AI English speaking practice: which app fits whom?

Short answer: which one when

• People misunderstand you because of your accent: ELSA Speak. Known for pronunciation feedback.
• You do not know where to start and want structure: Speak. A structured course that teaches patterns and gets you using them in conversation.
• You want to chat as if with a tutor: Praktika. AI tutor characters and lessons.
• You are learning other languages too: Talkpal. A general AI language coach for many languages.
• You are preparing for IELTS Speaking or an English job interview: TalkSmart. A mock test in the real exam format with band estimates on the four criteria; the interview mode asks questions for your field.
• You want to talk freely without paying: ChatGPT voice mode. Flexible, but not built to teach a language; you direct the practice yourself.
• You want a real person on the other side: Cambly. Live human tutors, not AI.

Comparison table

For other apps we only describe what they highlight on their own websites. We do not list their prices, because prices change and differ by country; check each app's own page for current pricing.

The apps one by one

TalkSmart

TalkSmart is an AI app built around speaking English. It runs on iPhone and in the browser (app.talksmartapp.com). You hold the button and talk to one of three characters: Mia (friendly), Victor (professional) or Leo (humorous). The characters come alive while they speak, so you are talking to someone, not to a text box.

• Modes: free conversation (about 10 minutes), role-play with 35 scenes in 8 categories, an IELTS Speaking mock test (Parts 1, 2 and 3, with one minute of preparation in Part 2), and job interview practice in 10 fields.
• After each session: pronunciation, fluency and grammar scores (0-100) and your corrected sentences. IELTS gets band estimates on the four official criteria; interviews get a readiness level.
• Beyond speaking: grammar lessons by CEFR level, a word game, reading, listening and writing feedback. Explanations are available in 14 languages.
• Price: a free plan; Starter (10 speaking sessions a month) and Pro (33 sessions a month, IELTS and interview modes) are bought in the iPhone app, and Pro has a 3-day free trial. Every free account includes one speaking session, which can be an IELTS mock test.

Weak points: there is no Android app yet (Android users use it in the browser). Plans can only be bought in the iPhone app; there is no payment on the web. It measures pronunciation but is not a sound-by-sound pronunciation trainer. It is a new app, with far fewer user reviews than the big names.

Speak

Speak is a structured speaking course built on its own "Speak Method": learn a pattern, practise it out loud, then use it in a conversation. Strong if you want to progress without deciding what to study. If you need to rehearse a specific exam or interview, the course format can feel like a detour. TalkSmart vs Speak

Praktika

Praktika combines conversation with AI tutor characters and structured lessons. It is the app closest to TalkSmart in idea; the difference is the goal: general conversation and a lesson flow, or exam and interview rehearsal. TalkSmart vs Praktika

ELSA Speak

ELSA Speak made its name with pronunciation feedback and has added role-plays for situations such as meetings and interviews. The right place if you choose the right words but are still misunderstood. If you freeze while speaking, the problem may be fluency rather than pronunciation. TalkSmart vs ELSA Speak

Talkpal

Talkpal is an AI language coach for many languages, with role-play, debate and character modes. Handy if you study several languages in one place. If you want a tool focused only on English and English exams, the scope may be more than you need. TalkSmart vs Talkpal

ChatGPT voice mode

You can talk to ChatGPT out loud and ask it to act as a teacher and correct you. It is flexible and easy to start. But it was not built to teach a language: it does not track your level, and an exam-format mock test or a scored report after each session does not come by itself; you set up the practice every time. A good complement if you are disciplined.

Cambly

Cambly puts you in front of a real human tutor. The feeling of talking to a person is something AI does not have; on the other hand, the same budget buys far more repetition with AI. Many learners combine the two: daily practice with AI, an occasional check-in with a person. TalkSmart vs Cambly

Four questions before you choose

• What is really holding you back? Being misunderstood (pronunciation), freezing (fluency), or not knowing what to say (patterns and vocabulary)?
• Is there a date? If you have an exam or interview, choose a tool that lets you rehearse that situation from start to finish.
• Which device do you use? On Android, check that the app runs on Android or in the browser.
• Which language do you want explanations in? Reading why a mistake is a mistake in your own language speeds up learning.

For a longer checklist: How to choose an English learning app: 8-point checklist. If you do not know your level, the free English level test takes four minutes and needs no sign-up.

This page was written by the TalkSmart team. We included our own app in the list, so we also listed its weak points. Last updated: 13 October 2026.

One-to-one comparisons

• TalkSmart vs Duolingo: which one fits you?
  Duolingo is built on lessons and streaks; TalkSmart is built on speaking. An honest look at which one fits your situation.
• TalkSmart vs Cambly: AI or a live tutor?
  Cambly connects you to a live tutor by the minute. When does practising with AI make more sense? An honest comparison.
• TalkSmart vs ELSA Speak: pronunciation or fluency?
  ELSA Speak is known for pronunciation feedback; TalkSmart focuses on building sentences and keeping a conversation going. An honest look at which fits what is holding you back.
• TalkSmart vs Praktika: choosing between two AI speaking partners
  Praktika and TalkSmart both get you speaking English with AI. What to look at when choosing: level, corrections, exam and interview rehearsal, language support.
• TalkSmart vs Speak: following a course or practising for a goal?
  Speak is known for a structured course method that teaches phrases and applies them in conversation; TalkSmart for goal-based scenario practice. Which way of learning suits you.
• TalkSmart vs Talkpal: multi-language coach or English specialist?
  Talkpal is an AI language coach for many languages; TalkSmart is built only for English. An honest look at whether a general tool or an English-specific one suits you better.

Frequently asked questions