# LingQ | Learn Languages vs Babbel

The clearest difference is monetization model: LingQ | Learn Languages at free with in-app purchases against Babbel's subscription. LingQ | Learn Languages also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 44%) and ads (none vs shown). Babbel's advantage is ratings volume (754K vs 10K) and chart position (#8 vs #132). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LingQ | Learn Languages sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Babbel sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for LingQ | Learn Languages against 4.7 for Babbel. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 754K ratings behind it against 10K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of LingQ | Learn Languages's written reviews are positive against 44% of Babbel's.

LingQ | Learn Languages ships an update every 5 days, Babbel every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LingQ | Learn Languages | Babbel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lingq-learn-languages/id379385811/reviews) | [4.7 (754K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 10K | **754K** |
| Positive reviews | **80.2% of reviews** | 43.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #132 | **#8** |
| Size | 345 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [LingQ Languages Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1774323619) | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) |

## What reviewers say

### LingQ | Learn Languages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lingq-learn-languages/id379385811)

**Currently charting:** #132 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Learn languages naturally by reading and listening to real content. Expand your vocabulary and improve comprehension with interactive tools and AI-powered features. Supports over 50 languages and offers a global community for support.

**Highlights:** Massive content library, Import your own content, Interactive reader with word definitions, AI-powered learning tools, Progress tracking, Offline learning, Community support and tutoring

**Features:** Siri integration, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LingQ Premium (Monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| LingQ Premium (Monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Plus Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| LingQ Premium (6 Months) | $80.99 | per 6 months |
| LingQ Premium (6 Months) | $80.99 | per 6 months |
| LingQ Premium | $89.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium | $101.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium | $109.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium (12 Months) | $119.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium (12 Months) | $119.99 | per year |
| Premium Plus Yearly | $269.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for reading and listening practice
- 👍 Customizable content and learning experience
- 🚀 Efficient vocabulary acquisition
- 👍 Helpful for improving comprehension and fluency
- 👍 Engaging and enjoyable way to learn

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with sync and performance issues
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🤔 Limited free version functionality
- 🤔 Confusing user interface and navigation
- 🤔 Inconsistent quality of translations and definitions

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Sync issues between app and web version
- Incorrect translations and definitions
- Unreliable streak tracking and progress reporting

**Requested features**

- Improved user interface and navigation
- Better sync and performance across devices
- More content and language options
- Enhanced vocabulary management and review tools
- Affordable subscription plans


### Babbel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759)

**Currently charting:** #8 Top Grossing · Education, #66 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Master a new language with expert-designed, bite-sized lessons that fit your schedule. Build conversational confidence quickly through interactive practice and a smart review system. Learn Spanish, French, German, and more for travel, work, or fun.

**Highlights:** Bite-sized lessons, Expert-built courses, Interactive conversation practice, Smart review system, Grammar in context, Offline mode, Learn 14 languages

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mexican Spanish – 1-month plan | $17.99 | per month |
| Spanish 1 month | $17.99 | per month |
| French 1 month | $17.99 | per month |
| Italian 1 month | $17.99 | per month |
| Mexican Spanish - 1-month plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Mexican Spanish – 3-month plan | $45.99 | per 3 months |
| Learn French – 3-month plan | $45.99 | per 3 months |
| Learn Spanish – 3-month plan | $45.99 | per 3 months |
| All Languages – 3-month plan | $53.99 | per 3 months |
| Mexican Spanish – 1-year plan | $89.99 | per year |
| All Languages – 12-month plan | $107.99 | per year |
| All Languages – 12-month plan | $107.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent structured learning
- 🚀 Effective vocabulary and grammar teaching
- 👍 Helpful pronunciation guides
- 👍 Engaging and practical lessons
- 👍 Useful review and repetition features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent voice recognition
- 🐛 Lack of flexibility in lesson progression
- 🐛 Confusing user interface and navigation
- 🐛 Overly strict scoring and lack of forgiveness for minor errors
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- Lessons sometimes freeze or crash the app
- Subscription cancellation process is overly complicated
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between languages
- Keyboard issues and inability to use system keyboard

**Requested features**

- Add more language options, especially Asian languages like Japanese, Korean, and Chinese
- Improve review and practice tools to better reinforce learned material
- Provide more customization options for lesson pacing and content
- Implement a more forgiving scoring system and allow users to revisit past lessons
- Add a dark mode and optimize the app for better readability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LingQ | Learn Languages free?

LingQ | Learn Languages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Babbel free?

Babbel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, LingQ | Learn Languages or Babbel?

LingQ | Learn Languages and Babbel are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 10K and 754K ratings respectively.

### Do LingQ | Learn Languages or Babbel have ads?

Babbel shows ads; LingQ | Learn Languages does not.

### Which is updated more often, LingQ | Learn Languages or Babbel?

LingQ | Learn Languages ships an update every 5 days, and Babbel every 4 days. Most recently, LingQ | Learn Languages was updated on September 24, 2026 and Babbel on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LingQ | Learn Languages or Babbel?

LingQ | Learn Languages currently peaks at #132 in the App Store charts, and Babbel at #8. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*