Best Apps to Learn English in 2026: 9 Apps Compared

Duolingo is the best free starting point for learning English, with short gamified lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, listening and speaking. Streaks, leagues and bite-size sessions make daily practice a habit, which matters more than any single feature.

The free version is fully functional with ads, while Super removes ads and adds offline lessons, and Max adds AI roleplay conversations. Duolingo builds a foundation well, but it underplays natural conversation speed, so pair it with speaking practice for fluency.

Babbel offers structured English courses built by linguists, with lessons that explain grammar and build toward real conversations rather than just drilling words. Speech recognition gives pronunciation feedback, and review sessions reinforce what you learned.

Pricing varies by plan and region, with monthly and annual options, and the first lesson of each course is free. Babbel suits learners who want a proper course with progression, not just a game. It covers fewer languages than Duolingo, but English is a core focus.

Rosetta Stone teaches English through immersion: images, audio and text in English only, so you learn by association rather than translation. The TruAccent engine gives syllable-level pronunciation feedback, which suits learners who want to sound natural.

Pricing starts at 11.99 dollars per month, with a lifetime option for long-term learners. The method feels slow to some, since it avoids explicit grammar explanations, but for pronunciation and intuitive learning it remains a respected choice.

Busuu combines structured English courses with a community: native speakers correct your writing and speaking submissions, which gives feedback no algorithm fully replaces. Courses follow CEFR levels from beginner to upper intermediate, with grammar review and vocabulary tools.

The free tier covers a limited set of lessons, while Premium opens full courses and offline mode. Pricing varies by plan and region. For learners who value human feedback alongside lessons, Busuu is a strong pick.

Memrise teaches English vocabulary with video clips of native speakers, spaced repetition and listening exercises that expose you to real accents and speeds. The approach suits learners who want to understand everyday speech, not just textbook sentences.

A free tier covers core lessons, while Pro adds offline mode, an AI conversation partner and more content. Grammar depth is thinner than Babbel, so pair Memrise with a structured course if grammar is your weak point.

Cambly connects learners with native English speaking tutors for live video conversation, on demand or scheduled. You pick tutors by accent, interests and availability, and lessons focus on speaking rather than drills.

Pricing runs on subscription plans with different minute allowances, plus trial lessons for new users. Tutor quality varies, so try a few before settling on favorites. For learners who need speaking confidence, Cambly delivers what apps cannot: real conversation.

italki is a marketplace of professional teachers and community tutors for one-on-one English lessons, paid per lesson with no subscription. Lessons start from a few dollars with community tutors, while professional teachers cost more, and trial lessons are discounted.

The pay-per-lesson model suits learners who want a tutor weekly or occasionally without a monthly bill. Finding the right tutor takes a few trials, but the choice across accents, prices and specialties is unmatched. For serious learners, italki is the best route to real fluency.

ELSA Speak uses AI to score your pronunciation sound by sound, flagging which phonemes, word stress and intonation patterns need work, then assigns targeted lessons. It suits learners whose grammar and vocabulary are fine but whose accent holds them back.

A free tier allows a couple of lessons a day, while paid plans open full access. ELSA will not teach you English from scratch, but as a pronunciation coach alongside a core app, it is the most focused tool here.

HelloTalk connects you with native English speakers who want to learn your language, so you trade messages, voice notes and calls, correcting each other as you go. Built-in translation, transliteration and correction tools support the exchange.

The core app is free, with a VIP tier adding extras like unlimited translation and advanced search. Partner quality varies, and there is no curriculum, so HelloTalk works best as a speaking supplement to a structured app, not as your only tool.