You want to speak better English, not just tap through lessons. The right app should get you talking out loud, give you useful feedback, and fit your time and budget. There isn’t one universal winner. The best choice depends on the kind of speaking you need: real conversations, pronunciation, interviews, or exam prep. I’ll keep it straight, show what works in 2025, and help you pick fast.
If you only remember one thing, measure any English speaking practice app by two numbers: how many minutes you actually speak per session and how much feedback you get on what you say. Everything else is extra.
TL;DR - Quick picks by goal
Shortlist first, details later:
- Best for real conversation (value and choice): italki - huge tutor pool, flexible prices, easy to target accent and topics. Great for IELTS/TOEFL speaking too.
- Best for instant, no scheduling: Cambly - tap and talk right now with a native. Pay for minutes; simple and fast.
- Best AI tutor for daily speaking: Speak - realistic role-plays, quick corrections, solid voice tech in 2025.
- Best pronunciation coaching: ELSA Speak - detailed sounds, stress, and intonation feedback that actually nudges your accent.
- Best free social speaking: HelloTalk or Tandem - voice notes and calls with partners; safe enough when you set filters.
- Best coach-backed drilling: Speechling - you speak daily; a coach sends voice feedback. Low cost, high accountability.
- Best structured classes: Lingoda (small group) or Babbel Live - predictable schedules, guided speaking, certificates.
- Best hands-free during commutes: Pimsleur - audio-heavy, forces you to answer out loud; great habit builder.
Snapshot pricing (typical, varies by region): italki/Preply £8-£25 per hour (by tutor); Cambly from about £40-£120 per month depending on weekly minutes; Speak ~£15-£25 per month; ELSA ~£6-£10 per month (annual plans are cheaper); HelloTalk/Tandem free with optional premium £5-£10 per month; Speechling ~£16 per month; Lingoda ~£9-£20 per class; Pimsleur ~£15-£20 per month.
How to choose the right app in 2025
Pick with a simple rule: if you can do two 30‑minute live sessions a week, choose a tutor app (italki, Cambly, Preply, Lingoda). If you can’t, stack daily AI/solo speaking (Speak, ELSA, Speechling, Pimsleur) and add one live session every week or two.
Use these decision checks:
- Speaking minutes per pound: Work out cost per actual speaking hour. Live tutoring often gives 30-45 minutes of you speaking per hour. AI apps can give 20-30 minutes per session if you push the mic.
- Feedback quality: Human tutors give richer feedback (content, grammar, pragmatics). A 2010 meta-analysis by Lyster & Saito showed timely corrective feedback improves pronunciation and grammar. AI is fast and tireless, good for volume and confidence.
- Real talk vs drills: Swain’s Output Hypothesis (1985) suggests you learn when you’re pushed to produce language and notice gaps. Look for role-plays, Q&A, and follow-up questions, not only repeat-after-me.
- Pronunciation analytics: Good tools flag sounds, word stress, and intonation. ELSA is strong here. Don’t chase perfect native accent; aim for clear, easy-to-understand speech (see Derwing & Munro, 2005).
- Scheduling and momentum: If your week is chaotic, instant-access apps (Cambly, Speak, HelloTalk) beat perfectly planned but missed classes.
- Privacy and voice data: Check whether voice recordings are used to train models. In the UK/EU, look for clear GDPR statements and in-app data controls.
- Motivation loops: Badges fade. Accountability works. Coaches, booked lessons, or streaks tied to speaking-out-loud minutes keep you going.
Quick decision tree:
- If you need interviews, business, or exam speaking in under 8 weeks → Live tutors (italki/Lingoda) + daily AI drills (Speak/ELSA).
- If you need accent clarity → ELSA + weekly tutor focused on pronunciation.
- If you’re shy or just starting → AI first (Speak), then short Cambly calls (15 min) to build confidence.
- If your budget is tight → HelloTalk/Tandem + Speechling Coach + one italki lesson every two weeks.
Simple scorecard (1-5 each): Speaking Minutes, Feedback Depth, Ease to Start, Price Value. Anything that averages 4+ is a good fit for you. If two apps tie, pick the one you’ll actually open daily.
