While apps that focus on vocabulary and grammar are useful, nothing beats chatting and calling with real people in your target language. Here are ten excellent free (or mostly free) apps that let you do exactly that—text, voice, and video chat with native speakers and learners around the world.
1. HelloTalk
What it is: A popular language-exchange app connecting you to native speakers of more than 150 languages. (Apple)
How it helps: Text chat, voice messages, voice & video calls, translation tools built-in. You talk to natives → they talk to you → both improve together.
Best for: Learners who want genuine conversation, cultural exchange and informal chats.
Tip: Make your profile clear about your goals (learning French? German? Spanish?) so you attract the right partners.
2. Tandem
What it is: A language-exchange app where you find partners to help each other (you help them with your native language; they help you with theirs). (Tandem – Speak Any Language)
How it helps: Text, voice notes, audio & video calls, plus correction tools so your language partner can help you fix mistakes.
Best for: Learners who want structured partner-based chats rather than random matching.
Tip: Set a regular schedule (e.g., 30 min every Tuesday) to keep the partnership active.
3. Speaky
What it is: A free community-based language exchange platform with text and voice chat features. (speaky.com)
How it helps: It’s simple and free: find someone learning your native language who speaks your target language, and then chat.
Best for: Learners looking for an easy-entry tool with no payment or heavy structure.
Tip: Use voice conversation once you’re comfortable with text—speaking builds confidence.
4. Lingbe
What it is: A voice-call only language exchange app: you press a button, get connected to a native speaker for a free call, practice live. (Lingbe)
How it helps: Instant voice conversations. After the call you get feedback on pronunciation and fluency.
Best for: Learners who want quick, spontaneous speaking practice rather than long video sessions.
Tip: Use headphones in a quiet place for better voice clarity and fewer distractions.
5. Busuu (Free tier with chat features)
What it is: A lesson-based app, but includes community features where native speakers correct your writing and speaking. (Wikipedia)
How it helps: Supplement your speaking practice with structured lessons + community feedback from natives.
Best for: Learners who want both lessons and live practice.
Tip: After each lesson, use the community feature: write a short message and ask a native to correct it.
6. Memrise (Free tier)
What it is: Vocabulary- and phrase-focused app, with video clips of native speakers and some chat-based features. (Zucord)
How it helps: Builds phrases and vocabulary which you’ll actually use in your chats and calls.
Best for: Beginners who need to build a bank of phrases to use when speaking.
Tip: Treat it as the “preparation” tool—then switch into one of the exchange apps above to use what you learned in real talk.
7. Xeropan (Freemium)
What it is: Gamified learning app but also includes speaking features and live-scenario practice for free users. (Wikipedia)
How it helps: Provides fun interactive lessons and moments where you speak.
Best for: Learners who prefer a bit of game-feel plus conversation practice.
Tip: After a “scenario lesson”, hop into a chat/call session using a partner app and attempt to recreate what you learned.
8. Talkpal (Free with optional upgrades)
What it is: Designed around voice/video chats with natives; promotes live spoken practice. (Talkpal)
How it helps: Real-time discussion, especially useful for speaking/listening skills.
Best for: Intermediate learners gearing up for fluency and comfortable with spontaneous talk.
Tip: Set a goal: say at least 5 full-minute responses during your chat. Then time yourself—speed and clarity improve with practice.
9. HelloTalk Live/Voiceroom (Feature-of-HelloTalk)
What it is: A special part of HelloTalk focusing on live voice or video rooms where you join native speakers and learners together. (Apple)
How it helps: You’ll hear natives speaking naturally — great listening practice — then you can join and speak too.
Best for: Learners who are comfortable listening and ready to speak in group or live environments.
Tip: Start by listening quietly, then when you feel confident, “raise your hand” (i.e., click to speak) in the room and say something small (greeting / self-introduction) to get used to live speaking.
10. Community & Free Resources (Discord Servers, Reddit, Language Meetups)
What it is: Not a single app, but a collection of free chat/voice/video communities where language learners gather (e.g., Discord language servers, Reddit language exchange threads). (Reddit)
How it helps: Completely free, lots of variety, you can try speaking/socialising without pressure.
Best for: Learners who want extra practise in informal, flexible settings.
Tip: Join a server for your target language, attend weekly speak-ups, and aim to say at least one full sentence out loud each session.
How to Choose the Right Combination
Since each of these apps has its strengths and weaknesses, here’s how to decide what’s best for you:
- Your goal:
- Want to just speak? Focus on chat/call apps (HelloTalk, Tandem, Lingbe).
- Want to build foundation then speak? Use Memrise/Xeropan + chat/call app.
- Want structured lessons + conversation? Use Busuu + exchange app.
- Your level:
- Beginner: You may need vocabulary/phrase prep first (Memrise, Xeropan) before diving into real chat.
- Intermediate/Advanced: Chat/call apps become more useful—because you’ll understand enough to converse.
- Your schedule & style:
- Short daily bursts (5-10 mins): Use apps where you can do voice notes/chats anytime.
- Longer voice/video sessions (20-30 mins): Use the call apps and schedule sessions with a partner.
- Your budget:
- All listed have free tiers. You can progress far with only free features if you’re consistent.
- Paid versions unlock extras (more filters, unlimited calls, etc.), but they’re optional.
- Make it social & accountable:
- Set a “language exchange buddy” and schedule weekly sessions.
- Track how many minutes you spoke this week. If zero, adjust.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Chat & Call Apps
- Always introduce yourself in the target language (even with a short greeting): “Hi—I’m Syed from India. I’m learning French. I’m happy to help you with Hindi/English.”
- Use voice chat/voice notes instead of just text. Real speech builds fluency.
- Prepare 2-3 topics before your call: e.g., “my day”, “my hobby”, “my city”. That prevents awkward silences.
- Ask your partner to correct you (you can say: “Please correct my mistakes”).
- Record yourself (if allowed) and listen later to identify pronunciation or grammar issues.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—that’s how you learn.
- Try speaking out loud even when alone: rehearse what you’ll say next session.
- Use mixed apps: build vocabulary in Memrise → apply it in a call on HelloTalk or Tandem.
- Be consistent: even 10 minutes daily speaking is better than one long session per week.
- Respect your partner: language exchange is mutual—help them with your native language too.
Why Chat & Call Practice Matters
- Fluency over perfection: Chatting helps you “think in the language” rather than translating from your native language.
- Listening & speaking built together: You hear real speech, then you speak. That pattern accelerates progress.
- Cultural context: Native chat partners bring colloquial expressions, slang, and cultural nuance you won’t find in textbooks.
- Confidence boost: Every successful conversation, even a short one, builds your speaking confidence.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about becoming fluent in a new language, add real conversations into your routine. Combine one app for building phrases/vocab (like Memrise or Xeropan) with one or two apps for speaking practice (like HelloTalk, Tandem, Lingbe).
Be consistent. Be patient. Speak every week, even if it’s just a short chat. With time, you’ll see your thinking shift from “I want to speak” → “I can speak”.
At Multilingual Banega India, we believe you’re not just learning a language—you’re unlocking connections, culture, and confidence. So pick your apps, schedule your calls, and speak out loud!
Let’s stay multilingual—together.