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At this moment in time, English is one of the dominant languages in the world. There are tons of reasons to learn it, but who has the time for a commitment like that? I mean, learning an entire language must require hours and days, if not years, right?
Well, I’ve got some good news for you! If you don’t have much time or a fluent English speaker/tutor right handy, you have options. There are so many awesome, fun, and even free (or reasonably priced) English learning apps available, some with daily lessons as short as five minutes (that are still proven to improve your English).
So, whether you can only squeeze in a bite-sized lesson, or if you want a full hour-long conversation with a native speaker, we’ll find an app that will help you learn English quickly.
In this post, we’ll go over the 22 best apps to learn English, fast! Some are free, some are not, and all are helpful!
Top picks
If you don’t have time to explore through every app on this list, I recommend prioritizing these:
- Learn English through customizable and fun activities with Mondly and Ling App
- Try out Pimsleur and Rocket English to improve English fluency via listening
- Build conversational skills with affordable tutors on Preply and italki
- Babbel and Duolingo provide easy, bite-size lessons
- Immerse yourself in English with the Rosetta Stone and Promova
Overall best apps to learn English
1. Mondly
Mondly is an innovative language learning app designed to immerse you in English to help you learn quickly. It’s one of the best options for those looking for gamified English lessons.
Using real-life vocabulary in interactive (and fun!) quizzes and games, Mondly also has everything separated into categories, so you can customize your experience! You can beef up your knowledge in subjects like grammar, travel, careers, and transportation.
When you sign up for the Mondly English learning app, you get free lessons on the daily. However, if you’re able to upgrade to premium, you’ll be able to customize your lessons and get much more content. Lucky for you, I have a Mondly promo to ease the expense!
Why you should try Mondly:
- Innovative and fun app to help you learn English quickly
- The ability to customize your material to what you need to learn the most
- Daily lessons to help you establish your knowledge
Pricing: Free lessons every day! For even more content, check out Mondly Premium for $9.99/month. Check out the latest promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Pimsleur
Pimsleur is a research-backed English learning app that utilizes the Pimsleur Method (named after linguist Paul Pimsleur) to instill vocabulary and establish fluency. The Pimsleur Method uses repetition and memory triggers to build your knowledge, mostly through audio lessons.
The lessons also include interactive activities to practice and test comprehension. To get the daily, 30-minute lessons, you’ll need to sign up for a monthly subscription, which starts at $14.95 per month.
You can, however, sign up here for a free 7-day trial to Pimsleur, to give you a taste before you fully commit. This Pimsleur review tells you why it’s worth the price.
Why you should try Pimsleur:
- A structured memory-based course to establish fluency
- Primarily audio lessons to improve listening skills
- Scientifically proven method to help you learn English quickly
Pricing: $14.95 per month to start, try it out free for 7 days.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Preply
Preply is an online tutoring program that connects you with native English speakers all over the world.
Depending on what you need, you can find a tutor to focus on conversation, English culture, grammar, or on specialized topics. There are also tutors that focus on various English certificates, kids, and business English.
As the tutor is able to set their rates themselves, the cost can vary, but this also means that you can find a tutor that fits into your specific budget. Many tutors also offer discounts when you buy packs of lessons! If you’re still not ready to commit, try out a free trial lesson first.
Why you should try Preply:
- Can tailor the price to your budget
- Schedule lessons as much as you need
- Learn English right from a native to up your fluency
Pricing: It widely varies, based on the tutor’s rates. Try it for free!
Devices: iOS and Android
4. Rocket English
Learn English on Rocket Languages
Rocket English is a language app that believes you should be able to have English for life once you learn—and so, when you sign up, you’ll get lifetime access to your course. Even if you come back years later, you’ll still be able to review the lessons you’ve completed.
Rocket English is also designed to help you improve your memory, integral to learning a language, and uses a combination of different lesson types to appeal to every learner.
Rocket English has an advanced voice recognition system to check your pronunciation and to listen to English speakers all over the world.
