Comparison

Lingora vs PolyChat

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

Head to head
About

Lingora

Learn new languages through interactive lessons, vocabulary games, and detailed grammar explanations. Progress from beginner to A1 level with sentence-centric learning and practice tools. Supports a wide range of languages with more being added.

Highlights
  • 500 lessons in 50 units
  • Sentence-centric learning approach
  • Vocabulary games and trainer
  • Grammar quizzes and breakdowns
  • Script and tone trainers
  • Progress tracking
  • Comprehensive dictionary
Features
Read full description

The most thorough language course you'll find in an app. 20+ languages, 500 lessons each, every single word of every sentence explained as thoroughly as you care to follow. One sentence might keep you busy for twenty minutes. WHAT'S IN A COURSE Each sentence gets a full lesson wrapped around it. 500 English sentences in all, hand-picked to cover every grammar structure and the full A1 vocabulary. Each word comes with its own full dictionary entry: definition with examples, any conjugation or declension it takes, the grammar topics behind it, and stroke-by-stroke guidance for new scripts. If you want to know why a word looks the way it does, the app can tell you. HOW A LESSON WORKS Each lesson opens with the intro. You hear the sentence before you see what it means. Slow it down, replay as often as you want. Then the Word Breakdown. Tap any word to see what it means and the grammar behind it. Then the literal, word-for-word translation. Then the grammar topics sitting inside the sentence. After the intros, the main session starts. Words and sentences from the current lesson get mixed with whatever's due for review, chosen by the spaced-repetition algorithm so you're practicing what you're closest to forgetting. Your own chosen exercise mix prioritizing reading, writing, or listening. Premium users can even further fine-tune exactly which exercises appear. 25+ WAYS TO PRACTICE Six word games and six sentence games. Flashcards you design yourself, picking what goes on each side. Quick-review tables. Multiple-Choice. Context-clue fill-ins where the wrong answers are similar on purpose. Character stroke practice with real-time validation. Typing exercises with a virtual keyboard. A speech trainer with per-word, color-coded feedback. An AI chat that stays on the lesson's topic and corrects you as you go. And so much more.. REFERENCE A dictionary that searches in native script, in transliteration, or in English. It finds base forms and inflected forms alike. A grammar guide covering every topic that appears in the course. Each has a thorough write-up and example sentences, plus the words and lesson sentences that show it in use. A pronunciation guide covering every consonant and vowel in the language. Tone guides for tonal languages. Script courses for writing systems you haven't learned yet. Conjugation tables for every verb and noun. Character breakdowns for CJK languages. WAYS TO FINE-TUNE Three sliders to weight reading, writing, and listening in each session. Silent mode for studying in public. Transliteration style where more than one exists (Jyutping or Yale, and so on). Diacritics on or off. Full control over what the app does. PROGRESS You'll see progress word by word and lesson by lesson. There's a streak counter, stars on completed lessons, and a weekly leaderboard if you want one. None of it is forced on you. Lifetime users can also export anything they've learned as an Anki deck. LANGUAGES Arabic · Cantonese · Catalan · Dutch · Filipino · French · German · Hindi · Indonesian · Italian · Japanese · Khmer · Korean · Malay · Mandarin · Polish · Portuguese (Brazilian & European) · Russian · Spanish (European & Mexican) · Thai · Turkish · Ukrainian · Vietnamese (Northern & Southern) No hearts. No energy. No cartoons. Just a proper course.

About

PolyChat

Master new languages with interactive lessons, engaging games, and an AI chat tutor. Practice vocabulary, grammar, and conversation with a powerful translator and conjugation tools. Learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere.

Highlights
  • Interactive lessons
  • Gamified vocabulary challenges
  • AI chat tutor
  • Real-time translator
  • Verb conjugator
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

