HelloTalk Review — Is It Any Good?

Do you want to practice a language with native speakers? Well, you can do it easily on your mobile. If you’ve spent time looking for a language exchange app, you might have come across HelloTalk. Is it any good or a waste of time? Let’s find out everything in this HelloTalk Review 2025!

There are many benefits of online language education. It is flexible, convenient, and affordable, and offers many language choices and customized programs.

As with everything, there are also some clear disadvantages of e-language learning.

For example, its approach is a big distraction and often impersonal. The functionality is usually limited, and one needs lots of self-discipline.

These apps alone cannot make you fluent—well, not even semi-fluent. They should be a starting point, not the end. Combine them with a formal course and other resources to make the most of them.

Of all the online language learning choices, language exchange apps have become increasingly popular in recent times.

What are language exchange apps?

Language exchange apps help you find language partners for conversations worldwide. You can make friends with native speakers and practice your target language.

You can also study through various tools, games, updates, and activities.

Unlike language tutoring websites and education apps, language exchange websites don’t teach you a language through tools and teachers.

Instead, it allows you to find native speakers of the language you want to learn with a few clicks.

How does the Language exchange platform work?

Suppose you speak English fluently and want to learn Spanish. Likewise, some native Spanish speakers from Spain or Latin America wish to practice English. Language exchange websites help meet each other.

So, you can teach them English. And in return, you can learn Spanish from them.

To sum up, you can trade each other’s mother tongues. This is called “Language Exchange.”

You can interchange your role as both student and teacher, thus improving your skills and reaching your language goals.

There are many language exchange smartphone apps on the market. Some are great, and some are—ah jeez, you get the idea.

Here, I’ll cover a detailed review of HelloTalk, one of the most popular language exchange apps.

About HelloTalk

Zackery Ngai launched HelloTalk in 2012. Today, it is the world’s largest cross-cultural language exchange app.

With over 25 million user bases across 200 countries, it supports over 150 languages, including English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and many more.

HelloTalk is a Chinese app whose international team is based in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. They have successfully used modern technology to connect people all over the globe through language and culture.

As you’d expect, it is available on Android and Apple iOS. A browser version, HelloTalk web, with basic features, is also available.

How does HelloTalk really work?

The way it works is quite simple. You can register for a free account at HelloTalk.com. They have a few easy steps to sign up.

Go to the Android Play Store or iOS App Store. Search for HelloTalk and install it. Then, register with Google, Facebook, or any email account.

Finally, add your profile picture and choose your birthday, gender, country, native tongue, learning language, and current level.

Voilà, you have created an account!

Completing the onboarding process will take less than two minutes. You can then complete your profile page, contact language partners, or check moments to track everything about languages.

Features of HelloTalk

There are tons of fantastic features to explore!

Some of them you won’t discover anywhere else. While most are free, some are only available to VIP and paid subscribers. Let’s check in detail.

1. Search the World

Regardless of your target language and location, you can find language partners in your native language, target language, age, gender, country, city, and distance from you.

You can further shortlist by serious learners, type of profiles, interests & hobbies, and learning points.

After a few minutes of search, you can find hundreds of suitable profiles to start a conversation to practice. And this is when language learning truly takes place.

Many will also contact you if you’re active and genuine, seeking help or support in your language journey.

2. Moments

HelloTalk has its own feed called “Moments.” It is like Twitter, the LinkedIn feed, and the Facebook wall, but it is for topics associated with language learning. It feels more like a social media site.

Members can post and read many language-related quotes, images, daily routines, videos, questions, thoughts, updates, travel notes, cultural characteristics, etc. The list is pretty much endless!

You can also participate in the discussion, correct mistakes, like it, reply to, and answer questions to help language enthusiasts.

You can filter the moments according to your target languages, nearby locations, the profiles you’re following, your learning approach, or search topics, as we do hashtags on Instagram.

3. Language Learning Tools

HelloTalk has several language education tools to make your stay worthwhile. Let’s find out one by one.

