Comparison

HelloTalk vs Tandem

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

Tandem

Connect with native speakers globally to practice and learn new languages through text, voice, and video calls. This community-driven app helps you boost vocabulary, perfect pronunciation, and grasp grammar with features like in-app translation and message correction.

Highlights
  • Connect with native speakers
  • 1-to-1 chats
  • Group audio learning (Parties)
  • In-app translation
  • Voice and video calls
  • Message correction
Features
Read full description

**Tandem language exchange is the process of joining forces with someone who is a native speaker of the language you want to learn** Languages are a 'learn by doing' kind of thing. This particular method is at the heart of Tandem, the global language exchange community. Connect with native speakers, start chatting and finally reach fluency in the language you’re learning! Learn, connect, and share with 1-to-1 chats or try out Parties, the ultimate group learning audio space. There are millions of Tandem members with just as many interests, so find your people – and start speaking their language today! Reach fluency in 300+ languages, including Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and 12 different sign languages, including American Sign Language. Why Tandem helps you to practice and learn languages: BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY For the times when you’re struggling to find the correct words, our in-app translation feature helps you compose a message or translate an incoming one. PERFECT YOUR PRONUNCIATION Fit in with the locals and improve your speaking skills using voice notes, audio and video calls. GRASP THE GRAMMAR Help each other grasp the difficult parts of language learning with our message correction and comment features. TANDEM YOUR WAY Forget strict schedules and learning by the book. Embrace your personal language learning style—whether that’s messaging, calling, or even meeting in person. DOWNLOAD TANDEM AND MASTER ANY LANGUAGE NOW! ______________ How to learn languages on Tandem: 1. Select the language(s) you want to learn in the app 2. Tell us about your language learning goals and your ideal Tandem partner 3. Search for native speakers of your target language in the community 4. Kick-off your language exchange experience by sending your first message 5. Share topics with the Tandem community so you can have meaningful conversations about what interests you 6. Keep up the conversation with your new Tandem “pen pal” and speak like a native in no time! While many features are free, you can choose to subscribe to Tandem Pro to access all the features on the app. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current payment period. Your iTunes account will be automatically charged at the same price for renewal within the 24-hour period prior to the end of the current payment period unless you change your subscription preferences in your Account Settings. ______________ App Access Permissions: Optional permissions: - Location information: Required to use the Nearby feature to see members near you, the Travel feature to show members around the world and to add an approximate location to your profile. - Microphone: Required for sending audio messages, making audio and video calls, and joining Language Parties. - Camera: Required for taking photos to upload to your profile or post in a Language Club, take and send a photo in a chat, video calling, and scanning QR codes. - Notifications: Used to send you notifications about acceptance into the community, new messages, new followers and their posts, new references and marketing communication. - Nearby devices: Bluetooth access is required to connect audio devices during a call or Language Party. You can still use Tandem without granting optional permissions, except features where their nature requires the respective permission, like a video call requiring camera permission. Got a question? Contact us on support@tandem.net Licenses: Tandem – Language Exchange is licensed by Tandem Fundazioa (http://tandemcity.info) Privacy policy: https://tandem.net/privacy Terms of Service: www.tandem.net/pages/termsofservice

Screenshots

HelloTalk4 screens
Tandem4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Tandem at every 5 days against HelloTalk's fortnightly. Tandem also leads on review sentiment (48% vs 36%). HelloTalk's advantage is chart position (#31 vs #174). On price, rating, ratings volume 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 Tandem sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 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 4.6 for Tandem. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44K and 38K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 36% of HelloTalk's written reviews are positive against 48% of Tandem's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, Tandem every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
HelloTalk versus Tandem: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelloTalkTandem
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (44K ratings)4.6 (38K ratings)
Positive reviews36.1% of reviews47.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings44K — better38K
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#31 — better#174
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size753 MB301 MB
Age rating9+17+
DeveloperHELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APPTripod Technology GmbH

Customer experience

HelloTalk

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

Tandem

All ratings38,136 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews2,423 reviews
Positive47.5%
Neutral8.3%
Negative44.2%

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

Tandem

From 38K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great for language learning
  • 👍 Helpful features like translation and correction
  • 🌎 Connects people from around the world
  • 💡 Innovative concept for language exchange

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy app
  • 💬 Difficulty maintaining conversations
  • 📤 Excessive ads and paywalls
  • 🔒 Privacy and safety concerns
  • ⚠️ Moderation issues and unfair bans

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

Tandem

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Messages not being delivered or synced properly
  • Frequent crashes and app instability
  • Login and account issues when switching devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Better search and filtering options
  • Ability to save/review past conversations
  • Group chat or language party features
  • More language options beyond just popular ones

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
13 purchases

Tandem

Subscriptions13
  • Tandem Pro$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro - 1 Month$14.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Tandem Pro Plus - 1 month7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro$26.903 Months
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$26.903 Months
  • Tandem Pro$38.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months$39.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro Plus - 12 months7 Days trial$64.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$69.901 Year
  • Tandem Pro1 Year trial$69.901 Year
  • Tandem Pro$69.991 Year
  • Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months7 Days trial$80.001 Year

Questions

Is HelloTalk free?
HelloTalk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tandem free?
Tandem is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HelloTalk or Tandem?
HelloTalk and Tandem are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 44K and 38K ratings respectively.
Do HelloTalk or Tandem have ads?
Both HelloTalk and Tandem show ads.
Which is updated more often, HelloTalk or Tandem?
HelloTalk ships an update fortnightly, and Tandem every 5 days. Most recently, HelloTalk was updated on September 24, 2026 and Tandem on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, HelloTalk or Tandem?
HelloTalk currently peaks at #31 in the App Store charts, and Tandem at #174. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons