Get started
Compare

LangX vs Tandem, HelloTalk, Duolingo and Other Language Apps

LangX is an open source alternative to Tandem, HelloTalk and the other language exchange apps, and the social alternative to Duolingo: the conversation, with real people, that course apps leave out. Here is how it compares to each — including where they are the better choice.

LangX at a glance

Matching
Both directions: people who speak what you learn and learn what you speak
Corrections
Hold any message to correct it — unlimited on every plan
Translation
Built into the chat — 20 a day free, 300 on Fluent, 1,000 on Polyglot
Free plan
Unlimited replies and corrections; 5 new conversations a day
Voice and photos
Voice and photo messages; hold a message to hear it read aloud
Ads
None
Source code
Open source (BSD-3) and self-hostable
Platforms
iOS, Android and the web

Language apps, side by side

App What it is Best for Free to use Open source
LangX Two-way language exchange with corrections and translation in the chat Practice that teaches, without ads Free plan; Fluent and Polyglot add more Yes (BSD-3)
Tandem Large language exchange community with chat, calls and group Parties Live calls and a very large partner pool Free version with daily limits; paid Pro tier No
HelloTalk Social language exchange app with Moments, Voicerooms and livestreams Social learners who want feeds and group voice Most features free with daily caps; paid VIP No
Duolingo Gamified course app with bite-size lessons in 40+ languages Beginners building a daily habit All courses free, with ads and limits No
Speaky Exchange app to message partners, plus AI practice partners Free, low-friction chatting in many languages Free to use, with ads No
Conversation Exchange Long-running website for in-person, pen pal and chat partners Face-to-face exchange partners in your city Free; paid membership removes ads and limits No
Lingbe Press a button for an instant voice call with a native speaker Live speaking practice on demand Free credits earned by helping others; paid options No
Busuu Structured course app with native-speaker corrections on exercises Beginners who want a structured course Free tier with limits; Premium subscription No
italki Marketplace for paid one-to-one lessons, plus a free community Lessons with professional teachers Free community; lessons are paid No
Slowly Anonymous pen-pal app; letters arrive with a distance-based delay Long, thoughtful letters Free letters; optional paid Plus and coins No
InterPals Long-running pen-pal and cultural exchange community Pen pals and long correspondence Free to use; funded by ads No
Cambly Paid live English video lessons with tutors On-demand live English speaking practice No free plan; paid subscriptions No
Preply Tutor marketplace for one-to-one lessons in 90+ languages Regular weekly lessons with a tutor Paid trial, then subscription No
Babbel Structured course app with AI speaking practice (Babbel Speak) Clear grammar and structured lessons First lesson of each course free No
Memrise Vocabulary app with native-speaker videos and AI chat Vocabulary and listening Limited free plan with ads; Pro subscription No
Speak AI speaking tutor with a structured course Guided, pressure-free speaking drills Free trial, then subscription No
Praktika AI avatar tutors for conversation practice A lifelike AI tutor for shy beginners Limited free practice; subscription for full access No
Bilingua Gone from the app stores since 2023 Exchange app that matched partners by interests Former users looking for a new app No longer available No

LangX vs each app

Roundups and guides

The quickest comparison is a conversation.

LangX is free to start on iPhone, Android and the web.

Start for free