# FluentU vs HiNative

The clearest difference is monetization model: HiNative at freemium against FluentU's subscription. HiNative also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (68% vs 56%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FluentU sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and HiNative sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HiNative holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.8K and 9.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of FluentU's written reviews are positive against 68% of HiNative's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FluentU | HiNative |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (2.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fluentu-learn-language-videos/id917892175/reviews) | **[4.7 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hinative-language-learning/id923920480/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.8K | **9.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 56.3% of reviews | **68.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 549 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Enux Education Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/917892174) | [Lang-8, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/923920479) |

## What reviewers say

### FluentU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fluentu-learn-language-videos/id917892175)

Learn languages through engaging, real-world videos like movie trailers and music clips. Interactive subtitles and vocabulary tools make comprehension and speaking natural. Connect with culture while mastering a new language.

**Highlights:** Interactive video lessons, Real-world content, Tap-to-translate subtitles, Vocabulary review tools, Bilingual dictionary, Cultural immersion

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FluentU Plus | $14.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $17.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $20.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $23.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $29.99 | per month |
| FluentU Super Monthly | $39.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $71.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $95.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $119.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $139.99 | per year |
| FluentU Super Annual | $199.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $239.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Engaging learning experience
- 🎓 Effective for language learning
- 👍 Variety of content and features
- 💡 Innovative learning approach

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
- 🔍 Lack of transparency around pricing and cancellation
- 📱 Compatibility issues on mobile devices

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Subscription issues and unexpected charges
- Syncing and login problems
- Inconsistent performance across devices

**Requested features**

- Add more language options
- Improve user interface and navigation
- Provide better guidance and progression for learners
- Enhance audio and speech recognition capabilities


### HiNative

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hinative-language-learning/id923920480)

Connect with native speakers worldwide to ask questions about languages and cultures. Get pronunciation help, writing corrections, and cultural insights. Learn and help others in over 110 languages.

**Highlights:** Ask questions via audio or text, Get writing corrections from natives, Post pictures for context, Connect with speakers from 170+ countries, Supports over 110 languages, Premium features for enhanced learning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HiNative Premium Monthly plan | $4.49 | per month |
| HiNative Premium Monthly plan | $4.49 | per month |
| HiNative Premium Monthly plan | $9.99 | per month |
| HiNative Premium Monthly plan | $9.99 | per month |
| HiNative Premium Yearly plan | $34.99 | per year |
| HiNative Premium Yearly plan | $34.99 | per year |
| HiNative Premium Yearly plan | $83.99 | per year |
| HiNative Premium Yearly plan | $83.99 | per year |
| Hinative Coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hinative Coin | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for language learning
- 🤝 Friendly and welcoming community
- ⚡ Quick response times
- 💡 Ability to help others learn languages

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Excessive paywalls and premium features
- 🔍 Limited free question templates
- 🗣️ Inability to listen to audio responses without premium
- 🗑️ Outdated or incorrect answers from users

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes or freezes
- Inconsistent notification behavior
- Issues with landscape orientation
- Difficulty changing language settings

**Requested features**

- Private messaging or chat functionality
- Ability to filter or search past questions
- Moderation system to ensure quality answers
- More language options and dialects


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FluentU free?

FluentU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HiNative free?

HiNative is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, FluentU or HiNative?

HiNative is rated higher. FluentU averages 4.3 out of 5 from 2.8K ratings, while HiNative averages 4.7 from 9.1K ratings.

### Do FluentU or HiNative have ads?

Neither FluentU nor HiNative shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FluentU or HiNative?

FluentU ships an update fortnightly, and HiNative fortnightly. Most recently, FluentU was updated on September 22, 2026 and HiNative on September 21, 2026.

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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.*