How I test and score
I sift through the plethora of language apps, delivering reviews based on deep expertise in language learning and teaching.
My review process starts with an initial walk-through, using the app for at least 15 minutes to capture first impressions and usability.
I then conduct a criteria-based evaluation focusing on key features like spaced repetition, user customization, and the balance between educational content and gamification.
My reviews are thorough, with a scoring system that emphasizes course quality (70%) over user experience (20%) and price (10%).
Importantly, I do not receive payment for these reviews.
Learn more on my review policy and process page.
Summary
Course quality
User experience
Pricing
Pros
- Large and active user base
- Easy to find Italian partners
- Useful correction and translation tools
- Free version is very functional
- Multiple communication options
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
- Can feel like a dating app
- Too many incoming messages
- Learning depends on partner quality
- Limited translations in free version
Best suited for
Learners who want to practice Italian with real people
At a glance
App name
Tandem
Made by
Tripod Technology GmbH
User base
Sentiment
- Easy to find conversation partners
- Conversations can feel overwhelming
- Great for real practice
- Not ideal for beginners
- Some users misuse it socially
Concept
Language exchange app to practice with native speakers via chat
Available on
iOS, Android, Web
Levels covered
(A1) Beginner, (A2) Elementary, (B1) Intermediate, (B2) Upper-intermediate, (C1) Advanced
300 languages taught
Italian, English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Others
Pricing, free trial, refunds
Pricing
Free trial
Refunds
First-hand review
Walk-through
Hi everyone! In this video, I’ll be reviewing Tandem, a language exchange app that connects learners from all over the world. If you’re interested in practicing Italian with native speakers, this is one of the popular platforms that people often try out.
Getting Started
When I first downloaded Tandem, the setup felt very similar to a social app. You upload a photo, fill in your profile, and mention which languages you speak and which ones you want to learn. For me, I set Italian as my learning goal. After the profile was approved, I was able to jump into the community and start exploring.
It’s worth noting that if you want to use Tandem on the web, you first need to set up your account on the mobile app. Once that’s done, you can log in on the web and continue from there.
Community & Finding Partners
The Community tab is where you find your language partners. I could browse profiles, see who was a native Italian speaker, and also check their interests and goals. One thing I noticed is that new users appear at the top, which is why I got a lot of messages almost immediately after signing up.
If that feels overwhelming, there’s an option to appear offline so you can manage the flow of conversations.
Chat Features
The heart of Tandem is the chat. I could send text messages, voice recordings, or even start a video call with Italian speakers. What stood out to me were the built-in tools:
- Translate — though limited in the free version, it helps when I don’t understand a phrase.
- Correct — super useful when practicing, because partners can directly correct my Italian sentences.
- Speak — the app reads text out loud, which helps with pronunciation.
These tools made conversations more interactive and productive, even when I was still making a lot of mistakes.
Extras & Pro Features
Tandem also offers certificates for language proficiency and has a Pro subscription. Pro gives unlimited translations, an ad-free experience, and the option to find people near you or in specific cities. For my needs, though, the free version was enough to connect with Italian speakers and practice regularly.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Tandem is a helpful way to practice Italian with native speakers in a casual setting. On the positive side, the community is huge, the chat tools are simple to use, and the free version already gives a lot of value. On the other hand, it’s not designed to teach Italian from scratch—it works best if you already know some basics. Also, the number of incoming messages can be overwhelming, and sometimes people use it more like a dating app than a learning platform.
Still, if your goal is to practice real conversations in Italian, Tandem can be a useful tool. And while it has its pros and cons, there is another tool that I would also recommend checking out…
Features
Spaced repetition
Does the app offer plenty of repetition to acquire vocab and grammar naturally?
Customization
Can users customize settings, interface, content, etc.?
Focus on learning
Is the interface and content focused on the course content instead of fluff and gamification?
Personalization
Are the materials automatically tailored to the user’s profile?
Sentence accuracy
Are sentences free from typos, grammar errors? Do they sound natural?
Sentence relevance
Are sentences realistic and useful?
Variety and depth
Is there enough variety of materials in terms of topics, formats and levels?
Audio quality
Are audio materials easy to listen to in terms of recording quality and speech rate?
Speaker's quality
Do speakers speak correctly, clearly and naturally?
Speaking practice
Does the app offer plenty of speaking practice?
Ease of use
Is the app easy to set up, use and navigate?
Interface and design
Is the user interface neat and visually appealing?
Performance
Does the app load fast? Is it free from glitches and crashes?
Grammar notes
Do the courses come with grammar notes?
Learning path
Do the courses follow a well defined path?
Speech recognition
Does the app recognize user speech?
User-generated courses
Can users actively generate materials from their interests?
Offline access
Are the courses available offline?
Conclusions
Would I take these courses?
Yes, mainly to practice Italian conversations with native speakers, but not as my main learning tool.
How to get the most out of the app
Use it alongside structured Italian learning resources and focus on consistent conversations with a few reliable partners.
Alternatives
Think In Italian is better than Tandem to master Italian
Think In Italian is the only app that gets your to speak Italian all the time. It comes with hundreds of grammar lessons and readings to listen and repeat, plus an AI tutor to review the courses and practice conversation. See the full review.
FAQs
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A better choice: Think In Italian
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★★★★★
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