Why you should try Rocket English:
- Advanced voice recognition system to perfect your pronunciation
- Lifetime access to the course and lessons
- Different lesson types designed for every learner
Pricing: Starts at $69.95/year, which can be paid monthly. Try it out for free!
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps for beginners
5. Babbel
Babbel is another language app that provides shorter, 15-minute-long lessons to easily fit language learning into your busy schedule. It focuses on conversational English through personalized topics to help you stay motivated and interested in learning.
To help you truly understand how to speak English, Babbel provides speech recognition software and real-life lessons focused on the natural flow of English. To actually speak to a native speaker, you can find one through Babbel Live!
You can check out our Babbel review to know more.
Why you should try Babbel:
- Fun and quick lessons tailored to your interests
- Focus on speaking in the real world through speech recognition
- Daily lessons to help you establish your knowledge
Pricing: Plans start at $7.45/month. Check the latest promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Duolingo
Duolingo is a fun, approachable language learning app that is designed to help you learn English in just five minutes a day!
Duolingo is great for beginners as it lets you “dip your toe” into the language, and helps you progress quickly. Also, as the lessons are so quick (yet effective), it’s easy to build them into a habit, which is essential to language learning.
Duolingo gives you these bite-size lessons for free! You do have the option of upgrading to Super Duolingo, if you’d like to have unlimited lessons, activities personalized to you, and an ad-free experience.
Why you should try Duolingo:
- Learn English quickly without a big time commitment
- Daily lessons are free and help you establish a habit
- Bite-size lessons are efficient and effective
Pricing: Free for everyone! However, for more personalized lessons, without ads, upgrade to Super Duolingo for $79.99 a year.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Hello English
Learn English on Hello English
Hello English is a free, complete English learning app that is available both online and offline, so it is affordable and accessible for everyone. The app covers all of the basics needed to truly learn English, which means you’ll have lessons in vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Currently offering English lessons in 23 languages, Hello English uses your native language to help you learn colloquial English.Italso gives you access to a dictionary, especially useful when you need a translation on the go. What’s more, this dictionary is also accessible offline!
Hello English lets you choose the level you’re at and go from there, and offers specialized lessons for kids and businesses.
Why you should try Hello English:
- Affordable, accessible English lessons available in 23 languages
- Learn English through real-life examples, such as the daily news
- Word games and conversational English help you memorize and practice to gain fluency
Pricing: 100% free!
Devices: iOS, Android, Windows
Best interactive & fun apps to learn English
8. Ling App
Ling App is an interactive, game-based language learning app that aims to help you learn English while still having fun.
For casual (or just time-pressed) learners, Ling has short, ten-minute-long lessons that incorporate new vocabulary, review, mini-games, and conversational practice.
The cheapest subscription option is to commit to Ling App for one year at $6.67 a month, which also includes a free 7-day trial in case you change your mind.
Why you should try Ling App:
- Fun, interactive, game-based English lessons
- Simple and brightly colored designs for approachability
- Proven results and engaging activities to improve your English quickly
Pricing: Limited content for free. I recommend getting the Pro version, which starts from $14.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
9. Knudge.me
Knudge.me is on a mission to make English learning “fun, effective and accessible so that anyone can achieve their educational goal.”
To achieve this, Knudge offers “snackable” micro-lessons that utilize games and flashcards to quickly improve your English vocabulary. Although “flashcards” don’t bring to mind fun, the way Knudge does flashcards is fun, I promise!
Why you should try Knudge.me:
- Micro-lessons that improve your English through games
- Lessons on over 30 subjects, such as grammar, math, business, and academics
- Fun, digestible, vocabulary-focused app for accessible learning
Pricing: Free, with in-app purchases
Devices: iOS and Android
10. LingoDeer
LingoDeer is another game-based language app that uses short lessons to increase commitment towards fluency.
Each lesson, while only around five minutes, are comprehensive and include reading, listening, vocabulary, and review. As the app keeps track of what you’ve learned so far, it’s easy to review and personalize each little lesson!
A fun English app that also gives you a structure to build upon, Lingodeer also offers a version made especially for kids, iDeerKids.
