# Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) vs Babbel

The clearest difference is ads: Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) at none against Babbel's shown. Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) also leads on review sentiment (59% vs 44%). Babbel's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly) and chart position (#9 vs #155). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $44.99 per 3 months 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 — 4.8 for Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) against 4.7 for Babbel. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 238K and 754K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)'s written reviews are positive against 44% of Babbel's.

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) ships an update monthly, Babbel every 4 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) | Babbel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (238K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rosetta-stone-classic-2024/id435588892/reviews)** | [4.7 (754K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 238K | **754K** |
| Positive reviews | **59.0% of reviews** | 43.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #155 | **#9** |
| Size | 204 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Rosetta Stone, Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/349688821) | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) |

## What reviewers say

### Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rosetta-stone-classic-2024/id435588892)

**Currently charting:** #155 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Master a new language through an immersive, intuitive method that focuses on speaking with confidence. Personalized plans and instant pronunciation feedback help you learn effectively. Download lessons for offline access and sync your progress across devices.

**Highlights:** Personalized language learning plan, Intuitive immersion method, Instant pronunciation feedback, Offline lesson downloads, Extended learning exercises, Cross-device progress syncing

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spanish (Lat. Am.) – 3 Months | $44.99 | per 3 months |
| English (American) – 3 Months | $44.99 | per 3 months |
| French – 3 Months | $44.99 | per 3 months |
| Spanish (Lat. Am.) – 3 Months | $54.99 | per 3 months |
| Spanish 12 Months Access | $109.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Languages - 1 Year | $109.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Languages - 1 Year | $109.99 | per year |
| Spanish (Lat. Am.) – 12 Months | $119.99 | per year |
| Spanish (Latin America) (5 Levels) | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient learning method
- 👍 Engaging visuals and audio
- 🚀 Rapid progress in language skills
- 👍 Helpful for pronunciation and speaking
- 👍 Useful for beginners and intermediate learners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable speech recognition
- 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and syncing issues
- 🔍 Lack of English translations and grammar explanations
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔍 Unclear lesson progression and navigation

**Reported bugs**

- Lessons marked as incomplete even after completion
- Audio playback issues and inconsistent performance
- Inability to reset progress or redo specific lessons

**Requested features**

- Ability to pause and review lessons
- Option to learn writing/reading in addition to speaking
- Improved speech recognition and feedback
- Better sync between app and desktop versions
- More language options and advanced content


### Babbel

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

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Education, #67 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 Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) free?

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 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, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Babbel?

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) is rated higher. Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) averages 4.8 out of 5 from 238K ratings, while Babbel averages 4.7 from 754K ratings.

### Do Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Babbel have ads?

Babbel shows ads; Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) does not.

### Which is updated more often, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Babbel?

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) ships an update monthly, and Babbel every 4 days. Most recently, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) was updated on September 24, 2026 and Babbel on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Babbel?

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) currently peaks at #155 in the App Store charts, and Babbel at #9. 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.*