.80)checked 2026-10-09 (busuu.com/products, shown from Germany) | From €8.99/mo on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year; €215.88 at the monthly rate); lifetime €299.99; first lesson freechecked 2026-10-09 (babbel.com/prices, shown from Germany) |
| Levels | A1–B2 (beginner and intermediate) | A1–C1 (beginner to advanced) |
| Free to use | Yes, at least in part | No (trial or sample only) |
| Real-speed French | No | No |
| Transcripts or subtitles | Not a feature | Not a feature |
| Taught in | English | English |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. | The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Which is better for beginners?
Both are good structured courses for adult beginners. Busuu's Complete French course runs from A1 to B2 with more than 330 lessons, AI review tools and exercises you can submit for feedback. Babbel's short lessons are built around real situations, with grammar explained in context and speaking practice. If you like tracking progress level by level, Busuu; if you like clear explanations of why, Babbel.
Which is cheaper?
Busuu, on both counts. Many of its features are free, and Premium was €57.99 a year (€4.83 a month) when we checked from Germany, against a standard €116.28. Babbel lets you try one lesson free; its cheapest subscription was €8.99 a month on the 12-month plan, €107.88 a year. Prices vary by country and offer, so compare on the same day.
Which takes you further?
Babbel, on paper. Its curriculum runs from A1 towards C1, while Busuu stops at B2. In practice both are strongest from A1 to B1, and above that an app becomes one tool among several.
Which teaches real spoken French?
Neither. Busuu's audio is recorded for learners, and Babbel's dialogues are scripted and recorded for learners too. Neither trains you on fast, informal speech.
Can you use both?
There is little reason to. Both are full course apps covering the same levels, so using both mostly repeats A1 to B1 twice. Pick one and spend the rest of your time on listening and speaking.
What neither does
Neither course gets you following French at real speed or speaking with a person. Both use clean, scripted audio and in-app speaking practice. Add real-speed listening early and a tutor or exchange partner by A2.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busuu | Free tier; Premium €4.83/mo billed €57.99/yr (standard €116.28); Premium Plus €5.83/mo billed €69.90/yr (standard €142.80)checked 2026-10-09 (busuu.com/products, shown from Germany) | A1–B2 | No | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. |
| Babbel | From €8.99/mo on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year; €215.88 at the monthly rate); lifetime €299.99; first lesson freechecked 2026-10-09 (babbel.com/prices, shown from Germany) | A1–C1 | No | The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
| French with Amélie | 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 |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Read more
The full listings: Busuu (app) and Babbel (app). More like these: Online French courses.
Guides
- Babbel cost: every plan and what it works out per month (2026)
- Is Babbel free? Trial, free lessons, what's locked
- Is Babbel worth it for French?
- Is Busuu free?
- Babbel French: what the course covers, level by level
- Babbel lifetime: is the one-off plan worth it?
- Busuu French: course, levels, the ads
- How to cancel Babbel