Tandem (app)

Tripod Technology GmbH
Type of site
Language Exchange Platform Privately Held Corporation
Available in
[1]
HeadquartersBerlin,
Founder(s)Arnd Aschentrup, Tobias Dickmeis, Matthias Kleimann
IndustryE-Learning, Online Education
ServicesLanguage exchange, Online tutoring, Tandem language learning, Online learning community
URLwww.tandem.net
RegistrationRequired (free)
LaunchedFebruary 2015 (2015-02)
Current statusActive
Native client(s) onAndroid, iOS

Tandem is a mobile language-exchange app for iOS and Android that connects learners with native speakers for one-to-one text, audio and video chats. Founded in 2014 and launched on iOS in 2015 (Android in 2016/2017), the company is based in Berlin. Apple listed Tandem among its "Best Apps of 2015".[2][3]

History

Tandem was founded in Hannover in 2014 by Arnd Aschentrup, Tobias Dickmeis, and Matthias Kleimann. Prior to founding Tandem, Aschentrup, Dickmeis and Kleimann had launched Vive, a members-only mobile video chat platform.[4]

In 2020, Tandem discontinued its in-app professional tutoring feature to focus on language exchange.[5]

Criticism

Tandem has received criticism for not accepting members into the community immediately. In some countries, there is a waiting list and applicants can wait up to seven days for their application to be processed by the human moderators.[6]

Subscription

Tandem Pro is an optional subscription with additional tools (e.g., more translations, vocabulary features, ad-free use, and enhanced calling/”Language Parties”).[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tandem Language Exchange App | Find Conversation Exchange Partners". Tandem - Speak Any Language. Retrieved 2020-02-24. Interface languages provided by the Tandem analytics team in 2020.
  2. ^ "Tandem is a messaging app where language learners chat". TechCrunch. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Apple's 25 Best iPhone Apps of the Year". TIME. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Vive, The Mobile App That Lets You Video Chat With Strangers, Raises $1.5M". TechCrunch. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  5. ^ "FAQ: Are professional tutors still available on Tandem?". Tandem. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  6. ^ King, Stephanie L. (2020-03-25). "Fire Up One of These Language Apps For At-Home Learning". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  7. ^ "What is included in a Tandem Pro subscription?". Tandem Help Center. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.