Duolingo vs Babbel · The comparison

Duolingo vs Babbel: which fits how you want to learn?

Duolingo lets you begin for free and return for focused skills practice. Babbel offers structured courses and vocabulary review through a subscription. Try your target language before paying.

Compare the two approaches Try a reading

Reading, translations and explained answers. No account needed.

Your starting point

Duolingo: start for free and practise regularly.
Babbel: follow a structured course with a subscription.
Lira: add reading and vocabulary in context.

Your starting point

Duolingo: start for free and practise regularly.
Babbel: follow a structured course with a subscription.
Lira: add reading and vocabulary in context.

Compare how you will use them

Two apps, plus Lira for reading.

Checked 12 October 2026. Features vary by language, platform and plan. Check official offers for prices in your country.

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Apps compared by use and pricing, including Lira
Tool	Use and access	Pricing
Duolingo	Free mistakes, words, listening and speaking practice. Stories and other formats vary by course; subscriptions add features.	Free; paid Super and Max plans.Official pricing
Babbel	Subscription for self-study courses, including grammar, travel and culture topics. Podcasts and personalised vocabulary review vary by language.	Paid subscription; price depends on country and duration.Official pricing
LiraOur app	Guided reading from A1 to B2, books and articles you import, contextual translation and FSRS vocabulary review. Free: two new guided lessons per day.	Free plan + Premium€19.90/yearor €3.99/monthSee plans

Competitor prices and promotions vary by country, platform and plan. USD amounts remain in USD. Lira’s annual plan is billed in one payment.

Official sources and how we compare

Published by Lira. Recommendations by use are our assessment; no ranking guarantees a learning outcome.

A daily habit or a course to follow?

If free access matters, start with Duolingo. For a structured paid course, examine Babbel’s programme and review tools for your language. Compare a real session on the same topic rather than progress counters alone.

What reading adds

A short lesson does not show everything about understanding a complete document. Read a message, identify its constraints and justify your answers. Keep your usual app and use Lira for this reading practice.

Try it for yourself

One invitation. Three questions. Your first reading.

Read this English A2 text, translate a word if you need to and check your understanding. The guide begins with this same reading.

Reading lesson · Level A2

An invitation to the garden

Identify the welcome session for new members and confirm attendance.

Tap any word or select a phrase to translate it.

Hi Ellis,

You said you would like to try gardening. Our small shared garden in Bristol has a welcome session this Saturday. New members meet at the blue gate at ten. The regular group starts at nine, but you do not need to come that early. We will show you the beds and find a small task together. Bring a drink and an old jacket. We have tools and gloves to lend you. If you want to join us, please reply by Thursday evening. You can stay for one hour or until lunch. There is no charge for this first visit.