Learning a new language means putting up a lot of effort and doing proper research before selecting the right platform. At present, there are a lot of language learning platforms to make it easy for you to learn the language. However, which one to choose is a big confusion. The 2 most popular platforms for learning a new language are iTalki and HelloTalk. Therefore, here we will help you get a detailed guide on iTalki vs HelloTalk.

Quick Takeaways

• If you are looking for a tutor to teach you then you must choose the iTalki platform. Whereas, if you want to practice the language you have learnt so far then you must go for HelloTalk.
• The prices of the classes on iTalki are as low as $5 to as high as $60. However, most of the features on this platform are free, but there are limitations. If you want to remove the limitations then this platform is for you.
• Several languages that you get on iTalki are around 100 whereas there are 150 languages available on HelloTalk.
• You also get audio lessons on HelloTalk for 10 different languages like Italian, Russian, Japanese, etc. This feature is not available on iTalki.
• On iTalki you also get some of the free features like a language exchange partner that will help you to boost your skills.

However, you must read till the end so that you get a better understanding of which platform to choose.

What is the iTalki platform?

Italki is a platform that allows you to learn the language with the help of a tutor for the specific language. It is the platform that allows you to choose the tutor for yourself based on different parameters like area of living or the teaching experience. On this platform, you can get tutors at as low as $5 to as high as $60. Further on this platform, you will also find two types of tutors – Professional and Community tutors. Professional tutors are the ones who have degrees or relevant experience in teaching.

What is the HelloTalk platform?

HelloTalk is a platform that helps you find a person who wants to learn your language and vice versa. Suppose you are an Indian and know English and Hindi and want to learn a new language like Italian. Whereas there is a person who knows English and Italian but wants to learn the Hindi language, then you will be connecting with each other.

However further we will be discussing the difference between both platforms in detail so that you get a better understanding of which platform you should choose.

iTalki vs HelloTalk: Key differences

The following are the key aspects which will help you to understand the differences between iTalki and HelloTalk-

1. Features

iTalki is a platform where you will be getting a lot of tutors to help you learn a new language. As there are a lot of teachers, you get to decide which teacher you want to learn from. There are a lot of different factors based on which you can choose the tutor for yourself. This platform allows you to filter the tutor based on factors like experience of teaching or the area of living. This platform gives you the flexibility to schedule your own classes at the time you are free.

If you have chosen a teacher but he is unable to take the class then you can look for another tutor. There are also some community features that will help you to make your journey easier. These features are totally free and you can get a lot of help from them. You can take part in various exercises and also can ask questions to the other users. You can also find a free exchange partner program that can help you to practice your language.

On the other hand, if we talk about HelloTalk, it is the platform which will help you to pair up with the native speakers of the language you are learning. This platform will not only help you in learning the language but will also help you to practice more. There is no commitment on the platform and their force you can use this platform at any time you wish to. You can talk about anything that you like. This is the main advantage of HelloTalk over the iTalki. Thus, if you have the basic knowledge you must give it a try.

2. Languages Offered

Whenever you are learning a new language it is very important to know if that language is available on the platform or not. At present, there are more than a hundred languages available on the iTalki platform. Some of the languages that you will be getting on this platform are Spanish, Chinese, Italian, German, Greek, etc. If you are learning a less popular language like Serbian or Gujarati then you may find fewer tutors on the platform.

There are around 150 languages that you will be getting on the HelloTalk platform. You can get partners from all over the world. On this platform, you can also get audio lessons for 10 different languages that we have mentioned below-

• Korean
• English
• French
• Italian
• Russian
• Japanese
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Portuguese
• Spanish

3. Pricing

If we talk about iTalki, the prices that you pay will depend upon the tutor you have chosen. You can get tutors who are willing to teach you at as low as $4 an hour to as high as $60 per hour. You can pick any tutor depending upon your budget. Usually, the good tutors will have their price per class at $10. However, if you are using the additional features then most of them are free to use. Now if we talk about HelloTalk, then the basic features on this platform are free.

