Rocket Languages vs Babbel: Which App is Best for You?
Leonor Garcia
Published on September 4, 2023
Langoly is supported by our readers. We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions if you buy through links on this page. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
Are you learning a new language in 2023? Choosing the right platform can truly make or break your experience. Babbel and Rocket Languages are popular apps packed with awesome features that people enjoy, but which language program is better? After our review, it’s Rocket Languages’ dynamic and interactive approach that takes the crown.
Editor’s Choice
Both platforms help you learn a new language through interactive lessons and engaging content. However, small differences make these apps stand out from each other. In this comparison, we’ll go through each app’s features and their benefits, as well as the pros and cons of both Rocket Languages and Babbel. We’ll ultimately reveal why Rocket Languages takes the spotlight as the top pick.
Rocket Languages vs Babbel: A Quick Breakdown
Rocket Languages and Babbel offer collective lessons that focus on teaching you functional vocabulary. However, Rocket Languages takes it a step further with practical content and modern perks like voice recognition. It’s a flexible app that lets you decide what to learn next. Babbel has structured language courses that don’t have the same flexibility. Both apps also have a different pricing approach.
Let’s break down the key features of both Rocket Languages and Babbel to help you make an informed choice based on the different languages you can find, their prices, and free trial offers:
| Rocket Languages | Babbel |
|---|---|
| 12 languages | 14 languages |
| $149.95/level | $17.95/month |
| 7-day free trial | 1 free lesson |
 | |
Babbel vs Rocket Languages: Cost Comparison
Rocket Languages stands out with its special pricing model that allows you to buy courses by level, giving you a flexible and cost-effective approach. For instance, you can opt for the Level 1 course at a one-time payment ranging from $99.95 to $150.00. Levels 1 & 2 purchased together are available for $249.90 to $299.90. For a comprehensive learning experience, levels 1, 2, & 3 is priced at $449.85. Rocket is constantly offering discounts so you will likely pay lower than these prices. You can try Rocket Languages with a 7-day free trial to get you started.
Babbel works through a subscription model. A Babbel subscription starts at $17.95 per month, which gives you access to a single language. You can also get a quarterly subscription that costs $45.75 for three months or an annual subscription for $107.40 per year. A lifetime access is also available for a one-time payment of $299.00.
Both apps offer free trial periods, with Rocket providing a time-based trial and Babbel offering a specific number of lessons. Notably, Babbel has a 20-day money-back guarantee, while Rocket extends this guarantee to 60 days. You might think that going for a single level of Rocket Languages might seem costly at first, but keep in mind that it provides lifetime access to the level. If you plan on studying for a longer period of time, you’ll find that Rocket Languages becomes more affordable in the long term. However, Babbel is cheaper if you only plan to study for a few months.
If you’re seeking other choices, here are three alternative apps that can also help you learn a language quickly.
Rocket Languages vs Babbel: How They Work
While both Rocket Languages and Babbel are popular language learning apps and offer interactive exercises, Rocket Languages is the one that provides flexibility in choosing the order of your topics. Babbel follows a structured path, systematically guiding users toward steady progress, whereas Rocket Languages combines structure with flexibility, emphasizing overall language skills such as vocabulary, grammar, cultural insights, and practical usage.
Check out the table below to see how the apps rate across the web
| Reviews | Rocket Languages | Babbel |
|---|---|---|
| Langoly | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Apple Store | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| Google Play | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Trust Pilot | 2.9 | 3.9 |
| Total Average Score | 4.0 | 4.4 |
How Rocket Languages Works
Rocket Languages offers courses with up to three levels that are split into various modules. Each module includes Interactive Audio lessons voiced by native speakers and Language and Culture lessons. The lessons cover grammar, conjugation, cultural insights, and useful tips. Topics can go from introductions to family and descriptive words.
It also offers voice recognition features. These exercises allow you to practice speaking and pronunciation, and the system gives you feedback on your pronunciation accuracy. Moreover, the app gives you the chance to step into different conversations and role-play scenarios. This lets you use the vocabulary and grammar you learned in the lessons, making your skills more practical and effective.
