Comparison

Tandem vs ARU

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
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

ARU

This app provides university students with essential tools and information to navigate their studies. Access timetables, emails, course materials, campus maps, and important university alerts all in one place.

Highlights
  • Personalized teaching timetable
  • Student email access
  • Interactive campus maps
  • Canvas course access
  • University alerts
  • Library loans and search
Read full description

Welcome to the ARU app! Whether you're already studying at ARU or about to join us, our handy app is packed with information and functionality to guide you through your university studies, no matter which campus you're at. Access everything from one app, including your teaching timetable, your student email account, and key systems like Canvas, e:Vision, and My ARU. Based on student feedback, we've made some improvements to the design and functionality of the ARU app to make sure it's easy to use and faster than ever. The app is brighter and easier to navigate, with plenty of exciting content and features to support you while studying at ARU. We've introduced an interactive map feature to help you navigate our campuses, and you can discover your next timetabled class on your personalised home screen. Recently, we've also added display themes, a dark mode feature, improved navigation, food and drink menus on campus, and even a university alert banner so you can get important updates even faster. On top of all that, you can now view your student timetable, canvas courses, and to-do lists directly in the ARU app, putting everything you need all in one place. Download the official university student app today and start exploring the best of ARU! Key features: • View your personalised teaching timetable. • Discover your next timetabled class on your personalised home screen. • Check your student email account at the tap of a tile. • Read headline news and articles specifically related to your campus, faculty, and year of study. • Access online information and activities relating to your studies through Canvas. • View your library loans and search for books on your Reading List • Ask questions through ‘Ask ARU’. • Log in to e:Vision • View your Print Credit balance and add credit to your account • Quickly check your Canvas dashboard to stay on top of your course and to-do lists. • Easily switch themes for an accessible display using our ‘Dark Mode’ feature. • Keep up to date with the university alert banner • Find your way with the interactive campus maps • Access help and support • And so much more... Have more feedback for us? Simply tap “Report a Problem” or “Share an idea” in your app settings. Please note: The information contained within the ARU App is for students studying at Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and Writtle campuses, on higher education courses. Information for students studying at Writtle College on further education courses will be introduced in a future release.

Screenshots

Tandem4 screens
ARU4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ARU at none against Tandem's 14. ARU also leads on ads (none vs shown). Tandem's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 6 weeks) and chart position (#147 vs unranked). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Tandem sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. ARU asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tandem ships an update every 6 days, ARU every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Tandem versus ARU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTandemARU
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (38K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.4% of reviews — better37.5% of reviews
Number of ratings38K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#147 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size301 MB60 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperTripod Technology GmbHAnglia Ruskin

Customer experience

Tandem

All ratings38,431 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral4.3%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews2,445 reviews
Positive47.4%
Neutral8.3%
Negative44.3%

ARU

Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative50.0%

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

ARU

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

ARU

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tandem free?
Tandem is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ARU free?
ARU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Tandem or ARU have ads?
Tandem shows ads; ARU does not.
Which is updated more often, Tandem or ARU?
Tandem ships an update every 6 days, and ARU every 6 weeks. Most recently, Tandem was updated on October 19, 2026 and ARU on October 10, 2026.

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