# Rocket Languages vs Babbel

The clearest difference is monetization model: Rocket Languages at free with in-app purchases against Babbel's subscription. Rocket Languages also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (69% vs 44%). Babbel's advantage is ratings volume (754K vs 2.4K) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Rocket Languages sells 49 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 Rocket Languages against 4.7 for Babbel. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 754K ratings behind it against 2.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of Rocket Languages's written reviews are positive against 44% of Babbel's.

Rocket Languages ships an update every 3 weeks, Babbel every 4 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rocket Languages | Babbel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-languages/id597293943/reviews) | **[4.7 (754K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.4K | **754K** |
| Positive reviews | **69.2% of reviews** | 43.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#9** |
| Size | 44 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Libros Media Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/597291855) | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) |

## What reviewers say

### Rocket Languages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-languages/id597293943)

Learn to speak new languages like Spanish, French, and Japanese with structured audio lessons and cultural insights. This app offers lifetime access to courses designed for real conversations, helping you overcome common learning frustrations and speak confidently from day one.

**Highlights:** Structured audio lessons for speaking, Lifetime access with free updates, Cultural insights and customs, Voice recognition for pronunciation, Adaptive review activities, Interactive audio and conversation practice

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

**In-app purchases (49)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rocket Sign Language Level 1 | $39.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Korean Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Arabic Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Portuguese Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Sign Language Level 1 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Korean Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Arabic Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket German Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Level 1 | $89.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Level 1 | $99.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Level 1 | $99.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Level 1 | $99.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Level 1 | $99.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Levels 1 & 2 | $119.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket German Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Chinese Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Arabic Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Portuguese Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Korean Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Russian Premium: Level 1 | $149.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Russian Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket German Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Chinese Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $179.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket German Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Chinese Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Russian Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $249.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 | $259.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Italian Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $259.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Spanish Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $259.99 | one-time |
| Rocket French Levels 1, 2 & 3 | $259.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Interactive and engaging lessons
- 🚀 Comprehensive and structured learning approach
- 💡 Variety of practice methods (listening, speaking, writing)
- 👍 Explanations of grammar and cultural context
- 🚀 Detailed and accurate pronunciation feedback

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Voice recognition issues and inconsistencies
- 🐛 App crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Inability to review/replay recorded audio
- 🐛 Lack of offline functionality
- 🐛 Outdated or confusing user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Audio playback issues
- Inconsistent voice recognition
- Lesson progress not properly tracked
- Compatibility problems with newer devices/OS
- Crashes and freezes during use

**Requested features**

- Ability to slow down audio playback
- More grammar and vocabulary review tools
- Improved search and navigation within the app
- Customizable learning plans and progress tracking
- Integration with other language learning resources


### Babbel

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

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Education, #70 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 Rocket Languages free?

Rocket 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, Rocket Languages or Babbel?

Babbel is rated higher. Rocket Languages averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Babbel averages 4.7 from 754K ratings.

### Do Rocket Languages or Babbel have ads?

Babbel shows ads; Rocket Languages does not.

### Which is updated more often, Rocket Languages or Babbel?

Rocket Languages ships an update every 3 weeks, and Babbel every 4 days. Most recently, Rocket Languages was updated on September 24, 2026 and Babbel on September 24, 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.*