Babbel vs Pimsleur:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Babbel had more branded searches than Pimsleur among language learning apps worldwide. Babbel had about 182,000 branded searches, while Pimsleur had 74,000. Babbel made up 1.8% of all language learning app searches we track, and Pimsleur accounted for 0.72%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about language learning apps, Babbel appeared in all five answers and Pimsleur in four. Babbel was mentioned before Pimsleur in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Babbel, about 2 searches for every 1 for Pimsleur
Who does AI mention more?
Babbel, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Babbel, named ahead of Pimsleur in every answer
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Top language learning apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Babbel appeared in all five answers. Pimsleur was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Babbel was listed before Pimsleur in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Duolingo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Babbel5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Busuu4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
italki4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pimsleur4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Memrise1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Mondly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about language learning apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which language learning app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best language learning apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best language learning app for learning a language?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“language learning apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learn spanish app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Babbel or Pimsleur more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Babbel and Pimsleur by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven language learning apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Babbel, Pimsleur. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Duolingo | Busuu | italki | Babbel | Memrise | Pimsleur | Mondly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 89.3% | 2.5% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 2% | 0.71% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 86.6% | 3% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.9% | 1% | 0.63% |
| Dec 2025 | 88% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.53% |
| Jan 2026 | 85.9% | 3% | 3.4% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 1% | 0.63% |
| Feb 2026 | 88.4% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 0.86% | 0.53% |
| Mar 2026 | 87.5% | 3% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2% | 0.85% | 0.65% |
| Apr 2026 | 88.8% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 0.86% | 0.65% |
| May 2026 | 89.1% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.86% | 0.66% |
| Jun 2026 | 89.7% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.87% | 0.45% |
| Jul 2026 | 87.9% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.53% |
| Aug 2026 | 89.9% | 2.7% | 2.9% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.87% | 0.44% |
| Sep 2026 | 90.8% | 2.6% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.1% | 0.72% | 0.54% |
How has the Babbel and Pimsleur comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Babbel was ahead of Pimsleur in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Babbel’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide moved from 2.6% to 1.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 270K to 182K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pimsleur’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide moved from 0.71% to 0.72%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
How did search popularity change for language learning apps worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Babbel worldwide fell 32.5% over 12 measured months, from 270K to 182K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Babbel’s and Pimsleur’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among language learning apps
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