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8 Best Apps to Learn and Improve English Skills in 2025 - Tested and Reviewed

Learning English has never been easier - all you need is your smartphone.

Reviewed picks & quick comparison
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With the right English learning app, you can build your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and improve your English speaking skills anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re preparing for a job interview, traveling abroad, or simply want to speak English with confidence.

These eight apps will help you make real progress in 2025:

1. Fluently – Best for English speaking practice

Best for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want improve speaking and fluency

Price: $89/year

Fluently is an AI-powered English tutor that feels like practicing with a human, but at 20 times lower cost. It’s designed for those who already knows English basics, but want to speak better and make less mistakes.

Unlike traditional lessons, Fluently offers real conversations with an AI tutor that listens, corrects mistakes in real-time, and adapts to your personal goals - whether that’s job interviews, client meetings, presentations, travel and more.

✓ Pros

  • Real-time feedback on pronunciation, grammar, andvocabulary
  • 20x cheaper the human English tutor
  • Unlimited daily English speaking practice (no scheduling)
  • Personalized learning plan

✕ Cons

  • Not for new English learners
  • Requires active speaking

Best for: Professionals or learners who want to sound confident in real conversations

2. YouGlish – Best for pronunciation training

Best for: Improving pronunciation and accent training

Price: Free (Premium plan available)

YouGlish is one of the most practical tools for learning how English is really spoken by native speakers. Instead of teaching you with exercises, it lets you search any English word or phrase and instantly watch thousands of YouTube videos showing how real people pronounce and use it in context.

Youglish supports all English accents - Australian, American, UK, Canadian, and Irish, so it’s perfect for learners who want to fine-tune pronunciation, improve listening skills, and understand real-life examples - from business presentations to casual conversations.

✓ Pros

  • Real pronunciation examples from native speakers
  • Support all English accents
  • Learn word usage in natural, contextual sentences
  • Completely free with optional premium version

✕ Cons

  • Doesn’t offer guided lessons or feedback
  • Works best alongside another learning tool

Best for: Learners who want to understand how English truly sounds in different contexts and accents.

3. Duolingo – Good for beginners

Best for: Building vocabulary and daily study habits

Price: Free or $84-200$/year

Duolingo remains one of the most popular ways to start learning English. Its gamified lessons and streaks keep learners motivated. You’ll earn points, unlock levels, and have fun - but don’t expect to hold a real conversation.

✓ Pros

  • Fun, short exercises
  • Great for starting out
  • Free version available

✕ Cons

  • Limited speaking practice
  • Repetitive after intermediate level

4. Babbel – For those who likes structure

Best for: Grammar and everyday conversation basics

Price: Around $150/year

Babbel is known for its clear structure and focus on grammar and real-life phrases. It’s a strong choice if you like planned lessons and measurable progress.

✓ Pros

  • Organized lessons by topic and skill level
  • Strong grammar foundation
  • Useful for travel and business basics

✕ Cons

  • Little real-time speaking feedback
  • No AI conversation partner

5. italki - Good for human tutoring

Best for: Personalized lessons and cultural learning

Price: ~$40/hour

italki connects learners with real human tutors. It’s the closest thing to classroom learning online. If you want a personal connection or someone to help with business communication, this is the most human option, but also the most expensive.

✓ Pros

  • Live conversation with real teachers
  • Cultural and emotional understanding
  • Flexible tutor options

✕ Cons

  • High cost
  • Requires scheduling and time commitment

6. Memrise – For building a strong vocabulary

Best for: Learners who want to build and expand vocabulary

Price: $130/year

Memrise use the method of word repetition through native speakers video which helps to memorise words faster and internalise language naturally in real life.

✓ Pros

  • Great for mastering vocabulary in real contexts
  • Helps with listening exposure to native accents
  • Smart review system improves retention

✕ Cons

  • Limited depth in full conversation or grammar lessons

7. Pimsleur – For audio based learning

Best for: Audio learners building conversational skills

Price: $145/year

Pimsleur focuses on speaking and listening through guided audio lessons. You repeat after native speakers and respond in real time.

✓ Pros

  • Great for pronunciation and recall
  • Lessons can be done offline
  • Builds conversational confidence

✕ Cons

  • Audio only (no visuals)
  • Pricey compared to app-based tools

8. Beelinguapp – Best for reading

Best for: Improving comprehension and vocabulary through reading

Price: $50/year

Beelinguapp lets you read stories and news in two languages side by side while listening to native narration. It’s perfect for improving vocabulary and listening skills at the same time.

✓ Pros

  • Dual-language reading
  • Real voices and native accents
  • Wide selection of stories

✕ Cons

  • No speaking or grammar practice
  • Limited personalization

Quick Comparison

App Focus Speaking Practice Price (per year) Best For
Fluently Improving English speaking skills ✅ Unlimited $90 Anyone who wants to speak English better
YouGlish Real pronunciation & context learning ⚠️ Listening-based ✅ Free Learners who want to sound natural and understand accents
Duolingo English Basics ⚠️ Moderate $84-$200 Beginners
Babbel Grammar & daily English ⚠️ Moderate $150 Learners who like structure
italki Human coaching ✅ Hourly basis ~$1,920 Creating a study plan with professional
Memrise Vocabulary ❌ No $130 Learners building vocabulary
Pimsleur Listening & speaking foundation ⚠️ Moderate $145 Improving listening skills
Beelinguapp Reading + listening ❌ No $50 Improving reading skills

Which App Should You Choose?

If you’re serious about improving your English this year, use a mix of these apps:

  • Fluently for daily English speaking practice
  • YouGlish for real pronunciation examples
  • Memrise for vocabulary and listening in real-life contexts
  • Beelinguapp for reading and comprehension

That’s your full-circle English fluency plan for 2025 - practical, affordable, and effective.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to become fluent in English?
It depends on your starting level, but with daily speaking and listening practice (15–30 minutes), you can notice real progress in 2–3 months.
2. How can I improve my pronunciation naturally?
Use tools like YouGlish to hear real examples of how native speakers pronounce words in context. It helps you train your ear and sound more natural when speaking.
3. What’s the best way to improve English speaking skills?
Practice speaking daily. Apps like Fluently help by letting you hold real conversations with an AI tutor that gives instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar.
4. What are some quick tips to learn English faster?
Speak out loud daily, think in English, and focus on real conversations instead of memorizing lists. Watching English media also helps you pick up natural expressions.
5. How can I stay motivated to keep learning English?
Set small daily goals, like 10 minutes of speaking or reading. Tracking progress and celebrating milestones keeps motivation high.