Comparison

HelloTalk vs Speak

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

Head to head
About

HelloTalk

Practice languages with native speakers through chat, voice, and live events. Connect with locals worldwide to improve fluency and cultural understanding. Features include translation tools, instant captions, and interactive Voicerooms.

Highlights
  • Practice with native speakers
  • Live video lessons
  • Interactive Voicerooms
  • Translation tools
  • Instant captions
  • Global community
  • Cultural insights
Features
Read full description

Practice languages with native speakers on HelloTalk! We recently introduced HelloTalk Live and Voiceroom - interactive language and culture events to help you master languages through the content you love! HelloTalk, the original language exchange app, connects you with native speakers to practice languages (English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Hindi, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese and 260+ more) for FREE! HelloTalk equips you with learning tools such as translation and instant captions so you can learn by chatting with native speakers. Learn languages from locals around the world through livestreams and Voicerooms. Connect with expert hosts to discuss interesting topics with language partners in the learning community! Why HelloTalk? ► Real language learning atmosphere Whether you're focused on a widely spoken language or a less common one, HelloTalk caters to your needs. The system smartly matches you based on your native language and proficiency, while allowing you to filter ideal language partners according to various criteria such as age, location, and gender. Plus, with built-in translation and transliteration tools, you can communicate confidently without any language barriers. ► A powerful tool for sharpening your language skills Acquiring new words through conversations with native speakers is more effective than rigid memorization. Whether you're a student preparing for exams like the CET, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, planning to study abroad, or a professional seeking career advancement through language skills, HelloTalk offers native speakers who match your proficiency level for engaging interactions and valuable learning experiences. ► Immersive multi-person language chat rooms If you choose to learn Spanish, for example, every Voiceroom you enter on HelloTalk gathers Spanish learners and Spanish native speakers from around the world to discuss interesting topics. Here, only your voice needs to be heard, creating a comfortable, introvert-friendly atmosphere. Here, sharing mutual interests allows everyone to freely express themselves and share personal experiences, fostering both language intuition and authentic expression skills. It's incredibly addictive! ► Diverse global Livestreams HelloTalk features handpicked foreign language hosts who offer online video lessons, share language insights, and provide glimpses into their lives abroad. You can even join them on stage for one-on-one video conversations with fellow language learners. Whether you're grappling with pronunciation, speaking speed, or shyness, these hosts will assist you in refining your language skills and guiding the conversation. For rapid improvement in spoken language, there's no substitute for direct communication with native speakers! ► International Moments HelloTalk's Moments offers real-time posts covering learning, lifestyle, and cultural insights from around the world. It's your ticket to discovering fresh perspectives and gaining deeper insights into diverse cultural customs, all from the comfort of your home. Don't forget to engage with posts that catch your interest! What the world is saying about HelloTalk “One of the best apps to help you learn a new language.” - 9to5Mac "When you're ready to experiment with a foreign language, HelloTalk provides an excellent opportunity for interaction with other speakers." –PCMag START PRACTICING LANGUAGES RIGHT AWAY!!! Learn more about the HelloTalk app: - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hellotalk/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/hellotalkapp Send any feedback to support@hellotalk.com - Privacy Policy: https://www.hellotalk.com/privacy-policy - Terms of Use: https://www.hellotalk.com/terms-of-service

About

Speak

This app uses AI to help you improve your speaking fluency in various languages. Engage in simulated conversations, receive instant feedback on pronunciation and intonation, and track your progress to become a confident speaker.

Highlights
  • AI-powered speaking practice
  • Real-life conversation simulation
  • Instant pronunciation feedback
  • Personalized progress tracking
  • Learn Spanish, French, English, and more
  • Immersive lessons
Features
Read full description

Get ready to take your language skills to the next level with Speak, the ultimate language learning app focusing on improving your speaking abilities. Powered by cutting-edge AI technology, Speak ensures that you gain fluency by engaging in real-life conversations and receiving instant feedback. Whether you are learning Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English, French or Italian, Speak's AI-powered lessons will have you learning a new language fast. With Speak, you'll feel like you have a personal language tutor right in your pocket. Our app provides immersive speaking practice sessions that simulate real-life scenarios, allowing you to become confident in your conversational skills. The advanced AI function analyzes your speech, providing a valuable assessment of pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. Say goodbye to those language barriers as you receive real-time feedback, enabling you to make necessary adjustments and improve your speaking skills on the spot. Our comprehensive language learning curriculum is available for Spanish, English, French, Italian, Japanese and Korean learners, ensuring that you become fluent. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, Speak caters to your individual needs and helps you progress at your own pace. You'll love the personalized progress tracking, which helps you identify areas that need improvement, allowing you to focus your efforts effectively. Speak's method is simple: STEP 1: Do a real language learning lesson! Learn real-life, essential phrases with your dedicated local teacher. STEP 2: Practice speaking the language! Repeat the learned phrases until you can speak without thinking twice! STEP 3: AI Tutor provides personalized language feedback! With the latest AI technology, you can practice anywhere and anytime! Get real-time feedback on pronunciations, grammar, and much more. STEP 4: Real conversations in your chosen language! Now put what you've learned into real-life situations and speak with confidence! No more boring textbooks or one-sided conversations! With Speak, you'll experience interactive and engaging language practice that feels like a real-life conversation. Break free from traditional language learning and download Speak now! Gain fluency, receive real-time feedback, and become a confident speaker in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Japanese and Korean. There are plenty of other language apps out there, but Speak's key difference comes down to getting you speaking Spanish, English, French, Italian, Japanese or Korean out loud on day 1. SPEAK MEMBERSHIP Speak offers both monthly and annual auto-renewing subscriptions. Become a Speak Member to gain unlimited access to all courses, singles, review material, and other content within Speak. The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the rest of your free trial period will be forfeited as soon as your purchase is confirmed. Terms of Service: https://usespeak.com/tos Privacy Policy: https://usespeak.com/privacy License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

