Babbel and Rosetta Stone are both very good options to learn a new language. They offer good language learning options, but which one is better for you?
Before choosing any language learning app or program, you should compare a few options. While one might not be overall better than another, one might fit your needs better. So let’s compare Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone to help you make the right decision.
Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone: The Pros & Cons
There is no such thing as a perfect language learning program. Both Babbel and Rosetta Stone come with pros and cons. Let’s look at both.
Pros of Babbel
- Lots of grammar examples and a very clear explanation
- Focuses on the conversational language you can use in real life
- High-quality audio used
- Many different exercise types
- Good design and layout to the program
- Lessons are interlinked
- Customize the program to fit your needs
Pros of Rosetta Stone
- Offers high-quality audio
- Immersive approach to learning language
- A great option for basic language learning
- Offers live online sessions
- Games are available to make learning easier
- Complete lessons in order
- TruAccent technology helps you improve your pronunciation
- Phrasebook makes it easy to learn expressions and greetings quickly
Cons of Babbel
- No materials can be downloaded
- Not much content with some languages
- Doesn’t offer any Asian languages
- Not the best voice recognition software
Cons of Rosetta Stone
- Doesn’t offer a major grammar syllabus
- Provides a passive approach to language learning
- More expensive than other options
While there are some cons for Babbel and Rosetta Stone, the pros often outweigh the cons. One might fit better for you than the other, as well.
Languages Offered by Babbel and Rosetta Stone
When comparing these two language learning platforms, your decision might come down to the language you want to learn. Both offer plenty of choices, but Rosetta Stone offers more languages.
Babbel offers the following language options:
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Italian
- Russian
- Portuguese
- Turkish
- Dutch
- Swedish
- Polish
- Norwegian
- Indonesian
- Danish
That’s a total of 13 languages you can learn with Babbel.
Rosetta Stone, on the other hand, offers the following languages:
- Spanish (Latin America)
- French
- German
- Italian
- English (American)
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Dutch
- English (British)
- Filipino (Tagalog)
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Irish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Latin
- Persian (Farsi)
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Spanish (Spain)
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
You can choose different types of a few languages with Rosetta Stone.
While the comparison of Babbel and Rosetta Stone might not matter, if one offers your language and the other doesn’t, you might need to compare them if they both offer your language. Babbel doesn’t offer English in any form, while Rosetta Stone doesn’t offer Norwegian or Indonesian. If you plan to learn these languages, you won’t compare Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
If you want to learn an Asian language, Babbel isn’t an option. They don’t offer any Asian languages, while Rosetta Stone offers Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic.
While Rosetta Stone does offer more languages, not all languages have a ton of content. Babbel is the same way. Make sure to read online reviews about the language you want to learn first. This will help you understand which language learning program offers the best option for your language.
Comparing the Cost of Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone
Of course, the cost of the language learning program should be a factor in your decision, too. Both Babbel and Rosetta Stone are very affordable. However, one might fit better within your budget than the other.
Babbel offers the following options:
- One-Month – $13.95
- Three Months – $41.85
- Six Months – $83.70
- One Year – $167.40
You get a discount if you purchase a larger amount of time. Often, these prices are discounted even more due to a sale. The lowest cost is found on the one-year plan, which is $6.95 per month.
Rosetta Stone offers the following options:
- Three Month – $35.97
- One Year – $95.88
- Lifetime – $149
With Rosetta Stone, you can gain lifetime access to the language you want to learn for $149. This is an excellent deal and works great for those that don’t want to keep paying to access the program.
Babbel offers a month-to-month option if you want to try it out, while Rosetta Stone doesn’t. However, you can use the three-day trial from Rosetta Stone, and they do have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone: Frequently Asked Questions
Which is easier to use between Babbel and Rosetta Stone?
Both offer a very user-friendly interface. Babbel is one of the top online resources for language learning courses and uses an entertaining approach. However, Rosetta Stone has a better interface, but not by much. The systematic approach makes the ease of use better with Rosetta Stone.
Which program offers the best customer support?
Rosetta Stone is a little bit better when it comes to customer support. They offer a faster response time with live chat, live video, and other options. Babbel offers good support, as well. However, they don’t offer all the same options for support.
What is Babbel best for?
As one of the best ways to learn a foreign language, Babbel offers a complete learning system. It uses state-of-the-art technology and proven educational methods. You can speak the language quickly with Babbel.
If you’re new to the language, Babbel is a good choice. They even offer a live version, if you prefer.
Babbel is best for those looking for more contextual information. However, if you want to learn one of the European languages, this is a good choice.
What is Rosetta Stone best for?
Rosetta Stone offers a great way to learn a new language from scratch. The interactive approach is great for visual learners and has been proven to work over several decades. Rosetta Stone has been around longer and uses specific techniques to help complete beginners learn a language fast.
Those seeking a fully immersive learning experience will love Rosetta Stone. You won’t spend time memorizing verb conjugations or vocabulary. Instead, you will learn grammar based on concepts. Auditory learners will do very well with Rosetta Stone and visual learners.
Which language learning program offers more value for the money?
Babbel is more budget-friendly, especially when they have a sale going on. They also offer a one-month program, while Rosetta Stone doesn’t. Babbel also offers a communication tool that will provide you with everything you need to understand, speak, and write a foreign language.
On the other hand, Rosetta Stone makes learning a new language easy. You will get an interactive and fun option worth the money you will spend. The slight edge in value for money goes to Rosetta Stone.
Which is Better? Babbel vs Rosetta Stone
The choice between Babbel and Rosetta Stone isn’t easy. One might offer the language you need while the other doesn’t. This will make the decision easy. However, when it’s a language both offer, it’s a bit harder.
Both Babbel and Rosetta Stone offer great language learning options. However, one might fit better with your learning style than another program. Choosing the right program for learning a new language is really up to your personal preference. Rosetta Stone has been around longer, but both offer great choices for learning a new language.
Take the time to compare Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone before making your final decision. Then, choose the program that fits best with your learning style. It can also be helpful to read customer reviews online for both programs.
Jordan Fabel
Covering different 'paths' that people's lives can take. Creative, foster parent, ticket dismissal, you get the idea. Exploring the requirements, certifications, exams, and obviously, approved courses along each path.