Tandem review

Tandem works on the same exchange idea as HelloTalk: you help someone with your language and they help you with theirs. Sign-up is free, and Tandem says it reviews every application before you join, which some learners will prefer to an open network. Once inside, you search for partners by language, location and interests, then talk by text, voice notes, audio or video calls. Translation and correction tools sit inside the chat so a partner can fix a sentence as you go, and Parties offer a group audio space when one-to-one feels like too much. The App Store listing claims 300+ languages, including 12 sign languages such as American Sign Language, which is unusual. Tandem is not a course, so it suits learners who already know some basics. Tandem Pro is listed from $14.99 on the US App Store and Tandem says Pro is needed for all features, but free chat covers the core reason to use it.

Who it is for

Learners who want a free conversation partner and like a reviewed, moderated community.

Price

Free to sign up and chat; the US App Store lists Tandem Pro from $14.99.

Tandem Pro $14.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Partner search by language, location and interests
• Text, voice notes, audio and video calls
• In-app translation and message correction tools
• Parties, a group audio space for learning together
• 300+ languages, including 12 sign languages such as ASL, per its App Store listing

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free sign-up and free chat with partners
• Strength: Tandem says it reviews every application to keep the community safe
• Strength: Covers sign languages as well as spoken ones
• Weakness: No lessons or course path
• Weakness: Tandem says you need Pro to access all features
• Weakness: Practice quality depends on your partner

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, sign up and chat for free
• Languages: 300+, including 12 sign languages
• Formats: Text, voice notes, audio and video calls, Parties
• Paid upgrade: Tandem Pro, from $14.99 on the US App Store
• Sign-up review: Every application is reviewed, per Tandem

Where it ranks

Tandem is No. 6 in our Best Free Language Learning Apps verdict.