Tandem vs Speaky
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Connect with native speakers
- 1-to-1 chats
- Group audio learning (Parties)
- In-app translation
- Voice and video calls
- Message correction
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**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
Speaky
Connect with native speakers worldwide to learn languages authentically. Engage in real conversations, discover culture, and practice over 170 languages. It's a rewarding, two-way exchange for learners of all levels.
- Connect with native speakers
- Learn 170+ languages
- Authentic conversation practice
- Cultural exchange
- Discover slang and customs
- Web and mobile access
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Ready to speak a new language the real way? Speaky connects you with native speakers from 195 countries, helping you learn how the language is actually spoken—naturally and authentically. Build real connections, make new friends, and dive into meaningful conversations. With more than 170 languages to choose from, there’s always someone to practice with. Learning with Speaky isn’t just about vocabulary—it’s about culture. Every conversation opens the door to new perspectives and real-world expressions. You share your language, your partner shares theirs. It’s a two-way exchange that’s fun, intuitive, and truly rewarding. Explore local slang, customs, and ways of thinking. Because with Speaky, you don’t just learn a language—you experience it. Prefer a bigger screen? Speaky is also available on your computer at web.speaky.com. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up your skills, there’s always someone ready to help you grow. Start speaking today—the world is waiting for you on Speaky.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Tandem at 4.6 against Speaky's 4.0. Tandem also leads on review sentiment (48% vs 15%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). Speaky's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Tandem sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Speaky asks for nothing beyond the download.
Tandem holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tandem has 38K ratings behind it against 3.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Tandem's written reviews are positive against 15% of Speaky's.
Tandem ships an update every 5 days, Speaky every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tandem | Speaky |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (38K ratings) — better | 4.0 (3.4K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews — better | 15.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 38K — better | 3.4K |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #185 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 301 MB | 135 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Tripod Technology GmbH | Altissia |
Customer experience
Tandem
Speaky
User reviews
Tandem
From 38K App Store ratingsWhat 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
Speaky
From 3.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great app for practicing languages
- 👍 Excellent way to connect with people worldwide
- 💡 Helpful for learning new cultures
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔌 Connection issues and messages not sending
- 🤖 Presence of fake/inappropriate profiles
- 🚫 Limited functionality on iOS compared to Android
Bugs and requests
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
Speaky
Reported bugs
4 issues- Messages disappearing or not sending
- App crashing when trying to correct messages
- Login and connection issues
- Inability to update profile and settings
Requested features
4 requests- Add voice/audio messaging
- Improve blocking and reporting features
- Implement translation tools within the app
- Optimize performance and stability
In-app purchases
Tandem
- Tandem Pro$14.991 Month
- Tandem Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
- Tandem Pro - 1 Month$14.991 Month
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- 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
Speaky
No in-app purchases









