Of the big language apps, Babbel and Busuu are the closest pair. Both are structured courses, both teach around 14 languages, both use short lessons with grammar and speaking, and both have added AI conversation. So the choice comes down to one thing each does that the other doesn't. Busuu has a community of native speakers who correct your work. Babbel has clearer grammar explanations and optional live classes with teachers. Want people's feedback on what you write and say? Busuu. Want the rules explained cleanly, or a real teacher? Babbel.
A disclosure: I built PrettyFluent, which I mention at the end. I've used both of these apps for over a year each, and I'll say where each app wins. Features and pricing were checked on each company's site on the date at the top; prices vary by country.
The short answer
| If you want... | Pick |
|---|---|
| Native speakers correcting your exercises | Busuu |
| A free plan you can actually use | Busuu |
| Clear levels (A1 to B2) | Busuu |
| Grammar explained step by step | Babbel |
| Live classes with a teacher | Babbel |
What Busuu has that Babbel doesn't
Busuu's community corrections: you submit a written or spoken exercise and native speakers correct it, and you correct people learning your language in return. It's organised by CEFR level, from A1 to B2 for most languages, and paid plans add an end-of-level test with a certificate, personalised grammar review, offline lessons and, on the higher tiers, AI conversation practice.
Busuu's free plan is also more usable: you can do lessons and send a limited number of exercises for correction. Premium removes the limit and puts you first in the queue.
What Babbel has that Busuu doesn't
Babbel's grammar explanations are some of the clearest in any app, delivered in English as each point comes up, in 5 to 10 minute lessons. Babbel Live adds classes with real teachers for an extra fee, which is a step up from volunteer feedback. Babbel Speak adds AI conversation practice, still in beta for a few languages.
Its free option is the first lesson of each course; after that it's a subscription.
Where each falls short
Busuu: corrections come from volunteers, so some are excellent and some are wrong. Treat them as a second opinion, not the final word.
Babbel: without Babbel Live, no human ever hears you. Speech recognition tells you if you were understood, not if you sounded natural.
Portuguese: check which one you're getting
Both apps teach Portuguese, but it's worth checking which Portuguese before you pay. Most apps teach Brazilian Portuguese, because that's where most speakers are. If you're moving to Lisbon or Porto, the everyday words and pronunciation differ enough to trip you up in shops and contracts. Look at the course description, or try the free lesson and listen, before subscribing.
Side by side
| Babbel | Busuu | |
|---|---|---|
| Human feedback | Babbel Live teachers, extra cost | Native-speaker community |
| Grammar | Explained step by step | Personalised review in Premium |
| Levels | Beginner to advanced | CEFR A1 to B2 for most languages |
| Free option | First lesson of each course | Limited lessons and corrections |
| Languages | About 14 | 14 |
Which should you choose?
Pick Busuu if you want feedback from real people on a budget, like knowing your level, or want to start free and see if you stick with it.
Pick Babbel if clear explanations matter to you, or you'd pay for live classes with a teacher.
Honestly, you won't go far wrong with either. I used both for over a year: Babbel's grammar notes are the ones I'd go back to, and Busuu's corrections are the ones that changed how I actually wrote. Try Busuu's free plan and Babbel's free lesson, and pick the one you enjoyed more. The best course is the one you'll still be doing in three months.
Where PrettyFluent fits (ours)
PrettyFluent isn't a course; it's the phrases and conversations for specific real situations, with native audio, practised as spoken roleplays. And where it teaches Portuguese, it's European Portuguese, with voices from Portugal.
The Portugal essentials lesson starts with the words you'll say twenty times a day: Olá (hello), Por favor (please), Desculpe (sorry, excuse me) and De nada (you're welcome). From there, lessons cover ordering coffee Portuguese-style, getting around, and the conversations of your first weeks.
It covers European Portuguese, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese and Mandarin, on iPhone and iPad. Pricing is from $8.99 a month on the web, or $13.95 a month in the App Store. Use it next to Babbel or Busuu, not instead of them.