HelloTalk4 screens
Speak4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Speak at 66% against HelloTalk's 36%. Speak also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. HelloTalk sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Speak sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Speak holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44K and 61K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of HelloTalk's written reviews are positive against 66% of Speak's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, Speak weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
HelloTalk versus Speak: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelloTalkSpeak
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (44K ratings)4.8 (61K ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.1% of reviews65.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings44K61K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#31#18 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size753 MB246 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperHELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APPSpeakeasy Labs

Customer experience

HelloTalk

All ratings43,831 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral2.7%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews2,553 reviews
Positive36.1%
Neutral11.9%
Negative52.0%

Speak

All ratings61,497 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews1,543 reviews
Positive65.7%
Neutral8.6%
Negative25.7%

User reviews

HelloTalk

From 44K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app for language learning
  • 👍 Helpful features like translation and correction
  • 💡 Ability to connect with native speakers
  • 🤝 Friendly and supportive community
  • 🌍 Exposure to different cultures

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Overly aggressive monetization
  • 🔒 Concerns about privacy and censorship
  • 🚫 Difficulty changing account details
  • 🤖 Issues with bots and fake accounts

Speak

From 61K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent for practicing speaking
  • 👍 Customizable and practical content
  • 🤖 Helpful AI tutor with good feedback
  • 📚 Covers a variety of useful expressions
  • 🕰️ Bite-sized lessons for busy schedules

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription cost
  • 🤖 Voice recognition can be inaccurate
  • 🕰️ Timed lessons feel rushed
  • 🔍 Limited language options
  • 🐛 Occasional app crashes and bugs

Bugs and requests

HelloTalk

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Disappearing messages and chat history
  • Inability to create new accounts on same device
  • Inconsistent app performance across platforms
  • Incorrect language detection and translation
  • Unexpected account suspensions or bans

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve messaging and notification features
  • Allow more flexibility in language settings
  • Enhance moderation and reporting systems
  • Provide better customer support channels

Speak

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to record during lessons
  • Lesson progress not saving properly
  • Subscription issues and billing problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more advanced and specialized lessons
  • Improve organization of saved content
  • Provide offline mode for lessons
  • Allow more customization of AI tutor's tone
  • Integrate text-to-speech feature

In-app purchases

12 purchases

HelloTalk

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly auto-renewal VIP$12.991 Month
  • VIP Membership Monthly$12.991 Month
  • VIP Membership Yearly1 Year trial$79.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • VIP Membership$79.991 Year
  • VIP Membership Yearly3 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time7
  • 8 HT Coins$0.29
  • 64 HT Coins$0.99
  • 324 HT Coins$4.99
Show 4 more
  • 649 HT Coins$9.99
  • Pro Membership (3 Months)$29.99
  • 3249 HT Coins$49.99
  • 10334 HT Coins$149.99
7 purchases

Speak

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$17.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium7 Days trial3 variants$17.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium Plus7 Days trial$39.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial3 variants$83.991 Year
  • Annual Premium7 Days trial$83.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Annual Premium Plus7 Days trial3 variants$164.991 Year

Questions

Is HelloTalk free?
HelloTalk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Speak free?
Speak is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HelloTalk or Speak?
Speak is rated higher. HelloTalk averages 4.6 out of 5 from 44K ratings, while Speak averages 4.8 from 61K ratings.
Do HelloTalk or Speak have ads?
Both HelloTalk and Speak show ads.
Which is updated more often, HelloTalk or Speak?
HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, and Speak weekly. Most recently, HelloTalk was updated on September 24, 2026 and Speak on September 25, 2026.
Which is more popular, HelloTalk or Speak?
HelloTalk currently peaks at #31 in the App Store charts, and Speak at #18. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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