Mondly vs Babbel: Which one should you pick?

Learning a language from scratch can feel like running in circles if you don’t find the right platform to help you learn. Also, determining what teaching approach works for you is challenging. Will a gamified approach work best or a structured comprehensive approach? 

Testing the waters will help you see which approach you prefer and what platform excels at it. A platform chooses a particular methodology and sticks to it. We humans don’t. We have different preferences and that changes from time to time. We are unpredictable; that’s what makes life interesting. 

So, it’s easy to feel torn between Mondly’s immersive learning and Babbel’s insightful teaching. In this Babbel vs Mondly review, we will help you understand what each platform offers and which one suits your requirements. As no one perfect app or website exists for language learning, we will also suggest alternatives to make language mastery interesting.

Quick Review: Mondly vs Babbel

Criteria	Mondly	Babbel
Course Quality	3.5/5	4.3/5
Instructor	3/5	4.1/5
Support	3.4/5	4/5
Value for Money	3.8/5	4.2/5
Ease of Use	4.3/5	4.3/5
Overall Rating	3/5	4.1/5
	Get Discount ↗️	Get Discount ↗️

Comparing Mondly Vs Babbel

‘Which is better Mondly or Babbel?’ is a difficult question to tackle, as finding a common criteria for evaluating their effectiveness is nearly impossible. However, in this language learning apps comparison, we will analyze the various components of these sites to get an idea of what unique strengths each website has and why it should matter to you.

Variety of Languages

The Babbel languages offered are 14 in total, whereas the Mondly available languages are 41. However, quantity isn’t everything. The levels these courses can help you reach matters, too. Babbel can get you to C1 level in most cases, and B1 or B2 in some cases. On the other hand, Mondly is only good for beginners.

So, Mondly is good for dipping your toes in the sea (language learning), but Babbel is great for diving in. Variety shouldn’t refer only to various languages provided but also to the various learners who can benefit from them.

Mondly has great interactive language courses for A1 and A2 levels, but that’s all. Since Babbel has beginner language courses, intermediate language learning lessons, and advanced language programs, I am giving this round to Babbel.

Free Resources

The first lesson of every course is free on Babbel. It’s a great way to determine whether the Babbel teaching methodology suits your learning style. The free version of Mondly provides you access to daily lessons, weekly quizzes, and monthly challenges. You can also test your conversational skills using the few chatbot practice sessions available.

The ‘Hello’ category consisting of a few introductory lessons is free, too. To progress beyond that, you need a subscription. Once you complete the Mondly daily lessons assigned for the day, you must wait 15 hours to access fresh ones. In short, free resources on both sites are extremely limited, as they are meant to show how much better a paid version will be.

Content Quality

Babbel is renowned for its high-quality, well-structured course content. And, it does offer better insights than most platforms. For example, I didn’t know that adjectives ending with ‘e’ in Italian don’t change according to gender nouns. I am at A2 level at present, and using other resources to learn, too.

So, trust me when I say, Babbel provides better explanations. Mondly content is not so comprehensive. It’s fun to learn but can’t help you progress much. However, it is better at helping improve your memory retention with its interactive and immersive content.

Instructors

Babbel Live has knowledgeable instructors to guide you in the learning journey. Not everyone can be Master Yoda but you can find some Luke Skywalkers (that’s a win!). On the contrary, Mondly only has a virtual instructor in the Mondly AR app. Despite how well it teaches you the basics, you just don’t feel the personal collection.

Learning Methods

Mondly’s language learning methodology is engaging. Its short lessons, immersive learning through VR features, interactive learning through AR features, and gamified elements make it immediately appealing. However, is Mondly better than Babbel? Not in a million years. This may seem harsh, but Mondly needs to step up its game.

The methods are awesome, but without in-depth content, no matter how flashy an app is, the learning experience won’t be satisfying. Therefore, the effectiveness of these methods becomes questionable. Now, let’s see what Babbel has got.

Contrary to popular belief, Babbel doesn’t teach like your estranged uncle forced to teach you his trade. Its methods are more serious than most other language learning platforms, but it doesn’t lack fun. The language practice exercises are varied and practical. The Babbel method ensures high long-term retention rates.

It doesn’t just focus on vocabulary building but also delves into the structure and grammar of your chosen language. You learn from lessons based on real-world scenarios and master the tone, pitch, and cadence of native speakers by listening to recordings of their speeches.  

Its instant feedback system on your pronunciation skills is laudable. The cherry on top? Its learning resource library includes podcasts, games, stories, videos, and the Babbel Magazine.

Progress Tracking & Learning Path

Babbel’s learning paths are fabulous because the site lets you take a level-placement test (which is pretty accurate), considers the amount of time you can spend learning a day and your goals, and creates a plan accordingly. I loved it immediately. The activity tracker on the homepage lets you keep track of your progress.

The Mondly learning path is excellent and covers various topics. However, it is the ‘Statistics’ section that caught my attention right away. It shows your course/lesson progression and provides an easy way to review your vocabulary. Quite useful for a quick refresher of things learned so far.

Pricing & Value for Money

Babbel subscription costs vary according to several factors. First, let’s look at the plans for accessing one language course.

The 3-month plan costs $9.95/month, the 6-month plan costs $8.45/month, and the 12-month plan costs $6.95/month. Now, what if you want access to multiple languages? You have several options.

The Lifetime plan costs $299.5 and grants access to all languages. You can also opt for Babbel Complete if you prefer recurring subscription models. You get unrestricted access to 13 language courses for $107.40/year.

