Help center

Got questions?
We got answers.

Everything you need to know about Nativo — how it works, what it teaches, and how it's different.

What exactly is Nativo? +
Nativo is a language learning app focused on one thing: teaching you how people actually talk, not how textbooks say they should. Every other app teaches grammar and vocabulary. Nativo teaches the slang, casual phrases, filler words, idioms, and real conversation patterns that native speakers use every day — the stuff that no textbook or app ever covers. It's what you need after you've learned the basics but still freeze up in real conversations.
Who is Nativo for? +
Anyone who's felt the gap between "I know this language" and "I still don't sound natural." That includes immigrants and expats adjusting to life in a new country, international students trying to fit in on campus, travelers who want real conversations not just tourist phrases, and professionals working across cultures. If you've ever passed a language test but struggled in a real conversation — Nativo was built for you.
Do I need to already know the language to use Nativo? +
No — we have content for all levels. A quick placement test when you sign up places you at your actual level. Complete beginners learn everyday basics the natural way. Intermediate learners jump straight into casual conversation and slang. Advanced speakers fine-tune their natural flow and learn regional expressions. Nativo adapts to where you actually are, not where the app assumes you should be.
Is Nativo available on iPhone and Android? +
Yes — Nativo works on iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, and in any web browser at getnativo.io. Your progress syncs across all your devices automatically. Pro users can also download lessons for offline use.
How long does it take to see results? +
Most users notice a difference within the first week — they start recognizing casual phrases they used to miss, and feel more confident responding naturally. Real fluency takes consistent daily practice, but the "aha moments" start coming fast when you're learning real language instead of textbook language.
I already use Duolingo. Why do I need Nativo? +
Duolingo teaches grammar and vocabulary — the building blocks. That's genuinely useful. But Duolingo's own users report doing 365-day streaks and still not being able to hold a real conversation. That's because Duolingo never teaches how people actually speak. No slang. No idioms. No casual phrasing. No context for when to use what. Nativo picks up exactly where Duolingo stops. Think of Duolingo as learning the notes — Nativo teaches you to play the song.
How is Nativo different from Babbel? +
Babbel focuses on structured grammar courses — you learn the rules of the language in a textbook-style format. That's helpful for building a foundation. But Babbel users consistently report sounding "stiff" and "overly formal" in real conversations. Nativo doesn't teach grammar rules — it teaches how people actually talk. The casual phrases, the slang, the expressions you hear every day but never learned. Different tool, different job.
How is Nativo different from HelloTalk? +
HelloTalk connects you with real native speakers for language exchange. Great concept — but it depends on strangers being online when you want to practice, correcting you accurately (not always the case), and not using it as a dating app (a widely reported issue). Nativo's AI partner is always available, always patient, always correct, and always explains why — not just what. No waiting, no inconsistency, no awkward situations.
How is Nativo different from iTalki? +
iTalki connects you with human tutors — some excellent, some inconsistent. The quality of feedback is high when you get a good tutor. But at $15-80 per hour, most people can only afford 2-3 sessions per week. Nativo gives you unlimited AI conversation practice for $14.99/month — less than one iTalki session. Use Nativo for daily practice, iTalki for occasional deep sessions.
Rosetta Stone has been around forever. Why is Nativo better? +
Rosetta Stone uses an image-immersion method invented in 1992. It works for beginners learning basic nouns. But it has no AI, no slang, no casual language, and users consistently describe it as "outdated" and "robotic." Nativo is built for 2026 — AI-powered, slang-focused, conversation-first, and a fraction of the cost.
Which languages does Nativo support? +
Nativo currently supports 18 languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, German, Korean, Indonesian, Turkish, Italian, Yoruba, Polish, and Vietnamese. Thai and Greek are coming soon. We prioritized the most widely spoken languages first.
Does Nativo teach dialects and regional differences? +
Yes — for Pro users. English includes US and UK variations. Spanish covers Latin American and Spain Spanish. Arabic covers Modern Standard Arabic and common regional dialects (Egyptian, Gulf, Moroccan, Levantine). Portuguese distinguishes Brazilian from European. This matters because "casual" sounds very different depending on where you are.
Can I learn multiple languages at the same time? +
Yes. Pro users can switch between all 18+ languages freely with progress tracked separately. Free users are limited to 1 language at a time.
Are the phrases from real native speakers? +
Yes. Our phrase library is sourced from real conversations, TV shows, social media, workplaces, and everyday life — not academic sources. All audio is recorded by native speakers. Every language has native speaker reviewers to ensure accuracy and real-world usage.