Why you should try Lingodeer:
- Short, easy-to-digest lessons
- Personalized review to establish fluency
- Game-based activities with structure
Pricing: Plans for Lingodeer start at 14.99/month
Devices: iOS and Android
11. Drops
Drops is a beautifully designed, vocabulary-focused language learning app that uses gamification to increase your knowledge and your memory of English. (Once you get into a game streak, you won’t want to break it by missing a day!).
Drops focuses primarily on visual aids to help you learn new vocabulary words, with over 20,000 illustrations, 3,300 + words, and 180 topics.
Drops has a variety of free lessons on the app, with some in-app purchases. If you spring for Drops Premium, however, you get the full ad-free experience, plus unlimited play time, offline access, and the ability to unlock new features.
Why you should try Drops:
- Visual aids that link images, sounds, and words together to trigger memory
- Interactive, fun lessons to improve vocabulary
- Game-style app that’s easy to use and easy to digest
Pricing: Free for the basic app; Drops Premium starts at $5.83/month. Check out promos here.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best immersive apps to learn English
12. Rosetta Stone
Learn English on Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is one of the oldest, most well-known programs to learn a language, and the app keeps that tradition alive.
Rosetta Stone is a true immersion into English and uses English to teach you English (rather than teaching you in your native language). It aims to teach you English as if you were a child learning your native language, so you start from scratch.
Rosetta Stone’s app includes their patented TruAccent, a software that gives you instant pronunciation feedback, along with offline access, translation tools, a phrasebook, and audio lessons.
Why you should try Rosetta Stone:
- Comprehensive, well-researched, and scientifically proven language learning method
- True immersion to help you achieve fluency quickly
- Instant pronunciation feedback and other state-of-the-art tools
Pricing: Starts at $7.99/month. Check out the latest Rosetta Stone promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
13. Promova
Promova offers a well-rounded approach to learning English, catering to different learning styles and goals. First, the app features bite-sized lessons packed with real-life vocabulary and engaging illustrations to aid memorization. There are also audio and video lessons as well as books to help you build comprehension.
But if you’re looking for a more personalized touch, Promova also offers one-on-one tutoring and group classes with certified teachers. This allows you to focus on specific areas you want to improve, get immediate feedback, and build confidence in your English skills.
Why you should try Promova:
- Variety of learning materials from quick lessons to flashcards to books
- Plenty of listening and speaking practice
- Option to get private coaching or join group classes
Pricing: Starts from $49.99 for three months but discounts are available. You can also sign up for private tutoring or group classes.
Devices: iOS and Android
14. Lingopie
The idea of learning languages from Netflix shows is not new, nor is it groundbreaking. After all, it’s a form of immersion. But what if I tell you there’s an effective way of doing so?
Enter Lingopie, an app that allows you to learn a new language through TV shows or movies. Simply pick a TV series or film you’d like to watch. This show or movie will display subtitles and every word, phrase, or slang term is clickable, giving you instant translation and helping you learn as you watch.
What’s more, after watching an episode, you can easily review all your new vocab and grammar rules through built-in flashcards and word lists. With Lingopie, you really are actively learning and not just passively watching.
Why you should try Lingopie:
- Thousands of hours of TV shows, movies, and music videos to learn from
- Learn English and eight other languages
- Customizable flashcards and word lists to memorize new vocabulary
Pricing: Starts at $5.99/month on the yearly plan. Or try it for free!
Devices: iOS and Android
15. FluentU
Like Lingopie, FluentU is an immersion app that uses authentic English media to improve your vocabulary, cultural knowledge, and fluency.
These clips, which include news segments, TV shows, music videos, interviews, and movie trailers, all have interactive subtitles and translations. Each word in the clip, when you choose it, has a translation and other contextual examples.
FluentU also has plenty of quizzes and other review materials to help you remember what you’ve learned and how to use it! It also gives you access to a video dictionary, personalized quizzes, flashcards, and multiple languages if you wish.
Why you should try FluentU:
- Immersion in everyday, spoken English to learn English as it’s spoken IRL
- Contextual vocabulary to increase your knowledge
- Authentic English media as your “textbook” to learn English in an applicable, accessible way
Pricing: Plans start at around $10/month. Here’s a 14-day free trial for you!
