Do you think you need to live in England, Australia or Canada to practise and improve your English speaking skills?
The answer is no, you don’t.
Technology has become so advanced that all you need to have to practise speaking is not a ticket to the US but a smartphone (and a lot of motivation too, of course).
I’ve already talked about the 20 best apps to learn English on the go.
But this post is different because you'll discover the best 14 apps that are specifically designed to help you improve your English speaking skills.
Ready? Let’s explore them together.
Table of Contents
What Is The Best English Speaking App?
It's hard to pick one app that you can consider as the best English speaking app.
The English speaking apps in this list all offer something a little different.
Some let you connect with native speakers or tutors for spontaneous conversation. Others offer feedback on your speaking, whether thanks to AI or to the community.
Still others offer you feedback on your pronunciation.
So you need to ask yourself – what's my goal? Is it to speak more spontaneously and fluently, without worrying about mistakes? Or is it to get feedback on my pronunciation?
Once you know which aspect of your English speaking you want to improve, you can pick the best English speaking app for you.
1. Memrise
Memrise is a language learning app that uses a combination of video and audio to teach vocabulary and conversational phrases in a variety of languages, including English.
It has been downloaded by 65 million language learners and was the first European app to win Google Play's “Best App of the Year” award.
Cool features of this app:
- You can watch videos based on your interests so you can learn things you want to talk about.
- You can watch conversations between native English speakers.
- The app is designed to help you expand your vocabulary. It filters the videos to your level and teaches you new words and expressions.
- You can practice speaking with MemBot. This is your personalised AI language tutor that gives you unlimited speaking practice and feedback too.
Is the app free?
Memrise has a Free Plan and a Pro Plan. Check out Memrise here.
2. HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a language exchange app that connects you with other language learners from around the world as well as native speakers of English.
Once you’re connected, you can chat with them for free.
I’ve already reviewed HelloTalk on this blog but, if you don’t have time to read that post, here’s a summary of Hello Talk’s features.
Cool features of this app:
- You can choose your communication preferences and chat with native or non-native English speakers through text and voice messages, stickers, voice and video calls, and interactive Voicerooms and Lives.
- HelloTalk lets you engage with the community by posting Moments. Have you got a question about English grammar, vocabulary or culture? Post it and wait for the English native speakers in the HelloTalk community to reply.
- It’s got built-in aids for translation, pronunciation, transliteration, and corrections to make conversations run smoothly.
- You can chat with individual members or join groups.
- You can join livestreams hosted by expert teachers and creators.
- You can start your own Voiceroom that other community members can join for free.
- You can filter language exchange partners based on their native language, city, distance from you, and other parameters.
- It’s got a dedicated HelloTalk YouTube channel.
Is the app free?
The app is mostly free. Check out HelloTalk here.
3. Busuu
Busuu is an app that includes courses to teach you how to build sentences in English, practise pronunciation and speak with confidence.
Cool features of this app:
- The courses on Busuu are divided into proficiency levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C1.
- Busuu allows you to connect with a language exchange community so you can grow your confidence for real-life conversations.
- You can practise speaking, but also listening, reading and writing.
- English courses are regularly updated and include video flashcards with audio learning.
- You can complete a spoken exercise, send it out to the community of native speakers, and receive helpful feedback that will help you improve.
Is the app free?
Most of the content is available for free but you can buy a monthly subscription too for exclusive features.
4. Lingbe
Lingbe is a language exchange app that connects language learners with native speakers for real-time conversations.
Cool features of this app:
- It’s fast and super easy to use. All you have to do is press the call button and the app will find you a person who will help you learn and practice English immediately.
- After the conversation with a native speaker, you will receive feedback on your grammar, pronunciation and fluency.
- Lingbe helps you build online relationships. If you had a pleasant learning experience with your practising partner, you can give them a like after the call. If they like you back, you will both have the ability to chat and practice again whenever you like.
Is the app free?
Yes! Check out Lingbe.
5. Tandem
Tandem is a language exchange app that connects you to native English speakers who want to learn your first language. You meet, talk and help each other.
Cool features of this app:
- You can schedule meetings with real people who are as motivated to learn as you.
- It's got a real-time grammar and vocabulary correction tool that checks your mistakes when interacting with your language partner.
- You can communicate thorugh voice messages and texts, or make video calls.
Is the app free?
Yes, but it also has a paid version called Tandem Pro. You can upgrade to get:
– Unlimited translations
– Find members near you
– Search members by city
– Unlock Tandem Maps
– Profile visitor insights
– Profile verification and badge
– No ads
6. Speaky
Speaky is similar to Tandem. It's an app that connects you to language exchange partners.
Cool features of this app:
- You can talk to people who share the same interests as you.
- You can chat or send voice messages directly from your browser and connect with a community of language learners from more than 180 countries.
- It allows you to practice all 4 skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Is the app free?
