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Babbel vs Glossika
See which language learning app wins in this comparison of Glossika and Babbel
There are so many things that are hard about learning a new language. In fact, the hard part often starts before you even begin actually learning. Which language program should you select? No one wants to commit to one only to find out two months in that it doesn’t fit their learning style or isn’t really effective. That is why we’re taking a close look at how the language apps from Glossika and Babbel stack up in this detailed review.
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Video Review: Babbel or Glossika?
In the video above, team member John breaks down how the language courses from Glossika and Babbel stack up. Please keep reading for more detailed info.
Given that price is always such a major concern with language apps, let’s start this post with a quick discussion of cost. Babbel has a few different subscription plans to choose from, ranging from around $8 to $15 per month.
Alternatively, you can purchase a lifetime pass with Babbel, which includes access to all of their languages for around $200-300. Thus, with Babbel, it ultimately just depends on how long you want to commit to and pay for in advance.
Glossika, on the other hand, offers just two different subscription options. First, there’s the Basic Plan, which costs around $17 per month and includes access to one language.
Then there’s also the Pro Plan, which costs around $30 per month and grants you unlimited access to the 60+ languages that Glossika covers.
So overall, in terms of cost, there’s no question that Babbel is the winner. You’ll likely save anywhere from roughly $9 to $19 per month by going with Babbel. Plus, both companies regularly run sales and special promotions, so be sure to keep an eye out for those.
Overview of the Babbel & Glossika Lessons
Having taken a peek at pricing, let’s compare what the lessons are like from both companies. First, in terms of length, there’s really not much difference between these two apps. The lessons from Babbel and Glossika are both on the shorter end of the spectrum.
Each one only takes around 5 to 15 minutes to complete, which is great for busy people who don’t necessarily have 30 to 45 minutes per day to dedicate to language learning.
However, when it comes to lesson format, that’s where Babbel and Glossika start to diverge. Although both companies make use of spaced repetition systems for their learning frameworks, they go about it in different ways.
Glossika focuses on words and phrases
To put it simply, Glossika’s lessons are a little more straightforward and repetitive. In each lesson, you’ll be introduced to a series of new words and phrases, and then asked to either write or record yourself repeating what you just heard. You’ll do this several times over for the same series of phrases, which Glossika calls “reps.”
This really gets to the foundation of the Glossika learning framework. In a nutshell, Glossika relies heavily on repetition until you internalize your target language.
On the other hand, the lessons from Babbel are much more diverse and engaging. Rather than completing the same exercise over and over again like you generally do with Glossika, Babbel uses a wide variety of drills and exercises.
This includes flashcards, matching pairs, mock dialogues, fill-in-the-blanks, pronunciation practice, and more.
Babbel has more variety
Plus, what’s nice about Babbel is that they incorporate grammar content into their lessons as well, which is something that is missing from the Glossika program. Babbel smartly weaves grammar notes and tips right into their drills with callout boxes and quick questions.
Overall, I would say that Babbel’s lessons do a better job of holding your attention, and honestly, are simply more fun in my opinion. But more on wins and losses below.
Why Babbel Is Better Than Glossika
Having covered the pricing and lesson format of these two language programs, let’s next dive into the main advantages of using Babbel over Glossika, and vice versa. And let’s start with Babbel.
Varied, Quick Lessons
First off, I really like the fast-moving, varied nature of Babbel’s lessons. Frankly, they’re just more engaging than Glossika’s. One lesson you’ll start with picture-based flashcards, then transition into a matching game, then you’ll do a fill-in-the-blanks drill, before moving onto a simulated dialogue exercise. Then boom, before you know it, the lesson is over.
Babbel’s lessons are varied
Plus, the next lesson in your queue will be in a different order. This variety of exercises just makes the lessons go by very quickly, and honestly, I think helps to make the language learning process more fun.
Not to mention, I really like all the visuals that Babbel includes throughout their drills and exercises as well. For reference, Glossika doesn’t really include any graphics or images at all, which isn’t ideal for visual learners.
Speech Software Benefits
The next advantage in favor of Babbel is their speech recognition technology. As you complete verbal practice exercises, Babbel’s software will immediately assess your pronunciation and cue you to repeat words, phrases, and sentences if you mispronounce them.
To be fair, Glossika does have a recording feature as well in which you can playback your pronunciation of a phrase or sentence, but that’s where it ends.
There is no direct feedback. It’s pretty much up to you to compare your pronunciation against the example from the fluent speaker.
