# HelloTalk vs Speak

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.

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.

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.

HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, Speak weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HelloTalk | Speak |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (44K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hellotalk-language-learning/id557130558/reviews) | **[4.8 (61K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speak-language-learning/id1286609883/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 44K | **61K** |
| Positive reviews | 36.1% of reviews | **65.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #21 | **#18** |
| Size | 753 MB | 246 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [HELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APP](https://appshunter.io/developer/557130561) | [Speakeasy Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1181737551) |

## What reviewers say

### HelloTalk

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hellotalk-language-learning/id557130558)

**Currently charting:** #21 Top Grossing · Education, #72 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly auto-renewal VIP | $12.99 | per month |
| VIP Membership Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| VIP Membership Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| VIP Membership | $79.99 | per year |
| VIP Membership Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| 8 HT Coins | $0.29 | one-time |
| 64 HT Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 324 HT Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 649 HT Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pro Membership (3 Months) | $29.99 | one-time |
| 3249 HT Coins | $49.99 | one-time |
| 10334 HT Coins | $149.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speak-language-learning/id1286609883)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Grossing · Education, #24 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $17.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium | $17.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Plus | $39.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $83.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $83.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $99.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Plus | $164.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 25, 2026 and Speak on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, HelloTalk or Speak?

HelloTalk currently peaks at #21 in the App Store charts, and Speak at #18. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*