Best AI apps for English speaking practice: a fair comparison of six

There is no single best AI app for English speaking practice. Choose ELSA Speak for pronunciation-led practice, Speak for a guided speaking course, Duolingo for a beginner habit, ChatGPT or Gemini for open conversation on any topic, and SpeakWisely for a spoken IELTS mock or feedback that quotes your own words. Your goal matters more than any ranking.

What should you look for in an AI English speaking app?

Three questions will separate these apps faster than any feature list.

1. Do you speak freely, or repeat set lines? Repeating builds sounds and confidence. Answering an unexpected question builds conversation.
2. What does the feedback look at? Pronunciation, grammar, fluency and exam criteria are different things, so check which ones a tool covers.
3. What is free once the trial ends? A free download is not the same as a free tool. Look for the limits.

How do ELSA Speak, Speak, Duolingo, ChatGPT, Gemini and SpeakWisely compare?

ELSA Speak

ELSA describes itself as an AI English speaking app and promises real-time feedback tuned to your voice, realistic AI conversations and a speech analyser. Its India App Store listing also offers preparation for IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and EIKEN, with exam preparation tied to Premium, and accent choices including American, British and Australian. Its site lists the speech analyser under an individual plan. ELSA says it was established in India in 2020 and that it supports 31+ languages.

Fits you if pronunciation is your main concern, or you want a dedicated English app on your phone with a wide range of exams and work topics. Check first which features you need are in Premium, and whether its accent options fit your goal. Being clearly understood matters more than sounding American or British.

Speak

Speak teaches through what it calls Learn, Practice and Apply: lessons on useful phrases, repetition until they feel automatic, then back-and-forth conversation with an AI tutor. It says real-time feedback on pronunciation and phrasing is a core part of the app. Its site describes a 7-day free trial followed by Premium or Premium Plus. It is on the India App Store and lists English among its languages, although its website does not name India among its regional sites, so check that the English course suits you in the app.

Fits you if you want someone to decide what you practise next and you enjoy a course. Check first that you are happy to pay after the trial, since it is built around a subscription.

Duolingo

Duolingo's listing says every course is free, and its English course is available to Hindi speakers. Lessons include repeating words and saying translations aloud, and Duolingo said in February 2026 that speaking-only practice lessons are free for all learners. At that time, its free-flowing Video Call and Roleplay needed the top Max plan. Our detailed guide asks whether Duolingo is good for speaking English.

Fits you if you are a beginner, like game-like lessons and need a reason to open an app each day. Check first whether Video Call is offered for your course, as the help page we saw did not list English for Hindi speakers.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a general assistant. Its listing mentions real-time voice conversation and practising a new language. OpenAI says Free users get limited voice access, with limits that may change, and that voice transcripts are not verbatim. You provide the structure through prompts, and we have collected some in how to practise English with ChatGPT.

Fits you if you want conversation on any subject, and also want an assistant for other work. Check first whether you are willing to write prompts and verify corrections yourself, since it is not built as a speaking course.

Gemini

Gemini Live is a voice conversation feature in the Gemini mobile app. You can interrupt it and share your camera or screen, and you get a transcript when you end the chat. Google lists India as available, along with Hindi, Gujarati and several other Indian languages, and says Live is not available in the web app. We explain how to use it in English speaking practice with Gemini Live.

Fits you if you want open conversation on an Android phone or iPhone, or you like talking about what your camera sees. Check first that you are comfortable with it being a general assistant. Google's pages do not describe it as a speaking test.

SpeakWisely

SpeakWisely is our own product, an AI speaking coach that runs in a browser. Clara, an AI examiner, runs a spoken IELTS mock in about fifteen minutes. The everyday tools include a Daily coach, 60-second Drills and Role-play. Feedback quotes your transcript, and fluency is measured from word timing. Bands are AI estimates, not official results. The plain fact sheet on SpeakWisely has the free plan limits.

Fits you if you are preparing for IELTS speaking, or you can already talk about familiar things and want specific feedback on interviews and work calls. Check first whether the free limits are enough. The free plan includes one IELTS session every 30 days and does not include the Pronunciation lab.

Which AI English speaking app fits which learner?

• Total beginner: Duolingo, or Speak if you prefer a guided course and are ready to pay after the trial.
• Worried about being understood: ELSA Speak, which puts pronunciation at the centre. Add our pronunciation guide for Indian speakers.
• Want a free speaking partner on any topic: ChatGPT or Gemini, within their free limits.
• IELTS speaking test coming up: SpeakWisely for a spoken mock with an estimated band, or ELSA, whose listing includes IELTS preparation in Premium. Neither gives an official score.
• Job interview soon: SpeakWisely Event prep and Role-play, or a ChatGPT or Gemini role-play if you are happy to write prompts. See our interview questions and answers too.

Where do other apps beat SpeakWisely?

In several places, and it is better to know them before you sign up.

• Installed apps: ELSA, Speak, Duolingo, ChatGPT and Gemini are in the app stores. SpeakWisely runs in a browser, so you need a working microphone and a browser that can record audio.
• Absolute beginners: Duolingo and Speak offer paths from early lessons. The lowest level SpeakWisely offers assumes you can already talk about familiar things.
• Habit and play: Duolingo describes its lessons as game-like, with leaderboards and rewards, and Speak mentions streaks and leagues. If play keeps you coming back, they may suit you better.
• Open conversation: ChatGPT and Gemini can talk about almost anything, and Gemini can discuss what your camera sees. SpeakWisely is organised around speaking tasks, role-plays and tests.
• Other languages: Duolingo and Speak teach other languages. SpeakWisely teaches English only.

Is there a good free AI English speaking partner?

Yes, within limits, and every free option here has a catch. ChatGPT's voice has limited free access, and Gemini's limits for people without a plan can be reduced first during high demand. Duolingo says every course is free, while its conversation tools have needed a paid plan. Speak's trial lasts seven days. SpeakWisely's free plan has no time limit or card, but it has daily, weekly and monthly limits.

To choose, try two free options for a week each, with the same three questions, and see which gave you more speaking time and more feedback you could act on.

Common questions about AI English speaking apps

Whichever you choose, the time you spend speaking out loud is what counts. For a routine that works with any of these tools, read how to learn to speak English with AI.