Comparison

LingQ | Learn Languages vs Tandem

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

LingQ | Learn Languages

Learn languages naturally by reading and listening to real content. Expand your vocabulary and improve comprehension with interactive tools and AI-powered features. Supports over 50 languages and offers a global community for support.

Highlights
  • Massive content library
  • Import your own content
  • Interactive reader with word definitions
  • AI-powered learning tools
  • Progress tracking
  • Offline learning
  • Community support and tutoring
Features
Read full description

Experience Language Learning with LingQ — the natural and effective way to learn a new language. LingQ is a language learning app that lets you grow your vocabulary and improve comprehension through meaningful exposure to the language with real content. Follow your interests and enjoy an immersive learning experience in over 50 languages. Learn Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean, Italian, German, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages. Trusted by Learners Worldwide: ◆4.7 star rating from over 45000 reviews. ◆Featured in CBC, Men’s Health, La Vanguardia, El País. Designed for Real Language Learning LingQ uses an input-based approach: you learn languages by reading and listening to real, interesting content at your level. ◆ Massive Content Library: Thousands of lessons from podcasts, books, interviews, videos, articles, and more — all with matching text for easy listening and reading. ◆ Follow Topics You Enjoy: Choose content you love and progress naturally through immersion, not drills. ◆ Import Your Favorite Content: Turn Netflix, YouTube, podcasts, books, and articles into personalized lessons. ◆ Powerful Reader: An effective, optimized reader that tracks every word you encounter to boost your vocabulary. ◆ Interactive Learning: Listen, read along, tap words for instant definitions, and learn naturally as you go. ◆ Advanced Progress Tracking: Monitor your listening, reading, study time, and vocabulary growth. ◆ Learn Anytime, Anywhere: Study offline and sync your progress automatically. Learn whenever you want. AI Language Learning Tools • AI Audio Transcription: Turn podcasts and audiobooks into interactive lessons. • AI Voices: Make your lessons, reviews and chats more immersive with natural sounding text-to-speech voices. • Advanced Chatbot: Get detailed tutor responses and real-time web search with our advanced Lynx AI Chatbot. • AI-Simplified Lesson: Take advantage of more interesting content earlier on in your learning journey by generating simplified versions of lessons. Read and Listen with Interactive Tools • SRS vocabulary review for long-term retention; • Mini Stories that build a strong foundation at any level; • Grammar guides with clear, accessible explanations; • Audio playlists for hands-free listening; • Karaoke Mode to follow the text while listening; A Global Community to Support You • Writing Exchange for real corrections from native speakers; • Tutoring sessions tailored to your goals; • Community forum for questions, guidance, and motivation; • Challenges that help you stay consistent and build strong habits; Built by Language Learners LingQ was co-founded by Steve Kaufmann, a polyglot who learned more than 20 languages using this same natural approach. Learn Multiple Languages LingQ supports more than 50 languages, including Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean, Italian, German, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Arabic and more. Get LingQ Premium and Accelerate Your Learning • Unlimited vocabulary lookup and SRS review; • Comprehensive word tracking to boost your progress; • Unlimited content imports; • Access to AI features; Start learning from real content. Download LingQ and begin today. Feedback? Let us know. Send suggestions and feedback to iosapp@lingq.com. Terms of Service - https://www.lingq.com/terms/

About

Tandem

Connect with native speakers globally to practice and learn new languages through text, voice, and video calls. This community-driven app helps you boost vocabulary, perfect pronunciation, and grasp grammar with features like in-app translation and message correction.

Highlights
  • Connect with native speakers
  • 1-to-1 chats
  • Group audio learning (Parties)
  • In-app translation
  • Voice and video calls
  • Message correction
Features
Read full description

**Tandem language exchange is the process of joining forces with someone who is a native speaker of the language you want to learn** Languages are a 'learn by doing' kind of thing. This particular method is at the heart of Tandem, the global language exchange community. Connect with native speakers, start chatting and finally reach fluency in the language you’re learning! Learn, connect, and share with 1-to-1 chats or try out Parties, the ultimate group learning audio space. There are millions of Tandem members with just as many interests, so find your people – and start speaking their language today! Reach fluency in 300+ languages, including Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and 12 different sign languages, including American Sign Language. Why Tandem helps you to practice and learn languages: BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY For the times when you’re struggling to find the correct words, our in-app translation feature helps you compose a message or translate an incoming one. PERFECT YOUR PRONUNCIATION Fit in with the locals and improve your speaking skills using voice notes, audio and video calls. GRASP THE GRAMMAR Help each other grasp the difficult parts of language learning with our message correction and comment features. TANDEM YOUR WAY Forget strict schedules and learning by the book. Embrace your personal language learning style—whether that’s messaging, calling, or even meeting in person. DOWNLOAD TANDEM AND MASTER ANY LANGUAGE NOW! ______________ How to learn languages on Tandem: 1. Select the language(s) you want to learn in the app 2. Tell us about your language learning goals and your ideal Tandem partner 3. Search for native speakers of your target language in the community 4. Kick-off your language exchange experience by sending your first message 5. Share topics with the Tandem community so you can have meaningful conversations about what interests you 6. Keep up the conversation with your new Tandem “pen pal” and speak like a native in no time! While many features are free, you can choose to subscribe to Tandem Pro to access all the features on the app. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current payment period. Your iTunes account will be automatically charged at the same price for renewal within the 24-hour period prior to the end of the current payment period unless you change your subscription preferences in your Account Settings. ______________ App Access Permissions: Optional permissions: - Location information: Required to use the Nearby feature to see members near you, the Travel feature to show members around the world and to add an approximate location to your profile. - Microphone: Required for sending audio messages, making audio and video calls, and joining Language Parties. - Camera: Required for taking photos to upload to your profile or post in a Language Club, take and send a photo in a chat, video calling, and scanning QR codes. - Notifications: Used to send you notifications about acceptance into the community, new messages, new followers and their posts, new references and marketing communication. - Nearby devices: Bluetooth access is required to connect audio devices during a call or Language Party. You can still use Tandem without granting optional permissions, except features where their nature requires the respective permission, like a video call requiring camera permission. Got a question? Contact us on support@tandem.net Licenses: Tandem – Language Exchange is licensed by Tandem Fundazioa (http://tandemcity.info) Privacy policy: https://tandem.net/privacy Terms of Service: www.tandem.net/pages/termsofservice

