Honest Talkpal Review: Is Talkpal AI worth it (when chatGPT is Free) — Sep 2025
It might actually work if you’re disciplined and your target language plays well with AI (spoiler: it’s better than Duolingo)
I speak English (fluent) and Tamil (native). I learnt Danish over the last couple years (I’m lying — over 8 years) — and Duolingo was a big part of it (in addition to actual classrooms). I have passed by B2 levels — and I wish I had Talkpal when I was on fire with 2 annual streaks on Duolingo.
I’ll cover the below
- Is Talkpal worth your time (with the free version)
- Is Talkpal worth your money (with paid version)
- Is Talkpal better than Duolingo
- Why you might want to use Talkpal when chatGPT is free
- What makes a language learning app a hit or a miss
I’ll also share some facts that might be interesting for you while you consider making this choice. And Talkpal is free to try !
Talkpal AI review in 60 seconds
If we had only 60 seconds, this is how the conversation would go
You: Hey, I heard about this new app called Talkpal for learning languages. Have you tried it, is it good?
Me: Yes, I loved it instantly in the first few minutes of trying. What is your goal though?
You: I want to learn (or improve) a new language (insert your response), and I would like to know if it’ll work for me. I don’t have a lot of money, but willing to spare a bit if it really helps.
Me: If you do it as a project for a year, Talkpal may be your second best investment for language learning. The first is always a physical classroom. I learnt Danish for over 5 years, and I wish I had access to Talkpal then.
You: Why do you like Talkpal so much?
Me: Language learning is hard, and the more fun it becomes the longer we keep trying. I was so focussed, and even had 2 yearly streaks on Duolingo (yes — for 700+ days in a row). But it was hard, and I didn’t feel like I was moving along much. But Talkpal was so fun, friendly and shows me exactly how to improve my grammar, pronunciation. It also offers many fun ways to learn — like answering a call, explaining an image etc., Honestly, I might try learning German now.
You: Sounds like an oversell. Neverthless, why would I pay for Talkpal if chatGPT is free — isn’t that the same AI.
Me: Yes, Talkpal uses the same core AI models — but as a free user on chatGPT you have multiple limits (on single chat, daily image limits etc.,). I tried similar exercises on chatGPT — it was a hit and a miss. Also, the chatGPT app isn’t designed for learning. Remember, if something is boring, I start switching to YouTube or Instagram. The quality of AI feedback is also fundamentally dependent on how much the models were trained on that particular language — so chatGPT can’t really be better anyway.
You: I’m on the fence. Can you just ay if I should buy a subscription or not?
Me: Try Talkpal for free — test every feature out thoroughly. You have nothing to lose. If you don’t like what you get, you can keep using it for free (with limited features) — and try more tools (including chatGPT). But if it works for you, it can be a huge game changer in your language learning experience.
You: How do I try Talkpal?
Try Talkpal for FREE!
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Disclosure: Some of these may be affiliate links. I may earn a coffee or two when you buy a subscription (at no extra cost to you). I live in Denmark, and at the current discounts and the Danish prices, probably only a shot of Espresso.
What is Talkpal AI & how does it work?
Think of Talkpal as ChatGPT’s cousin who went to language school. While both use similar AI technology, Talkpal is purpose-built for one thing: getting you comfortable having actual conversations in your target language.
The setup is simple: select your target language and dive into whichever mode fits your mood or learning goals. Each conversation ends with instant feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure — like having a tutor who catches everything but never interrupts the flow.
Here’s how it works: You can access Talkpal through your browser or mobile app, and unlike ChatGPT’s basic text/voice interface, everything revolves around live voice conversations. The free version gives you daily practice sessions with higher limits than ChatGPT’s free tier — basically enough to make it a legitimate daily language habit without hitting walls every few minutes.
What makes it different is the variety of conversation contexts. Instead of just generic chatting, Talkpal offers six distinct modes: straightforward Chat, Call Mode (where it literally phones you), Roleplays for specific scenarios, Characters you can talk to, Debates on topics, and Photo Mode where you describe and discuss images. Each mode pushes different aspects of language skills — pronunciation, vocabulary, cultural context, argumentation.
The real magic happens in the feedback. After each conversation, Talkpal breaks down exactly what you said, highlights grammar issues, suggests better phrasing, and explains the nuances — like having a patient tutor who caught every mistake but waited until the end to help you improve. It’s this combination of natural conversation flow with detailed post-chat analysis that separates it from both generic AI chat and traditional language apps.
Tell me more about the Learning Modes
The fun learning experience is where Talkpal won me over. There are multiple learning modes, most of them available via a premium subscription.
Chat mode
The foundation of Talkpal — straightforward voice conversations about whatever topic you choose. Think of it as having a patient conversation partner who’ll discuss anything from your weekend plans to philosophy, then break down exactly how to improve your phrasing afterward.
Here’s how it went for me on the chat mode.
The AI tutor was pretty decent in giving me feedback — and I could understand what went wrong and how to improve my pronunciation in the next attempt.
