# 小算盤 vs italki

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 小算盤 at none against italki's 4. 小算盤 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.1). italki's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 36 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. italki sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. 小算盤 asks for nothing beyond the download.

小算盤 ships an update every 36 months, italki weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 小算盤 | italki |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italki-language-learning/id1140000003/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **9.8K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 67.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 36 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 23 MB | 307 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Modern Educational Research Society, LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/432268704) | [italki HK Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/569299241) |

## What reviewers say

### 小算盤

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id951280148)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### italki

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italki-language-learning/id1140000003)

Connect with qualified native teachers for personalized language lessons. Learn Spanish, English, French, and over 150 other languages at your own pace and schedule. Practice conversation, master grammar, and immerse yourself in new cultures.

**Highlights:** Private tutoring with native teachers, Learn over 150 languages, Customizable lesson plans, Flexible class scheduling, Pay-as-you-go pricing, Video call tutoring

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| italki Plus - 1 Month | $5.99 | per month |
| Plus Monthly Plan with Trial | $5.99 | per month |
| italki Plus - 1 Year | $59.99 | per year |
| Plus Yearly Plan with Trial | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great platform to connect with native speakers
- 🚀 Flexible scheduling and easy to use
- 💰 Affordable lessons
- 🎓 Helpful for improving language skills
- 🤝 Positive learning experience with great teachers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with glitches and connectivity issues
- 💳 Concerns about pricing changes and fees
- 🕰️ Unreliable teachers who cancel or don't show up
- 🤖 Poor customer service and lack of support
- 📆 Difficulty with scheduling and calendar integration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Inaccurate teacher availability information
- Issues with login and account management
- Problems with video/audio quality during lessons
- Syncing and integration problems with other platforms

**Requested features**

- Improved calendar and scheduling functionality
- Better notification system for lessons
- Ability to search for and connect with language partners
- More transparency around teacher availability and cancellations
- Streamlined payment and refund process


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 小算盤 free?

小算盤 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is italki free?

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

### Do 小算盤 or italki have ads?

italki shows ads; 小算盤 does not.

### Which is updated more often, 小算盤 or italki?

小算盤 ships an update every 36 months, and italki weekly. Most recently, 小算盤 was updated on October 3, 2026 and italki on October 14, 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.*