Linguado

What Linguado does

Linguado operates a free mobile application on iOS and Android that connects users with native speakers of the language they wish to learn, either by proximity or worldwide. The app is structured around four in-app features: Search (filtering users by nationality, language, age, gender, and location), Map (geolocation-based discovery of nearby or global speakers, powered by Google Maps Platform APIs), Chat (messaging, voice chat, and video calls with an integrated real-time text translator), and Discover (one-tap cultural facts and travel insights by country). The platform's matching and communication infrastructure combines social networking primitives with translation capability, distinguishing it from gamification-based language learning apps such as Duolingo.

The company is the registered DBA "Linguado" of Linguado LLC, incorporated under Delaware law with its headquarters at 180 NE 29th St., Unit 719, Miami, FL. Its 11-50 person team is distributed, with co-founder Italo Roldo and an engineering team based in Brazil, a senior cloud engineer based in Pittsburgh, and additional global moderators and support staff. Founder & CEO Alexander Max Kaplan leads the company, supported by a CTO, Head of Design, Social Media Manager, and Lead Moderator. The product is GDPR-, CCPA-, COPPA-, and LGPD-compliant and supports social login via Facebook, Google, and TikTok, with Apple App Store and Google Play payment integrations in place.

Linguado's stated business model is freemium, but the app is currently marketed as "completely free" with no pricing tiers, subscription plans, or premium features publicly disclosed. The company has historically pursued community-led growth through organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), the Linguado Podcast, and earned media including a June 2022 Wall Street Journal feature. Total disclosed funding is approximately $1.25M across a Newchip Accelerator tranche (May 2021) and a subsequent round (December 2021), with Overton VC and Endeavor Miami also providing institutional support.

Name

Linguado

Legal name

Linguado LLC

Website

https://linguado.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Linguado is a free iOS and Android mobile app that connects users with native speakers worldwide for language practice, messaging, voice, and video chat, with built-in translation and cultural discovery features. The platform primarily serves individual language learners, travelers, and digital nomads seeking authentic conversational practice rather than gamified vocabulary drills.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Learning Mobile Apps

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), All Other Telecommunications (517810)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Multilingual/Translation Communication Apps (BPAMACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Tutoring, Conversation Exchange & Language Coaching Platforms (EDAFAOAB), AI-Powered Language Tutors, Chatbots & Speaking Practice Tools (EDAFAOAC), Speech Translation & Multilingual Speech Tech (HDAAAFAE)

Keywords

• Language learning app
• Social language exchange
• Native speaker matching
• Language practice platform
• Cultural exchange community

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Freemium App (Core): The core mobile app is completely free to download and use. Users can connect with native speakers, message, voice chat, video call, and use the in-app translator at no cost. Revenue model details are not explicitly disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Linguado provides a free mobile application (iOS and Android) that allows users to instantly connect with native speakers of any language, either by physical proximity or worldwide. The app combines user discovery (search, map), multi-format communication (messaging, voice, video calls), and an in-app translator with cultural discovery (country facts) into a single social language learning platform.

Product overview

Linguado operates as a single unified mobile application available on iOS and Android platforms. The core product is a free social language learning app that connects users with native speakers globally. The app is built around four primary in-app features: Search (user discovery by filters), Map (location-based connections), Chat (messaging/voice/calls with in-app translation), and Discover (cultural exploration through country facts). Additional offerings include the Linguado Podcast. The platform's architecture combines social networking, real-time communication, and AI-powered translation into a cohesive language learning ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Linguado Mobile App Free iOS and Android mobile application that lets users instantly connect with native speakers of desired languages by proximity or worldwide, combining search, map, chat (messaging, voice, video), an in-app translator, and country-discovery features into a single social language learning platform.
• Linguado Podcast A podcast series featuring real stories and conversations from Linguado's global community, distributed via YouTube, supporting the company's content and community engagement strategy.

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Endeavor MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinguado is a Scale Up Alumnus of the Endeavor Miami Community, a global entrepreneurship network. This affiliation provides access to mentorship, capital, and strategic support for high-growth startups.
• AlstraminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website. Alstra appears to be an educational institution or platform.
• Centenary College of LouisianaminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website as a university partner.
• HandshakeminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website. Handshake is a career networking platform for students.
• Lady DriverminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website.
• Lingo PieminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website as a language learning related platform.
• OkyminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website.
• University of HartfordminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website as a university partner.
• X-CultureminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website. X-Culture is a global virtual internship program connecting students internationally.
• ExpediaminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website. Expedia is a major online travel agency.
• Hotels.comminorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website. Hotels.com is an online travel accommodation booking platform.
• VrbominorOthersListed among trusted partners on the Linguado website. Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is a vacation rental marketplace.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Lingo Pie: Lingo Pie (already listed as a Linguado trusted partner) is a language-learning platform focused on immersive media. It is a partial-overlap emerging player intersecting with Linguado's cultural-exchange audience.

Direct peers

• HelloTalk: HelloTalk is the leading global language exchange app connecting learners with native speakers for chat, voice, and translation — directly comparable to Linguado's core value proposition, and the category benchmark.
• Tandem: Tandem is a language exchange community app pairing learners with native-speaker partners for chat and voice practice, with optional professional tutor add-ons. Highly overlapping use case and target audience with Linguado.
• Speaky: Speaky is a free language exchange platform connecting users globally for text and voice practice with native speakers — a close functional peer competing for the same social language-learning user base.
• italki: italki combines a global community of language learners with on-demand 1:1 tutoring from native-speaker teachers. Comparable to Linguado in connecting learners with native speakers, with a paid-tutor monetization model Linguado lacks.

Broad incumbents

• Duolingo: Duolingo is the dominant gamified language-learning app with hundreds of millions of users and a public-market valuation. It is not a direct exchange competitor, but it defines the category Linguado operates in and was the WSJ-cited comparator for Linguado.
• Babbel: Babbel is a paid subscription language-learning platform with professionally authored courses. It targets adult learners in the same category as Linguado but via structured curriculum rather than peer exchange.
• Memrise: Memrise is a vocabulary and phrase-based language learning app with a large global user base. It overlaps in target audience and category with Linguado but uses spaced repetition rather than live human exchange.
• Busuu: Busuu is a subscription language-learning platform with community feedback from native speakers. Comparable category competitor to Linguado, structured around courses with social features layered on top.
• Discord: Discord hosts large language-learning and cultural-exchange communities with chat, voice, and translation bots. It is a broader communication incumbent that can substitute for some Linguado use cases, particularly among younger users.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Linguadoapp
• Facebookfacebook.com/golinguado
• Instagraminstagram.com/linguado
• TikToktiktok.com/@linguadoapp
• Xx.com/Linguado

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Linguado