Great if you just want practice talking to people who speak your target language!
I study Linguistics and Japanese language at university. Because my classes were mostly focussed on reading and writing, I learnt a lot of grammar and vocab but never really got to practice speaking much. So for the most part this app is fantastic!
However! I have one issue. People treat it a bit like a dating app which is somewhat entertaining as a young man, but I do feel sorry for women as I often see they have to specify in their bios that they have boyfriends or are not interested. I would feel bad recommending this to a female friend just for her to get hit on when she is trying to learn a language.
Is there any way that profiles could be verified? I know that people will always chat to each other and may become interested in one another, but for the safety of everyone I feel it would be beneficial to integrate a profile verification so that everyone knows who they are talking to is actually who that person claims to be. Would that be possible and is it something the team are thinking of integrating?
Other than that, it is a genuinely fantastic app! I don't feel that anything important is stuck behind a paywall, notifications work well and it is a brilliant language learning tool! Thanks to the team!
However! I have one issue. People treat it a bit like a dating app which is somewhat entertaining as a young man, but I do feel sorry for women as I often see they have to specify in their bios that they have boyfriends or are not interested. I would feel bad recommending this to a female friend just for her to get hit on when she is trying to learn a language.
Is there any way that profiles could be verified? I know that people will always chat to each other and may become interested in one another, but for the safety of everyone I feel it would be beneficial to integrate a profile verification so that everyone knows who they are talking to is actually who that person claims to be. Would that be possible and is it something the team are thinking of integrating?
Other than that, it is a genuinely fantastic app! I don't feel that anything important is stuck behind a paywall, notifications work well and it is a brilliant language learning tool! Thanks to the team!
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Response from developer
Thank you so much for making HelloTalk a part of your language learning journey. Please report any dating-related behavior in the app. Once your report is submitted, our Community Safety Team will investigate and take action within 24-48 hours. Please rest assured that we take these matters seriously. We understand your concerns about user verification and have implemented measures like video verification for suspicious accounts. If you have specific suggestions or encounter any inappropriate behavior, please contact us via the HelloTalk Team (in your Following list) or email us at support@hellotalk.com. Your input is essential to helping us improve!
AI Slop
I used to use this app many years ago and I loved it-- I even ended up purchasing the lifetime VIP membership. Now this app is overrun with annoying AI assistants and unnecessary AI tools that you can't opt out of. I can't imagine what this app looks like to people who don't have the paid version. It's absolutely ridiculous. This app was PERFECT, and now it's basically unusable.
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About this app
This app is excellent to learn and make some friends and have fun.
terib
terrible app
Response from developer
We are very sorry that HelloTalk has not met your expectations. We’d love to know more details on how we can make your experience with us better. Please submit feedback to our support team or email support@hellotalk.com and elaborate more so we can assist you. Thanks for helping us improve!
App doesn’t have proper policy
This app does not have proper policy whatsoever. I has one account that i had made many friends on, but i was falsely reported which got be chat banned. I don’t understand how they’ll just automatically accept smaller things but if it’s someone chatting inappropriately or they’re catfishing it’s okay. I’m very upset with this app as i’ve filed a complaint on 1 account and waited days, I then made a send account to file a complaint as well and i was still banned.
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Response from developer
We’re truly sorry for your experience and understand your frustration. Please share your HelloTalk ID or email with us at support@hellotalk.com so we can investigate and assist you promptly. Thank you for your patience.
Deceptive subscription practices - Beware!
The app advertises a 3-day free trial, but it charged me the full annual fee immediately upon signing up. There was no trial period applied. This is very misleading and unfair to users. Do not trust their 'free trial' offer.
Profile picture flagged
Can’t even get into my account because I made one years ago and don’t have access to that email.
WALES 🏴
The app is amazing, but there is no Welsh🏴 flag representation but there is for Scotland. I would like to see the flag be added so would other
Okay app
I’ve been using for a month I thought it would be good upgrade from Duolingo and it kinda is since I talk to real people except no one actually learns we just talk and sometimes they don’t even talk and I saw that gender filter was a thing but I didn’t think it would make a difference but it does cause it’s like if it purposely gives me only girls so I can buy the subscription and there girls I can’t relate to anything they say and it’s awkward and no one on this app post anything u can relate to everyone is mindless bots that have no personality posting random pictures like how can talk to someone I don’t have the same interest in or related and it feels like it’s just a instagram for people that don’t have it it’s good app my experience is not as good also noticing it does seem to be as much as a cash grab as Duolingo and any other app
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Trick my touch to open anything
Sucks, it open any window instead when I’m try to scroll screen, it open external apps, help me click the ads, wow…This ask too much sensitive privacy
Relies mostly on subscription but a great way to begin learning
I’ve been on the app for only 1 day. There is a lot of things that you can only do with their subscription, but otherwise it’s good. I’ve been learning and speaking to more people.
Creepy
Got it to chat with my friends on my vacation abroad.. it does work but the layout is really annoying on PC and has many apps. I’m constantly being spammed by creepy men i have never met. I understand it’s a language learning app but they show no interest in learning languages, outright asking if i’m single or if i send etc.
