Want to use technology to help you learn English faster? There are plenty of innovative English learning apps to choose from. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you find ones that help you build the skills you want to focus on.
The different apps you’ll find on the market tend to focus on a few particular areas of language learning, like:
Holistic language and grammar lessons
Conversation practice
Vocabulary memorization
We’ve rounded up the best ones and compared their features so you don’t have to. Let’s get the comparison started!
The 8 best apps for learning English - compared
1. Flurret
Price: Currently free during our Beta testing period
Focus: Vocabulary learning through movies and TV shows, listening comprehension
Best for: Visual learners who enjoy learning through entertaining content and reinforcement with real-life examples
Flurret takes a unique approach to language learning by helping you learn English through movies and TV shows. Our app prepares you with all of the new words you need before watching. This makes viewing far more enjoyable while helping cement your new vocabulary.
Strengths:
Finally, no more pausing every 10 seconds to look up words you don't know – Flurret teaches them to you first.
It makes learning feel less like work and more like entertainment, taking a more fun approach to language learning
The spaced repetition system means you’re much more likely to commit new vocabulary in your long-term memory
The rapid vocabulary calibration quiz helps you find the perfect content for your skill level
Weaknesses:
The focus is on vocabulary acquisition rather than grammar rules or speaking practice
Being in Beta testing means the content library is still growing - look out for more of your favorites coming soon!
Price: Free (Premium version, $13/month or $84/year if you want to ditch the ads)
Focus: Vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening
Best for: Beginners who need a fun, low-pressure start
Who hasn’t heard of Duolingo? This iconic English learning app is well known for its addictive, game-like approach that makes learning English feel more like playing than studying.
Strengths:
The gamification elements like streaks and leaderboards keep you motivated to practice daily
The free version offers a comprehensive curriculum with minimal ads that don't ruin the experience
Their stories and podcasts add context to vocabulary, making learning more natural and effective
Weaknesses:
The speaking practice is limited, making it difficult to develop true conversational fluency
The heart system can be frustrating when you're trying to learn from your mistakes
After extended use, the exercises can become repetitive for long-term learners
3. Babbel
Price: $15/month, $38/3 months, $67/6 months, $89/year
Focus: Real-world conversations, grammar, vocabulary
Best for: Serious learners who want an actual structured course
Babbel takes a no-nonsense approach to teaching English with lessons focused on conversations you'll actually have in real life, not just random phrases you'll never use.
Strengths:
The dialogues focus on practical, everyday scenarios you'll genuinely encounter in real life
The grammar explanations are clear and contextual, helping you understand why rules work, not just how
The speech recognition technology helps improve your pronunciation in a supportive environment
Weaknesses:
The free trial is limited to just one lesson, making it difficult to properly evaluate the app
Some lessons lack the engaging gamification elements that make other apps more addictive
The subscription cost is higher than many competitors, putting it out of reach for some learners
4. Memrise
Price: Free (Premium version, $15/month, $90/year, $200 lifetime)
Focus: Practical vocabulary, natural speech
Best for: Visual learners who want to sound like real people, not textbooks
Memrise brings language to life with videos of native speakers using English in everyday situations, helping you pick up natural expressions and pronunciation.
Strengths:
The "Learning With Locals" videos show authentic language usage in real-world contexts
Their effective spaced repetition system ensures vocabulary sticks in your long-term memory
The generous free tier gives you plenty to work with before deciding on a premium subscription
Weaknesses:
Grammar instruction takes a backseat to vocabulary building, creating potential gaps in learning
The web app experience isn't as polished or feature-rich as the mobile version
The user-generated content varies in quality, requiring some filtering to find the best materials
5. ELSA Speak
Price: Free (Premium version, $12/month, $45/3 months, $75/year)
Focus: Pronunciation, reducing your accent
Best for: People tired of repeating themselves or being misunderstood
ELSA uses AI to analyze your pronunciation and helps you sound more like a native English speaker, which can be a game-changer for your confidence. If you know some English but find yourself being misunderstood when you speak it, this English learning app could be for you.
Strengths:
Detailed pronunciation feedback shows exactly how to position your mouth for difficult sounds
Visual representations make it easy to identify and correct specific pronunciation issues
The personalized curriculum adapts to your accent challenges rather than using generic exercises
Weaknesses:
The narrow focus on pronunciation means you'll need additional resources for other language skills
Free version features are limited compared to the premium version
Occasional accuracy issues with certain accents can lead to frustration during practice sessions
6. HelloTalk
Price: Free (VIP version $6.99/month, $45.99/year)
Focus: Real conversations with native speakers
Best for: Intermediate learners ready to dive into actual conversations
HelloTalk connects you with native English speakers who want to learn your language, creating a win-win exchange where you both benefit.
Strengths:
Practice with native speakers provides invaluable exposure to authentic, conversational English, including English greetings and slang
Built-in translation and correction tools help bridge communication gaps when learning
You'll gain cultural insights that traditional apps simply can't teach
Weaknesses:
Finding compatible language partners can take time and patience
Some users approach the platform as a dating app rather than focusing on language exchange
You need a basic foundation in English to get meaningful practice from conversations
7. BBC Learning English
Price: Free
Focus: British English, news, everyday topics
Best for: People who are interested in British and world news
The BBC app delivers professionally produced audio and video content that helps you learn proper British English while staying informed about the world.
Strengths:
The content quality is exceptional with clear pronunciation and professional production
Materials are organized by language proficiency level, making it easy to find the right content for you
Weaknesses:
The app lacks the interactive features and gamification of some of the other English learning apps we’ve covered so far
There's no structured curriculum as such, just content to choose from
8. Lingoda
Price: From $76/month for 5 group lessons
Focus: Live online classes with professional teachers
Best for: Dedicated learners who want the structure of live classes
Lingoda brings the classroom experience online with live Zoom classes taught by qualified teachers who are available 24/7 to fit your schedule.
Strengths:
Real-time interaction with professional teachers provides immediate feedback and clarification
Small class sizes ensure plenty of speaking practice and individual attention
Flexible scheduling with classes around the clock accommodates even the busiest lifestyles
Weaknesses:
The monthly cost is significantly higher than self-study apps
Class quality can vary depending on the teacher and fellow students in your session
The commitment to scheduled times removes the flexibility of learning whenever you want
Try Flurret for free today!
As you can see, there are brilliant English learning apps available for every aspect of language acquisition – from grammar and pronunciation to conversation practice. However, when it comes to vocabulary building, we’ve built something special with Flurret.
Learn all the vocabulary you need to understand short chunks of some of the best films for learning English. After all, why would you want to learn with boring flash cards when you can learn through your favorite content?
It’s currently completely free during our Beta testing period, so take advantage of it and see what you think!
Learn words before you watch
Choose between 1000's of your favourite movies and TV shows. Supercharge your vocabulary with Flurret!