Call Mode
Talkpal literally calls your phone for practice sessions. This eliminates the temptation to multitask or get distracted by other apps — it’s just you, your phone, and a realistic conversation. Perfect for simulating the real-world phone calls you’ll actually need in your target language.
Here’s my call with Emma, and the feedback I received.
Roleplays Structured scenarios like ordering at a restaurant, job interviews, or asking for directions. These give you the specific vocabulary and phrases you’ll need in real situations, with the AI playing different roles to make interactions feel authentic and immediately useful.
The fun with this kind of roleplay is that the conversation practice forces you to focus on the words and context that actually might be useful in the real world.
Characters Chat with AI personalities — historical figures, fictional characters, or profession-based personas. Want to practice French with Napoleon or discuss business in German with an engineer? This mode makes conversations more engaging while exposing you to different speaking styles and vocabularies.
Debates Argue topics in your target language — from light subjects like “coffee vs tea” to more complex current events. This pushes you to articulate opinions, use persuasive language, and think quickly — skills that are crucial for fluent conversation but rarely practiced in traditional language apps.
Photo Mode Upload or take a photo, describe what you see, then discuss it with the AI. This builds descriptive vocabulary and gives you concrete visual cues to work with — especially useful when you’re stuck for conversation topics or need to practice present-tense descriptions.
What I like about Talkpal AI
Language learning is hard. And to do it as an adult is even harder. I took Danish lessons for nearly half-a-decade to get to B2 levels, and still am terrible at it. The one thing I do know is — the more fun it is, the easier it is bear the pain.
And that is where Talkpal wins over me. This is SO SO much fun way to learn — almost close to the classroom experience. And it is also AI powered — which means I don’t have to wait for 2 years for the next set of cool features to arrive.
In short
- Learning languages via Talkpal is FUN! This is the most important reason I like it
- It is a AI native app. New features drop quickly
- The quality of feedback WILL get better as AI gets better — there is no turning back!
- More languages can be added as AI models get better
- There is a FREE version, though it comes with limitations. Even though chatGPT can offer something similar, Talkpal was more fun
- The paid versions are close to $5 / month (paid annually) — this is cheap compared to the value you get.
Limitations of Talkpal AI
- One of the limitations of Talkpal AI is that it lacks a structured curriculum, which can make it difficult for complete beginners to navigate. This might look very different to how Duoling has structured its courses.
- The platform’s AI feedback, while helpful, can sometimes be generic and not provide detailed feedback on pronunciation. But it depends on the language specifically. I tried Danish and the feedback was pretty good. However, I have also seen reviews that say the feedback wasn’t accurate.
- AI language learning comes with its own limitations regardless of which app you use (including chatGPT) — not all languages are the same in terms of how much training was given to the models. This might results in incorrect responses. I strongly suggest you to take the free trial and check how your target language is before purchasing.
- Talkpal may not be for complete beginners. That said, this is a AI based product and a lot could change if we talk in a year from now.
The feedback from the market seems to indicate the Talkpal seems to be keeping most of its users happy — 4.7/5 on the App store isn’t easy!
Pricing and Plans for Language Learners
Talkpal primarily offers 4 plans (3 paid + 1 free)
Free plan: You get access to Chat mode, which is the basic version but is much better than using ChatGPT. The AI is specifically training for language learning, and your feedback is sharper.
Paid plans: You get access to all the features — but can choose to pay annually, quarterly or monthly. The pricing is around $15 for monthly plan, $30 for quarterly plans and $60 for annual plan.
For me it is a no brainer — if you are going to pay, go for the annual plan.
Why use Talkpal when chatGPT is free?
I had the same question, so I tested chatGPT’s ability to provide the same level of service.
Here’s my perspective
chatGPT was good for a quick conversation practice — equivalent of the chat mode on Talkpal. However, it struggled when I asked it to show an image for me to feedback — it just kept the blank screen on. I asked 3 times and then gave up.
It also is in conversation mode — and doesn’t point to you specifically on the screen what needs to be improved. The ‘chat mode’ on Talkpal did a much better job.
In short — why do I recommend Talkpal over chatGPT? Because the user experience of learning a new language is much better on Talkpal — even on the free version.
Is Talkpal better than Duolingo?
Yes and No!
Yes — the user experience on Talkpal is way more fun. The chances of me maintaining a learning streak is much higher when it is fun. Duolingo was fun when it was the only game in town, but now needs to level up.
Talkpal offers many different variations of improving your skills — call, debates, explaining images etc., But Duolingo is still stuck on the original module based model — feels like rock climbing sometimes.
No — Duolingo is the OG of online language learning. They gamified what is inherently hard, and they deserve our respect for it. They have the depth and accuracy on many languages that Talkpal may lack. That said, Duolingo leadership has publicly embraced AI and I expect the same strengths continue and the user experience to improve.
Is Talkpal AI worth it?
Yes — absolutely. It is way more fun to learn via Talkpal than any other language learning app on the market currently. However, take a free trial to check how it performs for your target language before paying for a subscription.
If it works for you, you will not regret the $5/month you spent — it may just be the spice you need to level up your language learning.
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