# Tandem vs ARU

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 (#158 vs unranked). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tandem | ARU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tandem-practice-languages/id959001619/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **38K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **47.4% of reviews** | 37.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#158** | — |
| Size | 301 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Tripod Technology GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/606999648) | [Anglia Ruskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/668617933) |

## What reviewers say

### Tandem

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tandem-practice-languages/id959001619)

**Currently charting:** #158 Top Free · Education, #159 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

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:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tandem Pro | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro - 1 Month | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro Plus - 1 month | $14.99 | per month |
| Tandem Pro | $26.90 | per 3 months |
| Tandem Pro | $26.90 | per 3 months |
| Tandem Pro | $38.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months | $39.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro Plus - 12 months | $64.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro | $69.90 | per year |
| Tandem Pro | $69.90 | per year |
| Tandem Pro | $69.99 | per year |
| Tandem Pro Intro - 12 months | $80.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for language learning
- 👍 Helpful features like translation and correction
- 🌎 Connects people from around the world
- 💡 Innovative concept for language exchange

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and glitchy app
- 💬 Difficulty maintaining conversations
- 📤 Excessive ads and paywalls
- 🔒 Privacy and safety concerns
- ⚠️ Moderation issues and unfair bans

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not being delivered or synced properly
- Frequent crashes and app instability
- Login and account issues when switching devices

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aru/id6494988557)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*