10 Best Tandem Alternatives & Competitors (2026)

Preply matches students with tutors for scheduled online English classes with personalized plans. It offers tutor reviews, AI matching, and monthly packages. Versus Cambly Preply emphasizes advance booking and per-hour pricing with more structured curricula. Preply appeals to learners seeking consistent teachers for long-term goals whereas Cambly prioritizes immediate conversations and flexible group options.

Duolingo delivers gamified bite-sized English lessons via app with speaking listening and grammar exercises. Strengths include free core access and daily streaks. It differs from Cambly by focusing on self-study drills rather than live tutor conversations. Duolingo suits beginners building basics affordably but lacks the real-time speaking confidence practice central to Cambly.

HelloTalk is a free mobile app for language exchange via text voice and video with native speakers worldwide. Strengths are community scale and no cost for casual chats. Unlike Cambly's paid professional tutors HelloTalk relies on peer correction and lacks scheduled lessons or progress analytics. It works for informal daily practice but offers less structured feedback than Cambly subscriptions.

Lingoda runs live small-group and private English classes with certified teachers on a subscription or pay-per-class model. It includes curriculum and certificates. Unlike Cambly's instant matching Lingoda uses fixed schedules. Lingoda benefits structured learners seeking group accountability while Cambly provides more flexible on-demand access.

Verbling connects users to certified tutors for scheduled one-on-one or group English video lessons. Features include lesson plans and progress reports. Compared to Cambly it requires booking and focuses on professionals. Verbling suits exam or career-focused students whereas Cambly targets casual daily speaking improvement.

Babbel provides subscription-based conversational English courses with dialogues and speech recognition. It emphasizes practical travel and work phrases. Versus Cambly Babbel is self-paced without live tutors though it includes live classes in some plans. Babbel appeals to structured learners avoiding video calls while Cambly excels at spontaneous dialogue.

Busuu combines self-study lessons with community feedback and some live tutor options via subscription. Strengths are multimedia content and social corrections. It differs from Cambly by mixing app drills with optional tutoring rather than pure on-demand video. Busuu works for blended learners wanting both independent and interactive practice.

Rosetta Stone offers immersive English software and app lessons using images and speech recognition without translations. Strengths are visual methodology and offline access. Compared to Cambly it lacks live interaction focusing on solo practice. Rosetta Stone fits users preferring independent study over Cambly's real-time tutor feedback and group options.