6 Best Apps to Study English and Improve Your Speaking Skills in 2025

Oct 10, 2025

A student studies English with a laptop
A student studies English with a laptop

Want to improve your English speaking skills without sitting in a classroom? There’s an app for that.

With the right English learning apps, you can study grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and real communication skills anytime you want. Whether you’re preparing to study abroad, applying for a new job, or simply trying to speak English more confidently, these six tools will help you learn faster and practice smarter in 2025.

1. Fluently – Best app to practice English speaking

Best for: Intermediate and advanced English learners who want to sound more fluent

Price: $89/year

Fluently is an AI English tutor for improving speaking skills. If your goal is to actually speak English naturally, Fluently is one of the most effective apps available. It’s powered by AI, simulating real conversations with a tutor who listens, corrects, and adapts to your level.

Instead of memorizing grammar rules, you engage in interactive dialogues that teach you how to respond in English — improving fluency, pronunciation, and confidence in real situations like interviews or presentations.

Pros

  • 20x cheaper a human English tutor

  • Real-time feedback on pronunciation and grammar

  • Unlimited speaking sessions (no scheduling required)

  • Personalized English learning path

Cons

  • Not ideal for complete beginners

  • Works best if you’re willing to speak actively

Perfect for: Students and professionals aiming to sound fluent and confident in English conversations.

2. Duolingo – For beginners

Best for: Building a strong vocabulary and grammar base

Price: Free ~$84/year

Duolingo remains one of the most accessible English learning apps for beginners. With its fun gamified approach — earning points, keeping streaks, and unlocking levels — it turns English learning into a daily habit.

It’s not a replacement for real conversations, but it’s an excellent tool for learning new English words and phrases in a low-pressure, enjoyable way.

Pros

  • Fun and easy for daily English study

  • Free version with plenty of lessons

  • Great for early learners and younger students

Cons

  • Limited speaking practice

  • Not suitable for advanced learners

Perfect for: English beginners who want to build vocabulary and confidence step by step.

3. WordUp – Best for vocabulary improving

Best for: Learners who want to expand their English vocabulary only

Price: Free ~$50/year

WordUp helps you build and master English vocabulary by focusing on the most useful words first. It shows you how frequently words are used in real English (movies, shows, news), highlights the words you don’t know yet via a “knowledge map,” then uses spaced repetition to help you remember them. Episodes, challenges, example sentences make sure you learn not just definitions, but how to use the words in context.

Pros

  • Prioritize high-frequency, useful words first

  • Uses spaced repetition for long-term retention

  • Examples from real media so vocabulary feels natural

  • Good for self-paced learning

Cons

  • Doesn’t provide speaking lessons

  • Best when used regularly for retention

Perfect for: Anyone who needs to increase their vocabulary — for writing, reading, or general fluency — without needing full conversation practice.

4. Babbel – Good for structured English lessons

Best for: Grammar practice and everyday English usage

Price: $150/year

Babbel is a great choice for English learners who like order and structure. Each lesson focuses on grammar, pronunciation, and useful phrases for everyday communication — ideal for students who prefer to learn English in small, organized steps.

Pros

  • Lessons grouped by topic and level

  • Focus on correct grammar and pronunciation

  • Designed for practical, real-world English

Cons

  • Doesn’t include speaking feedback

  • Not ideal for advanced fluency training

Perfect for: Learners who enjoy methodical English learning and trackable progress.

5. Bold Voice – Best for accent and pronunciation training

Best for: Speaking clearly and improving your accent

Price: Around $140/year

Bold Voice helps you sound like a confident English speaker. Using AI-powered feedback, it shows you exactly how to move your mouth and tongue to pronounce English sounds correctly.

It’s focused entirely on pronunciation and accent reduction, which is especially useful for students or professionals who need to communicate clearly in English-speaking environments.

Pros

  • Video lessons from accent coaches

  • Real-time pronunciation feedback

  • Ideal for reducing strong native accents

Cons

  • No grammar or vocabulary lessons

  • Works best when combined with another English app

Perfect for: Learners who want to speak English with clearer pronunciation and a neutral accent.

6. Preply – Good choice for learning English with real tutors

Best for: Personal English lessons and cultural immersion

Price: ~$40/hour

Preply connects you with live English tutors online. You can practice one-on-one with a native speaker, focus on specific goals like business communication or academic English, and receive real-time feedback tailored to your level.

It’s more expensive than AI apps, but it’s ideal for learners who prefer human interaction and cultural context while learning.

Pros

  • Real conversation with human tutors

  • Custom lessons based on your learning goals

  • Great for professional or academic English

Cons

  • Higher cost compared to AI learning apps

  • Requires scheduling in advance

Perfect for: Students preparing for study abroad or professional English communication.

Compare the best English apps

App Name

Main Focus

Speaking Practice

Price

Best For

Fluently

Real English speaking practice

✅ Unlimited

$89/year

Improving English speaking skills

Duolingo

Vocabulary & grammar basics

⚠️
Limited

Free–$84

Beginners

WordUP

Vocabulary growth


None

Free–$50

Improve vocublar

Babbel

Structured English lessons

⚠️ Moderate

$150/year

Grammar-focused learners

Bold Voice

Pronunciation & accent

⚠️ Moderate

$140/year

Clear communication

Preply

Human tutors

⚠️
Hourly base

$1,920/year

Personalized coaching

Which English learning app should I use?

If you’re new to learning English, Duolingo and Babbel are great starting points.

If you already have a foundation and want to speak more naturally, Fluently offers unlimited practice with feedback.

To improve pronunciation, add Bold Voice to your routine.

For students who prefer real teachers, Preply gives personalized guidance.

For best results, combine:

  • Fluently – to practice English speaking

  • Babbel – to strengthen grammar

  • Vocab AI – to expand vocabulary

  • Bold Voice – to improve pronunciation

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best way to improve English speaking skills?

Practice speaking every day. Apps like Fluently help by letting you hold real conversations with an AI tutor that gives instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar.

2. Can I become fluent in English without a tutor?

Yes! With consistent daily speaking practice using tools like Fluently, plus listening to English podcasts or videos, you can reach fluency without a human tutor.

3. How long does it take to speak English fluently?

It depends on your starting level, but with 15–30 minutes of focused practice daily, most learners see big improvements in 2–3 months.

4. What are some quick tips to learn English faster?

Speak out loud daily, think in English, and focus on real conversations instead of memorizing lists. Watching English media also helps you pick up natural expressions.

5. How can I stay motivated to keep learning English?

Set small, achievable goals — like practicing 10 minutes a day — and track your progress. Celebrate small wins to stay consistent and confident.

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