Babbel is a language learning app that offers interactive lessons designed to help users improve their proficiency in various languages. It provides vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation exercises tailored to individual learning needs.
And one of the biggest factors for many of us when deciding to try out an app is the cost involved.
I also wondered exactly how much Babbel costs, so I set out to investigate while I did my thorough review of the platform.
This guide will answer any questions you have about the cost of Babbel (and for free, I’ll share whether the cost justifies what you get).
What Are Babbel’s Subscription Options?
Babbel has two main subscription options: Babbel Self-Study and Babbel Live.
It seems like Babbel Live offers way more than the Self-Study option does, but actually, you just pay extra for the unlimited live classes you can book.
Babbel’s Self-Study subscription is quite comprehensive. You can learn your new language (with 14 languages to choose from) via the website or the mobile app and complete the exercises in a structured and progressive way.
There are also special courses in different languages if you want to focus on something specific.
Plus, you can listen to podcasts, read Babbel Magazine, play games, listen to stories, review your vocabulary, and set goals to help keep you on track.
Let’s break down the price differences in detail.
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The Babbel Self-Study Subscription
Babbel Self-Study has five subscription options.
All the subscription options start at a monthly US$13.95, which equals a yearly US$167.40 (with no discount factored in).
You can choose one of these options if you want to split the bill or use Babbel for a short time:
- 1 month – US$13.95 per month
- 3 months – a once-off US$41.85
- 6 months – a once-off US$83.70
- 12 months – a once-off US$167.40
There is a fifth option, too: the Lifetime subscription at US$599.99. All of Babbel’s 14 languages are included in this subscription!
If Babbel offers a discount, the costs for a longer-term subscription is much lower (up to 50%) of the regular cost.
The Babbel Live Subscription
The Babbel Live subscription has four options.
If Babbel doesn’t offer a discount on these subscriptions, expect to pay a monthly US$99 or a yearly US$1,188.
Here’s how much the once-off payments are for the subscription options:
- 1 month – US$99 per month
- 3 months – a once-off US$297
- 6 months – a once-off US$594
- 12 months – a once-off US$1,188
When Babbel offers a discount, you can save up 50% on the 6-month subscription and 70% on the yearly one. What a save!
Can You Use the Babbel App for Free?
There isn’t a free version of the Babbel app. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store for free, but to use the features, you need to sign up (and subscribe) or log in.
And while you can explore the Babbel website, the learning section is gated, so you have to create an account, pick your subscription option, and pay before you unlock all the language-learning features of your chosen new language.
Excited to learn more? Explore my reviews listed below:
Does Babbel Have a Free Trial?
Babbel has a free trial, but it isn’t a free trial in the traditional sense. In fact, Babbel doesn’t even tell potential customers that they can access free lessons of each of the 14 languages before needing to subscribe.
You won’t find that Babbel offers a “7-day free trial” or a “14-day free trial.” When you subscribe, the company does let you know you can request your money back within 20 days if you aren’t satisfied with the platform.
Begin learning a new language with Babbel! 🌟 Unlock up to 55% OFF your Babbel subscription today!
Save Money! Use Babbel Discounts and Special Offers
There are various ways to save money with Babbel. The company often offers discounts on their subscription options, and you can save 30% to 70% on a subscription.
For example, when I checked out Babbel’s pricing in November 2023, they offered these discounts:
Babbel Self-Study:
- 3 months – US$29.85 for the period (30% off)
- 6 months – US$50.70 for the period (40% off)
- 12 months – US$83.40 for the period (50% off)
- Lifetime – US$299.99 (less US$300)
Babbel Live:
- 3 months – US$178.20 for the period (40% off)
- 6 months – US$297.00 for the period (50% off)
- 12 months – US$356.40 for the period (70% off)
Babbel also has discounts if you are a student, an educator, military member, or a healthcare worker.
Plus …
The company has a page to lock in a discount – I could get a 55% discount when I checked out that page.
Should You Subscribe to Babbel Live?
There is only so much you can learn via app-simulated exercises that practices your listening, comprehension, writing, speaking, and reading skills.
It’s handy to interact with native speakers and get real-time feedback on your pronunciation and how you can improve. Plus, you gain insights into the language and culture that technology can’t provide because it doesn’t have lived experience.
But is the Babbel Live subscription worth the extra cost?
You do pay around US$85 more for it per month (excluding discounts and special offers).
Considering that live classes per hour on other platforms cost anything between US$25 to US$60 (and more!) per hour, you are getting a bargain with Babbel since you can book an unlimited number of these lessons.
While I didn’t enjoy Babbel’s live lessons when I was revising my Italian on the app, it can benefit a beginner or someone who likes interaction with other students and the teacher.
Is Babbel Lifetime Worth It?
Babbel’s Lifetime subscription is quite the investment, and I also questioned whether it’s a worthy one.
After careful consideration and running the numbers, there’s only one answer: Yes. It is worth it.
The Lifetime subscription costs US$599 (or US$299 discounted) and you can access all their languages. The only thing not included is live lessons, which you’ll need to pay extra for.
If you consider that one subscription = one language, here’s some basic math for you:
For Babbel Self-Study, it costs you US$334.80 to learn two languages.
For three languages, it’s US$502.20, for four, it’s US$669.60.
Babbel has 14 languages you can learn, and okay, not every language has a lot of content, but if you love languages and learning, Babbel Lifetime just makes sense – provided you like the Babbel platform and it meets your learning needs.
All About the Babbel Family Plan
Sadly, Babbel doesn’t have a family plan. While you can share your log-in details with your romantic partner, kids, friends, and family members, you won’t be able to track your progress as easily as when you alone use the app or website.
So if more people want to learn a language using Babbel, they’ll need their own subscriptions.
Babbel Costs FAQs
Does Babbel have a refund option?
Babbel has a refund option. You can request your money back within 20 days of signing up if you aren’t satisfied with what Babbel offers. Simply reach out to the customer service team and they’ll issue a refund.
Are the costs different for the various languages on Babbel?
The costs to learn different languages are the same on Babbel. You pay per subscription, and you’ll need a valid subscription for each language you want to learn on the platform. The only price difference is whether you subscribe to Babbel Live or Babbel Self-Study for a language.
Is it possible to pay monthly or bill annually on Babbel?
You can’t pay monthly and be billed annually for Babbel. You pay according to the subscription option you choose, so if you choose a monthly subscription, you’ll pay X amount each month. But if you choose a 3, 6, or 12 month option, you’ll pay a once-off amount that auto-renews, unless you turn that feature off.
Can I share my Babbel subscription with someone else?
You can’t share your Babbel subscription with someone else. If there’s someone in your family who wants to learn a new language, they’ll need an individual subscription.
Are Babbel subscriptions automatically renewed?
Babbel subscriptions automatically renew, but you can turn off this setting if you want to change to a different subscription plan or end your subscription.
Begin learning a new language with Babbel! 🌟 Unlock up to 55% OFF your Babbel subscription today!
My Final Thoughts about the Cost of Babbel
Babbel isn’t the most pricey option in the language-learning niche, and you get value for your money – provided you know what you want and what you are signing up for.
There is no official free trial, but you can check out the first couple of lessons for every language you can learn on Babbel. And you can try out two free live lessons.
If you are happy with what you see, you need to sign up for either Babbel Live or Babbel Self-Study. The Lifetime subscription is the best value for money if you like dabbling in languages or want to learn more than one.
If you enjoyed my article, please feel free to share it. Have any questions? Don't hesitate to email me!
Disclaimer: I select and review independently. If you buy through affiliate links, I may earn commissions that help support my testing at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure for more information.
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