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Response from developer
Thank you for using HelloTalk and sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the layout issues and unwanted messages you’ve experienced. While we’re improving the Web version’s UI. If you come across anyone who harasses you, please report that person; we'll investigate the report and then take the appropriate measures. For further assistance, please feel free to reach out to our support team directly via the Following lists or at support@hellotalk.com with more details. We truly appreciate your feedback and your help in making HelloTalk better!
accessibility!
i love how the app is still usable without premium. i ended up buying premium anyway because the features are worth it for me and i believe this app truly supports learning and doesn't just want your money.
additionally, absolutely LOVE how the AI is completely optional. too many platforms want to shove AI usage in every corner it does or doesn't fit. while i think AI can be revolutionary specifically for language learning, we aren't there yet with programming or environmentally.
gracias por la aplicación, ¡lo amo!
additionally, absolutely LOVE how the AI is completely optional. too many platforms want to shove AI usage in every corner it does or doesn't fit. while i think AI can be revolutionary specifically for language learning, we aren't there yet with programming or environmentally.
gracias por la aplicación, ¡lo amo!
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No REJECT ALL privacy requirement
inconsistent with UK privacy requirements.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has said that:
* Refusing non-essential tracking should be as easy as accepting.
* Consent must be freely given, not obtained through manipulative design.
* Users should have a genuine choice.
If HelloTalk’s consent screen has an “Accept All” button but no equally easy “Reject All” option (or makes refusing significantly harder), that’s something the ICO may be interested in.
I will be reporting this app to the ICO’s online reporting service
Evidence:
HelloTalk asks for your consent to use your personal data to:
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development
Store and/or access information on a device
く
Learn more
Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with 210 partners, or used specifically by this app.
We and our partners may use precise geolocation data. List of partners.
Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. Look for a link or button in the app menu to manage or withdraw consent in privacy and cookie settings.
Manage options
Consent
The Information Commissioner’s Office has said that:
* Refusing non-essential tracking should be as easy as accepting.
* Consent must be freely given, not obtained through manipulative design.
* Users should have a genuine choice.
If HelloTalk’s consent screen has an “Accept All” button but no equally easy “Reject All” option (or makes refusing significantly harder), that’s something the ICO may be interested in.
I will be reporting this app to the ICO’s online reporting service
Evidence:
HelloTalk asks for your consent to use your personal data to:
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development
Store and/or access information on a device
く
Learn more
Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with 210 partners, or used specifically by this app.
We and our partners may use precise geolocation data. List of partners.
Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. Look for a link or button in the app menu to manage or withdraw consent in privacy and cookie settings.
Manage options
Consent
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Truly Saying
Hellotalk is a very useful app. I’ve been using the app for more than one year. The features are really helpful. I develop my English level through this app. The best part is I made so many friends outside my country. I learned about their culture. I’ve never even thought that I would make friends outside of my territory. It’s a beautiful journey. Thanks Hellotalk
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Bad UX
Hard to use, very easy to get suspended even did nothing. No way to change native language even it was set by mistake.
It’s okay
Mostly feels like a dating app and people don’t respond much. Keeping up any semblance of a connection/parter is rough.
Homens
Instalei o app para praticar meu inglês. Deixei bem especificado na minha bio que queria amigas da minha idade para q pudéssemos conversar sobre coisas que temos em comum. Ao invés disso, apareceram 3 homens de 35/40 anos perguntando se eu estava solteira. Desinstalei o app. O intuito é bom e sei que os desenvolvedores não tem culpa das pessoas que estão dentro do app, mas infelizmente ele não funciona como deveria. Sugiro que aumentem a segurança e até mesmo olhem algumas conversas, para que esse app realmente comece a funcionar bem.
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Response from developer
We’re truly sorry for your experience and appreciate your feedback. We’ll share this with our team to improve safety features. For a better experience, try enabling 'Same Gender Only' in privacy settings next time. We hope this helps and look forward to welcoming you back.
VIP has boost so why is my account not getting any messages?
The second l made an account l made a post l made sure l put in some context and easy to understand details but my post only got 13 views… VIP IS SUPPOSED TO BOOST YOUR ACCOUNT IS IT NOT?? THIS APP IS A SCAM!! And then l went to join a live chat but there was only one active with someone not around my age. I followed the apps tip and nothing works. Don’t believe everyone’s experience in this app will be the same for you!! And then on top of all that
even when you have vip to “boost” your account 9x times like the app says you still have to pay to boost your account like what the hell??!
I also made another account and got the same results over a month of using it. This app is absolute trash in my book.
even when you have vip to “boost” your account 9x times like the app says you still have to pay to boost your account like what the hell??!
I also made another account and got the same results over a month of using it. This app is absolute trash in my book.
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No REJECT ALL privacy requirement
inconsistent with UK privacy requirements.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has said that:
* Refusing non-essential tracking should be as easy as accepting.
* Consent must be freely given, not obtained through manipulative design.
* Users should have a genuine choice.
If HelloTalk’s consent screen has an “Accept All” button but no equally easy “Reject All” option (or makes refusing significantly harder), that’s something the ICO may be interested in.
I will be reporting this app to the ICO’s online reporting service
The Information Commissioner’s Office has said that:
* Refusing non-essential tracking should be as easy as accepting.
* Consent must be freely given, not obtained through manipulative design.
* Users should have a genuine choice.
If HelloTalk’s consent screen has an “Accept All” button but no equally easy “Reject All” option (or makes refusing significantly harder), that’s something the ICO may be interested in.
I will be reporting this app to the ICO’s online reporting service
Show more