If you want to use the free version then you must remember that there are limitations on how many language partners you can connect and how many translations can you perform. If you want to assess the audio lesson then you can take it during the free trial. However, after that, you will have to pay for it. To unlock the full features of this app you will need to take the subscription plan. The main advantage of this subscription is that you can connect to 25 new language partners and also remove unwanted ads.

You can also get access to unlimited translations which will help you to boost your language knowledge faster. Because this subscription plan per month is $4.99 each month. If you want to take the subscription plan for a full year then you will only be paying $2.17 per year. Of course, if we talk about the money then the value of this platform is definitely worth it.

4. Quality of tutors

The quality of the teacher you will find on the iTalki platform depends upon what kind of tutor you select. This platform has tutors from all over the world and therefore the price also varies. Every person is different and has different learning styles. As this platform allows you to filter the tutors based on different factors you get the flexibility to choose the right platform for you. There are two main types of teachers – professionals and community tutors that can help you to learn the language.

The professional tutors are the ones who have been verified by the platform whereas community tutors are not verified. This platform also helps you to see the background, availability, and the number of lessons they have taught on the platform.

Now, if we talk about HelloTalk, then the experience will all depend upon what kind of partner you get. If your partner is someone who has a lot of patience and is helpful at the same time then you will definitely have a great time. However, if the person is not so helpful then you may not get a good experience. When you apply on this platform you have to fulfil 4 different sections. The sections include – Labels Search, Talks, Moments, and Learn. When you will search for a particular speaker you can start talking to them in the talk section.

You can also long press on a message to access a toolbar that can help in translating what has been sent by the partner. Also if you are helping someone learn a particular language you can also have the ability to edit the message so that they could know but is the right sentence. If you are in The lone categories then this app has 10 audio lessons that we have discussed above. 

What are the benefits of using iTalki?

The following are the benefits of using the iTalki platform-

• On this platform, you will find a lot of tutors who can help you to learn the language easily.
• The price of the tutors on this platform depends upon what kind of filters you are using. You can find a tutor with as low a price as $5 to as high a price as $60. 
• You can schedule your class anytime you want to.
• There are two types of tutors – Community and Professionals. 
• You can also get many free features like questions, exercises, etc that can help you to boost your language knowledge.

What are the benefits of using HelloTalk?

The following are the benefits of using the HelloTalk platform-

• This app allows you to practice with real people which is very exciting.
• There is flexibility in which you can visit the platform whenever you have free time.
• There are also built-in language tools that help in the right communication between the users.

What are the drawbacks of using iTalki?

Following are the drawbacks of using iTalki-

• Not all the tutors on this platform are fit for your style as every tutor has own style of teaching.
• As not all the tutors on this platform are free in your free time there are chances that give may not get the right tutor for you.

What are the drawbacks of using HelloTalk?

Following are the drawbacks of using HelloTalk-

• On this platform many times you need to rely on Google Translate as there are a fixed number of translations when you use the free version.
• You will need to connect with multiple partners before choosing the right partner for you.
• The extra audio lessons are not worth it for the money.

Which platform should you choose?

If you are looking for a platform where you can practice your skills then HelloTalk is a platform for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for tutors to help you learn the language then iTalki is a platform for you. Further, if you are tight on budget then you can look for low-priced classes on iTalki or use HelloTalk. As HelloTalk is a platform where you can check for your practical knowledge, if you want to learn the basics then iTalki is for you. Therefore, depending on your ultimate goal, you must choose the platform for you.

Conclusion

iTalki is a platform that helps you to get a tutor for learning a new language. Whereas HelloTalk is a platform where you can get a native speaker that can help you practice the language. Both platforms will help you develop your language skills. If we talk about the pricing then on iTalki, you will be getting tutors at the price of a lot as $5 to as high as $60.

On the other hand, if we talk about HelloTalk, then most of the features are free and if you want to get all the features, you will need to take the subscription plan. Further, the quality of tutors and the language exchange partners are good but you will need to take trial classes of multiple teachers before selecting the one. 

FAQs