Babbel French Review: Is It Worth It in 2025?
An honest, in-depth review of Babbel's French course. We cover everything from lesson structure to pricing to help you decide if it's the right choice.
With so many language learning apps on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Babbel has been around since 2008 and claims to offer a more "serious" approach to language learning compared to gamified competitors. But is Babbel's French course worth your time and money in 2025?
What Makes Babbel Different?
Unlike apps that focus purely on gamification, Babbel emphasizes practical conversation skills from day one. The lessons are designed by linguists and tailored to your native language, which means the French course for English speakers is different from the one for German speakers.
Course Structure
Babbel's French course is organized into thematic units covering everything from basic greetings to complex grammar structures. Each lesson typically takes 10-15 minutes and includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing exercises.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Focuses on real-world conversations
- Grammar explanations are clear and contextualized
- Speech recognition for pronunciation practice
- Works offline once lessons are downloaded
- One-time purchase or subscription options
Cons:
- Less gamification than competitors
- Limited free content
- Can feel repetitive for some learners
Pricing
Babbel offers several subscription options: monthly ($14.95), quarterly ($38.85), 6-month ($59.70), and annual ($89.40). They frequently offer discounts, especially for longer subscriptions.
Bottom Line
Babbel is an excellent choice for serious learners who want structured lessons and practical conversation skills. If you prefer a more game-like experience, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you're committed to making real progress in French, Babbel delivers solid results.