# Words vs Babbel

The clearest difference is monetization model: Words at free with in-app purchases against Babbel's subscription. Words also leads on ads (none vs shown). Babbel's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (754K vs 1.1K). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Words sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days 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.

Babbel holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 754K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Words's written reviews are positive against 44% of Babbel's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Words ships an update every 2 months, Babbel every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Words | Babbel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-learn-languages-fast/id636486459/reviews) | **[4.7 (754K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **754K** |
| Positive reviews | **49.8% of reviews** | 43.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#7** |
| Size | 103 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.1 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Andrey Lebedev](https://appshunter.io/developer/636486462) | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) |

## What reviewers say

### Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-learn-languages-fast/id636486459)

Master English and German with engaging exercises and personalized training. Learn new words in just 20 minutes a day, track your progress, and study offline or on the go.

**Highlights:** 10 unique exercises, Ready-made & custom lessons, Built-in dictionary, Accurate pronunciations, Smart learning algorithm, Offline mode, Hands-free mode

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Plus | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium (English) | $13.99 | per month |
| Premium (English) | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium Plus | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium (German) | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium (English) | $39.99 | per 3 months |
| Premium Plus | $47.99 | per year |
| Premium (German) | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium (English) | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium (English) | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Plus | $95.99 | per year |
| Premium Plus | $129.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐️ Highly effective vocabulary learning app
- 👍 Engaging and varied learning techniques
- 💪 Impressive learning progress and results
- 📚 Flexible and customizable learning experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Offline mode issues with premium features
- 🗣 Outdated dictionary with many archaic words
- 🖼️ Lack of image support for words
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and change settings

**Reported bugs**

- Premium features disappear during offline use
- Inability to restore purchases after updates

**Requested features**

- Add image generation for all words
- Improve offline mode functionality
- Expand dictionary with more modern vocabulary
- Enhance customization and personalization options


### Babbel

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

**Currently charting:** #7 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 Words free?

Words 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, Words or Babbel?

Babbel is rated higher. Words averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Babbel averages 4.7 from 754K ratings.

### Do Words or Babbel have ads?

Babbel shows ads; Words does not.

### Which is updated more often, Words or Babbel?

Words ships an update every 2 months, and Babbel every 4 days. Most recently, Words was updated on September 22, 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.*