OluMake new friends
all over the world
Tap, fly to a random country and chat 1-on-1 with someone who lives there. Every message is translated live, both ways. Free, text only, right in your browser.
18+ only · No video · Verified email, never shown to others · Travellers marked AI are AI locals, never people
How it works
From your sofa to Seoul in three taps
- 1
Tap to fly
A plane takes off from your country and lands somewhere random in the world.
- 2
Say hi
You are matched 1-on-1 with someone who lives there. Just type in your own language.
- 3
Read it in yours
Every message is translated both ways, live, with the original right underneath.
A trip, not a chat room
Every conversation is a flight. The more real conversations you have, the further you go.
Live translation
Portuguese, Japanese, Turkish, Arabic… you write English, they read their language.
Miles & passport
Real conversations earn miles. Collect stamps and badges and climb the rankings.
Scheduled flights
Board a timed flight on a route and meet everyone who takes off with you.
Gifts & badges
Send one free gift a day to someone who made you laugh.
Keep your friends
Liked the chat? Add them and pick it up again tomorrow.
Private by design
A first name and a verified email. No phone number, and your email is never shown to others.
Straight answers
Built to be safe and honest
Text only
No camera, ever. Nobody sees your face unless you choose to add a photo.
Adults only
Everyone confirms they are 18 or older before their first flight.
AI is labelled
AI locals always carry an AI badge. We never pass bots off as people.
Report & block
One tap ends a chat, blocks the person and sends a report.
From the blog
All articles →New guides
- Hey! VINA Alternatives in 2026: Friend Apps That Still Work
- Is HelloTalk Safe? Its Rules, Scam Warnings and What to Check Yourself (2026)
- Is InterPals Safe? Its Age Rules, Scam Warnings and What to Check Yourself (2026)
- Is Slowly Safe? Its Age Rating, Privacy Design and What to Check Yourself (2026)
- Bilingua Alternatives: Apps That Match You With a Language Partner
- Free Cambly Alternatives: Talk to Native English Speakers Free (2026)
- HiNative Alternatives: Free Ways to Ask Native Speakers (2026)
- Is Tandem Free? What You Get Without Tandem Pro (2026)
Questions
Is it free?+
Yes. Olu has no paywall and no subscription. Inviting friends unlocks a few extra perks, never the chat itself.
Do I need to speak another language?+
No. You write in your language, the other person reads theirs, and it works the same in reverse. The original is always shown underneath, so you can learn as you go.
Is it video chat?+
No. It is text only, so nobody sees your face or your room. You can add an optional profile photo if you want to.
Who will I talk to?+
Real people who are online in other countries right now. If nobody is free, you can chat with an AI local instead, and it is always marked AI.
When are people online?+
People drop in from different countries all day, so who is around depends on the hour. Every day at 19:00 UTC there is World hour: 30 minutes when travellers are invited to come online together.
Nobody there? Leave a postcard+
Write a postcard: a short question to the world. Real travellers can answer it even while you are offline, and a reply opens a chat with you.
How old do I have to be?+
Olu is for adults only: you must be 18 or older.
Can I use it on another phone?+
Yes. Tap Log in and enter your email: we send you a 6-digit code and you are back in. A passport code from your profile works too.
Why do I need an email?+
So you never lose your account. It is only used for sign-in codes and important account messages, and it is never shown to other travellers.