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to practice speaking English
16. ELSA
ELSA, which stands for English Language Speech Assistant, is a cutting-edge chatbot that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help you improve your English pronunciation.
This app will listen to your English through dialogue, spontaneous speech, and sentence delivery, then give you instant feedback!
Why you should try ELSA:
- Gain confidence in your English speaking skills
- AI technology gives you instant, to-the-letter feedback on your pronunciation
- Lots of positive reviews from users
Pricing: Free, unless you go Pro, starting at $6.29 a month
Devices: iOS and Android
17. Andy
Andy is another English learning app that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to help you improve your English speaking.
Andy English Bot is a chatbot that makes it easy, and fun!, to start talking in English. The titular Andy is a “friendly robot” who is designed to help you feel relaxed and comfortable like you’re chatting with an old friend, while you’re actually practicing your language skills.
With Andy, you can choose the topic of your discussions, and he’ll correct you as needed, and even include “quizzes” to review your knowledge within your chats. You can then read over your conversations, to help you improve your English reading skills, as well.
Why you should try Andy:
- Confidence-building conversational practice with a chatbot
- AI technology-based app that gives you in-the-moment feedback
- Personalized lessons and vocabulary review
Pricing: Free, with in-app purchases
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to improve English vocabulary
18. Memrise
Memrise is a language app that uses flashcards, games, videos, and chatting to expand and improve your English vocabulary. Many of their lessons are user-designed, so you’ll know that the lessons have been successful for other language learners!
Memrise uses the proven method of word association to help you improve your language skills, by using other words and images to trigger memories.
The app, which is free to use, also has a chatbot to help you practice all of the new words you’re sure to learn!
Why you should try Memrise:
- User-designed lessons that provide proven methods for expanding vocabulary
- Flashcards, games, and videos that use word association to improve memory
- Speaking practice through personalized scenarios with AI
Pricing: Free with some content. To unlock all content, subscribe to Memrise Pro for $8.49/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
19. MosaLingua
MosaLingua focuses on the most important English vocabulary to streamline your lessons while still providing you value. The app is available for Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese speakers.
This app also utilizes Space Repetition Software (SRS) to make sure you don’t forget the new vocabulary you’ve learned. SRS is designed to swoop in just as you’re about to forget the new vocabulary and remind you before you do.
MosaLingua also lets you save words and expressions you come across in your daily life, from other websites and new sources, so you can add them to your new vocabulary and learn to use them properly.
With MosaLingua Premium, you’ll also get access to MosaStories to up your reading comprehension, take mini-challenges for review and create your own materials.
Why you should try MosaLingua:
- Streamlined lessons focused on the most important English vocabulary
- Cutting-edge software that helps you remember new words
- Designed to build your core language skills quickly
Pricing: Starts at $4.99/month. Try it now!
Devices: iOS and Android
20. Beelinguapp
Beelinguapp has a mission to make “learning a language as simple and fun as reading your favorite book.” This means, you guessed it, Beelinguapp is a reading-based app that uses e-books to help you learn English.
With tons of research-backed data supporting the idea that reading is one of the best ways to learn a new language, Beelinguapp lets you learn English, through reading, at your own pace.
Don’t worry, though, we’re not talking textbooks (although we have recommended books for learning English too). Beelinguapp has short stories and novels that you actually want to read. The app offers its books both in audio and written form, and you have the option to choose or use both. The narration is done by native speakers, so you’ll have exposure to real accents.
Why you should try Beelinguapp:
- Learn English while reading stories and books you enjoy
- Research-backed, proven technique to learn English by absorbing grammar and vocabulary
- Flexible and lets you learn at your own pace
Pricing: Free, with a premium option to get rid of ads
Devices: iOS and Android
Apps to find English tutors and teachers
21. italki
italki is one of the most well-known (and oldest) apps to find one-on-one English tutors. The app lets you search their teacher database (all certified and carefully vetted) to find a tutor that fits your budget and schedule.