(i) Translation

Are you learning Japanese and are confused about what the sentence in Kanji means?

No problem!

With one click, you can use their translation tool to translate any text from the source to the target language.

While the machine translation isn’t accurate, it does the job well. You can select 100’s language combinations to encourage you to move ahead.

(ii) Transliteration

Unlike translation, which translates the meaning into the target language, transliteration gives you an idea of speaking the word in an unfamiliar language.

In short, it converts the words or phrases in one language into another, keeping the pronunciation intact.

Suppose you’re learning one of the character-based languages like Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean. You don’t know how to pronounce the sentence.

Try transliteration, which will show the pronunciation in the readable Roman-based language you understand, such as English.

(iii) Correction

Correcting someone’s mistakes is a way of learning. This is an excellent feature of HelloTalk.

While talking to someone, you may find many grammatical, spelling, and typos mistakes.

Instead of just writing and replying in the chat and the moments, you can take this chance to help others by correcting their sentences. By doing this, you will also enhance your language ability. They can do the same for you.

(iv) Text-to-Voice

Listening is the key to effective communication. And if you’re practicing a new language on HelloTalk, you’re in luck.

The text-to-voice or speak feature lets you listen to the standard pronunciation of every message you read.

The quality may vary a lot and sometimes be terrible. Still, it is a start if you don’t know how to speak a particular phrase.

You can listen to the text and then compare it with your own tone and accent to compare, practice, and learn!

4. Favorite

Do you want to create your own diary of essential foreign language words, grammatical rules, audio files, pictures, expressions, and phrases so you can use them in the future?

HelloTalk does that job quickly by saving it as a favorite.

You can bookmark as much as you want for future use. When needed, go to the tools section of your profile and copy-paste from your favorite list.

They also provide a notebook to write and save important information, reminders, and notes for later purposes.

5. AL Grammar

Sometimes back, the HelloTalk team introduced a grammar checker to assist you in writing better and more accurate English.

They use AI (Artificial intelligence) based on big data and machine learning technologies. This isn’t fully ready and currently in the beta version. They aim to make it more accurate by continuously improving its effectiveness.

This isn’t a free feature, even for VIP members. After 10 tries, one has to upgrade to PLUS for unlimited grammar corrections.

The price tag ranging from $30/Quarterly to $200/lifetime is costly since it is still a beta tool. I won’t recommend this; many better products like Grammarly and ProWritingAid are reasonably priced.

6. Chatting Tools

HelloTalk offers plenty of chatting tools and language learning-specific features to communicate with your partners.

It comprises sending text messages, smileys, images, and one from the camera. You can also forward doodles, cards, and gifts, introduce someone, and share GPS location.

Notifications and backup settings are also available in this mobile app.

Voice and Video calling

HelloTalk boasts top-notch VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). The phone app allows users to make free voice and video calls for a better and friendlier language learning experience.

You can do that with your trusted language partners for real-life connections.

In my experience, the sound quality ranges from good to superb and is similar to WhatsApp calling. For better clarity, try using Wi-Fi instead of the mobile network.

7. Language exchange feature

You can initiate language exchange through group practice sessions with one partner or multiple ones. It also has voice-to-text and text-to-voice features to enhance your learning experience.

How does it work?

Let’s say you start a language exchange with someone for 30 minutes. In the scenario, we divide the entire conversation into 2 parts of 15 minutes each.

If you turn on “Language Exchange mode,” and once you reach the time limit, the app will recommend when it’s time to switch languages.

This exists not to have a one-sided conversation and to ensure both parties get equal benefits.

8. Curated learning materials

They provide their own proprietaries like HelloWords and HelloChinese-like learning with dozens of language choices.

Through HelloWords, they impart 2,000 of the most common words in that language using spaced repetition methods.

The course is available in 22 languages: Dutch, Bahasa, Swedish, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Vietnamese, Turkish, Portuguese, and other widespread languages.

The price of HelloWords Plus ranges between $25 and $100, depending on the 3-month and annual terms.

