Review Insights · App Store
HelloTalk - Language Learning
HELLOTALK FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE LEARNING TALK CHAT APP · 43,151 ratings · ★ 4.6
4.6
★★★★★
43,151 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 72 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"people"
21 negative reviews mention this · 29% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. I’m giving this app 2 stars because my experience was very different from what many other users describe. I’ve seen people say they receive messages from native speakers almost immediately. In my case, I only received two messages at the b…" - schwertfische
2
"account"
18 negative reviews mention this · 25% of all complaints
★★★★★ "You can’t login. This app is terrible if you log out and don’t have an email connected to it because it won’t let you login and I won’t let you fix your email or anything and it won’t let you make a new account. It has to be on. You can only make one accoun…" - Nezatio
3
"language"
13 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. I’m giving this app 2 stars because my experience was very different from what many other users describe. I’ve seen people say they receive messages from native speakers almost immediately. In my case, I only received two messages at the b…" - schwertfische
4
"talk"
9 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Can’t sign in. The app says I can’t sign in because I supposedly violated their policy. I use the app to learn languages and practice with people I know who I met there. Occasionally, I join other rooms or host my own. One day, I came across someone who …" - cupidnicky
5
"money"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. I’m giving this app 2 stars because my experience was very different from what many other users describe. I’ve seen people say they receive messages from native speakers almost immediately. In my case, I only received two messages at the b…" - schwertfische
6
"other"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. I’m giving this app 2 stars because my experience was very different from what many other users describe. I’ve seen people say they receive messages from native speakers almost immediately. In my case, I only received two messages at the b…" - schwertfische
7
"help"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. I’m giving this app 2 stars because my experience was very different from what many other users describe. I’ve seen people say they receive messages from native speakers almost immediately. In my case, I only received two messages at the b…" - schwertfische
8
"find"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. I’m giving this app 2 stars because my experience was very different from what many other users describe. I’ve seen people say they receive messages from native speakers almost immediately. In my case, I only received two messages at the b…" - schwertfische
9
"someone"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Can’t sign in. The app says I can’t sign in because I supposedly violated their policy. I use the app to learn languages and practice with people I know who I met there. Occasionally, I join other rooms or host my own. One day, I came across someone who …" - cupidnicky
10
"been"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Can’t sign in. The app says I can’t sign in because I supposedly violated their policy. I use the app to learn languages and practice with people I know who I met there. Occasionally, I join other rooms or host my own. One day, I came across someone who …" - cupidnicky
11
"banned"
8 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Can’t sign in. The app says I can’t sign in because I supposedly violated their policy. I use the app to learn languages and practice with people I know who I met there. Occasionally, I join other rooms or host my own. One day, I came across someone who …" - cupidnicky
📋 All 72 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
啥都要vip
基本不能用
Cannot restore purchases
The app doesn’t allow you to restore purchases at all.
Greedy!
The app is practically useless unless you’re willing to pay for a membership. The audacity to charge just to edit my own profile!? And apparently you only get a certain amount of translations before you need to have a subscription? The app has potential but the creators are too money hungry.
Can’t sign in
The app says I can’t sign in because I supposedly violated their policy. I use the app to learn languages and practice with people I know who I met there. Occasionally, I join other rooms or host my own.
One day, I came across someone who appeared to be targeting underage girls, so I reported him. Later, there was a man and a woman discussing politics and saying some pretty extreme things. I reminded them that political discussions aren’t allowed on the app and suggested they follow the rules. Instead, they started insulting me and became even more political. I told them, “I’m sorry, but I’m going to report you,” reported the conversation, and left.
About 30 minutes later, I could no longer sign in to my account. After contacting HelloTalk several times, I was told that my device had been banned for talking about politics. I was extremely confused because I never participated in any political discussion. I even provided screenshots of the conversation, and the only things I said were that politics weren’t allowed on the app and that I would report the behavior if it continued.
It’s frustrating that people who appear to break the rules, including those engaging in inappropriate behavior, seem to remain on the platform, while users who are genuinely there to learn languages and help enforce the community guidelines can end up being banned. Based on my experience, the moderation and appeal process needs significant improvement.
One day, I came across someone who appeared to be targeting underage girls, so I reported him. Later, there was a man and a woman discussing politics and saying some pretty extreme things. I reminded them that political discussions aren’t allowed on the app and suggested they follow the rules. Instead, they started insulting me and became even more political. I told them, “I’m sorry, but I’m going to report you,” reported the conversation, and left.
About 30 minutes later, I could no longer sign in to my account. After contacting HelloTalk several times, I was told that my device had been banned for talking about politics. I was extremely confused because I never participated in any political discussion. I even provided screenshots of the conversation, and the only things I said were that politics weren’t allowed on the app and that I would report the behavior if it continued.
