The Bottom Line. Language-learning app Babbel teaches phrases and vocabulary you'll actually use, but the exercises can get dull. It's best for people who are adept at learning languages and maybe speak a few already. PCMag editors select and review products independently.

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Duolingo instills a false sense of accomplishment by claiming that it is a more efficient means of acquiring a language than a language classroom. However, there is no way that with just a few minutes a day you will learn to do much of anything efficiently. It's just not realistic.