- English learning apps at a glance
- Ten English learning apps and sites to try
- Pick an English app by your goal
- What counts as proof of English for UK citizenship and settlement
- How to practise English speaking every day
- Free English learning resources
- Signs you need more speaking practice
- My plain advice on choosing an English learning app
- Frequently asked questions
A good English learning app matches your goal: daily practice for beginners, pronunciation feedback for job interviews, live tutors for conversation, or free lessons from broadcasters and cultural bodies. Most learners mix a free resource with one app for speaking. Choose by what you need English for. Ten options follow, in no particular order.
English is one of the most widely studied languages, so there's no shortage of apps. The hard part is choosing one that fits why you're learning: a job interview, university, a move abroad or simply understanding films without subtitles.
The ten apps and sites below include free lessons from the BBC and the British Council, AI speaking coaches, live tutoring and gamified courses. They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from each provider's own website, read this week. If you want extra speaking practice, my ten-minutes-a-day language prompts turn any chatbot into a practice partner.
English learning apps at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each app's own website or App Store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page says the app, a course or a version of the app is free. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start, so check before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC Learning English | Learning site from the BBC | Lessons and podcasts sorted by level | Not stated |
| British Council LearnEnglish | English learning site and courses | Free materials at your English level | Yes |
| Busuu | Language app with courses by level | A free English course to start | Yes |
| Cambly | Online English tutoring | Real conversations with native speakers | Not stated |
| Duolingo | Gamified language app | A daily habit for beginners | Yes |
| ELSA Speak | AI English speaking app | Pronunciation and speaking confidence | Not stated |
| EnglishCentral | Video lessons and live tutors | Short videos plus live lessons any time | Not stated |
| EWA | Language app built on films and books | Learning with memes, films and books | Not stated |
| Loora | AI English tutor app | Personalised conversations with feedback | Yes |
| Praktika | AI tutor app | Speaking practice with AI tutors | Not stated |
Ten English learning apps and sites to try
BBC Learning English
Best for: Self-starters who want English lessons, podcasts and a level test from the BBC, sorted into easy, medium and hard.
British Council LearnEnglish
Best for: Students who want free video, audio, reading and story materials at their level, with longer online courses if they need more.
Busuu
Best for: Beginners who want a structured English course from beginner upwards, from an app that calls its English course free.
Cambly
Best for: Intermediate learners who want to practise real conversations with native-speaking tutors online, at any level.
Duolingo
Best for: Beginners who want quick, game-like English lessons covering reading, writing, listening and speaking, free of charge.
ELSA Speak
Best for: Job seekers and students who want an AI speaking coach focused on English pronunciation, fluency and confidence.
EnglishCentral
Best for: Learners who want short English videos graded by level, plus live lessons with a personal teacher around the clock.
EWA
Best for: Younger learners who want to pick up English vocabulary through memes and scenes from films, books and games.
Loora
Best for: Adults who want an AI English speaking partner that holds personalised conversations and gives feedback, with a free version to download.
Praktika
Best for: Shy speakers who want to practise English out loud with AI tutors before they try it with real people.
Pick an English app by your goal
- Free lessons from trusted sources: BBC Learning English or British Council LearnEnglish.
- Pronunciation for interviews: an AI speaking coach such as ELSA Speak.
- Real conversation practice: live tutoring such as Cambly.
- Learning with films and books: EWA.
- Practising out loud without pressure: an AI tutor such as Praktika.
- Short videos plus a teacher: EnglishCentral.
What counts as proof of English for UK citizenship and settlement
GOV.UK says that if you're 18 or over and applying for citizenship or to settle in the UK, you can prove your knowledge of English with a qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level, or with a degree taught or researched in English.
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Here's the catch: GOV.UK also warns that your application will be refused if you send the wrong qualifications. An app certificate, a streak or a badge won't count. If your goal is a visa or citizenship, check exactly which tests and qualifications the government accepts before you book anything.
How to practise English speaking every day
- Describe your day out loud in English for two minutes, every evening.
- Shadow a short clip: play a sentence, pause it and copy the rhythm and stress.
- Learn phrases for your own situations, like meetings, calls or appointments.
- Record yourself once a week and compare it with an older recording.
- Book a real conversation regularly, with a tutor, a friend or a language exchange partner.
Free English learning resources
Some of the best English materials are free, from broadcasters and cultural organisations. They're especially strong for listening, grammar and vocabulary, and many are organised by level so you can find the right difficulty quickly.
Use them alongside a speaking app. Free sites are great for input, but most learners need regular speaking practice with feedback to feel confident.
Signs you need more speaking practice
- You understand far more than you can say. Talk out loud every day.
- You translate in your head first. Practise set phrases until they're automatic.
- You avoid phone calls. Rehearse them with a tutor or AI tool.
- People ask you to repeat yourself. Work on pronunciation and stress.
Do you make an English learning app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an English learning app
Start with a free resource for listening and grammar, then add one app or tutor for speaking. Talking is where most learners get stuck, so give it a slot in your week from the start.
If you're learning English for work, my piece on how a new language boosts your career is a good reminder of why the effort pays off.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to learn English for free?
Free resources from broadcasters and cultural organisations are excellent for listening and grammar. Pair one with an app that offers speaking practice.
Which app helps most with English pronunciation?
AI speaking coaches give instant feedback on pronunciation, which suits job interviews and presentations.
Can I prove my English for a UK visa with an app?
No. GOV.UK says you need an accepted qualification at B1 or above or a degree taught in English, and the wrong qualification gets an application refused.
How can I practise speaking English alone?
Describe your day out loud, shadow short clips, record yourself and use an AI tutor for conversation practice.
Are English tutoring apps worth it?
They're useful once you know the basics and want real conversation practice with feedback from a person.
How long does it take to learn English?
It depends on your first language and how much you practise. Steady daily practice plus regular conversation beats occasional long sessions.