It’s frustrating that people who appear to break the rules, including those engaging in inappropriate behavior, seem to remain on the platform, while users who are genuinely there to learn languages and help enforce the community guidelines can end up being banned. Based on my experience, the moderation and appeal process needs significant improvement.
Full of predators
I’m 21 and 90% of my messages consist of people double my age (or more) trying to use this as an inappropriate dating app. No matter how much I report it the customer support does NOTHING. “Watch ads to spin for free VIP pass” also doesn’t work. I watched 10+ ads and received ZERO
Enables creepy behavior!
I used this app strictly for educational purpose. However a certain user kept asking very intrusive, uncomfortable questions which is why I blocked their account. Unfortunately, this user abnormally has a high number of several accounts which they frequently used to message me, in order to bypass the previous block. I sent HelloTalk screenshots and their support could not help, despite me providing the evidence. Instead, support asked me to report the user through the chat or visiting their profile-both suggestions would have amplified the problem because this user could have easily spot me on their profile visitors and the fact that I read their chat! I ended up deleting my account because support literally told me they cannot help me further if I don’t do what they stated earlier. Disgusting customer support and service!
Gangs of keyboard Jihadists have highjacked this app
This app is the worst. it’s full of disgusting racists who exist on their purely to leave hate comments and curses everywhere they go-directed at the minority groups they hate. And instead of doing anything about it, the brainless people running this app automatically ding and block your account because these keyboard racists mass report you. Oh, and the UI is goddamn chaos, and it’s choke full of bugs. And on top of all that, it’s way overpriced. If you value your mental health at all, stay far away.
i picked bulgarian. it wanted to teach me chinese
… exactly what im saying! the interface is confusing, and when i tried fo learn words (bread, muesum) it showed mandarin. i just want to learn Bulgarian- and there’s literally nothing here.
Censorship AI Slop
Recieved a message from tandem saying quote: “Prohibited Behaviors during
Livestream:
• Discussing politics, religion, violence, drugs, racial discrimination, history, or
COVID-19”
That pretty much sums up the values of the people running this company if those are the topics off limits. Meanwhile the moments/explore page is filled with AI slop and rage bait. Also near impossible to find an actual language partner, this is a glorified international dating app.
Livestream:
• Discussing politics, religion, violence, drugs, racial discrimination, history, or
COVID-19”
That pretty much sums up the values of the people running this company if those are the topics off limits. Meanwhile the moments/explore page is filled with AI slop and rage bait. Also near impossible to find an actual language partner, this is a glorified international dating app.
Lots of censorship, authoritarian garbage
I am a lifetime VIP member. They treat even their paying members are worthless. The issues go deeper tho. Bad app experience, buggy, constantly breaking, features are taken away. But more importantly censored garbage
The Moments app is now broken (again). It selects a photo in an album and then scrolls back to the top of album, TRASH
The Moments app is now broken (again). It selects a photo in an album and then scrolls back to the top of album, TRASH
Speech Control and Shadowbanning
This app is actively blocking LGBTQ+ content without prior notice. My friend’s self intro was deleted by the platform just because it contained the word “lesbian”. And my post about IDAHOBIT (International Day Against LGBTQ+ Hate) got completely blocked while it says “visible to everyone” on my end but no one else could see it. Not a good choice for anyone who doesn’t want their identity to be silently erased.
If you register too many times, the device will be locked.
If you register too many times, the device will be locked. It will take two days to change the language. The algorithm of this APP has been written. If you don‘t pay, you can only meet VIP users in the end.
Update: I contacted the customer service, and she was willing to give me a chance to register. Before, I wrote a message to the customer service in Chinese, but he ignored me.
Update: I contacted the customer service, and she was willing to give me a chance to register. Before, I wrote a message to the customer service in Chinese, but he ignored me.
Greedy Pricing
Translation feature is locked behind a paywall after 10 translations. How does this make sense for an application for language learning ? $13 a month they charge and they can’t even moderate the platform properly. Constant creeps on the platform looking for romance rather than language acquisition. You charge more than Crunchyroll and other streaming services. This app could be brilliant for language learners but greed gets in the way of that for this app. $6 a month would fair for what you get, but nowhere near $13.
Bugs
Very slow and terrible support system when help is needed as well as extreme bugs that seem unfixable.
👌🏻
تطبيق خايس
زباله
زباله
Subscription
I am trying to cancel my subscription. I thought I had cancelled it last year. But I just saw a charge. Please cancel my subscription.
Flagged for Being an Asian American Native English Speaker
HelloTalk flagged me with a “Violation Reminder” saying my nationality or native language may be incorrect, even though I was born in America, spent almost my entire life in America, and English is my native language.
So what is the issue? Because I have an Asian face, my native language can’t be English?
Nationality, ethnicity, and native language are not the same thing. A person’s face, name, ethnicity, or current location should not be used to decide what language they speak or where they are from.
