Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Kakao T vs KakaoTalk

Kakao T 4.8★ · Free to download 70
Winner Kakao T
KakaoTalk 4.3★ · Free to download 60

Choose Kakao T for transportation services in Korea, especially if you are a foreigner, but be aware of potential issues with navigation and overcharging; opt for KakaoTalk if you need a reliable messaging app to communicate with friends and family, particularly those in Korea, despite recent ad intrusions and login difficulties for international users.

Full reviews: Kakao T · KakaoTalk

Kakao T, a transportation app, generally offers convenient taxi and bike services, especially for foreigners, but faces criticism for navigation accuracy and occasional overcharging. KakaoTalk, a messaging app, is widely used for communication, but recent updates have introduced intrusive ads and login challenges for non-Korean users.

Head to head

Features & Services edge: Kakao TR2R4R9R10
Kakao T Kakao T is praised for its taxi and e-bike services, with some users finding it very easy to use for foreigners R2. It also offers parking search and discount features . However, users report issues with bike map freezing R4, unreliable navigation directions leading to longer routes R9R10, and the inability to add multiple stops . Some users also wish for features like real-time taxi location tracking and parking discount recognition for disabled vehicles .
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk is primarily a messaging app, valued for connecting with friends and family, especially those in Korea . Users appreciate its ability to send photos without quality loss and customization options . However, it lacks features like auto-translate , and some users desire more themes or the ability to add music to profiles . Recent updates have removed or altered features, leading to dissatisfaction .
Ease of Use & User Interface tieR2R8R13R15
Kakao T Many users find Kakao T convenient and easy to use for booking taxis R2. However, the app's interface is criticized for being confusing R13, with important buttons like 'cancel call' being hard to find . Foreign users struggle with language barriers, as the app often displays information in Korean or a mix of languages R8R15R22. There are also complaints about intrusive pop-up ads R22R40 and the app not recognizing addresses .
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk is generally considered easy to use for messaging . However, recent updates have led to a confusing and disliked interface, with users comparing it negatively to Instagram . Some users find the app cluttered with unnecessary features . Issues include difficulty finding friends and menus without exit options .
Reliability & Performance edge: Kakao TR1R4R5R6
Kakao T Kakao T's reliability is mixed. While many experiences are positive R5, users frequently report issues with taxi location accuracy and arrival times R1R25. Drivers sometimes take wrong routes, blaming the app's navigation R9R10. There are also instances of drivers canceling easily or picking up the wrong passenger R6. The app can freeze, especially when using the bike map R4, and some users find it laggy and slow R22.
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk has significant reliability issues, particularly after recent updates. Users report the app crashing , chat rooms being deleted , and backups failing . Notifications for incoming messages sometimes don't appear until the app is opened . There are also complaints about messages not sending , lagging in group chats with many messages , and persistent bugs like incorrect contact names .
Price & Value tieR7R9R10R19
Kakao T Kakao T is free to download, but users report issues with overcharging for bike services R7 and taxis R7R19. Drivers sometimes charge extra on top of the app's displayed fare R7 or take longer routes to increase costs R9R10. There are also complaints about a 10% surcharge on foreign credit cards .
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk is free to download and use for messaging. However, recent updates have introduced numerous intrusive ads, appearing as pop-ups R63R78, banner ads , and even disguised as DMs , which significantly detract from the user experience and value.
Support & Accessibility for Foreigners tieR2R3R12R18
Kakao T Kakao T is generally considered useful for foreigners R2, but many encounter significant hurdles. These include inability to receive verification codes with foreign phone numbers R3R31, difficulty registering credit cards despite having local accounts R12, and a lack of English support R12. Foreigners also report that drivers may skip them if their destination is displayed in English R22 and that the app requires place names in Korean .
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk faces substantial criticism regarding accessibility for foreigners. Users report being unable to log in or verify accounts with non-Korean phone numbers . There's a lack of cloud backup for non-Korean numbers and restrictions on joining communities or open chats without a Korean phone number . Some users also wish for an English option R63 and report being blocked or having accounts disabled without clear reasons .
Pick Kakao T if

you are in Korea and need a local transportation app for taxis, bikes, or parking, especially if you are a foreigner comfortable navigating some language and payment challenges R2.

Pick KakaoTalk if

you need to communicate with friends and family in Korea and are willing to tolerate intrusive ads and potential login issues if you are an international user .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. The evidence for both apps is robust, with a good mix of positive and negative reviews across various dimensions.

