# Babbel vs SpeakFlash

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SpeakFlash at 100% against Babbel's 44%. SpeakFlash also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Babbel's advantage is ratings volume (755K vs 3) and chart position (#14 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Babbel sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month and SpeakFlash sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SpeakFlash holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Babbel has 755K 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 100% of SpeakFlash's.

Babbel ships an update every 5 days, SpeakFlash every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Babbel | SpeakFlash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (755K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/babbel-language-learning/id829587759/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speakflash-language-learning/id6478886458/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **755K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 43.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 263 MB | 399 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Babbel GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/357018535) | [Joao Barros](https://appshunter.io/developer/1734301313) |

## What reviewers say

### Babbel

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

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Education, #51 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


### SpeakFlash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speakflash-language-learning/id6478886458)

Master a new language with a comprehensive flashcard system featuring AI-generated content and custom audio. Utilize a scientifically proven learning method to ensure long-term retention and fluency. Practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills effectively.

**Highlights:** AI-generated flashcards with custom images and audio, Create your own flashcards with text, images, and voice, Ebbinghaus forgetting curve learning method, Develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, Offline functionality, Supports multiple languages

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly plan | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Plan | $14.99 | per year |
| Annual Plan | $14.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Babbel free?

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

### Is SpeakFlash free?

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

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

SpeakFlash is rated higher. Babbel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 755K ratings, while SpeakFlash averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Babbel or SpeakFlash have ads?

Both Babbel and SpeakFlash show ads.

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

Babbel ships an update every 5 days, and SpeakFlash every 3 days. Most recently, Babbel was updated on September 28, 2026 and SpeakFlash on June 1, 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.*