PolyChat is the leading language learning app for iOS, designed to take you from beginner to fluency with interactive lessons, games, AI chat and video call tools, vocabulary exercises, study lists, translation tools, and conversation practice. Learn English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Croatian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Vietnamese, and Albanian with over 5,000 lessons per language. PolyChat is the only app that combines structured lessons with custom lessons, giving you the power to learn exactly what you want, anytime you want. Whether you are learning for travel, work, school, ESL study, or personal growth, PolyChat helps you speak confidently faster than traditional apps. Why PolyChat? • 5,000+ lessons per language from beginner to mastery (CEFR A1–C2) • Placement test to match you with lessons for your level • Unlimited custom lessons • AI chat tutor with interactive video calls • Custom study lists for words and phrases • Vocabulary games and roleplay challenges • Built-in translator and conjugation challenges • Progress tracking for words, phrases, and verbs • Designed for beginners through advanced speakers • Free to start learning today Master Languages With Structured Lessons PolyChat includes thousands of lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, verbs, conjugation, pronunciation, listening, reading, and speaking skills. Practice beginner lessons, verb drills, grammar exercises, translation practice, listening activities, and roleplay conversations designed to build fluency naturally. Vocabulary modules, phrase matching games, timed challenges, and custom study lists help reinforce what you learn. Our lesson map makes it easy to stay motivated and track your progress. Unlimited Custom Lessons Generate fully customized language lessons instantly with AI. Create lessons for: • Business English conversation • German travel phrases • Portuguese vocabulary for soccer • Dutch grammar exercises • French slang • Spanish roleplay scenarios • ESL speaking practice • And almost anything else you can imagine Create your own lesson in seconds and make language learning limitless. AI Chat Tutor and Video Calls Practice naturally with your personal AI tutor through chat or interactive video calls. PolyChat's AI tutor helps you: • Improve conversation and speaking skills • Learn useful phrases and vocabulary • Get corrections instantly • Practice realistic situations through roleplay From beginner conversation to advanced discussion, PolyChat adapts to your level. PolyChat also includes an instant translator with examples and alternatives, custom study lists, vocabulary and conjugation challenges, and spaced repetition review. Everything works together in one app to help you learn faster and remember more. LEARN THROUGH GAMES AND CHALLENGES PolyChat includes: • Vocabulary games • Speaking challenges • Timed word games • XP rewards • Streaks • Leaderboards • Achievements • Daily challenges • Social learning features These features keep you motivated while building real language skills. Download PolyChat today and discover why thousands of learners are choosing the most complete language learning app for iPhone and iPad. Learn faster. Speak confidently. Master languages with PolyChat. Privacy Policy: polychatapp.com/privacy Terms of Service: polychatapp.com/terms

Screenshots

Lingora4 screens
PolyChat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Lingora at none against PolyChat's shown. PolyChat's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (96% vs 77%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Lingora sells 40 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and PolyChat sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PolyChat holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 215 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Lingora's written reviews are positive against 96% of PolyChat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lingora ships an update every 9 days, PolyChat every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 9, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Lingora versus PolyChat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLingoraPolyChat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (52 ratings)4.9 (215 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.3% of reviews95.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings52215 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.4
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB99 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAlexander StebnerApplied AI

Customer experience

Lingora

All ratings52 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive77.3%
Neutral9.1%
Negative13.6%

PolyChat

All ratings215 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral2.3%
Negative0.5%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive95.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.4%

Bugs and requests

Lingora

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PolyChat

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • ChatGPT not functioning (Pro subscription issue)
  • Pro subscription not working

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add writing exercises
  • Ability to open a lesson at any level
  • More lessons for total beginners

In-app purchases

40 purchases

Lingora

Subscriptions27
  • Cantonese A1 Premium (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Malay A1 Premium (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Mandarin A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
Show 24 more
  • German A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Korean A1 Premium (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Vietnamese A1 Premium (M)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Malay A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Mex. Spanish A1 Premium (M)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Korean A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Thai A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Catalan A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • French A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Polish A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Cantonese A1 Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Sth. Vietnamese A1 Premium (M)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Indonesian A1 Premium (M)$3.991 Month
  • French A1 Premium (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Bra. Portuguese A1 Premium (M)$3.991 Month
  • Turkish A1 Premium (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Dutch A1 Premium (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Sth.Vietnamese A1 Premium (1m)$3.991 Month
  • All Courses Pro (Monthly)$6.991 Month
  • Polish A1 Pro (Yearly)$11.991 Year
  • Malay A1 Pro (Yearly)$11.991 Year
  • Cantonese A1 Pro (Yearly)$11.991 Year
  • Sth. Vietnamese A1 Pro Yearly$11.991 Year
  • All Courses Premium (Monthly)$12.991 Month
One-time13
  • French A1 Lifetime Access$3.99
  • Mandarin A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Eur. Spanish A1 Lifetime$49.99
Show 10 more
  • Malay A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Catalan A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Korean A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Mex.Spanish A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Thai A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Vietnamese A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Polish A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Sth. Vietnamese A1 Lifetime$49.99
  • Cantonese A1 Lifetime Access$49.99
  • Lingora Lifetime$99.99
9 purchases

PolyChat

Subscriptions2
  • Polychat Plus Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Polychat Plus7 Days trial$89.991 Year
One-time7
  • Weekend Getaway$0.99
  • Regional Excursion$4.99
  • Road Trip$9.99
Show 4 more
  • Cross Country Adventure$19.99
  • Globetrotter Grand Tour$49.99
  • Space Odyssey$99.99
  • PolyChat Plus — Lifetime$199.99

Questions

Is Lingora free?
Lingora is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PolyChat free?
PolyChat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lingora or PolyChat?
PolyChat is rated higher. Lingora averages 4.6 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while PolyChat averages 4.9 from 215 ratings.
Do Lingora or PolyChat have ads?
PolyChat shows ads; Lingora does not.
Which is updated more often, Lingora or PolyChat?
Lingora ships an update every 9 days, and PolyChat every 11 days. Most recently, Lingora was updated on October 9, 2026 and PolyChat on October 9, 2026.

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