# HelloTalk vs Tandem

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | HelloTalk | Tandem |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (44K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hellotalk-language-learning/id557130558/reviews) | [4.6 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tandem-practice-languages/id959001619/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **44K** | 38K |
| Positive reviews | 36.1% of reviews | **47.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#31** | #174 |
| Size | 753 MB | 301 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [HELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APP](https://appshunter.io/developer/557130561) | [Tripod Technology GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/606999648) |

## 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


### Tandem

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tandem-practice-languages/id959001619)

**Currently charting:** #174 Top Grossing · Education, #193 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tandem Pro | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro - 1 Month | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro Plus - 1 month | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro | $26.90 | per 3 months |
| Tandem Pro | $26.90 | per 3 months |
| Tandem Pro | $38.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months | $39.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro Plus - 12 months | $64.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro | $69.90 | per year |
| Tandem Pro | $69.90 | per year |
| Tandem Pro | $69.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months | $80.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*