Frequently asked

Is Kakao T reliable for taxi services?
Kakao T's reliability for taxi services is mixed; while many users have perfect experiences, others report issues with inaccurate taxi location and arrival times, drivers taking longer routes, and occasional cancellations R1R5R9R25.
Can foreigners easily use Kakao T or KakaoTalk?
Foreigners face significant challenges with both apps; Kakao T has issues with foreign phone number verification, credit card registration, and English support, while KakaoTalk users report being unable to log in or verify accounts with non-Korean numbers and face restrictions on certain features R3R12R22R31.
Do Kakao T and KakaoTalk have ads?
Yes, both apps have ads; Kakao T users complain about intrusive pop-up ads R22R40, and KakaoTalk has recently introduced numerous ads, including pop-ups, banner ads, and ads disguised as direct messages, which significantly detract from the user experience R63R78.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Kakao T 5/5 · US Good for foreigners: This app works really well for taxis. I use the k.ride one for foreigners. It’s extremely easy and I’ve had no problem with payments or overcharges. It works well for e-bikes too.
  2. [R4] Kakao T 1/5 · US Bike map causes app to freeze: I just bought a bike pass but cannot use it because every time I open the bike map, the app locks up.
  3. [R9] Kakao T 3/5 · US Navigation directions for driver are unreliable: Navigation directions sometimes seem pretty off. On our most recent ride the driver took a strange route that he blamed on the directions from the app that ended up costing twice as much as the estimates cost. In contrast the driving directions from Kakao map showed a much more straightforward and shorter route.
  4. [R10] Kakao T 1/5 · US Long way, long journey: It took over an hour to go a distance that should have taken 30 minutes, wasting both time and money. I don't know when they plan to use a navigation system that reflects real-time traffic, which even dogs and cows will have by 2026. It's as if they think we won't notice them making more money this way. I'm switching apps. · translated
  5. [R8] Kakao T 4/5 · US Chinese character in English version: App itself is very useful, but most of notice is in Korean , and some Chinese on notification tab… not sure why the languages are all mixed up.
  6. [R13] Kakao T 1/5 · US Terrible user experience and confusing GUI: If I could I would not use kakao T. The option to call a venti cab disappears for no reason and only the option to book in 30 minutes shows up. Cannot easily confirm the address I am going to. Hate this app. Would use UBER or Lyft if possible.
  7. [R15] Kakao T 3/5 · US Please improve: When my phone is set to English, the driver's app also shows addresses and destinations in English, which sometimes makes it hard to get a taxi and often causes communication confusion. Please add a language setting within the app. · translated
  8. [R1] Kakao T 1/5 · US Worst app: None of the taxi's location or time information is accurate. Thanks to this, I was 15 minutes late for an important appointment because I was waiting for the taxi. · translated
  9. [R5] Kakao T 4/5 · US Mostly Good: While the vast majority of my experiences have been perfect, there has been the time or two when I requested a taxi, waved at it from across the street, and have been left alone.
  10. [R6] Kakao T 3/5 · US Took the wrong passenger: I reserved a taxi, but did the driver just leave with another passenger without even asking? This has happened more than once. Thanks to this, I was late. · translated
  11. [R7] Kakao T 1/5 · US overcharge: It took me a while to realize that every time I used the bikes, I was being charged multiple times. I used them about 15 times and ended up with 71 transactions, plus the tax. I always used taxis, and everything was fine until an old guy charged me extra, on top of what the app showed. He charged me twice, and I got so angry because he started saying it was a long way, etc., which it r
  12. [R19] Kakao T 1/5 · US BEWARE OF SCAMMERS: My friends and myself have used the app, and the drivers always figure out a way to scam you out of so much money. Only giving this a 1 Star review to spread awareness. For my experience, a $40 taxi fare has turned into a $200 taxi fare.
  13. [R3] Kakao T 3/5 · US Unable to receive verification SMS with China (+86) mobile number. · translated
  14. [R12] Kakao T 3/5 · US English speakers: Would be nice to get some support in English. It is oddly difficult to register a credit card, despite having an arc card, a local bank account, and a local phone.
  15. [R18] Kakao T 3/5 · US Foreign numbers: Can you allow people with KakaoTalk accounts registered under foreign numbers to use kakaotaxi in korea as well?
  16. [R25] Kakao T 1/5 · US I will never use this app.: Their time estimates are almost always wrong snd It takes usually ten minutes for their drivers to arrive even when using their premium service. Find another taxi service if you plan to ride taxis in Korea.
  17. [R22] Kakao T 1/5 · US Horrible user experience: 1. App enables racism. If your system or app language is set to English, taxi drivers see your destination address in English, and they skip you on purpose because they fear that you’re a foreigner. 2. Popups and ads. Every time the app opens there’s a stupid popup AD that has nothing of relevance to the user. 3. Speed and Performance The app is laggy and slow and bugs ou
  18. [R31] Kakao T 1/5 · US Unable to use: It won’t send a verification code after I logged into my kakao account and provided mobile phone number, kept on saying “temporary error, please try again later”.
  19. [R40] Kakao T 1/5 · US Oh, seriously, the ads...: I take taxis when I'm busy, but I waste time constantly closing ad pop-ups. Also, why does Kakao alone show the front numbers of my card for payment methods? Please change it to show the back numbers. I'm forced to use it because of its high market share when I'm busy, but I think the entire UI/UX needs an overhaul. · translated
  20. [R63] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US STOP WITH RANDOM ADS: I wish there was an English option great app but WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ADS???? And why can’t I block them?!?!
  21. [R78] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Now with ads: Oh lord… kakao with ads. I hate it. Leave us alone!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store