7. LanguaTalk
LanguaTalk is a new platform where you can find one-on-one tutors in 16 different languages – including English.
Here’s how it works:
1 – You find your ideal English tutor by browsing videos, reviews, pricing and availability.
2 – You book a trial. Many tutors offer a 30-minute trial for free while others charge a discounted price.
3 – Meet your tutor and take personalised lessons via video call.
The LanguaTalk team says that 99.8% of lesson ratings are 5 stars because, unlike other platforms, they accept only the top 10% of tutor applications! They haven’t developed an app yet, but they will in the future.
In the meantime, you might want to read my full review about this great language learning platform.
Click here to find an English tutor on LanguaTalk.
8. In-Built Audio Recorder
Every smartphone has an audio recording app. Use it to improve your spoken English!
Some suggestions on how to use it:
- Record yourself speaking in English and play back your recordings to check where you may need to improve. (check out this article by Fabio Cerpelloni for more details about the process)
- Create your own English-language content, such as podcasts or interviews.
- Save and organize your recordings to track your progress over time.
9. ChatGPT Voice Conversation
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that has revolutionised many fields, including language learning. Have you ever tried it?
If you haven’t, well, maybe it’s time. The ChatGPT mobile app allows you to have a life-like conversation with AI in different languages, English included.
Okay, you’re not talking to a real person. But it’s still a useful way to practice speaking in English, especially if you live in a non-English speaking country.
Cool features of this app:
- You can have unlimited conversations.
- You can let ChatGPT know you’re a learner of English and ask it to correct your mistakes. Simply tell it to do it.
- You can direct the conversation. Talk about whatever you feel like.
Is the app free?
Yes! The app is free. Have a look at this clip to see how it works.
It’s available both for Android and iOS. Check out ChatGPT here.
10. ELSA: AI Learn & Speak English
ELSA (English Language Speech Assistant) is an AI app that figures out how good you are at English and teaches you to speak through vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar activities and tools.
Cool features of this app:
- It’s got instant speech recognition so you can learn how to speak English words correctly with real-time feedback on your English pronunciation.
- You can choose from 7,100+ English language lessons from beginner to advanced.
- It analyses and scores your speaking skills.
- It gives you tips and advice on your English speaking skills in 190+ unique conversational English topics like travel and job interviews.
- It helps you study English for English Language tests like IELTS and TOEFL.
Is the app free?
There is a Free, Pro and Premium plan. Have a look at ELSA here.
11. Speakometer – Accent Training
Speakometer – Accent Training is an English speaking app that uses a voice AI to recognize your British English or American English accent to help you perfect it.
Cool features of this app:
- It enables you to see your accent practice progress and take help from speaking cues to improve your accent.
- The app can recommend English pronunciation practices based on your native language and practice history.
- You can learn English sounds and spellings and compare them with similar sounds.
- You can listen and compare 8,000 minimal pairs in real British English or American English voice.
Is the app free?
Yes! The app is free. Check out Speakometer here.
12. English Sounds Pronunciation
This is an app that helps you improve your pronunciation.
Cool features of this app:
- You can access all of the English sounds in one place.
- The sounds are logically categorized with a description, picture and a video too.
- You listen to the pronunciation of words and you can also record your own version to compare.
Is the app free?
Yes! It seems it’s only available for Android though. Check out English Sounds here.
13. SpeakingPal: Speak English
SpeakingPal: Speak English is an award-winning app that helps you improve your speaking skills through conversations with videos of native English actors.
Cool features of this app:
- It uses speech recognition technology to give you instant feedback on your speaking.
- It lets you take control of the conversation so you can talk about what you’re most interested in.
- The feedback you receive is colour-coded so you can focus on the words in red and try to improve how you pronounce them.
- It features thousands of vocabulary words and video dialogues of native English speakers.
- You’ll find hundreds of real-life scenarios and topics as well as dozens of pronunciation video tips.
- You can take quizzes to test your English comprehension, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
Is the app free?
The app seems to be free. Check out SpeakingPal here.
14. Speak English Fluently
This is an app for you if you are looking to expand your repertoire of basic conversational English phrases.
Cool features of this app:
- It includes a list of the most common words and phrases used in daily English conversations.
- Conversational phrases are classified into conversation topics.
- You get a list of English conversations with 2 levels: beginner and intermediate
- You can record yourself reading out the sentences and then the app compares your pronunciation with that of the original sentences.
Is the app free?
Yes! Check out Speak English Fluently here.
Best English Speaking App: Start Talking Today
Alright! So, which of these best English speaking apps are you looking forward to using?
You can install a language learning application that encourages you to start speaking right away.
Remember that consistency is key to improving your English, so whatever app you decide to use, use it regularly!
Good luck and have fun!
Olly Richards
Creator of the StoryLearning® Method
Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.
Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.
When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.