The Babbel Live subscription plans are another alternative to consider. Babbel Live offers Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian courses.

Babbel Live one-month plan costs $149/month, the 3-month plan costs $127/month, the 6-month plan costs $112/month, and the annual plan costs $75/month. When you subscribe, you can switch between the languages Babbel Live offers and get free access to the Babbel self-study app.

Any plan you choose is worth the cost, as Babbel is one of the best websites for learning a new language.

Mondly has three subscription plans: the 1-month plan, the 12-month plan, and the lifetime access plan. They cost $9.99/month, $47.99/month, and $99 respectively. Only the lifetime plan grants access to all languages.

The other two provide unrestricted access to only one language. Is it worth subscribing to Mondly pricing plans? My learning style doesn’t fit with the Mondly learning approach, so, personally speaking, it’s not worth subscribing to. However, those who love virtual learning will love it. Therefore, subscribe if that’s something that appeals to you.

Refund Criteria

Babbel provides a 20-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with its courses. A simple e-mail to the Babbel support team is enough to get a full refund. However, you won’t be eligible for a refund if the window closes. Moreover, refunds won’t be granted if you forget to cancel subscriptions and they get renewed. 

Mondly offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. As with all online learning platforms, be sure to request a refund before the time given ends. Moreover, you are required to cancel subscriptions if you don’t want automatic renewals. Don’t blame either platform for not approving refund requests if you forget their refund policies.

Customer Support

Babbel’s customer support is awesome. I love Bab, the bot who answers all your questions politely and concisely. Moreover, contacting human agents is pretty straightforward. You only need to send an email to support@babbel.com. Mondly’s customer service on the other hand leaves much to be desired.

Community

Neither Babbel nor Mondly have community forums. However, Babbel offers group live classes where you can interact with your fellow learners. Hey, it’s better than nothing. Don’t feel intimidated by your peers, you are all in the same boat trying to master a language you mutually love. And, instructors don’t pick favorites; it’s a healthy environment for learning.

Accessibility & Device Compatibility

Both platforms have a web version and an app version. Your progress will remain synched as long as you log in with the same email account on all devices. The only difference is that Babbel requires iOS 15.0 or above or Android 9.0 or above, whereas Mondly requires iOS 9.0 or above or Android 5.0 or above. 

The Babbel app version has offline learning features and push notifications for daily practice reminders. There isn’t much difference between the app and the web version. On the contrary, Mondly can be dubbed an app-based language education resource because the VR and AR features are available only in the app and not in the web version.

Learner Reviews: What Other Users Say

People love how Babbel focuses on real-world conversations and the Babbel lesson structure. They also like the multiple-device synchronization feature, as it helps them study even while commuting. On the flip side, they bemoan the lack of fantastic content for advanced learners and the high subscription costs.

Mondly is well-liked for its virtual reality lessons, augmented reality features, and chatbot conversation practice. However, people want more in-depth content for all language proficiency levels and a greater focus on grammar. 

Who Should Use Babbel?

Babbel is for you if you are a grammar enthusiast and value cultural context learning. So many people are caught up in the web of gamified learning that they forget the advantages of structured, personalized learning paths. Babbel is for those who haven’t forgotten. The pros of choosing Babbel are:

• High voice recognition accuracy ensures the availability of better speaking exercises.
• Native speaker recordings.
• Stellar language learning materials.
• Fantastic Grammar explanation quality.
• Offline learning capabilities.
• Live tutoring.

Who Should Use Mondly?

Mondly is an excellent choice if you are a casual learner who likes flexible schedules and immersive learning. If you aren’t a fan of virtual learning, Mondly probably isn’t the right platform to help you learn. A few reasons to choose Mondly are:

• Wonderful vocabulary review system.
• Spaced repetition learning.
• Practical progress assessment tools.
• Business language courses.
• Great conversational practice tools. 

Final Verdict: Mondly Vs Babbel

Babbel and Mondly each have their selling points. The former relies on its ability to provide in-depth, grammar-focused, and level-appropriate content. The live lessons are a bonus. The latter’s propaganda is all about tech-enabled, fun learning experiences. So, pick Babbel or Mondly based on your proficiency level, budget, and preference.

Alternatives (Incase if you need)

Duolingo

Frankly, Duolingo’s language learning gamification is better than any other site or app I have used. Moreover, the courses are entirely free; you only have to pay to use additional learning tools. So, Duolingo is my all-time favorite. However, it can only get you to the B2 level.

Rosetta Stone

Rosetta is a great alternative for immersive learning lovers, as it teaches you without using translations. While this may sound mad at first, the method is quite effective. The emphasis is on contextual learning which comes naturally to us.

Pimsleur

The Pimsleur method is effective. Its existence for 50 years proves it is a tried and tested method you can rely on. I was skeptical of mastering a language through extensive listening practice and negligible focus on other skills (reading and writing). Man, was I proved wrong. It was a fascinating experience to learn in that way.

FAQ’s

1. Can I use Babbel without paying?
No, while the first lesson on every course is free, you must pay to access further content. I am sure you will find a suitable plan among its numerous subscription plans.

2. How successful is Babbel?
91% of Babbel users are satisfied with it. That speaks volumes about its effectiveness as a language-learning platform.

3. Can Mondly be used offline?
Yes, you can download content and access them offline whenever you want.

4. Is Mondly owned by Pearson?
Pearson acquired Mondly in May 2022 to have a greater impact and extend its reach in the language learning market.