After you decide to learn a new language, choosing the right learning platform is the next step. It can be tough to decide if you are considering Babbel and Rosetta Stone. In this article, I will indicate the differences between these two platforms which will make it easier for you to choose one over the other.
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Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Quick Comparison
Here is a quick comparison between Babbel and Rosetta Stone:
| Feature | Babbel | Rosetta Stone |
| Cost | $13.95/month for the subscription model. The web app is cheaper than mobile app subscription. | $36/month subscription fee for unlimited access. |
| Languages Offered | 14 languages like Spanish, French, German, and Italian. The focus is on European languages. | 28 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Chinese, etc. |
| Teaching Methods | A mix of writing, listening, and speech recognition exercises. Follows traditional grammar and vocabulary lesson format. | Immersion method with no translation. Focuses on associating words and phrases with images. |
| Course Flexibility | Choose to learn one language at a time. Lessons are sequential within a language. | Option to switch between languages at any time. Lessons are not sequential. |
| Feedback | Provides review and feedback after exercises to reinforce concepts. | Minimal feedback. Mostly self-directed immersion. |
| Gamification | Includes some games, quizzes, and writing exercises for variety. | Very game-like. Rewards and scoring systems motivate progress. |
| Mobile App | A separate mobile app is available for practice on the go. Not required. | Mobile app included with the subscription. An important part of the immersion process. |
| Customer Support | Email customer support is available. | Email, live chat, and phone support are available. |
What is Babbel?
Note: We have also done a detailed Babbel vs Duolingo comparison here.
A subscription-based platform, Babbel provides online classes for learning languages. Developed in 2007, the app presently offers courses in 13 languages. Its web and mobile applications help in learning and practicing a new language according to your pace.
The language experts build a course based on your native language. Therefore, you can learn the language more efficiently. From podcasts to practice games, and live tutoring sessions, Babbel comprises several interactive features.
What is Rosetta Stone?
Rosetta Stone has been one of the leading language-learning platforms since 1992. Not only does it function smoothly on a web browser but it is also compatible with Apple and Android devices. It teaches a language in a pattern similar to how babies are taught, that is, without translations.
Here, the focus is on learning via audiovisual mediums. Rosetta Stone consists of lessons that make you associate and match words with pictures appearing on the screen. In the end, the user receives the chance to redo lessons or move to the next lesson.
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Key Differences
Here are the key differences between Babbel and Rosett Stone.
- In their teaching method, Babbel uses dialogues, whereas Rosetta Stone uses sentences.
- The audio quality on Rosetta Stone is much better than on Babbel.
- Babbel has a review manager feature where you can see the lessons you have learned previously, whereas Rosetta Stone does not have such a feature.
- Babbel also gives references in your native languages so that you can learn the words of other languages in your language. In contrast, Rosetta Stone uses the immersion method, where you would learn everything in a foreign language.
- Babbel covers everything from basic to advanced, making it easier for you to learn, whereas Rosetta Stone covers the basics of the languages.
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Features
Now, let us look at some of the interesting features offered by Babbel.
- The app offers podcasts for students who are learning German, Spanish, French, or/and Italian. While some of these podcasts have a great deal of English in them, the others are monolingual.
- One can also enjoy some supplementary courses available for each of the 13 languages. These courses are designed based on particular skills and interests like tongue twisters, countries, traditions, and so on. A quick refresher course is also available for you to brush up on the language you had learnt a long time before.
- Babbel lets the users access optional live classes in ‘Babbel Live’. This feature is available in French, German, and Spanish. However, you need to pay a fee if you want to join Babbel Live.
Several Rosetta Stone users have enjoyed the following features:
- There is a phrasebook containing some categories of useful sentences from the lessons you studied. After listening to a native speaker, you can practice speaking it aloud and recording it.
- Audio Companion comes in handy when you wish to download MP3 practice sessions both online and offline.
- A video section titled ‘On demand’ lets the user watch quick clips related to a specific culture. It also provides useful tips on conversational skills.
- If you have an iPhone, you can use its camera to point at an object and receive a translation in the language you are learning. This ‘Seek & Speak’ feature is available in some languages only.
- Rosetta Stone provides an additional feature called ‘Stories’. A story comprises a few paragraphs that you have to read first. After a native speaker says it aloud, you can record yourself speaking the paragraphs. With each higher level, the level of the story gets difficult. It is a wonderful tool for comprehending and speaking purposes.
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Functionality
Babbel’s lesson content emphasizes language one uses in real-life situations, such as booking a cab, ordering a cup of coffee, and the like. Each lesson contains a simulated dialogue that you can apply in a real situation. Since the app uses native speakers’ audio recordings, the learner can hear the natural pronunciation. It implies that your speaking skills are strengthened and your accent is honed.
The personalized review manager helps in learning and mastering words that are difficult to remember. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete a lesson. The application also lets users explore a plethora of articles about the target language. Moreover, you can directly connect with language experts if you want to accelerate your learning via live tutoring sessions.
Rosetta Stone’s complete immersion method teaches a new language only in that specific language. So, native speakers will not have to face any trouble in their learning process. Besides core lessons, you can opt for other features like Extended Learning and Stories. Multiple users who have the same learning proficiencies can play games together to develop their language skills even better. Its Live Tutoring sessions offer you to practice the language with up to 3 learners along with a native speaker. However, it requires extra charges.
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Languages offered
Now I will compare Babbel vs Rosetta Stone in terms of the languages you can learn on the platforms.
