Babbel vs Busuu: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Both teach 14 languages with structured courses and certificates. Babbel unlocks all languages on every plan, offers Lifetime and a Group Plan for 6; Busuu has a free course with ads, native-speaker feedback, Premium Plus with AI conversations — and a 14-day refund on the first payment.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Babbel | Busuu |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | First lesson per course | Essential course with ads |
| Group or family | Up to 6 | Individual only |
| One-time purchase | Lifetime | Not listed |
| AI speaking | Babbel Speak (beta) | Premium Plus (select languages) |
| Refund | Not described | 14 days, first payment |
Two structured, CEFR-style language courses. The differences are in what’s free, how you pay and how you practice speaking.
If you don’t want to read further
All languages, Lifetime or a group plan — Babbel. A free course, native-speaker feedback and a refund window — Busuu.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What’s free?
Babbel
The first lesson of every course.
Busuu
The essential course, with a brief ad before each lesson.
To keep learning free, Busuu.
Plans?
Babbel
Recurring plans (whole period up front), Lifetime, Group Plan for up to 6.
Busuu
Premium and Premium Plus, 1 or 12 months; individual only.
For a family or a one-time purchase, Babbel.
Speaking practice?
Babbel
Babbel Speak — a beta AI partner in the app.
Busuu
Speaking assessments; AI conversations and pronunciation on Premium Plus, select languages.
Both are app- and language-dependent.
Feedback from people?
Babbel
Not part of the plan descriptions.
Busuu
Community feedback from native speakers, even on the free plan.
For human feedback, Busuu.
Refunds?
Babbel
Not described for subscriptions in Babbel’s Help Center.
Busuu
14 days, first payment only; no refunds on renewals.
Busuu gives you a short window to change your mind.
Offline?
Babbel
Lessons, review and podcasts offline in the app.
Busuu
Offline mode with Premium.
Both work offline.
Certificates?
Babbel
One per course, on a computer – not formally recognized.
Busuu
Busuu certificates with Premium.
Both offer certificates of completion.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
14 languages
Both list 14 languages.
Certificates
Both issue certificates for completed levels or courses.
No ads on paid plans
Both paid tiers are ad-free.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You want several languages | Babbel | All 14 on every plan. |
| You want to start free | Busuu | Essential course with ads. |
| A family or study group | Babbel Group Plan | Up to 6. |
| You want native-speaker feedback | Busuu | Community corrections. |
| Several people learn at home | Babbel | A group plan for an admin plus five. |
- Babbel charges the whole period up front.
- Busuu’s AI conversations are on Premium Plus, in select languages.
- Babbel certificates aren’t formally recognized.
- Busuu refunds only the first payment, within 14 days.
- Busuu’s 14-day money-back guarantee covers only the first Premium payment.
Where the facts come from
Sources: babbel.com and the Babbel Help Center, and busuu.com with the Busuu Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Babbel or Busuu
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Online courses” category.
Comparison text updated: