Lingodeer vs Babbel

LingoDeer vs Babbel: Which Language App is Best for You?

Leonor Garcia Published on December 26, 2023
Lingodeer vs Babbel

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Learning a new language can be a challenge, but incredibly enriching. Since we all have different learning styles, our main goal is to make the language-learning journey more enjoyable. You may have heard about LingoDeer and Babbel, two increasingly popular language-learning apps known for their effective methods.  Babbel’s high-quality features that improve speaking and listening skills, undoubtedly make it the winner of this match-up.

Editor’s Choice

Babbel Overview
Babbel offers a comprehensive method that allows users to practice all language skills through interactive exercises. Babbel incorporates grammar by showing real-life examples, helping users learn in a practical way. Additionally, it provides access to lessons for real-world application of what you’ve learned.
babbel logo
Price $17.95/month
Free trial 1 Lesson
Try Babbel

 In this comparison, we’ll look at what each app can offer. We’ll talk about their strengths, and we’ll show you some areas that could be improved. LingoDeer and Babbel are often compared because of their features and learning approaches. LingoDeer’s gamified method and character recognition are helpful if you’re learning an Asian language, while Babbel’s practicality and diverse language options captivate a wide audience. In this article, I’ll help you decide which one best suits your preferred learning style and language goals.

LingoDeer vs Babbel: A Quick Breakdown

Babbel is a good pick if you like practical learning. It helps you with real conversations, and grammar, and even improves your pronunciation with speech recognition. Plus, it lets you make personalized learning plans. LingoDeer is all about structured lessons, and it offers many languages to choose from, different practice modes, and you can even learn offline. Both are great options for learning languages, depending on what you’re looking for!

Now, let’s look at a direct comparison between LingoDeer and Babbel. The table below compares all languages available, pricing, and free trial options.

LingoDeerBabbel
12 languages14 languages
$14.99/month$17.95/month
Free access to some lessons1 free lesson
Try NowTry Now

Babbel vs LingoDeer: Pricing and Subscriptions

LingoDeer has flexible pricing plans: $14.99 per month, $39.99 for 3 months, $79.99 per year, or a lifetime membership for $159.99. There’s also a separate app called LingoDeer Plus, which provides extra practice, and it’s priced at $8.99 per month, $19.99 for 3 months, or $54.99 per year. Note that LingoDeer Plus is separate and won’t affect your progress in LingoDeer. LingoDeer offers unlimited free trial time for certain parts like the alphabet, Unit 1 of each language, travel phrases, and some beginner lessons. But to access everything, use offline learning, and sync between devices, you’ll need a subscription.

A monthly subscription to Babbel costs $17.95 per month, $45.75 for 3 months, or $80.70 for 6 months. You can also opt for an annual subscription at $107.40 or lifetime access to all 14 languages for $299. You can try the first lesson of each language course for free.

When talking about value for your money, Babbel stands out. It’s not just modern and user-friendly; it has many language-learning exercises designed to improve every facet of your language skills. From listening comprehension to speech recognition, Babbel has you covered.

If you are looking for something different, there are always other alternatives. Take a look at these options.

LingoDeer vs Babbel: The Learning Experience

LingoDeer and Babbel help you learn languages in unique ways. LingoDeer uses structured lessons to teach grammar, vocabulary, and characters, which is great if you’re learning a language with a tricky writing system. It also offers listening and speaking practice. You can even study offline. 

Babbel has a practical approach as it uses interactive conversations. It teaches grammar and vocabulary and has a speech recognition tool to help with speaking. Plus, you can set goals for your learning. Both apps have their strengths, so it depends on how you like to learn!

Take a look at the table below to see how the apps are rated online in 2023.

ReviewsLingoDeerBabbel
Langoly3.84.5
Apple Store 4.84.7
Google Play Store4.44.5
Trustpilot3.9
Average Score4.34.4

How LingoDeer Works

LingoDeer is a language-learning app that starts by teaching you the basic words and phrases related to people. Instead of just memorizing vocabulary, you play games to help you remember what you learn.

Through a series of engaging activities, you fill in missing words in sentences and complete spelling exercises where you rearrange letters to form words and phrases correctly. This hands-on practice immerses you in the language and encourages active participation. 

lingodeer language course outline

LingoDeer organizes its course into two levels: Level 1 (Lower A1) and Level 2 (Upper A1-B1). Imagine these levels as organized checkpoints. Within each level, you follow a structured path made up of specific topics. Each topic usually consists of 2 to 4 lessons. As you progress through these lessons and topics, you gradually improve your language skills. 

The app doesn’t just throw exercises at you; it’s easy to follow and gives you tips and detailed explanations for each topic at the end of the lesson. This means you not only learn how to use the language but also understand why it works the way it does. By blending theory, practice, and context, you gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of the language. To learn more about this app, check our complete LingoDeer review.

How Babbel Works

Babbel is an app and online platform that breaks language down into topics. You begin with basics like greetings, introductions, and everyday phrases. You don’t get overwhelmed with grammar rules at the start. Instead, it introduces these concepts in context.