Best apps for English speaking practice (2025)
Here’s the side-by-side view so you can choose fast.
| App | Best for | Speaking type | Feedback | Typical price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| italki | Live 1:1 conversation and exam prep | Live calls | Human, rich | £8-£25/hr | Huge tutor pool, flexible topics, CEFR/exam tutors | Needs scheduling; quality varies by tutor |
| Cambly | Instant talk with natives | Live calls on demand | Human, light corrections | Plan-based, ~£40-£120/mo | Tap-and-talk now, low friction | Price per minute can be high; variable depth |
| Speak | Daily AI role-plays | AI voice chat | AI, immediate | ~£15-£25/mo | Realistic scenarios, flexible, no scheduling | No human nuance; check voice data policy |
| ELSA Speak | Pronunciation and intonation | Pronunciation drills | AI, phoneme-level | ~£6-£10/mo (annual) | Detailed analytics, clear targets | Not a conversation tool alone |
| HelloTalk/Tandem | Free partner practice | Voice notes/calls | Peer, informal | Free; Premium ~£5-£10/mo | Real people, culture exchange | Time to find good partners; safety filters needed |
| Speechling | Daily speaking with coach feedback | Record & coach reply | Coach + AI | ~£16/mo | Accountability, targeted corrections | No live back-and-forth |
| Lingoda | Structured classes | Small group or 1:1 | Teacher, guided | ~£9-£20/class | Curriculum, certificate, Sprint challenges | Set times; class pace varies |
| Pimsleur | Hands-free speaking habit | Audio prompts | Self-check | ~£15-£20/mo | Great for commutes, forces output | Limited feedback; slower progress alone |
Best for / Not for snapshots:
- italki - Best if you want tailored speaking on your topics (medicine, coding interviews, IELTS). Not for those who won’t schedule. Tip: message tutors your goals and sample questions before the lesson; ask for time-stamped notes.
- Cambly - Best if you want to click, talk, and be done in 15-30 minutes. Not for deep structured teaching. Tip: use the built-in courses for focus; ask tutors to speak 70% you, 30% them.
- Speak - Best if you need daily reps, confidence, and instant corrections without pressure. Not for fine cultural nuance. Tip: after each role-play, repeat your weakest sentences three times with new vocabulary.
- ELSA Speak - Best for flattening fossilized pronunciation errors. Not for conversation practice. Tip: target 2-3 problem sounds a week; record a new 30‑second monologue every Friday and compare scores.
- HelloTalk/Tandem - Best for free practice and making friends. Not for exam prep. Tip: set filters (age, goals, correction preference); use voice notes to avoid typing marathons.
- Speechling - Best for busy learners who want a coach to nudge them. Not for live chat. Tip: submit shorter clips (10-20 seconds) for faster, more frequent feedback.
- Lingoda/Babbel Live - Best for structure and regular classes. Not for last‑minute sessions. Tip: book classes around the same theme for repetition (e.g., jobs, negotiations) over two weeks.
- Pimsleur - Best if you drive, walk, or cook while learning. Not for test strategies. Tip: respond out loud every time; no silent answers.
A note on Duolingo: it’s solid for vocabulary and some speaking prompts, but it won’t carry your speaking by itself. Use it as a warm-up, not the main event.
Playbooks, routines, and pitfalls to avoid
Speaking grows with steady reps and smart feedback. Steal these routines.
Daily 30‑minute routine (any level):
- Warm-up (5 min): Shadow a short clip (news, YouTube Shorts) or ELSA sounds you struggle with. Focus on stress and chunking.
- Core speaking (15-20 min): Live call (italki/Cambly) or AI role-play (Speak). Push for 70% you speaking time. Ask for follow-up questions.
- Feedback loop (5-10 min): Review notes or AI corrections. Rewrite 3-5 sentences the right way. Record them once more.
The 3‑2‑1 confidence rule:
- 3 role-plays this week on one theme (e.g., customer support, small talk, presentations).
- 2 recorded monologues (60-90 seconds) to track progress.
- 1 live session to test it under pressure.
30‑day plan (intermediate target):
- Week 1: Diagnose. Take a 5‑minute speaking sample. Ask a tutor or coach to mark grammar, word choice, and pronunciation. Pick two grammar points and two sounds.
- Week 2: Focus. Drill those two sounds on ELSA daily. Role-play the same situation three ways on Speak. Do one 30‑min italki session.
