Comparison

HelloTalk vs Cake

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

Head to head
About

HelloTalk

Connect with native speakers worldwide to practice languages through chat, voice rooms, and live streams. Utilize built-in translation and caption tools to overcome language barriers and enhance your learning experience.

Highlights
  • Practice with native speakers
  • Live streams and voice rooms
  • Built-in translation and captions
  • Smart partner matching
  • International Moments feed
  • Interactive language events
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

Cake

Master English and Korean by learning from videos featuring K-pop stars, K-dramas, and vloggers. This app offers daily lessons, AI pronunciation feedback, and structured paths from beginner to advanced levels. Practice real-world expressions and slang to speak like a native.

Highlights
  • Learn from K-pop and K-drama content
  • AI pronunciation coach
  • Real-world expressions and slang
  • Daily expression clips
  • Structured learning paths
  • Fun quizzes for revision
Read full description

Master English & Korean through the content you love! Join 100 million users worldwide and start your language journey with BTS, K-POP stars, and your favorite K-Dramas. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, Cake makes language learning "deliciously" easy with free daily updates. Master Korean with K-Culture Finally, a fun way to learn Korean! No more boring textbooks. Learn with BTS & K-POP: Dive into lyrics and content from BTS, SEVENTEEN and other top artists. Understand what your idols are saying in interviews and vlogs! • K-Drama Immersion: Practice real-life Korean using iconic scenes from trending K-Dramas. • From Hangul to Fluency: We provide a structured path to help you master Korean. It’s Fun & Addictive • Celebrity & Vlogger Content: Learn from the creators you already follow. • Cake Originals: Enjoy exclusive, high-quality content produced by our language experts. Speak Like a Native • Real-World Expressions: Forget "classroom English/Korean." Learn the slang and idioms actually used in vlogs, movies, and TV shows. • AI Pronunciation Coach: Record your voice and let our AI analyze your accent. Get instant feedback to sound just like a local! • Step-by-Step 'Classes': Master Hangul or jump into curated classes—from K-Dramas to Business English. Just 10 Minutes a Day • Daily Goals: Set your target and feel the rush of achievement. • Smart Revision: Save favorite sentences and words. Our fun quizzes ensure you never forget what you've learned. Cake’s Exclusive Features • Daily Expression Clips: Freshly curated phrases added every day. • Original Lectures: Top-tier English & Korean lessons found only on Cake. • Speak & Conversation: Practice listening and speaking with immersive audio sessions. Level Up with Cake Plus • Experience the ultimate learning environment: • Unlimited Hearts (No more waiting!) • Ad-free experience. • Access to exclusive Plus-only content and unlimited word/sentence saves. Use Cake daily and watch your English & Korean skills skyrocket! ---------------------------------------- Subscription to Cake Plus will be charged to your App Store account, and will be renewed automatically 24 hours prior to the end of your current subscription period. After your purchase, automatic renewal can be canceled at any time on the App Store. The current subscription fee for Cake Plus is $13.99 USD per month. The amount may differ depending on each country's currency and exchange rate; and is subject to change without notice. Cake is available for free even if you do not subscribe to Cake Plus. - Privacy Policy: https://resource.mycake.me/res/privacy_en.html - Terms and Conditions: https://resource.mycake.me/res/terms_en.html

Screenshots

HelloTalk4 screens
Cake4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cake at 90% against HelloTalk's 36%. Cake also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6). HelloTalk's advantage is chart position (#31 vs unranked). 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Cake sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $15.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cake holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44K and 16K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of HelloTalk's written reviews are positive against 90% of Cake's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, Cake every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
HelloTalk versus Cake: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelloTalkCake
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (44K ratings)4.9 (16K ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.9% of reviews90.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings44K — better16K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#31 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size757 MB50 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperHELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APPCake Company Limited

Customer experience

HelloTalk

All ratings44,139 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral2.7%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews2,612 reviews
Positive35.9%
Neutral11.8%
Negative52.3%

Cake

All ratings15,682 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews2,222 reviews
Positive90.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.8%

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

Cake

From 16K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to learn
  • 🚀 Helpful for beginners
  • 💡 Fun and engaging way to learn
  • 👍 Personalized learning experience
  • 👍 Useful for learning Korean and English

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Limited access to full features without premium subscription
  • 🐛 Some issues with voice recognition
  • 🐛 Occasional glitches or bugs
  • 🔒 Ads can be intrusive

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

Cake

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App not opening or crashing for some users
  • Issues with voice recording not working properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Space repetition feature
  • More advanced vocabulary and grammar lessons
  • Longer video lessons
  • Night mode option
  • Ability to save more phrases

In-app purchases

10 purchases

HelloTalk

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly auto-renewal VIP$12.991 Month
  • VIP Membership Monthly$12.991 Month
  • VIP Membership$79.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • VIP Membership Yearly3 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time6
  • 8 HT Coins$0.29
  • 64 HT Coins$0.99
  • 324 HT Coins$4.99
Show 3 more
  • 649 HT Coins$9.99
  • 3249 HT Coins$49.99
  • 10334 HT Coins$149.99
8 purchases

Cake

Subscriptions5
  • Cake Plus7 Days trial$15.991 Month
  • Cake Plus$74.991 Year
  • Cake Plus1 Year trial3 variants$84.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Cake Plus7 Days trial$84.991 Year
  • Cake Plus Family14 Days trial$119.991 Year
One-time3
  • Class$9.99
  • Class$11.99
  • Class$29.99

Questions

Is HelloTalk free?
HelloTalk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cake free?
Cake is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HelloTalk or Cake?
Cake is rated higher. HelloTalk averages 4.6 out of 5 from 44K ratings, while Cake averages 4.9 from 16K ratings.
Do HelloTalk or Cake have ads?
Both HelloTalk and Cake show ads.
Which is updated more often, HelloTalk or Cake?
HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, and Cake every 3 weeks. Most recently, HelloTalk was updated on November 11, 2026 and Cake on November 11, 2026.

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