It’s very disappointing to discover that there’s no Tagalog on Babbel, but you don’t have to worry about it. That’s because we’ve found you the best alternative for learning Tagalog online: the Ling app. With Ling, you get a comprehensive Tagalog course with fun practice exercises and real-life dialogues. That’s the main reason why the Ling app has become the go-to option for passionate Tagalog learners.
So, if you want to learn Tagalog to impress your Filipino colleagues or to establish an authentic connection with them, you can try Ling. But why is Ling the absolute favorite, and why is there no Tagalog on Babbel yet?
Let’s look at the Ling app’s key features and pricing to find out how it makes learning Tagalog easy and fun!
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Why Doesn’t Babbel Have Tagalog?
Babbel still doesn’t offer a Tagalog course, likely because of its focus on languages with high learner demand, Tagalog’s significant similarity with Spanish, and complex grammar and vocabulary. Let’s explore the probable reasons why there’s no Tagalog on Babbel in detail.
- Babbel mainly focuses on languages with a larger audience. That’s why it only works for languages like Spanish and German. At a glance on their site, you can see they only offer one Asian language, which is Indonesian. It’s surprising because Tagalog is not among the least spoken languages in the world. In fact, in the United States alone, Tagalog is the third most spoken language in three states, according to Inquirer.net!
- Basic Tagalog is somewhat similar to Spanish, making it a bit easier to learn. Additionally, Filipinos are naturally proficient in English, which is why you will never find it hard to spark conversations with them.
- Another factor in why there is no Tagalog on Babbel is linguistic distance. Though Tagalog is spoken by a lot of people both in the Philippines and worldwide, Tagalog is different from English in grammar and vocabulary. This alone makes it a huge feat to create a Tagalog language course that is both effective and extensive.
Even though there’s no Tagalog on Babbel, you already know the strongest alternative is the Ling app, right?
Where Is Tagalog Spoken?
The majority of Tagalog speakers reside in the Philippines, around 33 million of whom are native speakers, and 54 million use it as their second language. More than 87 million people worldwide speak Tagalog.
This is largely attributable to many Filipinos seeking better employment opportunities in different parts of the world, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Middle East, Japan, Australia, and several other countries.
Is Tagalog Hard To Learn?
Yes, Tagalog is considered a moderately difficult language for English speakers. Even though it’s no longer listed on the new site, the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI) used to classify Tagalog as a Category III language. With its medium-to-high range of difficulty, you would need 44 weeks or 1,100 classroom hours of studying to reach fluency.
Let’s closely look at how Tagalog is different from the English language:
- Different sentence patterns: English primarily uses the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. Tagalog, on the other hand, uses the Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) and other flexible word orders, which take time to master.
- Verb focus and affixes: Tagalog verbs change form to show who’s doing what to whom, and verb forms can also change depending on the focus (emphasis): actor, object, location, etc. This is absent in English grammar.
- Unfamiliar vocabulary: Though Tagalog has loanwords from Spanish and English, its core vocabulary is largely Austronesian in nature. With these words looking and sounding new to English speakers, there are a lot of new root words to memorize.
- Use of case markers: Tagalog uses specific markers like ang, ng, and sa to define the role of the words in a sentence.
However, since Tagalog’s writing system and pronunciation are simple, some aspects of learning this language are easier. Plus, finding tutors is also easy, as many Filipinos speak English.
No Tagalog On Babbel: Here’s The Best Alternative For Learning Tagalog In 2026
There’s no Tagalog on Babbel, so many learners are choosing Ling for learning Tagalog in 2026 because of its structured Tagalog course with speaking practice and native-speaker audio.
Key Features Of The Ling App
- Authentic Native-Speaker Audio: Ling offers clear and natural native-speaker audio instead of robotic text-to-speech. This way, you can clearly hear the rhythm, stress, and pacing that are unique to Tagalog.
- Scenario-Based Learning: Instead of memorizing isolated words, you learn how Filipinos communicate in real situations, such as talking to a friend, ordering food, greeting family members, going to the market, etc.
- Gamified Learning Approach: To keep you engaged and motivated, Ling makes their lessons interactive through games and challenges. Plus, you get to track your progress with streaks and progress stats.
- Customizable Review Tools: With Ling, you can save the words that you want to remember with a tap of your finger, and review them in the “My Vocabulary” feature. The Ling app also has flashcards to quickly review what you’ve learned so far.
- Speaking Exercises: Ling also offers separate speaking practice exercises with speech recognition, where you can practice speaking Tagalog based on real-life situations and improve your pronunciation.
By simply giving yourself 10 minutes a day, you can expand your knowledge of the Philippines and even pick up new information about Filipino customs and traditions.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
Ling is the best alternative for both beginners and intermediate learners. So, whether you’re a traveler, heritage learner, language enthusiast, want to impress your loved ones, or are learning Tagalog for employment purposes, Ling is a strong alternative for learning Tagalog online.
That’s because the Ling app offers a structured Tagalog course divided into 5 difficulty levels and categorized by topics. This means you can choose the vocabulary based on your learning level and goals.
For example, if you’re learning Tagalog for travel, choose vocabulary related to ‘Location & Direction’, which is the 5th lesson on the Ling app. Similarly, if you want to impress your beloved, you can choose vocabulary related to ‘Dating’, ‘Romance I’, and ‘Romance II’.
So, everyone can use the Ling app to learn their favorite language, no matter their age or learning goals.
Babbel Vs Ling: Which Is The Better App To Learn Tagalog?
