# Japanese Dictionary + vs Babbel

The clearest difference is monetization model: Japanese Dictionary + at free with in-app purchases against Babbel's subscription. Babbel's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (757K vs 223). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Japanese Dictionary + sells 6 one-off in-app purchases 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 — 4.6 for Japanese Dictionary + against 4.7 for Babbel. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 757K ratings behind it against 223, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of Japanese Dictionary +'s written reviews are positive against 44% of Babbel's.

Japanese Dictionary + ships an update every 2 months, Babbel every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Japanese Dictionary + | Babbel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (223 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-dictionary-plus/id504762414/reviews) | **[4.7 (757K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 223 | **757K** |
| Positive reviews | **47.5% of reviews** | 44.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#11** |
| Size | 54 MB | 256 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [iThinkdiff](https://appshunter.io/developer/377715733) | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) |

## What reviewers say

### Japanese Dictionary +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-dictionary-plus/id504762414)

This app offers a comprehensive bilingual dictionary for English and Japanese, with translation capabilities for words and phrases. It supports offline use for over 350,000 entries, including pronunciation and text scanning from images. Gamified learning tools and vocabulary builders are included to aid language acquisition.

**Highlights:** Bilingual English-Japanese dictionary, Offline translation for words and phrases, Image text scanning, Pronunciation and vocabulary games, Flashcards and Word of the Day, Phrasebook for common phrases

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pronunciation | $0.99 | one-time |
| Online Translator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Flash Card | $0.99 | one-time |
| Phrase Book | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pro Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Full Version | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Helpful for learning Japanese
- 💡 Word of the day feature
- ✅ Good dictionary overall
- ✈️ Handy while traveling
- 🔊 Pronunciation audio works well

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Data loss of saved words
- 📉 Limited saving capacity
- ⚠️ Inaccurate translations
- 🚫 No Romanji input/dictionary
- 😵 Camera scan feature not working

**Reported bugs**

- App erases saved words without warning
- App stops functioning after purchase
- App frequently forgets purchase
- Camera scan feature does not work
- OCR is only for English

**Requested features**

- Add Romanji input/dictionary
- Enable scanning Japanese characters (especially Kanji)
- Add keyboard option
- Make pricing for audio pronunciation clearer (one-time vs. per word)
- Improve saving capacity for words


### Babbel

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

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Grossing · Education, #46 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 Japanese Dictionary + free?

Japanese Dictionary + 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, Japanese Dictionary + or Babbel?

Babbel is rated higher. Japanese Dictionary + averages 4.6 out of 5 from 223 ratings, while Babbel averages 4.7 from 757K ratings.

### Do Japanese Dictionary + or Babbel have ads?

Both Japanese Dictionary + and Babbel show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Japanese Dictionary + or Babbel?

Japanese Dictionary + ships an update every 2 months, and Babbel every 6 days. Most recently, Japanese Dictionary + was updated on October 16, 2026 and Babbel on October 21, 2026.

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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.*