Tandem: Language exchange

A Google user

5 years ago

I like it so far, but there are some definite draw backs: 1.) It's not free, and it tires to trick you into buying a subscription when you first sign up by saying that it could "take up to 7 days" to match you with potential partners (which, of course, is nonsense as the algorithm does this instantly), but you can pay to "skip the waiting line." 2.) You can only add three languages for free. 3.) In app translations are limited to 5 a day, and you have to rewrite the text yourself.

A Google user

5 years ago

The app is good for finding people who seriously want to learn a new language with a native. However, it's notification sound is too quiet, it is a little laggy and the video chat is terrible. It's annoying because after you achieve all the goals they give you.. it just says to help others do the same. Not a real incentive. If they can fix the problem with video quality, it would be any easy five stars for the serious language learner.

Steve B

4 years ago

I have made many friends on this app who are also doing language exchange. Tandem Pro has been really nice. The translator is really helpful when the conversation goes above your head. I haven't run into any spammers or catfish, either. Minor criticisms: 1) the message alerts don't always work and you might have to check back with partners manually. 2) the search algorithm is strange. It's easy to get a deluge of new messages very quickly for no reason, then none for a long time.

Pikkin Lau

2 years ago

The app is great. Easy to use and addictive. However, the pro features barely make any difference. In addition, people serious enough to improve language proficiency are a minority. Lots of beginners never ascend to the next level. I don't know why the profile picture matters so much as this is Tandem not Tinder. That said, most people are chill in the parties although they can be slow and disorganized. A few hot-headed people get emotional real quick. Proceed with caution.

carlos blondiswall

3 years ago

This is the perfect language practicing app for people who also want to make friends along the way! I really like how much you can customize your profile and preferences to include how comfortable you are with the language you are learning, and what you like to talk about. With that said the only issues I've come across come from the Video calling. It's super buggy and numerous times my camera would freeze or I would exit the app and not be able to go back to the call. Nevertheless a great App.

A Google user

5 years ago

For the first day, it's been swell. I recommend new users to be patient, it was a big mistake of mine to jump from one person to another thinking nobody was replying. Tandem is what you make out of it, and I think I'll be content with using its free version. I think the correction, translate, and transliterate features were all useful digital features that supersede face-to-face language exchange in some aspects.

A Google user

6 years ago

I like the app, but there's a problem with audio and photo messages (or really just messages in general). When someone sends me an audio message or a photo, I get a notification but the actual message never shows up. I've tried force closing the app, refreshing, waiting, etc. It just doesn't come. Also when I try to send an audio message, I have to close the app after I've sent it and re-open it to see if my message really did send. Otherwise, I'm not able to see it in the chat. I've accidentally sent audio messages multiple times because I would think it didn't send and then record a new one. Please fix!

Seto Kaiba

1 year ago

Tandem is absolute garbage. They have so many bugs, especially with their party feature. Sound doesn't work, and if you're lucky enough to hear someone's voice, you hear a lot of static. Also, notifications have stopped working completely for android users. So you'll never know if someone messaged you, unless if you keep the app on all day, which will drain your battery. Also, they randomly ban people for arbitrary reasons. Stay away at all costs.

A Google user

6 years ago

The app is great in theory, but is unusable in practice. Notifications won't get delivered, so I never know if someone has sent me a message. Messages appear read even though I didn't read them, and behavior is generally erratic. Unusable until these bugs are fixed, and it's a pity. I bought a one year subscription but canceled it when I realized the app doesn't work properly.

Hyuk Jee

1 year ago

It's overall a good app for people who want to learn and exchange languages. Very simple and I like it. The one and big issue I have is that they have been becoming more and more aggressive with their ads. It's like I have to see an ad to check out a profile or to open a chat. It's been making me want to use this app less and less, sadly. Hope they become more moderate with their ad fequency.

Wes S

1 year ago

Honestly had potential as an app. The UI, overall style, staff responsiveness, and organization are very good. Unfortunately, this app is unusable due to lonely people only using the app for dating. Within a couple messages I will mention that I am married (happily). After that, I will never receive another response despite asking questions. The very few people who do continue the conversation are horrible at keeping the flow going. I'm uninstalling after two weeks, and am very disappointed.

A P

1 year ago

2024 update. Decided to try the app again. Can't even finish account setup. Tried several times and the continue button won't work. 2021. Messages would not show in the chat and could only be read during notifications. Update: Tried to give a second chance since it had been a few years. Can't even log in. So buggy.

Edward Anderson

1 year ago

The app itself is great, (although finding good language exchange partners can take a while, as many users want to use it as a dating app or for other purposes). It's nice to find language lovers from around the world and speak to people in various languages. I highly recommend trying this app to practice your target language the way it is actually spoken and not just the most proper form.

Benny Bear

10 months ago

I was really happy with my experience on this app until my friend came over who's also using the app and is sitting right next to me we have all the same settings in our nearby filter set the same yet he has four people in his nearby search and I have nobody. TANDEM EXPLAIN! I thought it was weird that nobody in Florida was learning Esperanto but there are actually four people.

Colin Frazier

10 months ago

This app used to be great but the ads are out of control. I'm fine with ads, they need to make money. But now they're excessive and impossible to skip or exit out of. As a result, I've just download two stupid games that I do not want on my phone. The way that these ads are integrated into the app is horrendous and intrusive.

B D

1 year ago

The app works great and it really gives the opportunity to communicate exchanging languages with people. You can meet great people who really want to learn a language. I do believe it should have an option for people who want something more, so people don't start engagement with second intentions. It's very annoying. It's not a dating app and unfortunately some don't make that distinction.

Jack Brandt

10 months ago

I have had tandem for four years. What is the point of the translation feature? It's a language learning app. If I wanted everyone to understand my profile, I would put it in English. I am trying to attract serious learners, not everyone on Tandem under the sun. Not to mention the new UI update makes it harder to read profiles. Calls don't exactly work. Whatsapp is usually better. But if you use the app long enough you will make friends. How does the algorithm even work? Transparency much?