Speak vs Babbel at a glance
| Speak | Babbel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium $17.99/mo or $83.99/yr; Premium Plus $39.99/mo or $164.99/yr (App Store); 7-day free trial | 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–C1 (beginner to advanced) | A1–C1 (beginner to advanced) |
| Free to use | No (trial or sample only) | 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 | Lots of out-loud speaking practice with an AI tutor; paid after a 7-day trial. | 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 speaking?
Speak. Each lesson teaches useful phrases with a native-speaking teacher, has you repeat them out loud until they come without thinking, then puts you in a back-and-forth conversation with an AI tutor that gives feedback on pronunciation and phrasing. Babbel has speaking practice too, but it is one part of a broader course built around real situations.
Which is better for understanding grammar?
Babbel. It explains grammar in context as you go, so you understand why a sentence is built the way it is. Speak is light on reading and grammar explanation; it trains you to say phrases, not to analyse them. If you like knowing the rule, Babbel; if you just want to speak, Speak.
Which is cheaper?
Babbel, on the yearly plans. 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 Speak Premium at $17.99 a month or $83.99 a year, and Premium Plus at $39.99 a month or $164.99 a year. Babbel lets you try one lesson free; Speak has a 7-day free trial.
Which teaches real spoken French?
Neither trains your ear for real-speed French between native speakers. Babbel's dialogues are scripted and recorded for learners, and Speak's conversations are with an AI tutor. Speak makes you produce more French; neither makes you follow fast, messy conversation.
Can you use both?
Yes, and the pair makes sense: Babbel for the course and grammar, Speak for daily out-loud practice. It is two subscriptions, though, so try both trials before you commit to either.
What neither does
Neither app gives you real-speed French to listen to or a real person to talk to. Practising with scripted dialogues and an AI is a good start, but conversations in France are faster and less predictable. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speak | Premium $17.99/mo or $83.99/yr; Premium Plus $39.99/mo or $164.99/yr (App Store); 7-day free trial | A1–C1 | No | Lots of out-loud speaking practice with an AI tutor; paid after a 7-day trial. |
| 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: Speak (app) and Babbel (app). More like these: Duolingo alternatives for French.