Best Apps to Learn English in 2026: 8 Tools Compared

#1

Duolingo

Best for: Free learning

4.5/5 on G2 (145 reviews, checked Oct 2026)

Visit duolingo.com

Duolingo is the world's most popular way to learn, free, fun and effective, with quick, bite-sized lessons that earn points and open new levels while building real-world communication skills. It combines research-backed teaching methods with delightful content to teach reading, writing, listening and speaking, keeps motivation high with game-like features, fun challenges and reminders from Duo the owl, and personalizes lessons with AI and language science to match level and pace. For free, daily English practice, Duolingo is the best app.

#2

Babbel

Best for: Structured courses

4.4/5 on Trustpilot (33,184 reviews, checked Oct 2026)

Visit babbel.com

Babbel teaches practical skills for real-life conversations faster, with course material tailored to proficiency level, interests and time commitment, plus real-time feedback, progress trackers and visualizations. The Babbel Method, built by over 200 language experts, uses 10 to 15 minute lessons, speech recognition, spaced repetition, interactive dialogues, podcasts and AI conversation practice, and 92 percent of users improved proficiency in just 2 months per the vendor's efficacy study, with 25 million-plus subscriptions sold. Signing up is free, with the first lesson of every course free and up to 80 free lessons depending on language, and full access runs on monthly, 3-month, 6-month or lifetime plans. For structured courses with proven results, Babbel is the best app.

#3

Rosetta Stone

Best for: Immersive method

4.2/5 on G2 (113 reviews, checked Oct 2026)

Visit rosettastone.com

Rosetta Stone has entered a new era with Sapphire, combining decades of language learning expertise with the latest learning technology. It serves millions of learners worldwide, plus 12,000 corporations, 9,000 public and non-profit organizations and 22,000 educational institutions, with tailored solutions for individuals, enterprises and schools, including industry-specific lessons for employees and proficiency building for English language learners. Trusted by Uber, BMW, HSBC, Nestle, Sony and more, its tried and tested curriculum and engaging mobile app make learning easy and fun. Pricing must be checked on the site. For immersive, long-established language learning, Rosetta Stone is the best app.

#4

Busuu

Best for: Community learning

4.4/5 on G2 (71 reviews, checked Oct 2026)

Visit busuu.com

Busuu goes beyond the textbook, with pronunciation practice, cultural insights and local language tips exchanged with a global community of learners. It builds solid foundations with speaking, listening, reading and writing practice, beats speaking anxiety through personalized pronunciation feedback and immersive videos featuring native speakers, and offers simplified courses and short focused lessons with study plans for any goal. With over 120 million learners, Google Play Editors' Choice and App Store App of the Year awards, and a free start, Busuu suits learners who want community feedback. For community-driven learning, Busuu is the best app.

#5

ELSA Speak

Best for: Pronunciation

Visit elsaspeak.com

ELSA Speak is the world's best way to improve English speaking, letting learners practice out loud and get instant, personalized feedback, built for professionals, job seekers, students and self-learners. Its Professional AI Tutor covers workplace scenarios including presentations, public speaking, meetings, sales calls, negotiations and interviews, with communicative focus, real-world task-based activities, fluency and intelligibility training, and AI-powered personalized lessons tailored to voice, progress and goals. Interactive avatars keep practice engaging, and Business and Schools editions serve teams and classrooms. With 92 million-plus downloads, 90 million-plus learners and 4.9 stars, and a free start with upgrades available, ELSA is the best app for pronunciation and speaking confidence.

#6

Memrise

Best for: Native speech

Visit memrise.com

Memrise teaches language the way people actually speak, with thousands of short videos of native speakers so learners hear real voices, accents and natural speech. The method runs hear it, learn it, copy it: meet words through native videos, practice remembering them until they stick, then repeat them back with the same rhythm, stress and phrasing, recording and comparing to sound natural. Words and phrases are approved by native speakers, smart review and private AI practice reinforce them, and starting is free. Learners spending 15 minutes a day can confidently have a basic conversation in 2 months per the vendor. For sounding like locals rather than textbooks, Memrise is the best app.

#7

Cambly

Best for: Live conversation

Visit cambly.com

Cambly offers English tutors online with a simple promise: learn real English and make real progress. Real conversations with native speakers run anytime, anywhere, 24/7, with all levels welcome. Learners start with goals, get recommended lessons, topics and activities, build a team of tutors matching their learning style and interests, spend the first week meeting tutors, and track growth with personalized activities based on lessons. Progress beats perfection, learning from mistakes without fear or judgment, and the app keeps lessons going anywhere. Exploring Cambly is possible without a subscription, while pricing must be checked on the site. For live conversation practice, Cambly is the best app.

#8

Preply

Best for: Private tutoring

Visit preply.com

Preply connects learners with 100,000-plus tutors, with 300,000-plus 5-star reviews and a 4.8 App Store rating, verified earlier in this batch. Lessons are tailored to goals, with a language focus and a free replacement tutor if the fit is not right, plus corporate language training for teams. Pricing varies by tutor and must be checked on the site. For private, one-on-one tutoring, Preply is the best app.