People can travel. People can live abroad. People do not choose where they are born. Families who survive difficult journeys should not have their children treated like their identity is suspicious.
If HelloTalk is going to question someone’s nationality or native language, they should provide a clear reason and a real appeal process. Instead, this felt accusatory, invasive, and discriminatory.
So what is the issue? Because I have an Asian face, my native language can’t be English?
Nationality, ethnicity, and native language are not the same thing. A person’s face, name, ethnicity, or current location should not be used to decide what language they speak or where they are from.
People can travel. People can live abroad. People do not choose where they are born. Families who survive difficult journeys should not have their children treated like their identity is suspicious.
If HelloTalk is going to question someone’s nationality or native language, they should provide a clear reason and a real appeal process. Instead, this felt accusatory, invasive, and discriminatory.
Not private can’t delete account
This is exposing to much of your personal information and you can’t delete the account once you create it. DO NOT USE IT!
Horrible
So my mom installed this and got a subscription which was a free trial, but when she cancelled it, it kept telling her to pay everytime she wanted to download something in the App Store and her phone is connected to mine because of her apple account so it also doesn’t let me download stuff and it’s annoying how it forced you to pay, pls fix this problem. :(
Terrible
This app is way too greedy for money. It’s hard to find people you can connect to now. I have to pay just to match with people? Seriously, wow.
Poor Service
Best to just avoid this app. They’ll delete your account without warning and refuse to give you any warning.
doesn’t even let me log in or make an account
i used to use this app like years ago and then deleted it after i got harrassed by a weird man.. i redownloaded last month to try again and give this app another try and it kept giving me “network error” whenever id try to log in or sign up with each button. i deleted it and then redownloaded it again today and it still doesn’t work this app doesn’t work at all..
Banned
Got banned for no reason!
I GOT BANNED WITHOUT ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSE OR REASON
I had used this app since 2016!!! 2016!!! so yeah I kinda consider myself an og on the app however last year I was banned from the livetalk and streaming features because I posted a screenshot of comments from the Chinese dating app "tantan" it seems it offended someone so much that they decided to report me. I have no idea why what ever I posted can warrant a lifetime ban from streaming and participating in live activities on the platform. I can say 1star is a harsh review since I owe most of my Chinese language ability to this app but the ban was very unfair and kinda arbitrary.
Scam - beware
Upon making my profile was offered VIP membership free for three days, was automaticity charged a full year subscription. BEWARE
VIP Account Deleted
After spending more than I’d like to admit on the app my account was removed and I have no clue why. I tried contacting support and nothing. Save your time and money with a different learning resource
App will post your location!
Beware app will post location and no way to remove it !!
Fix your bugs
Every time I tap on the profile icon my whole screen turns gray & I can’t go back, like what the h***!!
this app sucks
people claim they wanna talk and be friends but the. they ghost u or theyre a weirdo. theres also SO MUCH AI it's unbearable. i havent learned anything from this app either...
差评.一直没有回复.我在这里能够学习什么？?
差评.一直没有回复.我在这里能够学习什么？?
Non-functional with ads and AI Bots
There is always ads popping up when you click anything. It’s terribly annoying and a lot of features to talk to people are paid only.
Doesn’t work for intermediate level learner
A lot of people are there looking for dates. The language learning voice rooms are only helpful for beginners. The native speakers only prefer to talk to other native speaker instead of learners. The concept is good, but most users there aren’t really trying to learn.
Horribly
So bad bc I forgot the password and they don’t let me login anymore and I can’t create a new account I did everything but nothings work I hate this app
This app is no good
Have to pay for everything and people are weird on there
Suspended Account
I joined, messaged a few people trying to find a study partner, received no reply, and then my account was suspended for “suspicious activity” and required a video selfie to reactivate. All after only one days use. What a joke.
log in
no matter what i do, it will not let me log in and i very much want to get back in, i deleted the app for a while but now i want back into my account, also many creeps on here
App Bans and Suspends When Protecting Yourself or other Women
This app continues to ban and suspend myself and a few others I know when were attacked in open voice rooms for defending ourselves and women for no reason. When we reported the host for discrimination, the host was allowed to remain while we were suspended and banned for “using foul language”. This app has allowed for repeated violence against women and Christian’s, and is dominated by those who are allowed to say whatever they want without consequence meanwhile… if you’re a woman, and happen to be a Christian, you’ll be suspended or banned only after you’ve been sworn at, threatened with violence and worse. If you stand up for yourselves and others… you will be suspended or banned. The only people here allowed to speak freely to practice their language skills are basically Jewish men, transgendered persons and more. If you demand respect and encourage the person to engage in kind and respectful dialogue, and they continue to attack you and you respond back (god forbid saying a swear word), you’ll be the one to blame. It’s like being a victim of domestic violence and then calling for help and the police blaming you. When j appealed all they said was that the accusations were “proven”. Ironically, I was secretly recording and snap shotted all the exchanges in the VR chat. The admins of this app protect mostly Jewish men who seek to harass and otherwise, demean anyone who doesn’t agree with them instead of creating a positive learning environment where everyone is welcomed and treated with respect while practicing their language skills. When you appeal or request assistance you’re blamed. Don’t waste your time of money. Go to the app called Tandem.