Babbel’s speech software is solid
So overall, it’s definitely worth calling out that with Babbel, you receive immediate, accurate feedback on your verbal practice exercises and pronunciation. That’s the big takeaway.
Smart Grammar Instruction
Another area where Babbel wins is grammar. Essentially, Babbel makes grammar content and instruction a priority, whereas Glossika does not (the Rocket Languages grammar lessons are awesome as well).
Glossika seems to be more interested in having you identify and recognize patterns in order to learn grammar. Thus, it’s really just two different schools of thought here.
Some linguists, like the founder of Glossika, believe that you don’t need to study and learn grammar in order to speak a foreign language, while other linguists disagree with that belief. It just depends on which school of thought you ascribe to.
Nonetheless, what I can tell you is that Babbel integrates grammar into their coursework in a very efficient and effective way.
They don’t hit you over the head with long, dense grammar explanations like some other companies. They keep it short, light, and fun.
An example grammar exercise might include a brief one or two sentence explanation in your target language regarding feminine nouns, and then you participate by filling in blanks in example sentences to confirm you understand the concept. It’s pretty quick and painless.
Cool Bonus Resources
Finally, I really like all the bonus features and resources that Babbel provides. With Glossika, it’s pretty much just the main course and that’s it. There are no cool extras.
With Babbel, however, students have access to a bunch of awesome tools like dedicated audio lessons, podcasts, games, a personalized vocabulary trainer, and a digital magazine, so you can get in some extra reading.
Now that we’ve discussed Babbel’s benefits, let’s get to Glossika, which has many strengths of its own.
No Nonsense Approach
I believe that if you’re a serious, no nonsense type of person, you may actually prefer Glossika’s language programs and find them to be more effective than Babbel’s.
I say this because Glossika removes all of the fluff from their program and really zeroes in on what natural language learning is all about—listening, repeating, and the heavy repetition of patterns (somewhat similar to LingQ).
Glossika is repetitive but effective
In other words, Glossika wants to teach you to recognize and understand patterns rather than studying grammar rules, just like young kids do when they first start learning a language.
Therefore, while it might appear that Glossika’s lessons are somewhat elementary, they can be very effective for learning a new language—that is, if you can tolerate the more monotonous nature of their lessons.
Effective Review Sessions
Another pro for Glossika is their review sessions, which in my opinion are better than Babbel’s. Basically, as you advance through the course, Glossika prompts you regularly review what you’ve already learned.
Yet, what’s unique here is that Glossika uses AI to personalize the review process. The company’s tech will predict when you’re about to forget a phrase or pattern, and before you reach that point, they’ll include it in your next review session.
Glossika AI-powered review session
The review sessions from Babbel, on the other hand, are simply based on your individual history of what you have gotten right and wrong during the lessons.
So overall, I have to hand it to Glossika as they’ve done an excellent job with their review sessions to maximize language retention.
More Language Options
My final note here may be insignificant for some people as Babbel does offer courses for the most popular languages like Spanish, French, Italian, and German, but it’s worth mentioning that Glossika offers courses for over 60 different languages.
As a result, there are going to be some languages like Korean, Japanese, and Thai, for example, in which you’ll have no choice but to go with Glossika.
Verdict: Babbel or Glossika For Language Learning?
Let’s get to the final verdict—should you choose Glossika or Babbel to learn a new language? Honestly, after using and testing each program, I have to give Babbel the win.
While there certainly is merit to Glossika’s high repetition learning framework and power in their AI-powered review sessions, I ultimately just think Babbel delivers the more comprehensive and engaging language program.
Babbel’s lessons do a great job of holding your attention, their speech recognition technology is top-notch, and I like how they carefully integrate grammar into their curriculum. Plus, all the extra bonus features that are available to learners offer tons of value.
Overall, I think Babbel is the way to go. Not only are their language courses effective for learning, but they’re also fun, which is often half the battle when learning something new and difficult.
FAQ
Is Babbel better than Glossika?
After using and reviewing the apps from both Glossika and Babbel, I definitely prefer the Babbel program. The lessons are more engaging and the grammar instruction was much more useful.
Which app costs more, Glossika or Babbel?
The Glossika app is more expensive than Babbel’s program. On average, Glossika costs $9 to $19 more per month.
What's the main difference between Glossika and Babbel?
While the two programs share many similarities, in the end, Babbel offers a greater diversity of drills and exercises, while Glossika’s strength lies in its review sessions.