Here’s a quick comparison between the Ling app vs Babbel to find out which language app is the best for learning Tagalog in 2026:
| Feature | Babbel | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Tagalog availability | ❌ Does not offer Tagalog | ✅ Offers Tagalog |
| Teaching method | Structured, grammar-driven lessons | Scenario-based learning with gamified, real-life dialogues |
| Audio quality | Professional, but no Tagalog course | Real native speaker audio for Tagalog |
| Pricing | $7-$18 per month, depending on plan $300 for lifetime access | $16.99/month $64.99/six months $89.99/year |
| Language access | One language only | Complete access to all language offerings |
| Gamification/motivation | Medium – Structured lessons | High – Streaks, rewards, leaderboards |
| Learning difficult languages | Good, but limited to selected languages only | Very strong – Ling supports not only the “harder” but also rare languages |
So, if you specifically want to learn Tagalog online, Ling is the best option as there’s no Tagalog on Babbel. You can also read our detailed guide on Why Learn Tagalog to help you decide why it’s worth it.
Why Do Serious Learners Choose The Ling App?
One reason passionate learners choose the Ling app for learning Tagalog is its bite-sized lessons that are easier to memorize. Plus, Ling’s gamified approach to learning and equal focus on speaking practice make it a go-to alternative for several learners.
Real Ling users certify these features on the Play Store and App Store. Below are a few real Ling app reviews:
“Ling makes learning Tagalog actually fun. The lessons are short, useful, and easy to stick with daily. It doesn’t feel like a boring study app it feels natural. Big thanks to the team behind it. You’re doing something awesome here.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Random Guy Ha (App Store)
“wow I really love this – Ling is making my learning experience super exciting to do more. I love the slow-mode feature to clearly hear the pronunciation, and to be able to break down difficult words into syllables. repeat over and over to pick up the proper pronunciation of words. also the quick review mode that allows you to play back what you’ve learnt, and also matching the cards between English to Tagalog. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT 100% ☝️😁🔥”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Laurence Edwards (Play Store)
“I have enjoyed using the easy structure layed out, I like the grammar and culture sections. I also like that it includes a speaking test in every section. It’s helped me begin speaking Tagalog as a beginner, and I am learning more every day!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Christopher Repasy
The 10M+ downloads and 4.7/5 star rating on the Play Store and App Store also prove that millions of passionate learners are using Ling for learning languages this year.
What You’ll Achieve In Just 7 Days With Ling
In just a week of learning Tagalog with Ling, you can master basic Tagalog greetings and everyday-use vocabulary, and start using them in real life.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can achieve in just 7 days of joining Ling, with real Ling app examples:
| Day | What You’ll Learn | Examples From Ling’s Tagalog Course |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Greetings and Basic Polite Phrases | Hello – Kumusta Sorry – Pasensya |
| Day 2 | Introduction, Name, and Age | Where do you come from? – Taga saan ka My name is Mary – Ang pangalan ko ay Mary |
| Day 3 | Location and Direction in Tagalog | Where is the toilet? – Nasaan ang kubeta Where is the airport? – Nasaan ang paliparan far- malayo |
| Day 4 | Food and Drinks | I would like rice – Gusto ko po sana ng kanin |
| Day 5 | Exam (Review of Past Lessons) | “What do you hear” and “Translate this sentence” exercises |
| Day 6 | Practice speaking these phrases and improve pronunciation | “Please say out loud”: Walang problema. Ikinalulugod ko (No problem. My pleasure!) |
| Day 7 | Review what you’ve learned with flashcards | Practice all the vocabulary you’ve learned with Ling’s flashcard feature |
See, you can master this much Tagalog by just spending 10 minutes a day on the Ling app. And by spending more time, you can learn even more. The progress totally depends on your consistency and how much time you spend learning Tagalog.
No Tagalog On Babbel: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There No Tagalog On Babbel?
No. Sadly, there’s no Tagalog on Babbel yet. If you’re serious about learning Tagalog, you can try alternatives like the Ling app, which offers a comprehensive Tagalog course with game-like practice exercises and real-life dialogues.
Is Tagalog Useful To Learn?
Learning Tagalog is useful, especially if you’re planning to stay in the Philippines for a while. Apart from being one of the most widely spoken languages in Southeast Asia, knowing even basic Tagalog allows you to connect deeply with the Filipinos and their culture.
You can make friends more easily, blend in better, and even get better market or transportation deals. Though many Filipinos can speak good English, knowing Tagalog opens up more enriching local experiences.
What Is The Best Alternative For Learning Tagalog Online If There’s No Tagalog On Babbel?
The go-to alternative for learning Tagalog online is the Ling app. That’s because, with Ling, you can access short, topic-based lessons with native-speaker audio and gamified practice exercises.
Other than this, you can also watch Tagalog YouTube channels, join Filipino language groups on Facebook, or follow Tagalog learning accounts on TikTok to learn Tagalog phrases you’ll use every day.
Is It Hard To Learn Tagalog?
Tagalog is considered moderately difficult for English speakers. The U.S. Foreign Service Institute classified it as a Category III language, which means you would need 44 weeks of study to reach fluency. The main differences between Tagalog and English are different sentence patterns, verb focus and affixes, unfamiliar vocabulary, and the use of case markers.
Still, Tagalog’s writing system and pronunciation are fairly simple, and it has many loanwords from Spanish, which makes it a bit more manageable.
Will Babbel Add Tagalog In The Future?
Babbel hasn’t made any official statement about launching a Tagalog course. So, if you want to start learning Tagalog right away, it’s best to try another app like Ling.
Learn More Tagalog With The Ling App!
So, even if there’s no Tagalog on Babbel, you already have the best alternative, right? The Ling app is indeed a fun and effective way of learning Tagalog this year!
With Ling, you can easily practice conversational phrases in Tagalog, master basic vocabulary, and get a quick overview of the culture of the Philippines, all under one platform.
What’s the wait for then? Use the Ling app’s 7-day free trial by downloading it from the App Store or Google Play, and start speaking Tagalog confidently in no time!
