Best Apps to Learn English

Quick Answer: There is no single best app to learn English; the best choice depends on what you need. Course apps such as Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu and LearnLingo give daily structured lessons, Anki builds vocabulary with spaced repetition, and ELSA Speak or tutor platforms like italki, Cambly and Preply cover speaking. Most learners do best with one course app plus one speaking or listening tool.

Key takeaways

• Pick an app by your weakest area: structure, vocabulary, speaking or listening.
• Use one main course app for 10 to 20 minutes a day instead of rotating between several.
• Flashcard apps like Anki use spaced repetition; desktop and Android versions are free, the iOS app is paid.
• Pronunciation apps give automatic feedback on sounds, but they are not a conversation partner.
• Live tutors are the most direct speaking practice, and quality depends on the tutor you choose.
• Prices and features change often, so check each app's official site before paying.

How to choose an English app

Before comparing apps, decide what you need most. Match each question to an app type:

• Structure: do you need someone to tell you what to learn next?
• Vocabulary: do you forget words quickly?
• Speaking: are you afraid to talk, or do you need a real conversation partner?
• Budget: do you need something free?
• Device: do you study on a phone, or in a browser on a laptop?

If you answered yes to...	Start with
Structure	A course app
Vocabulary	A flashcard app or built-in review
Speaking	A tutor platform or language exchange
Budget	Free course apps, Anki, BBC Learning English
Browser on a laptop	A browser-based course such as LearnLingo

Structured course apps

Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the best-known language apps. Lessons are short and game-like, with points, streaks and leagues that help many people build a daily habit. It works on phones and in a browser and has a free tier.

• Good for: motivation, daily habit, beginners.
• Example use: finish one lesson every morning to keep a streak, then review mistakes at the end of the week.
• Limits: many learners find they need extra speaking practice and longer listening to reach intermediate fluency.

Babbel

Babbel focuses on practical conversation topics with clear grammar explanations. It is a subscription app, with some free content.

• Good for: learners who want explanations, not only practice.
• Limits: paid; fewer game elements than some apps.

Busuu

Busuu offers structured courses aligned with CEFR levels and lets learners get feedback on writing and speaking exercises from a community of users. It has free and paid options.

• Good for: learners who want CEFR structure and some feedback.
• Limits: many features need a paid plan.

LearnLingo

LearnLingo is a free, browser-based English course organized by CEFR level from A1 to B2. It uses short lessons, daily streaks and spaced review so words you learned come back before you forget them. It is a newer and smaller project than the big apps above, so it has fewer extras, but you can start in a browser with no download.

• Good for: learners who want a free structured course on a laptop or phone browser.
• Limits: no live tutors; pair it with speaking practice.

Vocabulary and flashcard apps

Anki

Anki is a free, open-source flashcard program based on spaced repetition. It is very flexible: you can make your own cards or download shared decks. The iOS app is paid, while desktop and Android versions are free.

• Good for: serious vocabulary building and exam preparation.
• Limits: plain design and a learning curve.

Memrise

Memrise mixes vocabulary learning with short videos of native speakers using words and phrases. Check the current app, as its features have changed over time.

• Good for: everyday phrases and hearing real speakers.
• Limits: less grammar depth.

Speaking and pronunciation apps

ELSA Speak

ELSA Speak uses speech recognition to give feedback on English pronunciation, sound by sound.

• Good for: accent work and specific sounds like th and v.
• Limits: focuses on pronunciation more than conversation.

Tutor platforms: italki, Cambly and Preply

These platforms connect you with teachers and tutors for live video lessons. You pay per lesson or per plan.

• Good for: real conversation, feedback and exam speaking practice.
• Limits: cost; quality depends on the tutor you choose.

Listening and free content

• BBC Learning English offers free lessons, videos and audio at different levels.
• Podcast apps give you endless listening practice. See learn English with podcasts.
• YouTube has excellent free teachers, but you need discipline to follow a path.

Comparison table

Tool	Main strength	Free option	Best level
Duolingo	Habit and motivation	Yes	A1 to B1
Babbel	Clear explanations, practical topics	Limited	A1 to B2
Busuu	CEFR structure, community feedback	Limited	A1 to B2
LearnLingo	Free browser course with spaced review	Yes	A1 to B2
Anki	Vocabulary retention	Yes, most platforms	All
ELSA Speak	Pronunciation feedback	Limited	A2 and up
italki, Cambly, Preply	Live speaking	No	All

Features and pricing change, so check each app's website before you commit.

A simple app plan that works

1. One course app, daily, 10 to 20 minutes. This is your backbone.
2. One vocabulary system. Use built-in review or a flashcard app.
3. Listening, three or four times a week. Podcasts or videos at your level.
4. Speaking, once or twice a week. A tutor, a language exchange or speaking aloud alone.

Do not install five course apps. Switching between them wastes time and breaks your streaks.

Example week: one learner, three tools

Imagine an A2 learner who works full time and wants to speak at work:

Day	Tool	Task
Monday to Friday	Course app	One lesson at breakfast, 15 minutes
Monday to Friday	Flashcards	Ten review cards on the bus
Tuesday	Podcast	One learner episode, listened to twice
Saturday	Tutor or exchange partner	30 minutes talking about the week

This costs little or nothing apart from the optional tutor, and each tool covers a different skill.

Common mistakes with apps

• Chasing points instead of learning. Fast lessons feel good but may not build skills.
• Never speaking. Typing answers is not the same as talking.
• Changing apps every week. Consistency beats novelty.
• Only using apps. Real content, like series and podcasts, is where you hear natural English.

If you want a free structured option, start the LearnLingo course in your browser. For more free options, see our list of free English courses online, and if you already use Duolingo, read Duolingo alternatives.

People Also Ask

What is the best app to learn English?

There is no single best app for everyone. A structured course app is good for daily progress, a flashcard app helps with vocabulary, and a speaking or tutoring app covers conversation. Most learners do best combining two or three.

Can you learn English with apps alone?

Apps can take you a long way, especially at A1 to B1, but most people also need real listening and speaking practice. Combine an app with podcasts, videos and conversations.

Are free English apps good enough?

Many free apps and free tiers are genuinely useful. Paid plans may remove ads or add features, but consistent daily practice matters more than whether an app is free or paid.

How much time should I spend on an English app each day?

Ten to twenty minutes a day is a good base for a course app. Add extra time for listening or speaking practice if you can.

Related Reading

• Duolingo Alternatives for Learning English
• Free English Courses Online
• Spaced Repetition: Remember Words for Good
• How to Learn English at Home