Screenshots

LingQ | Learn Languages4 screens
Tandem4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: LingQ | Learn Languages at none against Tandem's shown. LingQ | Learn Languages also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 48%). Tandem's advantage is ratings volume (38K vs 10K). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. LingQ | Learn Languages sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Tandem sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for LingQ | Learn Languages against 4.6 for Tandem. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10K and 38K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of LingQ | Learn Languages's written reviews are positive against 48% of Tandem's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
LingQ | Learn Languages versus Tandem: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLingQ | Learn LanguagesTandem
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (10K ratings) — better4.6 (38K ratings)
Positive reviews80.2% of reviews — better47.5% of reviews
Number of ratings10K38K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 5 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#123 — better#168
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size345 MB301 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperLingQ Languages LtdTripod Technology GmbH

Customer experience

LingQ | Learn Languages

All ratings10,219 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews1,172 reviews
Positive80.2%
Neutral6.1%
Negative13.7%

Tandem

All ratings38,136 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews2,423 reviews
Positive47.5%
Neutral8.3%
Negative44.2%

User reviews

LingQ | Learn Languages

From 10K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent for reading and listening practice
  • 👍 Customizable content and learning experience
  • 🚀 Efficient vocabulary acquisition
  • 👍 Helpful for improving comprehension and fluency
  • 👍 Engaging and enjoyable way to learn

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app with sync and performance issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🤔 Limited free version functionality
  • 🤔 Confusing user interface and navigation
  • 🤔 Inconsistent quality of translations and definitions

Tandem

From 38K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great for language learning
  • 👍 Helpful features like translation and correction
  • 🌎 Connects people from around the world
  • 💡 Innovative concept for language exchange

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy app
  • 💬 Difficulty maintaining conversations
  • 📤 Excessive ads and paywalls
  • 🔒 Privacy and safety concerns
  • ⚠️ Moderation issues and unfair bans

Bugs and requests

LingQ | Learn Languages

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Sync issues between app and web version
  • Incorrect translations and definitions
  • Unreliable streak tracking and progress reporting

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved user interface and navigation
  • Better sync and performance across devices
  • More content and language options
  • Enhanced vocabulary management and review tools
  • Affordable subscription plans

Tandem

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Messages not being delivered or synced properly
  • Frequent crashes and app instability
  • Login and account issues when switching devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Better search and filtering options
  • Ability to save/review past conversations
  • Group chat or language party features
  • More language options beyond just popular ones

In-app purchases

12 purchases

LingQ | Learn Languages

Subscriptions12
  • LingQ Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • LingQ Premium (Monthly)$14.991 Month
  • Premium Plus Monthly$29.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • LingQ Premium (6 Months)7 Days trial$80.996 Months
  • LingQ Premium (6 Months)$80.996 Months
  • LingQ Premium$89.991 Year
  • LingQ Premium$99.991 Year
  • LingQ Premium$101.991 Year
  • LingQ Premium2 variants$109.991 Year
  • LingQ Premium (12 Months)7 Days trial$119.991 Year
  • LingQ Premium (12 Months)$119.991 Year
  • Premium Plus Yearly7 Days trial$269.991 Year
13 purchases

Tandem

Subscriptions13
  • Tandem Pro$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro - 1 Month$14.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Tandem Pro Plus - 1 month7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro$26.903 Months
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$26.903 Months
  • Tandem Pro$38.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months$39.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro Plus - 12 months7 Days trial$64.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$69.901 Year
  • Tandem Pro1 Year trial$69.901 Year
  • Tandem Pro$69.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months7 Days trial$80.001 Year

Questions

Is LingQ | Learn Languages free?
LingQ | Learn Languages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tandem free?
Tandem is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, LingQ | Learn Languages or Tandem?
LingQ | Learn Languages is rated higher. LingQ | Learn Languages averages 4.7 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while Tandem averages 4.6 from 38K ratings.
Do LingQ | Learn Languages or Tandem have ads?
Tandem shows ads; LingQ | Learn Languages does not.
Which is updated more often, LingQ | Learn Languages or Tandem?
LingQ | Learn Languages ships an update every 5 days, and Tandem every 5 days. Most recently, LingQ | Learn Languages was updated on September 24, 2026 and Tandem on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, LingQ | Learn Languages or Tandem?
LingQ | Learn Languages currently peaks at #123 in the App Store charts, and Tandem at #168. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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