# Babbel

> Babbel is a Berlin-based language learning company that teaches 14 languages through short, expert-designed lessons built for real-life conversation. Founded in 2007 and operated under the legal name Lesson Nine GmbH, it pioneered the paid subscription model for language apps and has sold tens of millions of subscriptions worldwide. Its lessons - typically 10 to 15 minutes - are written by linguists rather than crowdsourced or generated, and the company has layered in speech recognition and AI speaking practice while keeping human-designed pedagogy at the center.

- **Founded:** 2007
- **Headquarters:** Berlin, Germany
- **Founders:** Markus Witte (Co-founder, former CEO, Chairman of Supervisory Board), Thomas Holl (Co-founder), Toine Diepstraten (Co-founder), Lorenz Heine (Co-founder)
- **Team size:** Approximately 890-1,300 employees
- **Products:** Babbel App, Babbel Speak, Babbel for Business, Babbel Podcasts & Magazine, CEFR Certificates
- **Notable:** Pioneered the paid subscription model for language learning apps, Sold over 16 million subscriptions (some sources cite 25M+), Named 'Most Innovative Language Learning Company' by Fast Company

## Products & services

- **Babbel App** — Subscription app and web platform with short, expert-designed lessons in 14 languages, focused on real-life conversation, vocabulary, grammar tips and speech recognition.
- **Babbel Speak** — AI-powered speaking feature launched September 2025 that guides learners through expert-designed conversation scenarios with prompts and feedback, taking users 'from silence to speech.'
- **Babbel for Business** — Corporate language training with self-paced courses, AI conversation practice, live classes for teams, blended learning and ROI tracking.
- **Babbel Podcasts & Magazine** — Free language and culture podcasts plus the Babbel Magazine, extending learning beyond lessons.
- **CEFR Certificates** — Official certificates aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference, awarded as learners complete levels.

## Achievements

- Pioneered the paid subscription model for language learning apps
- Sold over 16 million subscriptions (some sources cite 25M+)
- Named 'Most Innovative Language Learning Company' by Fast Company
- Reported that 92% of users improved their proficiency level within two months
- Built CEFR-aligned certification into a consumer language app
- Launched AI speaking feature Babbel Speak in 2025 while keeping human-designed lessons

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Launched Babbel Speak, an AI-powered speaking feature for guided conversation practice.
- **2025-07** — Discontinued Babbel Live for individual consumers; live classes now offered only via Babbel for Business.
- **2025-06** — Tim Allen became CEO; co-founder Markus Witte moved to Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

## Links

- Website: https://babbel.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/babbel-com
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/babbel
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/babbel
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babbel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babbel.languages
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babbel

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/babbel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-07