Mondly vs Babbel at a glance
| Mondly | Babbel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Some free lessons; Premium $15.90/mo or $74.90/yr; 1-week free trialchecked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases) | 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–B1 (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 pleasant beginner phrase app with speech practice; thin past A2. | 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 suit beginners. Babbel's short lessons are built around real situations, with grammar explained in context and speaking practice. Mondly, from Pearson, gives you short daily lessons built around useful phrases and mini conversations, with speech recognition and a chatbot to practise answering. Mondly is lighter and more casual; Babbel teaches you more about how French works.
Which is cheaper?
Close, and it depends on the plan. Babbel was €8.99 a month on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year) when we checked from Germany; the US App Store lists Mondly Premium at $15.90 a month or $74.90 a year. Babbel lets you try one lesson free; Mondly gives you some free lessons and a one-week trial. Compare both on the same day.
Which takes you further?
Babbel, clearly. Its curriculum runs from A1 towards C1, while Mondly covers A1 to B1 and is thin past A2.
Which teaches real spoken French?
Neither. Babbel's dialogues are scripted and recorded for learners, and Mondly's audio is recorded slowly for learners. Neither trains your ear for French at normal speed.
Which gets you speaking sooner?
Mondly gives you more quick speaking from the start: its chatbot makes you answer in simple conversations, and speech recognition checks what you say. Babbel's speaking practice sits inside fuller lessons with grammar explained, so you speak a little later but understand more of what you are saying.
Can you use both?
There is little point paying for both. If you want a light extra beside Babbel, a free vocabulary tool or real listening does more than a second course app.
What neither does
Neither app plays real-speed French between native speakers or gives you a person to talk to. Both are built for learners. Add real listening early, and a tutor or exchange partner once you have the basics.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondly | Some free lessons; Premium $15.90/mo or $74.90/yr; 1-week free trialchecked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases) | A1–B1 | No | A pleasant beginner phrase app with speech practice; thin past A2. |
| 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: Mondly (app) and Babbel (app). More like these: Apps like Duolingo for French.