8 Best English Learning Apps in 2026

Key takeaways

• Personalized tutoring on italki accelerates speaking fluency and overall language skills development
• Gamified apps like Duolingo and Lingodeer make learning fun and bite-sized.
• Combining apps targeting different skills (speaking, listening, writing, grammar) ensures faster fluency

Choosing the right English learning app makes the difference between wasting time on ineffective methods and actually developing useful language skills. Learning English requires mastering grammar, building vocabulary, improving speaking skills, and developing listening comprehension across British and American accents.

This guide examines 8 proven language learning apps organized by use case and skill level. You’ll discover which apps help you speak English confidently, build a solid foundation in grammar, and practice at your own pace based on your learning goals.

If you want to get started right away, find a native English tutor to personalize every lesson and kick off your English learning journey today.

Quick comparison: Which English app is right for you?

App	Best For	Price	Key Strength	Learning Approach
italki	Real conversation practice with native speakers	$3-30/lesson	Personalized 1-on-1 English lessons	Live tutoring
Mondly	Building basic foundation	Free (Premium $9.99/mo)	Interactive dialogues	Bite sized lessons
Duolingo	Daily vocabulary through gamification	Free (Premium $12.99/mo)	Daily habit formation	Gamified exercises
LingoDeer	Grammar structure for beginners	$14.99/mo	Systematic grammar instruction	Structured lessons
Babbel	Practical conversation topics	$13.95/mo or $299.99 lifetime	Real-world dialogues	Conversation-based
Rosetta Stone	Immersion-based learning	$13.99-16/mo	Complete English immersion	Image-word association
Memrise	Vocabulary retention	Free (Premium $8.99/mo)	Native speaker videos	Spaced repetition
ELSA Speak	Pronunciation	Free (Premium available)	AI-powered accent coaching	Speech recognition drills

Best English learning apps compared

1. italki- Best app to learn English

Best for: Speaking practice, personalized feedback, all levels

italki connects English learners with over 4,000 qualified English tutors for personalized one-on-one online lessons. Unlike pre-recorded apps, tutors adapt teaching to your learning goals, pace, and schedule, providing detailed feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and natural expression.

What makes italki most effective:

• All English skills in one platform: Speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar.
• Real-time corrections prevent mistakes from becoming habits.
• Learn pronunciation for both British and American accents.
• Flexible: Book lessons anytime, from anywhere with internet access
• Detailed feedback on pronunciation and grammar
• Pay per lesson: Trial lessons available, no long-term commitment.

Protip: Schedule lessons consistently, ideally 2-3 times per week. Regular speaking practice accelerates fluency far more than occasional intensive sessions.

Book a trial lesson to start speaking English with personalized tutoring that accelerates your language learning.

2. Mondly: Best for basic English

Mondly provides interactive lessons focused on practical conversation through dialogues and speech recognition. The app combines vocabulary, grammar, and speaking practice through gamified exercises.

Pros:

• Daily lessons covering essential vocabulary and phrases
• Chatbot conversations for practice
• Speech recognition for pronunciation feedback
• Grammar tips embedded in lessons
• AR features for immersive learning (premium)

Cons:

• Free app access limited to one lesson daily
• Advanced features require paid subscription
• Less comprehensive than live tutoring for speaking fluently

Best use: Daily practice for beginners building basic vocabulary and phrases. Combine with online English lessons for real conversation once you know basics.

3. Duolingo: Best for casual learning

Duolingo’s gamified approach makes daily English practice engaging through points, streaks, and achievements. Bite sized lessons fit easily into busy schedules during commutes or breaks.

Pros:

• Covers essential English words and grammar
• Sets goals and measures progress
• Finish lessons in about 5-10 minutes
• Free version available with core features
• Spaced repetition helps with retention
• Fun interactive approach

Cons:

• Sample sentences can be unrealistic
• Advanced learners often find content repetitive
• Free version includes ads and notifications
• Limited speaking exercises and pronunciation practice
• No detailed feedback from real teachers

Best use: Daily vocabulary building and habit formation. Supplement with English tutoring online for actual conversation practice and pronunciation feedback.

4. LingoDeer: Best for beginner lessons

LingoDeer provides structured grammar lessons with clear explanations for beginners wanting systematic understanding. The app progresses logically through grammar concepts with practice exercises reinforcing each point.

Pros:

• Clear grammar explanations for beginners
• Well-structured curriculum
• Speech recognition for speaking practice
• Covers reading, writing, listening, speaking
• Vocabulary introduced in context through sentences

Cons:

• Requires paid subscription for full access
• Limited free content
• Less focus on conversation than grammar
• No real-time feedback from teachers

Best use: Systematic grammar study for beginners wanting structured progression. Use alongside a native English teacher online who helps you apply grammar rules in actual conversation.

