# italki vs TEFL

The clearest difference is ads: TEFL at none against italki's shown. TEFL also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 68%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). italki's advantage is ratings volume (9.7K vs 1) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 and TEFL sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TEFL holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: italki has 9.7K ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of TEFL's.

italki ships an update weekly, TEFL every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | italki | TEFL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (9.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italki-language-learning/id1140000003/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefl/id1449711729/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **9.7K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 67.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 306 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [italki HK Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/569299241) | [The TEFL Institute of Ireland LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449711728) |

## 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


### TEFL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefl/id1449711729)

This app provides access to internationally recognized TEFL courses, offering a flexible and affordable alternative to traditional certifications. It aims to inspire individuals to teach English abroad and achieve life-enhancing experiences.

**Highlights:** Internationally recognized TEFL courses, OFQUAL regulated Level 5 Certification, Affordable alternative to CELTA, Flexible online learning, Inspires teaching English abroad

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30 Hr Teaching English Course | $16.99 | one-time |
| 30 Hr Business English Course | $16.99 | one-time |
| Accredited 120 Hr Tefl Course | $109.99 | one-time |
| 180 Hr L5 Tefl Online Course | $299.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is italki free?

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

### Is TEFL free?

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

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

TEFL is rated higher. italki averages 4.8 out of 5 from 9.7K ratings, while TEFL averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do italki or TEFL have ads?

italki shows ads; TEFL does not.

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

italki ships an update weekly, and TEFL every 6 weeks. Most recently, italki was updated on September 24, 2026 and TEFL on September 15, 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.*