Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
HelloTalk vs Learn Laugh Speak
What sets them apart
| Compare |  HelloTalk |  Learn Laugh Speak |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.99Lower | $17.99 |
| Price per month | $12.99Lower | $24.99 |
| Price per year | $79.99Lower | $215.88 |
| Free tier | YesHas it | No |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Chinese, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Hindi, Thai, VietnameseCovers more | English |
| Number of languages | 260 | Not confirmed |
| Highest CEFR level | Not confirmed | C2 |
| Speech recognition | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Kids version | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: AI conversation practice (Yes).
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Key differences
- HelloTalk scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Price from is lower at HelloTalk: $12.99 vs $17.99.
- Price per month is lower at HelloTalk: $12.99 vs $24.99.
- Price per year is lower at HelloTalk: $79.99 vs $215.88.
- Free tier: only HelloTalk.
- Support channels: only Learn Laugh Speak offers Chat.
- Languages: only HelloTalk offers Spanish, Japanese, Korean.
Our verdict on each
HelloTalk
HelloTalk suits learners who want speaking practice with native speakers across 260 languages and can start on the free tier. It ranks well on yearly price at 6 of 18, so the cost of staying is easier to plan than the monthly cycle.
Learn Laugh Speak
Learn Laugh Speak suits adults and families who want English speaking practice with live-group classes and a course reaching C2. Buyers focused on the lowest starting figure get less here, since there is no free tier. A year plan suits longer commitments.
Score breakdown
| Area | HelloTalk | Learn Laugh Speak |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherFree tier with fees of $12.99, $12.99 and $79.99 puts entry low against £6.99. | 8.3Entry price of $17.99 with no free tier sits above the free starts at phase-6 and Bunpro, and the month rate is $24.99. |
| Offer | 9.3Higher260 languages, app and live group and AI conversation on a free tier. | 9.1Speech recognition and AI conversation are included, and the top level reached is C2. |
| Trust | 9.32012 founding, HK base and HelloTalk, Inc. behind the app. | Not confirmed |
How the counts compare
| Fact | HelloTalk | Learn Laugh Speak |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.99 | $17.99 |
| Price per month | $12.99 | $24.99 |
| Price per year | $79.99 | $215.88 |
If neither fits
Drops has price per year at $69.99, against $79.99 for HelloTalk and $215.88 for Learn Laugh Speak.
Drops reviewSources behind this comparison
HelloTalk
- hellotalk.com: 6 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- apps.apple.com: 3 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Learn Laugh Speak
- learnlaughspeak.com: 13 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | HelloTalk | Learn Laugh Speak |
|---|---|---|
| Language learning apps | 14 of 46 | 29 of 46 |
| Online language tutors and classes | 7 of 25 | 11 of 25 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | HelloTalk | Learn Laugh Speak |
|---|---|---|
| Learning method | App, Live group | App, Live group |
| Legal entity | HelloTalk, Inc. | Learn Laugh Speak Pty Ltd |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | Australia |
| Founded | 2012 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | HelloTalk | Learn Laugh Speak | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.99below the median | $17.99above the median | $13.49 |
| Price per month | $12.99below the median | $24.99highest quarter | $13.24 |
| Price per year | $79.99lowest quarter | $215.88highest quarter | $95.99 |
| Number of languages | 260highest quarter | Not confirmed | 41 |
Median across 23 listed providers.
Pros and cons
HelloTalk
Pros
- Free tier lets learners test the app before paying, which most language apps also offer
- 260 languages covered, a wider list than most apps in the ranking
- AI conversation adds a practice partner when no native speaker is free
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre, so a billing or account question goes to email or the help centre with no faster channel
- Monthly billing of $12.99 costs more than the yearly price of $79.99 if you pay monthly
- Entry price of $12.99 is higher than the free entry at €0 and $0
Learn Laugh Speak
Pros
- Speech recognition and AI conversation are both included, so pronunciation work and spoken practice are built in.
- The top CEFR level is C2, so the course stretches past the intermediate stages many apps stop at.
- The method covers app and live group, pairing app practice with live-group classes rather than leaving speaking to an app alone.
Cons
- No free tier, so the entry price of $17.99 is the cheapest way in, while phase-6 and Bunpro list €0 and $0.
- A single language only, listed as English, where multi-language apps give you more to switch between.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, so there is no listed phone line for questions about billing or lessons.
Who each suits
HelloTalk
Who it suits
- Learners who want conversation with native speakers rather than a syllabus
- People who can commit to a yearly plan to cut the cost of the monthly cycle
- Anyone starting out who wants to try a language app without paying
Who should look elsewhere
- Learners who want live tutoring by appointment, where Reading Eggs is the better fit
- People who need phone or chat support, since HelloTalk runs on email and help centre only
- Learners on a strict budget who would start free at Phase-6 or Bunpro instead
Learn Laugh Speak
Who it suits
- Adults at an intermediate level who want speech practice, since speech recognition and AI conversation are both included
- Parents looking for one product covering adults and children, since a kids version exists
- Learners who want group conversation time alongside app study, given the method covers app and live group
Who should look elsewhere
- Learners who want several languages, since the catalogue is English.
- Anyone who needs a free tier first, as there is no free tier and phase-6 and Bunpro start at €0 and $0.
- Budget-first buyers, since Reading Eggs lists £6.99 at the entry point.
Questions about each
HelloTalk
What does HelloTalk cost to start?+
Entry is priced at $12.99, and there is also a free tier so you can try the app first. The monthly plan is $12.99, which is the same figure as entry, so a single month is not cheaper than joining. Bunpro and Phase-6 both offer free entry.
Is the monthly plan worth it or should I pay yearly?+
The monthly plan is $12.99 and the yearly plan is $79.99. Paid yearly plans rank at 6 of 18, which is a stronger showing than the 14 of 25 recorded for monthly billing. If you already know you will stick with it, yearly is the cheaper route.
Learn Laugh Speak
What does Learn Laugh Speak cost?+
Pricing is quoted at three points. The introductory entry figure is $17.99, the month rate is $24.99, and the year rate is $215.88. There is no free tier, so the entry figure is what you pay to start.
Does it include AI conversation and speech recognition?+
Yes, AI conversation is part of the offering, and speech recognition is there too, so the app can listen to pronunciation and hold a spoken exchange. Both are listed in the brand's support documentation.