Two Thai apps that both care about pronunciation, built in very different ways. Here is how they compare, using only what each app says about itself.
The short answer: Pick Ling if you want short, game-style lessons that mix speaking, reading and writing from the start. Pick Ravela if your main goal is to speak and be understood, and you want to see how your tones compare with a native speaker's.
We make Ravela, so we're not neutral. Everything we say about Ling here comes from Ling's own website or app store listing, checked in September 2026 (sources at the bottom). Where we couldn't confirm something, we left it out.
| Ling | Ravela Thai | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Short, game-style lessons across speaking, reading and writing | Learning to speak Thai and getting your tones right |
| How it teaches | Gamified bite-sized lessons with native-speaker audio, flashcards, tracing and dialog practice | App lessons with Thai audio on every word, spaced review and real-life missions, plus an AI tutor for roleplay (members). iPhone, Android and web |
| Speaking & tone feedback | Ling says its speech-recognition technology helps you develop accurate pronunciation of the five Thai tones | The Pronunciation Lab draws your pitch over a native reference line and scores how closely it matches, with notes on direction, distance and height. You can send any recording to Kru Pook, a Thai teacher, to check |
| Thai script | Yes. Ling says you learn to speak, read and write Thai | Optional. Speaking-only mode in romanised Thai with the tone marked on every syllable, or a reading & writing track |
| Free to try | Two free units for new users | First 24 lessons and the Pronunciation Lab, no card |
| Price | Pro from $16.99/month or $149.99/year (list price) | £6.99/month or £59/year |
Ling details are as Ling describes them. Prices change often, so treat them as a rough guide; Ling prices are in US dollars as listed.
It feels like a game. Lessons are short and varied, with flashcards, tracing and dialog practice, which makes it easy to keep a daily habit going.
Script from day one. Ling teaches speaking, reading and writing together, so if you want to learn Thai letters early it builds them in.
Tones are on its radar. Ling says its speech recognition helps with the five Thai tones, so it isn't ignoring pronunciation.
You see your tone, not just a pass or fail. Ravela draws your pitch line over a native speaker's and tells you in plain words whether your voice moved the right way, far enough, and at the right height.
Speak first if you want to. Speaking-only mode keeps everything in romanised Thai with tone marks, so you can talk before you can read. The reading and writing track is there when you're ready.
A Thai teacher behind it. Kru Pook, a teacher in Bangkok, reviews what learners see in Ravela, and you can send her any recording to check.
Built for Thai only. Every lesson, drill and game is designed around Thai and its tones.
Not sure? Try Ravela's free tone test first. It takes a minute, needs no signup, and shows you straight away whether tones are what's holding you back. Take the free tone test.
Ling is a solid choice if you like short, gamified lessons that mix speaking, reading and writing. It says its speech recognition helps with the five Thai tones. If tones are your main struggle and you want to see your pitch next to a native speaker's, Ravela's Pronunciation Lab is built for exactly that.
Ling lists Pro at $16.99 a month or $149.99 a year. Ravela is £6.99 a month or £59 a year. Both let you start free: Ling with two units, Ravela with the first 24 lessons and the Pronunciation Lab.
Yes. Some learners use Ling for bite-sized daily practice and Ravela for tone and speaking work. Two apps with different strengths is a perfectly sensible setup.
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Free to start. The Pronunciation Lab and the first 24 lessons, no card needed.
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