Will you add more languages? +
Absolutely. Thai and Greek are next. After that we're looking at Swahili, Tagalog, Urdu, and Persian/Farsi. Email hello@getnativo.io to vote for your language — most-requested moves up the list.
Is the free plan actually useful? +
Yes — genuinely. You get 1 language, 5 daily lessons, access to basic phrases, 5 AI practice messages per day, and your placement test. That's enough to learn 1-2 real phrases every day and build a habit. Free is real, not just a teaser. But Pro is where the full experience lives.
How much does Pro cost? +
Nativo Pro is $14.99/month billed monthly, or $99/year ($8.25/month — saving you 45%). Both come with a 7-day free trial and no credit card required. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you upgrade and decide it's not right for you.
What's the 30-day money-back guarantee? +
If you subscribe to Pro and don't feel it's worth it within 30 days, email us at hello@getnativo.io and we'll refund you completely. No questions, no hoops. We're confident in what we've built.
Can I cancel anytime? +
Yes. Cancel from account settings at any time — no phone calls, no retention flows. You keep Pro access until the end of your billing period, then automatically drop to Free. Your progress and phrase library are never deleted.
Do you offer student or nonprofit discounts? +
Yes — 50% off Pro forever. Email hello@getnativo.io with proof of enrollment or nonprofit status and we'll set you up within 24 hours.
What's the Teams plan? +
Teams is $19.99/user/month (minimum 5 seats) and is designed for companies helping employees communicate across languages and cultures. It includes everything in Pro plus a team dashboard, progress tracking, custom language tracks, SSO login, invoicing support, and a dedicated account manager. Email hello@getnativo.io for a demo.
How does a daily lesson work? +
Each daily lesson takes about 5 minutes. You'll learn 5-10 real phrases in context — how they sound, what they actually mean, when to use them, and when NOT to use them. Lessons are organized by situation: at work, with friends, at a restaurant, on a date, when you're confused, and more. Free users get 5 lessons/day; Pro users get unlimited.
What is the "How would a native say this?" feature? +
Type any sentence — formal, textbook-style, or just awkward — and Nativo instantly shows you how a native speaker would actually say it in casual conversation. It includes 2-3 natural alternatives, formality levels, and when to use each one. One of our most-used Pro features.
What is Freeze Test mode? +
Freeze Test throws random real-life scenarios at you with a timer — simulating the pressure of an actual conversation. "Your American coworker just said 'let's table that' — what do they mean? How do you respond?" It builds the confidence and speed to react naturally in the exact moments most people freeze. Completely unique to Nativo.
Does Nativo work offline? +
Yes — offline mode is available for Pro users. Download lessons and phrase collections to your device before you lose connection. Perfect for flights, commutes, or anywhere without reliable WiFi.
What are Cultural Context Cards? +
Every phrase in Nativo comes with a Cultural Context Card showing: the phrase, audio from a native speaker, what it means, when to use it ✅, when NOT to use it ❌, who uses it (age group, region, formality), and any cultural background. This is the full picture — not just the answer.
How does the AI conversation partner work? +
The AI partner lets you have a real back-and-forth conversation in your target language — anytime, no scheduling. It responds naturally, corrects mistakes by using the right version in its reply, and explains why something sounded unnatural. You can set the topic, scenario (job interview, meeting a friend, ordering food), and difficulty level.
Does the AI tell me WHY something is wrong? +
Yes — this is the biggest difference between Nativo and every other app. Duolingo marks you wrong and moves on. Babbel shows you the correct answer without explanation. Nativo's AI tells you exactly why something sounds unnatural, gives you 2-3 better alternatives, and explains the nuance. You actually understand, not just memorize.
Is the AI available in all languages? +
Yes — the AI conversation partner works in all 18 supported languages. Free users get 5 AI messages per day. Pro users get unlimited conversations.
Can the AI help with pronunciation? +
Yes — Pro users can use voice mode to speak to the AI and receive pronunciation feedback. The AI listens and tells you what sounded natural and what could be improved, with specific guidance. Especially useful for languages like Mandarin, Arabic, and French where pronunciation really matters.
Is the AI better than a real human tutor? +
Different, not better. A great human tutor offers depth, cultural insight, and real relationship that AI can't replicate. But Nativo's AI is always available at 11pm, never cancels, never has an off day, never costs $60/hour, and gives consistent feedback every single time. Use Nativo for daily practice — and iTalki for occasional deep sessions with a human expert.

Still have a question?

We're real people and we reply within 24 hours — usually much faster.

Contact Us Email directly

Get 3 months free when we launch.

Join the waitlist — early members get 3 months of Pro completely free.

No spam. No credit card. Just early access and 3 free months.

🎉 You're on the list!

We'll email you the moment Nativo launches with your 3 free months ready.