They also provide HelloFrench and dozens of language courses that contain immersive audio lessons and bite-sized reading, writing, and listening exercises to impart the training.

The team has divided the entire course into 6 sublevels — beginners, elementary, Pre-elementary, intermediate, upper-intermediate, and advanced.

They have designed the levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), although I don’t think they can match the same competency level.

Again, the price ranges from 100 USD annually to 200 USD for a lifetime. However, they do offer a 7-day trial period.

They have also collaborated with many language teaching websites and linguists to offer lessons in various languages.

Some of them are personalized Korean courses, one-to-one French classes, and Mystère à Paris, Misterio en Madrid through stories in French and Spanish, to name a few. Again, it costs a decent amount to avail of one of these services.

I didn’t care to check these courses since similar products are available at lower prices or even free. I don’t think you need them. Skip it!

Pros and Cons of HelloTalk

Like other language learning resources, HelloTalk as a language app has its benefits and downsides.

Some of them could be subjective and depend on your goals.

For example, it isn’t language learning software but a language exchange app. The primary focus is improving conversation skills by talking with native speakers.

However, it is a negative for someone who needs a more comprehensive plan to learn a language.

Let’s consider HelloTalk’s positive aspects and shortcomings to evaluate whether it will be beneficial.

3 Benefits

Here are some known advantages.

1. Connect with native speakers for real-life talks

One of the most prominent features of this app is native speakers from all over the world. No matter which language you’re learning, you can find many to practice in your target language.

You can use the search feature to connect with people ready to accommodate each other. Use this app to brush up on your proficiency rather than meet strangers who can be anyone.

Remember, this isn’t a dating app but a language exchange app. If you’re not a serious learner looking for a time pass, this is not meant for you. They also regularly ban accounts that indulge in such activities.

2. Robust Privacy Settings

HelloTalk has many good privacy settings to protect users and your personal information.

If you are wary of strangers, you can restrict who can reach out to chat with you by exact language match, age, and gender.

For instance, you can practice Japanese only with natives. You can also restrict based on age and “same gender only.”

If you wish to keep such details private, you can hide your location, region, city, age, and online status in the advanced privacy settings.

Plus, you can restrict your profile so no one can find you with your HelloTalk ID and email or even disappear entirely from the search pages.

You can also decide who can send your voice calls, hide the moments you shared earlier, and even block members who annoy you.

3. Tons of learning tools to improve language skills

HelloTalk has incorporated several language-related tools to make your stay pleasant.

The app provides many features like translation, transliteration, grammar, and correction to enhance learning practices.

Suppose you want to practice speaking and listening with a native speaker. Search for and talk with a few like-minded people. Once you have confirmed and mutually agreed upon, start a voice or video call.

If you’re stuck during a call, you can use voice-to-text and other tools to understand the pronunciation more precisely.

4 Disadvantages

Despite some definite incentives linked to the HelloTalk platform, the language app has some drawbacks that you must consider before using it.

1. They don’t teach a language

Unlike other famous language platforms like Duolingo and Memrise, HelloTalk doesn’t have a way to teach you a language from scratch.

That is because this isn’t a language-learning app in the first place.

You will be in the middle of nowhere if you’re not motivated enough without a proper plan. In short, you’re on your own.

There are no teaching modules, grammar drills, practice sets, vocabulary quizzes, phonology exercises, games, and activities that extend a systematic learning technique.

There is no feedback or option to track your progress.

Without formal instruction, you just do stuff randomly without concentrating on aspects more appropriate to your style, goal, and existing level.

What you have are some tools to locate and practice with learners worldwide. They are also here to learn from others.

No one has time to teach anyone a language, especially free of cost if there is no mutual benefit.

That’s why most talks die in a few days, and most members delete or become inactive here. So don’t be surprised if you can talk to someone for a day or two and see their profile go completely inactive or deleted.

So, if you already possess a decent command of your target language or are ready to teach someone adequately, you have an opportunity.

By helping others, you’ll be helping yourself. This is what the app is all about.

