# HelloTalk vs Pimsleur | Language Learning

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | HelloTalk | Pimsleur | Language Learning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (44K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hellotalk-language-learning/id557130558/reviews) | **[4.7 (30K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pimsleur-language-learning/id1405735469/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **44K** | 30K |
| Positive reviews | 36.1% of reviews | **82.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #31 | **#6** |
| Size | 753 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APP](https://appshunter.io/developer/557130561) | [Simon & Schuster](https://appshunter.io/developer/305077328) |

## What reviewers say

### HelloTalk

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

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Grossing · Education, #69 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


### Pimsleur | Language Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pimsleur-language-learning/id1405735469)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Grossing · Education, #57 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spanish Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Italian Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Japanese Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| All Access Subscription | $20.99 | per month |
| All Access Subscription | $20.99 | per month |
| All Access Subscription | $20.99 | per month |
| All Access Annual Subscription | $131.99 | per year |
| All Access Subscription Annual | $164.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*