Babbel
- German
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- French
- Dutch
- Italian
- Norwegian
- Danish
- Swedish
- Polish
- Russian
- Turkish
- Indonesian
Rosetta Stone
- Greek
- Irish
- Polish
- Swedish
- French
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Russian
- Italian
- German
- Korean
- Arabic
- Hebrew
- Dutch
- Vietnamese
- Latin
- Chinese
- Portuguese
- English
- Filipino
- Tagalog
- Demotic
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Structure of Courses
First, I will provide an outline of the structure of Babbel’s courses.
Each of the lessons constitutes multiple interactive exercises. It starts with an exercise where you have to listen to new words or phrases and repeat them afterward. Next, the lesson will take the form of a drill through digital flashcards. What follows after is a short lesson on grammar or conjugation. You will also be asked to type and reconstruct some words or phrases. Finally, you have to complete a fill-in-the-blanks exercise. In the end, there will be a mock conversation.
Moving on to Rosetta Stone, its lessons will roughly take an hour to complete from scratch. There is a core, a 30-minute learning module, and 3 to 15 supplemental drills lasting for 5 to 10 minutes in each lesson. These drills cater to developing your pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening skills. The sentences will become more grammatically complex as you keep on advancing each level.
What Is The Best Way To Learn A New Language?
One of the best ways to learn a new language is to be among people who speak it very well. Suppose you’re in a country where no one speaks the language you speak, so you will need to learn their language as quickly as possible to communicate with others. English is a very common language in the World, and if you don’t know the English language, then it is the language you should learn first.
This is an effective method, but it is not great for beginners because everyone wants to learn at their own pace. You can also ask any native speaker to teach you a few words so you can get by in that city easily. Babbel and Rosetta Stone are also amazing options for you to learn a new language, but learning with these tools will take time.
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Pros & Cons
Here are the benefits & drawbacks of Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
Babbel Pros
- Babbel’s French and Spanish language courses are better than other languages.
- You can practice your grammar from the supplementary grammar section on Babbel.
- The structure of the courses is much better, and it easily takes learners from beginner to advanced level.
- You can also listen to podcasts of some of the languages in Babbel.
- Babbel also gives you the option to download the lessons and watch them offline. The only issue with that is that you can watch those offline videos on the app.
Babbel Cons
- The exercises on Babbel are a bit tedious, and it also gives you the option to skip the questions if you don’t like them simply.
- Babbel only offers 13 languages for you to learn; it does not offer you languages like Chinese, Thai, and all.
Rosetta Stone Pros
- On Rosetta Stone, you will see exercises filled with repetitive words that help you learn those words better.
- Vocabulary lessons introduce both plural and singular words.
- The audio quality is clear, making it easier for you to learn.
- The exercises are in a gaming format where you complete one level, and it advances you to another, making the learning more fun.
- Rosetta Stone is also really easy to use and understand, similar to Babbel.
Rosetta Stone Cons
- Exercises are a bit slow on Rosetta Stone in comparison to Babbel.
- If you want to learn to write & speak in a language you want, then Rosetta Stone is not a good option for you.
The Pricing Structures
Now, let us compare Babbel vs Rosetta Stobe based on their pricing models.
Babbel Pricing
It offers a variety of four subscription models that allow the user to access any one language. If you want to know more about Babbel pricing, then click here.
- Its monthly plan is available at $13.95 every month.
- The 3-month plan is priced at $29.85 altogether.
- Its 6-month plan comes at $8.45 per month, which costs $50.70.
- The yearly subscription is available at $83.40/year.
- The lifetime plan costs $299.99 once.
Bonus: If you want to save a few bucks on a Babbel subscription, then check our post on Babbel Coupon here.
Rosetta Stone Pricing
This app provides three kinds of subscription plans. The 3 months and 12-month plans enable the user to access one language only. The lifetime subscription grants access to all the languages available on the platform.
- The 3-month plan comes at $11.99 per month.
- Its 12-month plan costs $7.99 monthly.
- The lifetime plan is available for $179.
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Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: In a Nutshell (Tabular Comparison)
| Parameter | Babbel | Rosetta Stone |
| Interface | Easy to use | Systematic |
| Price | $13.95 | $11.99 |
| Lessons | Entertaining | Slow and repetitive |
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Final Verdict: Which One Is Better In 2023?
With their well-structured lessons, both apps offer great learning experiences. The main difference lies in the pricing structures. So, if you are concerned about money, it is better to opt for Babbel.
FAQs On Babbel vs Rosetta Stone
Though both apps are useful for building a robust vocabulary base, Babbel gives you more scope to hear conversational phrases that you can apply in real-life situations. If you wish to learn to talk to people naturally, Babbel is the better choice.
People often prefer Duolingo because it contains grammar lessons, multiple-choice questions, vocabulary cards, and so on.
Presently, Duolingo has gained immense popularity for learning languages free of cost.
If you want a language learning tool for the short term, like one month, three months, or one year, then Babbel is slightly more affordable than Rosetta Stone. But if you are looking to buy, then Rosetta Stone’s Lifetime Subscription costs $179, and Babbel’s Lifetime subscription costs $239.
After closely reviewing the Spanish programs of both Rosetta Stone and Babbel, it is clear Babbel has a better Spanish learning program. We have also done a detailed review of Babbel’s Spanish program here.
The biggest difference between Babbel and Rosetta Stone is that Babbel focuses on engagingly teaching more comprehensive lessons, whereas Rosetta Stone focuses on more images and repetitive content.
Yes, Learning a new language is definitely worth it because it can develop your brain and increase your ability to focus more on the tasks at hand. You will also get new opportunities in the language you learned.