DELETED MY LIFETIME VIP ACCOUNT
DON'T USE THIS APP THEY'LL DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT AND DEVICE BAN YOU FOR TRIVIAL THINGS!!! GIVE ME MY ACCOUNT BACK
...
I was banned for nothing, I think, for no reason, I just decided to ask for help, but they didn’t help me at all.
Sucks
This app is such a mess! Bugs keep showing up every single time I update it, they take forever to fix issues, and there’s zero human support.
So annoyed
My whiteboard has been broken for months and no fix. I’m so irritated they won’t fix it.
Hello talk
I have reached out to over 100 people and no one has responded…. I’m beginning to think this site is a complete scam!!!! I gave this site 1 star only because I couldn’t give it ZERO!!!!!
👎🏼
Just downloaded this and started a profile then my phone froze and had to close the app. Haven’t even used it yet but Just didn’t like that you can’t try a free trial before purchase unless you do it right away.
I’m not even sure if I’m going to continue or delete this, lol literally JUST happened
I’m not even sure if I’m going to continue or delete this, lol literally JUST happened
Completely Unreliable and Zero Customer Service
I started an account and was excited to start resuscitating my french language skills. The app is extremely poorly organized and difficult to navigate, and you are absolutely bombarded with confusing messages and contacts to begin with.
I signed up for a lesson. I TRIPLE checked that the time was correct and confirmed that it was being set up for MY time on the West Coast, primarily because it appeared that the instructor was located in France. An hour before the lesson I started getting bombarded again, this time with notifications stating that my lesson that i'd signed up for was confirmed FOR AN HOUR AFTER the time I'd chosen.
I immediately tried to contact someone, ANYONE, to figure this out prior to the lesson commencing since I could not do the time HelloTalk had CHANGED it to.
Here's the thing - YOU WILL NEVER, EVER GET SOMEONE TO HELP YOU. I started five 'tickets' none of which responded. I tried checking my account settings, none of which are visible in the app. I even tried looking online, and that's when I noticed the unbelievable amount of negative reviews.
DO NOT BOTHER. IT is an unbelievable waste of time. It won't work and good luck if something goes wrong because they simply do not care.
BYE-BYE Hello Talk!
I signed up for a lesson. I TRIPLE checked that the time was correct and confirmed that it was being set up for MY time on the West Coast, primarily because it appeared that the instructor was located in France. An hour before the lesson I started getting bombarded again, this time with notifications stating that my lesson that i'd signed up for was confirmed FOR AN HOUR AFTER the time I'd chosen.
I immediately tried to contact someone, ANYONE, to figure this out prior to the lesson commencing since I could not do the time HelloTalk had CHANGED it to.
Here's the thing - YOU WILL NEVER, EVER GET SOMEONE TO HELP YOU. I started five 'tickets' none of which responded. I tried checking my account settings, none of which are visible in the app. I even tried looking online, and that's when I noticed the unbelievable amount of negative reviews.
DO NOT BOTHER. IT is an unbelievable waste of time. It won't work and good luck if something goes wrong because they simply do not care.
BYE-BYE Hello Talk!
⚠️ be careful
This application is dangerous a lot of time when someone leave a room we can still hear him you can leave a room and even if you close the application, they can still hear you when you try to close your mic it’s not instant. It’s sometimes take one minute or more for me. This application should be banned because it’s a risk for privacy.
Change the corrections back
I actually really like HelloTalk, but I have it one star to get the attention of the developers.
You guys need to change the corrections back to changing the entire word instead of changing individual letters. Having the individual letters change on the corrections has lead to some horrible looking corrections that dont make sense.
You guys need to change the corrections back to changing the entire word instead of changing individual letters. Having the individual letters change on the corrections has lead to some horrible looking corrections that dont make sense.
Terrible app
It banned me as soon as I joined
Worthless
A day after paying for VIP, they deactivated account. After contacting their support, I received horrendous and impersonal service. Stay far away from this app.
egyptian men
egyptian men harass you on here
Honestly total garbage.
Been on this for several weeks, beyond the AI assistant, and the HelloTalk team, no one seems to respond or want to chat at all. Not worth it. Save your money and go outside and talk to a human being.
+ 22 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
91%
Positive (4-5★)
3%
Neutral (3★)
6%
Negative (1-2★)