- Week 3: Stretch. Switch to a new theme (interviews, meetings). Add time pressure (answer in under 20 seconds). One or two live sessions.
- Week 4: Perform. Simulate the real thing. Record a 3‑minute talk and get feedback. Tidy your mistakes list. Book a final live session to close gaps.
Practice prompts you can copy:
- Story retell: Summarise a 1‑minute news clip, then add your opinion and one counter-argument.
- Job talk: Explain one achievement using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Ask your tutor to interrupt with follow-up questions.
- Problem-solve: Describe a customer complaint and your response in steps. Use sequence words (first, then, after that, finally).
How to squeeze more value from each app:
- italki/Cambly: Send an agenda before the call: target phrases, one scenario, and a request for delayed correction (note mistakes, discuss in last 5 minutes). You’ll stay in flow, then fix.
- Speak: After an AI correction, ask for two alternative, more natural phrases. Repeat them in new sentences immediately.
- ELSA: Don’t chase 100%. Pick 3 trouble sounds, drill them until you can say them in fast sentences, not just in isolation.
- HelloTalk/Tandem: Use voice notes with a 60‑second cap. Short clips get faster replies and more corrections.
- Speechling: Submit in the morning; check coach feedback at night; re-record once to lock it in.
Pitfalls that waste time:
- Silent scrolling: If you’re not speaking out loud for at least 10-15 minutes, it’s not a speaking session.
- Chasing badges: Pretty streaks, weak results. Track words‑per‑minute, hesitation, and corrected errors instead.
- Random topics: Repeat one theme across the week. That repetition builds automaticity (see de Jong & Perfetti, 2011, on fluency training).
- No review: Without spaced recall, you’ll forget fast. Build a tiny deck of your own corrected sentences (Dunlosky et al., 2013, supports spaced practice).
FAQ and next steps
Can AI replace a human tutor?
Not fully. AI is brilliant for volume, fast correction, and zero judgment. Humans give nuance: pragmatics, tone, culture, and the right push at the right time. Blend both if you can.
How many minutes should I speak daily?
For clear progress, aim for 20-30 spoken minutes a day or 150-200 minutes a week. That can be five 20‑minute AI sessions or two 60‑minute live calls plus short drills.
British or American accent?
Either is fine. Choose the accent you hear most at work or in exams. Focus on intelligibility-word stress and rhythm matter more than perfect vowels.
Best app for IELTS Speaking?
Use italki or Preply with an IELTS tutor for exam tasks and timing. Add Speak for daily mock questions and ELSA for pronunciation clarity. Practice part 2 monologues with a 1‑minute plan, 2‑minute delivery.
Are free options enough?
You can get far with HelloTalk/Tandem plus YouTube shadowing and Speechling’s free tier. But paid minutes buy reliability and better feedback. Even one paid session a week speeds things up.
Will these apps store my voice?
Many do, for features or to improve models. Check in-app privacy settings and data usage pages. If you’re in the UK/EU, look for GDPR controls and options to delete recordings.
What if I freeze when I speak?
Lower pressure. Start with AI or voice notes where you can retry. Prepare a few go-to openers ("Let me think aloud…", "From my experience…"). In live calls, ask for delayed correction.
Next steps (simple and realistic):
- Pick one main app based on your goal (conversation, AI, pronunciation).
- Set a two-week test: 150 minutes of speaking. Book sessions or schedule daily slots now.
- Track three things: minutes spoken, number of corrections fixed, one 60‑second sample each week.
- At day 14, keep the app if you improved on your sample and kept the habit. If not, switch to the next best match from the table.
Troubleshooting by persona:
- Shy beginner: Start with Speak for five days. Add 15‑minute Cambly calls with friendly tutors. Use topics you love (football, cooking) so you talk more.
- Busy parent: Pimsleur during school runs; ELSA while the kettle boils; one italki lesson on Sunday night.
- Budget student: Tandem voice notes daily; Speechling Coach for targeted fixes; one italki session every two weeks.
- Intermediate plateau: Two live sessions a week with strict time pressure; record and self-evaluate; switch themes every week to avoid comfort zones.
If you measure speaking minutes and feedback, you won’t guess which app works-you’ll see it. Pick the setup that gets you talking today, not next month.