Apps like HelloTalk for friendship and language exchange
For an app like HelloTalk, first decide how you want to talk: practise a language, exchange letters or chat about an interest. HelloTalk and Tandem offer language tools, while Slowly centres on letters. Sea Pals starts with shared-interest letters that lead to friendships on your island.
What each app is built around
Sources: the apps’ US App Store listings (checked 11 October 2026) and help pages (checked October 2026). Store age ratings are separate from account minimum ages and contact rules. Read how we check comparisons.
| App | Built around | How conversations work | Age rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTalk | Language practice | Translation, corrections, voice rooms and language-partner filters | App Store: 9+ |
| Tandem | Language exchange | Language-partner searches, text, voice notes, calls and corrections | App Store: 17+ |
| InterPals | Pen pals, friends and language exchange | Search by country, age and language, then chat | App Store: 12+ |
| Slowly | Letter exchanges | Search filters and delivery times based on distance | App Store: 17+ |
| Sea Pals | Letters, then island friendships | Mochi carries letters to a few people with shared interests | 13+ (14+ in South Korea, 16+ in Australia); teens meet only teens as strangers |
| MEEFF | International chats and language exchange | Matching, custom filters, text and video chats | App Store: 17+ |
When language practice comes first
HelloTalk combines language-partner matching and filters with translation, corrections and voice rooms. Tandem offers searches for speakers of the language you are learning, message corrections, voice notes and audio or video calls. Both are built around practising languages with another person.
If your main aim is speaking or correcting sentences, those tools are a reason to choose a language exchange app. Ask what the other person wants to practise and agree on when to correct each other.
When you want an ongoing friendship
InterPals combines pen pals, friendship and language exchange, with searches by country, age and language. Slowly puts letter writing and distance-based delivery at the centre, with filters for finding a pen pal. Either may suit someone who wants conversation beyond exercises.
Sea Pals starts with a bottle letter. Mochi carries it to a few people with shared interests, and a reply begins a friendship on your island. Friends can chat, join lagoons, raise Doori together and make booth strips. MEEFF offers international chats and video calls.
If you want Korean friends
HelloTalk and Tandem include Korean language exchange. InterPals lets you search by country and language; Slowly offers region and interest filters. MEEFF’s US App Store listing (checked 11 October 2026) describes international matching.
Sea Pals gives weight to shared interests and shared or learning languages. That can help you meet Korean pen pals. For KFriends and other options, see the pen pal app comparison.
Check who can contact you
Read account age and contact rules, rather than using an App Store rating as a safety guarantee. Keep early conversations in the app, leave your school and contact details private, and find the block and report controls.
Sea Pals keeps teen and adult strangers apart. Account minimums are 13 generally, 14 in South Korea and 16 in Australia. Strangers never see a birthday, exact location or username; letters cannot contain links or social handles. Photos between friends who met by letter need 5 messages from each side and the receiver’s permission.
Choose by the conversation you want
Choose HelloTalk or Tandem for language tools and speaking practice. InterPals offers pen pal searches, while Slowly makes waiting for a letter part of the exchange. Sea Pals starts with shared-interest letters and continues on your island; MEEFF offers international chats and video calls.
For a closer look at the letter apps, read Sea Pals vs Slowly. Prices and age ratings for more apps are in the pen pal app comparison.