2. You’re at the mercy of others

Do you want to learn Korean by engaging with the native population of South Korea?

Incredible!

But why should someone from Korea help you learn Korean when they are on the app to practice another language, say English?

So, unless you speak English fluently with the standard accent, it would be challenging to find enough takers. Would you prefer learning Korean from someone who started a few days back or does not speak Korean well?

The problem is the same for everyone. They won’t do that unless you are willing to offer some real help to others. This requires your time, dedication, and effort.

You may contact many profiles, but if they are not keen on writing back, correcting you, or helping you, you will hit many stumbling blocks.

Suppose many are not interested in voice chat. In that case, you will be left with writing and reading more than speaking and listening.

The back-and-forth interaction messages are pretty slow. This happens as both parties take time to process the information, are busy with their lives, and reside in different time zones.

You also rely on people to correct your mistakes and help you improve. Who knows if they are right?

And what if they don’t bother to update you when you’re wrong, or they make right into wrong?

Well, that’s some problem with such apps.

Of course, if you’re interested in it, there are thousands of profiles to choose from for profitable practice. Still, finding a few good ones that can help you regularly in the quest of the language journey is difficult.

3. Confusing Pricing

I still don’t understand why they keep so many price variants. Instead of having various price tags for different products and services, why not keep one for all?

They offer four products: VIP, AI Grammar, HelloWords, HelloFrench, several languages, and third-party learning materials.

To make things more complex, they have different prices depending on the duration and products, such as monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly, and lifetime.

4. Some Bugs drain your battery quickly

The app is principally a language exchange app. Lately, however, it has tried to add too many features and products to compete with different sub-niches.

This has resulted in many bugs and sometimes unresponsive UX. They are trying to do a jack of all trades. You will be overwhelmed at first due to confusing UI and buttons everywhere.

Stability issues and crashes sometimes occur, especially on a slow network and old devices.

If you prefer keeping apps in the background, your battery will drain quickly.

So, I’d suggest turning it off completely. In that case, you won’t get any notifications when people are interested in speaking with you.

Once you get the hang of it, you will like the interface. Being a free app, it is good enough for most users looking for conversation exchange.

Free Vs. Paid

As with most popular language apps, HelloTalk has a freemium model.

The free version of HelloTalk is sufficient for most learners, but it has ads everywhere. The free account has all core features, and you don’t really miss out on anything vital.

If you are looking for more language-learning perks, try HelloTalk VIP!

HelloTalk VIP — Is it worth it?

They have three subscriptions: monthly memberships for $6.99, $45.99 per year, and $175.00 for a lifetime membership.

The price will vary, depending on the country.

For example, it will be higher in a country like the USA but lower in India or the Philippines. They frequently give a discount ranging from 20% to 50%.

In the free version, you can only set one target language. But with VIP, you can try to master 3 languages at once.

There are more privileges like unlimited translation, no ads, initiating 25 chats daily, unlocking visitor pages, and extra profile exposures. But these things are optional, and you might never need them.

Install the app, create a new account, and try it. If you really need the VIP feature, you can buy it later.

I have had a lifetime VIP membership for a while, but I doubt it makes any significant difference. I don’t like studying a language through translation, nor do I contact many. Thus, the free version is just fine for me.

My HelloTalk Review: Good – 4/5

Interested in practicing a new language the fun way?

HelloTalk, the most popular language exchange platform with a growing community, might be the app that helps you learn a language more enjoyably.

You will never be out of choices with thousands of active users anytime! This can be a great possibility if you’re looking to try one.

Please take it as a supplement to, not a replacement for, traditional education. This app is more suitable for practicing than learning.

The best thing to do is to check out the official website Hellotalk.com, where you can download the apps. It is free and will take a few minutes of your time.

You can also check my other reviews (i) Review of Duolingo (ii) Review of Memrise (iii) Lingopie App review (iv) Is Busuu a good app?

Let me know if you have questions about my review of HelloTalk or suggestions about what I should write next.