Tandem vs italki
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
italki
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.
- Private tutoring with native teachers
- Learn over 150 languages
- Customizable lesson plans
- Flexible class scheduling
- Pay-as-you-go pricing
- Video call tutoring
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Start learning or keep improving your Spanish, English, French or any other language with private tutoring, thanks to qualified native teachers. With italki, enjoy an immersive learning experience with native teachers, and learn Spanish, French or any other language by sharing a real and human connection with your teacher. Do you want to learn a new language? Would you like to study English with a native teacher? You speak a bit of French and you’re not sure how to keep on learning? Language academies don’t fit your schedule? Download italki, register for free and learn Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and more languages. Customize the way you learn languages; connect with native teachers according to your interests, work experience, etc. In italki you’ll find qualified language teachers to learn the language you like best (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean…). Make the most of this opportunity to learn languages, practice your conversation skills, get to know new cultures and grow professionally. Aside from the italki’s community’s support, video call tutoring with native teachers is the best tool for you to learn a language. italki, the app to learn languages with tutoring More than 150 languages available with native teachers - Spanish - English - French - Japanese - Korean - German … and much more! ◉ Language classes where and when you want Do you want to make the most of your lunch break at work or your daily walk to learn Spanish? Choose the class duration (30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes) and adjust it to your schedule. Use italki Classroom, Skype, Zoom or another platform for your online language classes and start speaking the language you always wanted to learn, or practice the languages you want to get better at. ◉ Master the language skills you need the most italki's qualified teachers tailor their language classes to your current level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). They will build every lesson based on your personal needs and weaknesses, to ensure you progress fast. Choose a course that fits your priorities: conversation, business, grammar, creative writing, exam preparation… You have lots of options available for each language! ◉ Pay as you go Forget about paying a lot without knowing if you’ll be able to attend all the classes. With italki, you pay per class. You can also buy credits to spend them little by little or buy a package and save on the final price. Educators set their own prices, from less than $10 for qualified teachers to less than $5 for tutors. You also have three classes for less than $5 each to try, so you can make sure it’s right for you! ◉ An immersive learning experience Learn and exchange with native teachers who will teach you everything you need to know about the language and its culture, and with whom you can create a real human connection, far beyond mechanical language learning. Whether you want to learn Spanish, English, Japanese or any other language, progress quickly with a total immersion. ◉ Connect with thousands of native teachers Find Spanish, English, French, Japanese, German, Italian and Korean teachers, and teachers of many more languages. Choose your teacher according to their interests, specialization, or even their accent: British or American English, to learn English and any other language you need. Some teachers use language-teaching materials in their tutoring classes, such as books, videos, cards, etc. ◉ Learning together with your friend Invite your friends to join italki to study a language, and earn $10 every time one of them spends their first $20. They will also earn $5 for adding you as their referrer. Study online, learn languages with native tutors in italki and expand your world. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: italki at 68% against Tandem's 48%. italki also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Tandem's advantage is chart position (#174 vs unranked) and ratings volume (38K vs 9.7K). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 and italki sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
italki holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38K and 9.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Tandem's written reviews are positive against 68% of italki's.
Tandem ships an update every 5 days, italki weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Tandem | italki |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (38K ratings) | 4.8 (9.7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | 67.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 38K — better | 9.7K |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #174 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 301 MB | 306 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tripod Technology GmbH | italki HK Limited |
Customer experience
Tandem
italki
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
italki
From 9.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 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
Room to improve
- 🐛 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
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
italki
Reported bugs
5 issues- 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
5 requests- 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
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
italki
- italki Plus - 1 Month$5.991 Month
- Plus Monthly Plan with Trial1 Month trial$5.991 Month
- italki Plus - 1 Year$59.991 Year
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- Plus Yearly Plan with Trial1 Month trial$59.991 Year








