Comparison

HelloTalk vs Pimsleur | Language Learning

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

Pimsleur | Language Learning

Master over 50 languages with daily 30-minute audio lessons. Achieve native-like fluency through a scientifically proven method focused on speaking and pronunciation, even offline. Perfect for busy adults seeking flexible, effective language learning.

Highlights
  • Learn 50+ languages
  • 30-minute daily lessons
  • Offline mode
  • Hands-free learning
  • Pronunciation practice
  • AI language tutor
  • Sync across devices
Features
Read full description

Learn languages fluently with Pimsleur - Learn to speak 50+ foreign languages like a local with just 30 minutes of language learning practice a day! The Pimsleur Method™ is the most effective way to learn a foreign language, achieve native conversational fluency, and use the language in your everyday life. Learn to speak fluent Spanish, French, Korean, German, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and more with ease. Pimsleur’s language learning resources make learning a language fun, flexible and rewarding. Practice speaking fluently with just 30 minutes of language practice a day! For 50 years, we’ve been helping people rapidly learn languages in 30 days. Want to learn Spanish to speak to Mexican friends? Need to learn Japanese for a trip to Tokyo? Choose from over 50 languages to learn while driving, at the gym, or while cooking. No Internet needed with offline mode. Plus the built-in hands-free mode makes it easy to learn a new language anywhere, anytime, even in the car! Our innovative online audio lessons focus on enhancing your vocabulary, pronunciation and speaking skills without the burden of grammar tables, making language learning and practice enjoyable and accessible. Dive into cultural topics that enrich your understanding and language fluency, and join thousands of adults who have transformed their language skills online with Pimsleur. Whether you're a beginner or already looking to improve your language fluency, Pimsleur offers a convenient and effective online language learning platform for adults designed for a flexible study schedule that fits into your daily routine. Learn to speak a new language anytime, anywhere - even in the car as a family. Why Choose Pimsleur as Your Language Partner? - Scientifically proven method for fast, lasting language fluency. - Just 30 minutes a day to speak a new foreign language with confidence. - Learn languages offline, hands-free, and without distractions, no Wi-Fi needed. - Perfect your pronunciation and practice real conversations with a smart AI language tutor. - Sync across devices to track your progress and keep your learning streak going. - Join the global community of Pimsleur language learners! Discover the full list of language courses here: Albanian, Eastern, Egyptian or Modern Standard Arabic, Eastern or Western Armenian, Cantonese or Mandarin Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari Persian, Dutch, Farsi Persian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Ojibwe, Pashto, Polish, European or Brazilian Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Latin American or Spain-Castilian Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Swiss German, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese. FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE Don’t miss out - try Pimsleur for FREE and start learning different languages today! With a complimentary lesson in 51 languages, you'll experience the most effective way to achieve conversational fluency from Day 1. PREMIUM FEATURES CORE CONVERSATIONAL LANGUAGE LEARNING LESSONS Enjoy 30-minute conversational language lessons anywhere. Quickly learn to speak another language in just 30 days! READ You won’t just learn foreign languages; you'll learn to read without sacrificing speaking skills! SPEAK Don't be shy! Learn to speak fluently with conversation partner role-play & review transcripts using AI language learning & voice recognition. Now available for Spanish learners. SKILLS Practice phrases by topic & learn easily with visual language learning through vocabulary flashcards. Learn foreign languages with Quick Match & Speed Rounds. SYNC PROGRESS Track learning progress across different devices, sync & stream offline with no ads. Feature availability depends on the language. Visit our website for more info & a complete list of the different languages available. CA Privacy/Info We Collect: Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information: Do Not Sell

Screenshots

HelloTalk4 screens
Pimsleur | Language Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

HelloTalk and Pimsleur | Language Learning both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of Pimsleur | Language Learning's written reviews are positive against 36% of HelloTalk's. Pimsleur | Language Learning also leads on chart position (#6 vs #31). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Pimsleur | Language Learning sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 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 — 4.6 for HelloTalk against 4.7 for Pimsleur | Language Learning. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44K and 30K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 36% of HelloTalk's written reviews are positive against 83% of Pimsleur | Language Learning's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, Pimsleur | Language Learning every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
HelloTalk versus Pimsleur | Language Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelloTalkPimsleur | Language Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (44K ratings)4.7 (30K ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.1% of reviews82.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings44K — better30K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#31#6 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size753 MB131 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperHELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APPSimon & Schuster

Customer experience

HelloTalk

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

Pimsleur | Language Learning

All ratings29,745 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews2,308 reviews
Positive82.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative13.0%

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

Pimsleur | Language Learning

From 30K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great for speaking and listening practice
  • 👍 Effective for learning pronunciation and conversational skills
  • 💡 Convenient to use while doing other activities
  • 👍 Structured lessons build language skills progressively

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional app crashes and bugs
  • 🔍 Limited content for some languages
  • 📚 Lacks written materials and grammar explanations

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

Pimsleur | Language Learning

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Lesson downloads frequently get interrupted
  • Inconsistent performance on older devices
  • Sync issues between app and online account

Requested features

4 requests
  • More levels and content for less popular languages
  • Ability to adjust playback speed of lessons
  • Tighter integration with other language learning resources
  • Improved voice recognition and feedback

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
8 purchases

Pimsleur | Language Learning

Subscriptions8
  • Spanish Premium Subscription3 variants$19.991 Month
  • Italian Premium Subscription$19.991 Month
  • Japanese Premium Subscription$19.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • All Access Subscription$20.991 Month
  • All Access Subscription7 Days trial$20.991 Month
  • All Access Subscription1 Month trial$20.991 Month
  • All Access Annual Subscription7 Days trial$131.991 Year
  • All Access Subscription Annual7 Days trial$164.991 Year

Questions

Is HelloTalk free?
HelloTalk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pimsleur | Language Learning free?
Pimsleur | Language Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HelloTalk or Pimsleur | Language Learning?
Pimsleur | Language Learning is rated higher. HelloTalk averages 4.6 out of 5 from 44K ratings, while Pimsleur | Language Learning averages 4.7 from 30K ratings.
Do HelloTalk or Pimsleur | Language Learning have ads?
Both HelloTalk and Pimsleur | Language Learning show ads.
Which is updated more often, HelloTalk or Pimsleur | Language Learning?
HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, and Pimsleur | Language Learning every 2 weeks. Most recently, HelloTalk was updated on September 24, 2026 and Pimsleur | Language Learning on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, HelloTalk or Pimsleur | Language Learning?
HelloTalk currently peaks at #31 in the App Store charts, and Pimsleur | Language Learning at #6. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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