Duolingo Max vs Babbel

A side-by-side look at scores, pricing and features — with RECATOOLS' ASEAN-aware verdict for each.

Duolingo Max Duolingo's AI conversation tier, now being folded into Super Visit Babbel Structured language lessons in 14 languages, with AI speaking practice Visit
RECATOOLS Score 7.8 / 10 7.2 / 10
Capability 8 —
Value for money 6.5 —
Ease of use 9 —
ASEAN readiness 7 —
API quality 2 —
Pricing Subscription Subscription
Free tier — Free registration; first lesson of every course plus some speaking practice and podcasts free
Paid from Max price not published; Super Duolingo from $9.99 on the US App Store $8.95/mo on 12-month plan ($107.40/yr), all 14 languages; Lifetime $299.99
Has API ✗ ✗
Open source ✗ ✗
Free to use ✗ ✗
Users Hundreds of millions of registered users; tens of millions of paid subscribers 25M+ cumulative subscriptions sold
Founded 2023 2007
Maker Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ: DUOL) Independent (Babbel GmbH)
Verdict

Max was the way to get Duolingo's best speaking practice: Video Call with Lily and scenario Roleplay on top of Super. That premium is disappearing. Video Call is moving into Super, new sign-ups have been offered only Sup...

Babbel is one of the most structured language apps, with lessons that explain grammar rather than gamify it, and every plan now includes all 14 languages, which makes it better value than it used to be. Babbel Speak brin...

Full review → Full review →
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Comparisons cover up to 4 tools. Scores are RECATOOLS editorial assessments; verify current pricing on each vendor's site.