The Best Apps for Communicating with Foreigners by Olga Bekker

This collection features the best apps for communicating with foreigners. You will find conversation partners for language practice on Tandem and HelloTalk, daily speaking practice on Lingbe, deep letter exchanges on Slowly, instant chats on Speaky, and opportunities to meet travelers on Couchsurfing.
1
8.5/10
  • 7.5/10
    Content Quality - 7.5/10
  • 8.9/10
    Usability - 8.9/10
  • 8.5/10
    Efficiency - 8.5/10
  • 9/10
    Value for money - 9/10
In Tandem, it's very easy to find a conversation partner; you can talk about any topics and also teach each other different languages, meaning you not only practice English but also help foreigners learn Russian. It's free and fun, but many people use this app for dating with the opposite sex ;)

Pros

  • You can send text and voice messages, make calls, and exchange photos and videos.
  • The chat features auto-correction and an integrated translator.

Cons

  • Many users are looking for potential partners and use the app for dating rather than learning a foreign language.
2
7.0/10
  • 7/10
    Content Quality - 7/10
  • 7.5/10
    Usability - 7.5/10
  • 7.5/10
    Efficiency - 7.5/10
  • 6/10
    Value for money - 6/10
An excellent app for practicing a foreign language, you will meet people from all over the world and be able to not only practice speaking but also learn a lot about other cultures or even make new friends. The app has a section with learning materials for reading, listening, and word training. You can study topics like sports or travel and then discuss them with your partners. The downside is that you can only study one language for free.

Pros

  • The system can automatically translate voice and text messages, which can be saved and corrected.

Cons

  • If you want to study more than one language, you have to pay.
3
6.8/10
  • 7.5/10
    Content Quality - 7.5/10
  • 6.7/10
    Usability - 6.7/10
  • 6/10
    Efficiency - 6/10
  • 7/10
    Value for money - 7/10
The app is designed for daily conversation training. After registration, Lingbe analyzes your data and matches you with a language partner. The program allows communication through text and voice messages. After each dialogue, users receive a rating of their language skills and progress. You can also act as an expert and help your foreign interlocutors learn Russian. Teaching foreigners your native language earns you points, allowing you to advance in the program.

Pros

  • Daily conversation practice.
  • Choice of conversation partners based on interests.

Cons

  • You need to earn built-in points to advance in the system, and there are in-app purchases.
  • No audio/video calls.
4
6.8/10
  • 6.1/10
    Content Quality - 6.1/10
  • 7.5/10
    Usability - 7.5/10
  • 5.5/10
    Efficiency - 5.5/10
  • 8/10
    Value for money - 8/10
This app was created for everyone who, in the era of instant messaging, would like to have deeper conversations with people. The app's goal is to connect people worldwide, but slowly—one letter at a time. The further away your pen pal is, the longer it takes for the letter to be delivered. Meet a new pen pal, seal your letter, and put a stamp on it!

Pros

  • A unique service for finding pen pals.
  • You can send photos.
  • You receive stamps from the countries where your pen pals are from.

Cons

  • Long waiting times for replies.
5
5.9/10
  • 5/10
    Content Quality - 5/10
  • 6/10
    Usability - 6/10
  • 4.5/10
    Efficiency - 4.5/10
  • 8/10
    Value for money - 8/10
You can start communicating right away: the app shows suitable users who are online. Native speakers are displayed in a separate tab. Additionally, filters allow you to specify the age, gender, and location of the conversation partner, as well as block unwanted languages. In chats, you can send text and voice messages and exchange photos. The app has one additional feature: built-in text correction.

Pros

  • All features are free, no in-app purchases.

Cons

  • A lot of spam.
6
5.8/10
  • 6/10
    Content Quality - 6/10
  • 5/10
    Usability - 5/10
  • 4/10
    Efficiency - 4/10
  • 8/10
    Value for money - 8/10
If you love to travel, install the CouchSurfing app. You can use it not only to find accommodation during your trip but also to meet interesting people. Don’t hesitate to write to locals, ask them to show you non-tourist spots—most couchsurfers are willing to agree. Thus, besides practicing English, you will get many unique experiences from the trip and possibly make a new friend.

Pros

  • A huge number of foreigners all over the world.
  • The possibility to make friends and visit them or meet up.

Cons

  • The app is not designed for learning a foreign language.