5. Babbel: Best for practical topics

Babbel focuses on practical conversation topics you’ll actually use in real life. Lessons teach useful phrases and vocabulary for travel, work, shopping, and daily situations rather than academic grammar.

Pros:

• Focus on speaking naturally in real situations
• Well-structured lesson progression
• Practical vocabulary for daily life
• Grammar taught in context

Cons:

• Requires paid subscription from start
• No free tier for testing
• Limited conversation practice with real speakers
• Less comprehensive grammar than textbooks

Best use: Building practical vocabulary and phrases for specific situations. Combine with English lessons from a native speaker to practice using these phrases in natural conversation.

6. Rosetta Stone: Best for immersion

Rosetta Stone teaches English through immersion, no translations, just images, audio, and context. This mimics how children acquire their first language naturally.

Pros:

• Complete immersion from first lesson
• Visual learning approach
• Strong pronunciation focus
• No translation dependence

Cons:

• Expensive compared to alternatives
• Slower pace than direct translation methods
• Limited explanations can frustrate some learners
• Less systematic grammar instruction

Best for: Learners who want to think in English rather than translate from their native language. Works well for visual and auditory learners.

7. Memrise: Best for vocabulary

Memrise uses spaced repetition to optimize vocabulary retention. Native speaker videos demonstrate pronunciation for thousands of words and phrases across British and American accents.

Pros:

• Real native speaker videos
• Effective spaced repetition system
• Covers all the vocabulary needed for daily life

Cons:

• Free version has limited features
• Less structured than comprehensive courses
• Minimal speaking practice
• Grammar coverage less systematic

Best use: Daily vocabulary review alongside structured lessons. Use free tier for basic practice, or combine with English tutoring for comprehensive learning.

8. ELSA Speak: Best for pronunciation

ELSA Speak uses AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your English pronunciation. The English pronunciation app analyzes your accent, identifies specific pronunciation errors, and provides targeted practice drills.

Pros:

• Very good app for perfecting pronunciation
• AI provides immediate, detailed feedback
• Works at your own pace
• Free app with substantial content

Cons:

• Focuses primarily on American accents
• Limited British accent support
• No live conversation practice
• Free version has daily limits
• Doesn’t teach grammar or vocabulary systematically

Best use: Daily pronunciation drills for learners wanting to reduce their accent.

Why real conversation practice beats automated learning

Feature	italki	Automated Apps
Conversational skills	Natural dialogue with native speakers	Pre-scripted chatbot responses
Personalization	Adapts to your goals and weaknesses	Fixed curriculum for all users
English culture insights	Authentic explanations from native speakers	Generic cultural notes
Regional accent choice	Select British, American, or other accents	Limited to one recording
Grammar drills	Customized to your mistakes	Standardized exercises
Pronunciation feedback	Immediate human correction	Automated speech recognition
Writing skills	Detailed feedback on essays and messages	Automated marking with limited explanation
Speaking confidence	Real-time conversation practice	Isolated speaking drills

Which app should beginners choose?

If you’re serious about learning English, start with italki. Many language learning apps focus on vocabulary drills or short exercises, but italki helps you speak English by putting you in real conversations with native speakers who correct mistakes in real time and adjust lessons to your goals.

A common mistake among English learners is relying only on free apps for months before trying to speak. That approach builds recognition but slows actual progress. Speaking early helps you develop confidence, proper pronunciation, and listening comprehension-italki makes that possible from day one.

Between lessons, apps like Duolingo or Memrise can help with vocabulary and grammar review. You can also practice the shadowing technique to improve your accent and fluency. These tools work best as support, not as the foundation.

If you want to sound like a native speaker, explore our comprehensive guide on how to learn English like a native speaker for proven strategies. Interested in other languages? Check out our guides for the best app to learn Spanish and best app to learn French.

Ready to speak English like a native?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which app is best for English learning?

italki is the best app for English learning because it provides personalized lessons with native English tutors who adapt teaching to your needs and correct mistakes in real-time. While apps like Duolingo build vocabulary and ELSA Speak improves pronunciation, only italki offers the detailed feedback and real speaking practice essential for fluency.

Can I learn English in 30 days?

No, you cannot achieve fluency in 30 days. With intensive daily study including italki lessons, you can learn basic phrases and handle simple conversations. True fluency requires 6-12 months of consistent practice developing vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking skills.

How do I improve my English speaking?

Practice speaking regularly with native speakers through italki English tutors who provide immediate pronunciation correction and natural expression feedback. Speaking skills improve fastest through conversation, not passive study. Schedule 2-3 weekly lessons focusing on topics you need, record yourself speaking to identify weak areas, and practice daily between sessions. Consistent speaking with detailed feedback from tutors accelerates improvement faster than apps alone.