# italki vs Verbling

The clearest difference is rating: italki at 4.8 against Verbling's 3.8. italki also leads on review sentiment (68% vs 31%) and ratings volume (9.8K vs 135). Verbling's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. italki sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Verbling asks for nothing beyond the download.

italki holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: italki has 9.8K ratings behind it against 135, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of italki's written reviews are positive against 31% of Verbling's.

italki ships an update weekly, Verbling monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | italki | Verbling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italki-language-learning/id1140000003/reviews)** | [3.8 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/verbling-learn-a-new-language/id1170152447/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 135 |
| Positive reviews | **67.8% of reviews** | 30.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 307 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [italki HK Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/569299241) | [Verbling, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/590462781) |

## What reviewers say

### italki

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italki-language-learning/id1140000003)

Connect with qualified native teachers for personalized language lessons. Learn Spanish, English, French, and over 150 other languages at your own pace and schedule. Practice conversation, master grammar, and immerse yourself in new cultures.

**Highlights:** Private tutoring with native teachers, Learn over 150 languages, Customizable lesson plans, Flexible class scheduling, Pay-as-you-go pricing, Video call tutoring

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| italki Plus - 1 Month | $5.99 | per month |
| Plus Monthly Plan with Trial | $5.99 | per month |
| italki Plus - 1 Year | $59.99 | per year |
| Plus Yearly Plan with Trial | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great platform to connect with native speakers
- 🚀 Flexible scheduling and easy to use
- 💰 Affordable lessons
- 🎓 Helpful for improving language skills
- 🤝 Positive learning experience with great teachers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with glitches and connectivity issues
- 💳 Concerns about pricing changes and fees
- 🕰️ Unreliable teachers who cancel or don't show up
- 🤖 Poor customer service and lack of support
- 📆 Difficulty with scheduling and calendar integration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Inaccurate teacher availability information
- Issues with login and account management
- Problems with video/audio quality during lessons
- Syncing and integration problems with other platforms

**Requested features**

- Improved calendar and scheduling functionality
- Better notification system for lessons
- Ability to search for and connect with language partners
- More transparency around teacher availability and cancellations
- Streamlined payment and refund process


### Verbling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/verbling-learn-a-new-language/id1170152447)

Master new languages through live, one-on-one conversations with native-speaking teachers. Practice speaking from day one to gain fluency and confidence for real-world interactions. Access lessons anytime, anywhere directly through the app.

**Highlights:** Live video lessons with native teachers, Learn over 40 languages, In-app video chat, Book lessons on your phone, Focus on speaking practice

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is italki free?

italki is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Verbling free?

Verbling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, italki or Verbling?

italki is rated higher. italki averages 4.8 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while Verbling averages 3.8 from 135 ratings.

### Do italki or Verbling have ads?

italki shows ads; Verbling does not.

### Which is updated more often, italki or Verbling?

italki ships an update weekly, and Verbling monthly. Most recently, italki was updated on October 16, 2026 and Verbling on October 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*