You can learn more about the app in this complete Rocket Languages review
How Babbel Works
Babbel has a different approach and uses a mix of techniques to teach vocabulary and how sentences work. Babbel also has quizzes, matching games, repeating phrases, audio lessons (that are like chatting with a friend), and review sessions. You have the option to receive feedback on your accuracy when practicing speaking.
Like Rocket Languages, Babbel offers courses with multiple levels. The exact number of levels can vary depending on the language you’re learning and the specific course. Some languages might have more levels than others, but generally, you can expect to find courses with several levels to guide you from beginner to more advanced stages of language proficiency.
You can learn more about the app in this complete Babbel review.
Rocket Languages: What We Like (and Didn’t Like)
Rocket Languages has undeniably won me over with its interactive audio lessons. They don’t just take it superficially; they go deeper into each topic, and this makes the learning experience rich and engaging. Their approach to pronunciation practice takes the crown! There’s no better way to practice pronunciation than repetition (with a purpose) because this leads you into an effective and enjoyable path to improvement.
Grammar needs to be learned inductively (not everybody will tell you this!), and Rocket Languages knows it. While learning through the app, you don’t just look at boring rules and charts; instead, you learn the grammar within relevant contexts. This leads you to a personalized learning path that encourages self-discovery. And motivation is held throughout the whole lesson! You definitely stay engaged and focused.
Even though the Rocket lessons get it right, the after-lesson quizzes could be improved. They don’t cover everything that you worked on in the lesson, and this could get a bit frustrating sometimes. I’m not quite sure about the flashcards either. I found them not very useful since there isn’t a specific activity to work with them. You just flip them and read the meaning of the word (adding some pictures would do some magic!).
However, it’s Rocket Languages’ immersive and engaging approach that really impressed me overall. They take contextualized attention to detail to the next level. If you’re eager to embark on a language-learning journey, I believe Rocket Languages is an amazing choice!
Babbel: What We Like (and Didn’t Like)
Babbel stands out as a comprehensive language learning platform that uses real-life contextualized exercises. It emphasizes practicality and sets authentic scenarios for the different exercises that you can find through the app. Giving them a context is truly helpful, and this definitely captured my interest.
On a different note, Babbel takes a distinct approach when it comes to handling grammar. Instead of using an inductive approach, it follows the deductive route, even though learning grammar can be made more engaging. Without that sense of self-discovery, the learning process can become somewhat monotonous because you just focus on grammar rules, charts, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Additionally, the absence of interactive elements in vocabulary lessons might result in a less engaging experience.
Overall, Babbel is a reliable language-learning tool. But there’s room for improvement in terms of interactivity because it lacks an extra dose of motivation for the learner. Embracing greater engagement would undoubtedly make the learning process smoother and lead to a more enjoyable learning journey.
Rocket Languages or Babbel: Which is Better?
After giving it a go, I have to say that when it comes to the final choice, Rocket courses definitely shine as the top pick over Babbel. What truly makes it stand out is its approach that covers all the bases and it goes the extra mile by including cultural insights.
While Babbel provides a strong base in vocabulary and grammar, Rocket Languages takes the language learning journey to a whole new level. You’ll find exercises that help you build your vocabulary and grasp the grammar basics.
Babbel or Rocket Languages: FAQ
While Babbel offers a vocabulary and grammar-focused approach, its comprehensive coverage of language skills pales in comparison to Rocket Languages. If you seek a more complete language learning experience, Rocket Languages is the best choice.
Rocket Languages covers all aspects of language skills and provides cultural context, making it a valuable tool on your journey to fluency. However, achieving fluency also requires real-life practice and immersion outside the app.
Rocket Languages provides a structured, comprehensive learning experience. Its focus on depth and progression makes it the preferred choice for effective language learning. It stands out for its interactive audio lessons, thorough pronunciation practice, and inductive grammar teaching. Duolingo, on the other hand, features a gamified approach (which is great!) but exercises are somewhat random and there’s a lack of interaction for practicing speaking and listening skills.
Rocket Spanish and Babbel are good language learning programs if you want to learn Spanish. If you value structured learning, detailed pronunciation practice, and grammar instruction, Rocket Spanish might be more suitable. Whereas if you prioritize practical exercises, real-world context, and a user-friendly interface, Babbel could be a better fit compared to Rocket. Eventually, it’s important to consider your preferred learning style and objectives when choosing between the two.
