Comparison

Babbel vs Japanese Language Learning

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Babbel

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
Read full description

Speak a new language with real-life conversations. Babbel is the award-winning language learning app with courses tailored to your native language, built by 200+ language experts and trusted by millions worldwide. Because lessons are built for speakers of your language, an English speaker learning Spanish gets different lessons than a French speaker does. You learn to speak, listen, and understand grammar in context, then practice real conversations with Babbel Speak, an AI conversation partner that gives you personalized feedback. Learn a new language faster with bite-sized lessons designed to fit your everyday life. With Babbel’s proven method, you could start having real conversations in as little as 3 weeks. Your language learning adventure starts with a lesson. WHY BABBEL WORKS • Tailored to your native language: Courses are created by language experts and tailored to your native language, so you learn naturally and efficiently. • Real-life conversations: Learn the language people actually speak, for travel, work, and everyday life. • Speak with confidence: Practice out loud with speech recognition and Babbel Speak, an AI conversation partner to improve your pronunciation. • Research-proven results: Efficacy backed by researchers at Yale University: 100% improved their oral proficiency in 3 months.* TRUSTED BY MILLIONS • 25 million subscriptions sold • 1.5 million 5-star ratings (based on App store ratings) • After 10 hours with Babbel, 96% of learners saw better test scores on grammar and vocabulary** BUILT FOR REAL LIFE • Short, effective lessons: Learn in as little as 10 minutes a day • Lessons for every motivation: Learn for travel, work, or fun • Listen, speak, write: Options for every learning style • Stress-free conversation practice: Build confidence with Guided Conversations, then practice freely with Babbel Speak (Beta) • Smart review system: Boosts learning and retention • Grammar in context: Clear explanations exactly when you need them • Offline mode: Download lessons and learn anywhere, anytime • 5,000+ courses: Over 60,000 lessons across all languages LEARN 14 LANGUAGES Spanish (Latin American or Spain), French, Italian, German, Portuguese, English (American or British), Russian, Polish, Turkish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and Indonesian. TRY BABBEL TODAY Download Babbel now and take a free lesson. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS A subscription is required to access full courses for one language. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your Apple account. Available plans: • 1 month • 3 months • 6 months • 12 months Privacy policy: https://about.babbel.com/en/privacy/ Terms of use: https://about.babbel.com/en/terms/ LEARN MORE Read Babbel Magazine for tips and insights: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babbelusa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Babbel.usa CONTACT US Questions or feedback? Email: support-mobile@babbel.com *Based on a study conducted with Babbel users learning Spanish. Available at http://bit.ly/BabbelYale. **Based on a study conducted with Babbel users learning Spanish. Available: http://bit.ly/BabbelMSU.

About

Japanese Language Learning

This tool aids in learning Japanese with flashcards, audio pronunciation, and vocabulary tests. It offers structured levels and a matching game to reinforce learning for beginners. Save favorite words for later review and track your progress with regular practice.

Highlights
  • Japanese flashcards with translations and examples
  • Audio pronunciation for words
  • Save favorite words for review
  • Vocabulary progress tests
  • Matching game for retention
  • 29 structured learning levels
Features
Read full description

Japanese Language Learning is a supportive tool for anyone who wants to study Japanese in a clear and manageable way. Whether you’re traveling, studying, or just interested in the language, this app helps with daily practice using simple methods. What You’ll Find Inside: Simple Japanese Flashcards Learn essential Japanese words through flashcards that include translations, pronunciation, and usage examples. These Japanese flashcards are built for everyday understanding, with two example sentences per word to provide real-life context. Audio-Based Learning Each Japanese word can be heard in its original pronunciation. Repeating after the audio helps you learn to speak Japanese with confidence and comfort. Save Favorites for Later Review You can favorite any Japanese word to create your own study list. This helps organize your learning path and strengthens long-term English Japanese Learning. Vocabulary Test Practice Take short tests to see how many Japanese words you’ve remembered. This feature is ideal for tracking progress—especially if you’re starting to learn Japanese for Beginners. Matching Game Match English and Japanese words to boost your recognition and retention. It’s a fun and effective way to learn to speak Japanese by forming natural associations. 29 Structured Levels Each mode—flashcards, tests, and matching—offers 29 levels. Progressing through levels supports slow and steady English Japanese Learning, helping you build a strong foundation in the language. With regular practice and small steps, you’ll become more comfortable using Japanese words, and this app will support you as you continue to learn Japanese for Beginners. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.appfluxlabs.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Babbel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Babbel at 44% against Japanese Language Learning's 0%. Babbel also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). Japanese Language Learning's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Babbel sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month and Japanese Language Learning sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Babbel holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 754K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Babbel's written reviews are positive against 0% of Japanese Language Learning's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Babbel ships an update every 4 days, Japanese Language Learning every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Babbel versus Japanese Language Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBabbelJapanese Language Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (754K ratings) — better4.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews43.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings754K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#11 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size263 MB28 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperBabbel GmbHAPPFLUX LABS LTD

Customer experience

Babbel

All ratings753,872 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews2,638 reviews
Positive43.7%
Neutral13.9%
Negative42.3%

Japanese Language Learning

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Babbel

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Japanese Language Learning

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Babbel

Subscriptions12
  • Mexican Spanish – 1-month plan$17.991 Month
  • Spanish 1 month$17.991 Month
  • French 1 month$17.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • Italian 1 month$17.991 Month
  • Mexican Spanish - 1-month plan$19.991 Month
  • Mexican Spanish – 3-month plan$45.993 Months
  • Learn French – 3-month plan$45.993 Months
  • Learn Spanish – 3-month plan$45.993 Months
  • All Languages – 3-month plan$53.993 Months
  • Mexican Spanish – 1-year plan$89.991 Year
  • All Languages – 12-month plan$107.991 Year
  • All Languages – 12-month plan7 Days trial$107.991 Year
4 purchases

Japanese Language Learning

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription$2.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$6.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium$19.99

Questions

Is Babbel free?
Babbel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Japanese Language Learning free?
Japanese Language Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Babbel or Japanese Language Learning?
Babbel is rated higher. Babbel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 754K ratings, while Japanese Language Learning averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Babbel or Japanese Language Learning have ads?
Both Babbel and Japanese Language Learning show ads.
Which is updated more often, Babbel or Japanese Language Learning?
Babbel ships an update every 4 days, and Japanese Language Learning every 3 months. Most recently, Babbel was updated on September 26, 2026 and Japanese Language Learning on June 11, 2026.

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