Babbel vocabulary

Babbel’s method is organized into levels that go from beginner (A1) to proficient (C1). Within each level, you’ll find a complete course containing various lessons. Babbel employs a variety of effective techniques, including contextual learning, spaced repetition, interactive drills, voice recognition to practice pronunciation, regular review sessions, visual aids, and real-life situations, to ensure that you acquire and retain vocabulary in a meaningful way. You can also find interactive quizzes and mix-and-match games, audio lessons, and review sessions. 

Babbel uses native speakers for audio recordings, so you can hear and practice the language as it’s naturally spoken. You can find more information about Babbel in our complete Babbel review.

LingoDeer: Pros and Cons

LingoDeer is a helpful app for learning languages like Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese. These languages have different alphabets, and LingoDeer has exercises to practice the alphabet. These exercises include interactive writing practice, character recognition challenges, and phonetic drills, allowing learners to master the alphabet in a meaningful and profound way.  The app explains complicated language topics in a simple way, and you get clear grammar explanations, which are very helpful for deeper understanding.  

LingoDeer gives you the chance to download the lessons to use when you’re offline. The lessons have various activities, they keep you entertained while learning. 

fluent japanese practice lingodeer

However, there are some not-so-great things to consider. Sometimes, the levels in the app aren’t consistent in difficulty, which gets frustrating. There’s also not enough practice for speaking, and the lessons might not cover everything you need to know to become proficient.

Babbel: Pros and Cons

Babbel is a user-friendly language-learning app that has something for everyone, whether you’re just starting or have previous knowledge of the language. I’ve tried Babbel, and it’s an excellent value for your money. It provides a lot of language learning resources, which could be pricey if bought separately. You get comprehensive lessons and even Babbel Live lessons with experienced instructors, all at an affordable price. It’s a smart choice for quality language learning on a budget.

Many people who use Babbel find this approach incredibly effective. It’s the same as when you chat with a supportive friend on your language-learning journey. With each lesson, you’ll not only learn new words and phrases but also gain the confidence to use them in real-life conversations. You can also find extra material such as supplementary podcasts that complement your language studies.

Babbel lesson

However, the language options are somewhat limited, and it’s not the best option if you’re already proficient in a language. Some exercises lack engagement and can lead learners to lose interest and stop using the app. Additionally, the amount of content can vary depending on the language you’re learning, so you should research the language course you want to take.

After giving it a go, I also noticed that it didn’t update its lessons and features as frequently as some other language apps. So, if you’re looking to learn the very latest language trends or words, you might need to explore other options. Babbel is really good for the basics, but it doesn’t have the most recent content.

Babbel or LingoDeer: The Final Verdict

These two language learning apps are fantastic for learners of all kinds. They’re known for being user-friendly. Plus, they both focus on teaching you practical language skills that you can use in real-life situations.

LingoDeer offers a unique approach that’s especially appealing if you’re learning an Asian language or enjoy a gamified learning style. With its structured lessons and comprehensive coverage. However, LingoDeer’s speaking practice is limited, and it lacks immediate feedback.

Picking a winner wasn’t easy. LingoDeer and Babbel share a common goal: providing a comprehensive language learning journey. LingoDeer employs a gamified approach, while Babbel is more practical. However, when it comes to picking a winner, Babbel takes the crown because of its user-friendly design, practical approach, and excellent value for money. Whether you’re just starting or want to improve your language skills, Babbel provides a smooth and effective language-learning journey.

LingoDeer and Babbel: FAQ

Can you become fluent with LingoDeer?

No, you can’t become fluent with LingoDeer. LingoDeer is a useful tool, but achieving fluency requires more than just one app. Fluency is being proficient at speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a language, and that takes regular practice and talking to native speakers. 

What are the disadvantages of Babbel?

Babbel has some disadvantages worth considering. Babbel helps with some language-learning aspects, like learning vocabulary and speaking in everyday situations, but it doesn’t teach everything, like the more complicated grammar elements or cultural insights.

Additionally, it offers a limited selection of languages with varying lesson quantity, which makes the learning experience inconsistent. 

How do Babbel and LingoDeer compare?

Babbel provides courses in different 14 languages with a wide range for language learners. On the other hand, LingoDeer focuses on Asian languages like Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese. If you’re interested in a diverse selection of languages, Babbel might be the better choice. However, if you specifically want to learn one of the Asian languages that LingoDeer specializes in, it can be a great fit for you.

Does Babbel offer a free trial?

Yes, Babbel provides a free trial option. You can try the first lesson of each language course for free to get a taste of how the app works and the content it offers. This trial allows you to explore the Babbel experience before committing to a subscription.

Is LingoDeer suitable for beginners in learning?

LingoDeer is an excellent choice for beginners who want to start their language-learning journey. The app’s structured lessons, clear explanations, and gamified approach make it accessible and engaging for those with little to no prior knowledge of the language they want to learn. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have an intermediate level, LingoDeer can help you build a strong foundation.

Leonor Garcia

Leonor García is a Peruvian ESL teacher with a bachelor's degree from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal. She is fluent in Spanish and English and is currently learning Portuguese. She is passionate about cultural exchange and using languages to drive globalization. Through her writing and teaching, Leonor aims to help people achieve their language learning goals. Connect with Leonor on LinkedIn.

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