# Babbel vs Japanese Language Learning

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.

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.

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.

Babbel ships an update every 4 days, Japanese Language Learning every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Babbel | Japanese Language Learning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (754K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews)** | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-language-learning/id1499901409/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **754K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **43.7% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 263 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) | [APPFLUX LABS LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1882687293) |

## What reviewers say

### Babbel

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

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Education, #57 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


### Japanese Language Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-language-learning/id1499901409)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $6.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Premium | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 27, 2026 and Japanese Language Learning on June 11, 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.*