Comparison

Tandem vs BMI Smart Scan

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Connect with native speakers
  • 1-to-1 chats
  • Group audio learning (Parties)
  • In-app translation
  • Voice and video calls
  • Message correction
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

**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

About

BMI Smart Scan

Features
Read full description

BMI Smart Scan is an app for Exhibitors to use at the BMI fairs: Salão do Estudante, Talk Global Study, ExpoPosgrados and more. Scan students' QR codes and immediately see their interests and information.

Screenshots

Tandem4 screens
BMI Smart Scan2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BMI Smart Scan at none against Tandem's 14. BMI Smart Scan also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Tandem's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and chart position (#160 vs unranked). On price and device support 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. Tandem sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. BMI Smart Scan asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tandem ships an update every 6 days, BMI Smart Scan every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Tandem versus BMI Smart Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTandemBMI Smart Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (39K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings39K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#160 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size301 MB28 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTripod Technology GmbHBMI GlobalEd Ltd.

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

BMI Smart Scan

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Tandem

Subscriptions13
  • Tandem Pro$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Tandem Pro - 1 Month$14.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • 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
None

BMI Smart Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tandem free?
Tandem is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BMI Smart Scan free?
BMI Smart Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Tandem or BMI Smart Scan have ads?
Tandem shows ads; BMI Smart Scan does not.
Which is updated more often, Tandem or BMI Smart Scan?
Tandem ships an update every 6 days, and BMI Smart Scan every 2 months. Most recently, Tandem was updated on October 25, 2026 and BMI Smart Scan on October 4, 2026.

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