Why hello.fan is our pick
- Live translated subtitles in 30 languages on calls, so you can check what you missed.
- Chat translates itself, which helps when you get stuck on a word.
- Billing per started 15 seconds means a 10-minute practice call costs 10 minutes, not an hour.
- Talk to real people over video, voice or chat, at the price each person sets.
- Launch offer: +20% credits on your first top-up.
Why practice a language by talking to real people?
Apps and flashcards build vocabulary, but speaking is its own skill. You get comfortable with real speed, real accents and real pauses by having real conversations, and that's the gap hello.fan fills.
On hello.fan you can video call, voice call or chat 1:1 with creators, tutors and experts who set their own per-minute price. Look for someone who talks about things you care about, and you'll practice with topics that hold your attention instead of textbook dialogues.
- Video when you want to read faces and gestures.
- Voice when you want to focus on listening.
- Chat when you want a moment to think before you answer.
Since we make hello.fan, read this as our own pick. Learners who want a set syllabus may prefer a course, and we cover that below. The fan side is explained in our fan guide.
How do live translated subtitles help language learners?
During a call, hello.fan can show live translated subtitles in 30 languages. For a learner, they work like training wheels: try to follow by ear first, then glance down when you lose the thread.
Chat translates itself too. If you type a sentence you're unsure of, the other person can still follow it, and you can keep the conversation moving instead of stopping to look things up.
A simple way to use them as you improve:
- Early on, keep subtitles on and repeat key phrases out loud.
- In the middle, only check subtitles when you're lost.
- Later, switch to voice calls and lean on listening alone.
The goal is to need them less each week. See how the feature works on hello.fan live translation.
How much does language practice cost on hello.fan?
Each person sets their own price, from 50 to 5,000 credits a minute, with 100 credits equal to $1. Chat is priced at or below voice and video, and it can even be free.
The billing is what makes short practice work. You pay per started 15 seconds, only while you're both connected, and ringing is free. A ten-minute chat over lunch costs ten minutes, not a full lesson.
- Practice in short, regular calls rather than one long session a week.
- Use chat for warm-ups when it's priced lower.
- Your first top-up comes with +20% credits during the launch offer.
If you'd like to compare this with other ways to talk to people online, see the best platform to talk to creators, or our FAQ for credits and billing.
Can you practice regularly with the same person?
Yes. If someone takes bookings, you can book a session inside their working hours and pay up front. For a steady routine, weekly sessions repeat at the same time every week, which makes it easier to keep a habit going.
When your favorite practice partner is offline, heart them to get an alert when they come online. Or send an Icebreaker: a one-line hello for 10 credits that they can reply to once. Writing that line in the language you're learning is a small bit of practice on its own.
Calls stay private: nothing is recorded, and phone numbers stay private. hello.fan is 18+ only, so it suits adult learners.
Prefer a structured teacher? Read the best platform for online tutors to see how tutors run booked lessons, or browse hello.fan creators to find a partner.
How to get started
- Pick a partner. Browse hello.fan for a creator or tutor who speaks the language you're learning.
- Top up credits. Buy credits at 100 credits per dollar; during the launch offer, your first top-up gets +20%.
- Start talking. Call or chat while they're online, with live translated subtitles ready if you get lost.
When does something else fit better?
Fits better when Better for building vocabulary and grammar on your own, at any hour, without talking to anyone.
What it misses You don't get a live conversation with a real person, which is where speaking confidence grows.
Fits better when Better if you have plenty of time and are happy to trade practice in your language for theirs at no cost.
What it misses Partners aren't paid, so availability is less predictable and there are no booked or weekly sessions.
Fits better when Better when you want a set syllabus, homework and a teacher who tracks your progress.
What it misses They're less flexible, so you can't hop on a ten-minute call whenever you have a free moment.
Frequently asked questions
Which languages do the live subtitles cover?
Calls have live translated subtitles in 30 languages, and chat translates itself. Check the live translation page on hello.fan for the current list before you choose a practice partner.
Is hello.fan a replacement for a language course?
Not quite. It's best for speaking practice with real people. Pair it with a course or an app for grammar and vocabulary, then use hello.fan calls to put what you've learned into real conversation.
How short can a practice call be?
As short as you like. Billing is per started 15 seconds, only while you're both connected, and ringing is free. A two-minute call to practice one phrase costs two minutes at that person's rate.
Can I practice with a friend who isn't on hello.fan?
Yes, with a private room. The host pays one flat price, and the guest joins with a link or a 5-digit code. The guest doesn't need an account, and nothing is stored.
Published by Premiums Only LLC, the company behind hello.fan and store.fan. We recommend our own platforms — and say when another kind of tool fits you better. How we write.