You can also find a teacher that is experienced with tutoring your specific level of fluency. The search tool can also be filtered for the topics you need, such as English for travel, business, conversation, job interviews, or pronunciation.
You can also check out more tutor options on Preply or British Council.
Why you should try italki:
- Innovative and fun app to help you learn English quickly
- The ability to customize your material to what you need to learn the most
- Daily lessons to help you establish your knowledge
Pricing: Varies, as the tutor can set their own price—try out italki here!
Devices: iOS and Android
22. Novakid
This one’s for the kiddos!
Novakid offers children aged 4-12 an engaging way to learn English online. The platform features a unique blend of educational games, interactive activities, and virtual tours, transforming learning into an interactive adventure. This keeps children motivated and fosters a love for the language.
Beyond the fun, Novakid prioritizes effective learning. Each child is assigned a certified fluent or native-speaking ESL teacher who personalizes the curriculum to their specific needs and learning style. This ensures a deeper understanding and quicker progress, allowing children to confidently practice speaking English and express themselves clearly.
Why you should try Novakid:
- Fun, kid-friendly, and educational games, virtual tours, and exercises
- Personalized instruction with certified English teachers
- Dedicated parent’s account and progress tracker
Pricing: Starts from $8.9/lesson with the 12-month subscription. Get a free trial lesson for your child here!
Devices: iOS and Android
23. Lingoda
Lingoda offers live, at-home English lessons, via Zoom, with native speakers all over the world. You can choose whether you want group lessons or one-on-one, choose your English level, and choose the intensity at which you’d like to learn English (if you need to learn English very quickly for an upcoming trip, or if you just want to keep improving, for example).
Lingoda also offers occasional contests, called “Language Sprints,” where if you commit to learning English quickly and attend a certain number of classes in a two-month period, you’ll get a full or partial refund!
The app is also nearly immersive, and the native speaker will primarily speak English, exposing you to native speaking patterns and new vocabulary right away. You can try Lingoda for free, either with three group lessons or a single one-on-one lesson, before you commit.
Why you should try Lingoda:
- Customizable English lessons with a native speaker
- Lock into a community of English learners all over the world through group classes
- Immersive environment to improve language skills quickly
Pricing: Starts at $10/class. Try it now.
Devices: iOS and Android
24. Busuu
Busuu is an app that connects you with native speakers through shorter, compact lessons.
Each Busuu lesson follows the same format: you’ll start with the key vocabulary, followed by the lesson dialogue, then writing practice, a recording session, and an overall review. Following the review, every lesson includes a practice conversation with a native English speaker.
Why you should try Busuu:
- Connect with native speakers for valuable feedback
- Compact lessons that will fit into your schedule
- Comprehensive exercises that cover the necessary basics
Pricing: Free with premium options that start at $6.95 a month. Try Busuu Premium free for 14 days.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to learn English: FAQ
What is the best app for learning English?
For fun and customizable English lessons, the best apps for learning English are Mondly and Ling App. The best apps for learning and practicing conversational English are Preply, italki, and ELSA. For kids, Novakid is a great option.
To learn English through listening or reading, the best apps are Pimsleur or Rocket English. But if you want immersion, I highly recommend Rosetta Stone and LingoPie.
What is the best app to learn English for free?
Duolingo, Drops, and Hello English are all apps that let you learn English for free (although Duolingo and Drops do have ad-free experiences that will cost you a little).
What is the easiest app to learn English?
Babbel, Duolingo, and Drops are some of the easiest apps to learn English, as they provide bite-sized lessons that are fun and game-based, so you hardly feel like you’re working.
Which app helps improve English?
Most English learning apps will likely help you see some improvement in your English language skills. Choose the one that is most likely to inspire you to come back every day, as consistency is key to learning English!
Conclusion
Learning English is one way to stay connected to people all over the world and to help you foster a community in our crazy times.
Nowadays, English language learning apps feature some of the most advanced technology (like AI!) around to help you learn and hone all of your skills needed to become fluent in English: listening, reading, writing, and speaking!
Have you tried any of these apps to help you learn English (or a different language?) Did I forget any good ones? Share the love below!