# Babbel vs PolyChat

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PolyChat at 96% against Babbel's 44%. PolyChat also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). Babbel's advantage is ratings volume (754K vs 188) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). 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 PolyChat sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PolyChat holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 754K ratings behind it against 188, 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 96% of PolyChat's.

Babbel ships an update every 4 days, PolyChat every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Babbel | PolyChat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (754K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews) | **[4.9 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polychat-language-learning/id6449936635/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **754K** | 188 |
| Positive reviews | 43.7% of reviews | **95.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | — |
| Size | 263 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) | [Applied AI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1691066680) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### PolyChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polychat-language-learning/id6449936635)

Master new languages with interactive lessons, engaging games, and an AI chat tutor. Practice vocabulary, grammar, and conversation with a powerful translator and conjugation tools. Learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere.

**Highlights:** Interactive lessons, Gamified vocabulary challenges, AI chat tutor, Real-time translator, Verb conjugator, Progress tracking

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Polychat Plus Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Polychat Plus | $89.99 | per year |
| Weekend Getaway | $0.99 | one-time |
| Regional Excursion | $4.99 | one-time |
| Road Trip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Cross Country Adventure | $19.99 | one-time |
| Globetrotter Grand Tour | $49.99 | one-time |
| Space Odyssey | $99.99 | one-time |
| PolyChat Plus — Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Innovative learning path feature
- 💡 Custom vocabulary quizzes
- 👍 Easy to understand lessons
- 💡 Build your own character
- 👍 Great user interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No writing exercises
- 🐛 AI chat is too hard (for some)
- 🐛 Lack of level adjustment for experienced speakers
- 🐛 Lessons are a bit fast for some

**Reported bugs**

- ChatGPT not functioning (Pro subscription issue)
- Pro subscription not working

**Requested features**

- Add writing exercises
- Ability to open a lesson at any level
- More lessons for total beginners


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Babbel free?

Babbel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PolyChat free?

PolyChat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Babbel or PolyChat?

PolyChat is rated higher. Babbel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 754K ratings, while PolyChat averages 4.9 from 188 ratings.

### Do Babbel or PolyChat have ads?

Both Babbel and PolyChat show ads.

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

Babbel ships an update every 4 days, and PolyChat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Babbel was updated on September 24, 2026 and PolyChat 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.*