The best Speak alternatives in 2026
By the Katie AI team · Updated
What is a good alternative to Speak?
If you want something other than Speak, the best alternative depends on why. If you want to start talking straight away instead of doing lessons first, try Katie AI. If you want a daily fluency score, try Loora. If you want a free plan, try Praktika or TalkPal. If pronunciation is your main goal, try ELSA Speak. Speak has no free plan after its 7-day trial.
Key takeaways
- Best alternative for open English conversation: Katie AI
- Alternative with a daily fluency score: Loora
- Best alternative with a free plan: Praktika
- Best alternative for pronunciation: ELSA Speak
- Best alternative for other languages: TalkPal
Written by the Katie AI team. We list a real limit for every app, including our own. Free plans and trials are from the US App Store and each app's website, as of October 20, 2026.
At a glance
- Katie AI
- Best alternative for open English conversation
- Free plan: No (free speaking test) · Trial: 3 days
- Loora
- Alternative with a daily fluency score
- Free plan: No · Trial: 1 free lesson
- Praktika
- Best alternative with a free plan
- Free plan: Yes, a few conversations a day · Trial: Not stated
- ELSA Speak
- Best alternative for pronunciation
- Free plan: Yes, limited · Trial: 7 days
- TalkPal
- Best alternative for other languages
- Free plan: Yes, 10 minutes a day · Trial: 14 days
| App | Best for | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katie AI | Best alternative for open English conversation | No (free speaking test) | 3 days |
| Loora | Alternative with a daily fluency score | No | 1 free lesson |
| Praktika | Best alternative with a free plan | Yes, a few conversations a day | Not stated |
| ELSA Speak | Best alternative for pronunciation | Yes, limited | 7 days |
| TalkPal | Best alternative for other languages | Yes, 10 minutes a day | 14 days |
1. Katie AI
Best alternative for open English conversation
Katie remembers your past conversations and builds a learning path around your day-to-day life, with the phrases and vocabulary you will actually use. No generic curriculum. Start speaking from minute one. Every sentence gets corrected, with the reason why. Built only for English.
- Free plan:
- No (free speaking test)
- Free trial:
- 3 days
Good to know: Katie teaches English only, so it is not the pick if you are learning another language. It is built for people who already know some English, so complete beginners may want a beginner course first. If what you need most is someone to hold you accountable, or a teacher's judgement on your career or exam, a human tutor still wins.
2. Loora
Alternative with a daily fluency score
AI conversation practice with a daily fluency score.
- Free plan:
- No
- Free trial:
- 1 free lesson
Good to know: There is no free plan after one trial lesson.
Katie AI vs Loora →3. Praktika
Best alternative with a free plan
A few free AI conversations a day, with avatar tutors.
- Free plan:
- Yes, a few conversations a day
- Free trial:
- Not stated
Good to know: Some recent App Store reviews say beginner lessons can feel too advanced.
Katie AI vs Praktika →4. ELSA Speak
Best alternative for pronunciation
Pronunciation and accent coaching, with a free plan.
- Free plan:
- Yes, limited
- Free trial:
- 7 days
Good to know: Some recent App Store reviews mention slow loading and speech not being recognised well.
Katie AI vs ELSA Speak →5. TalkPal
Best alternative for other languages
130+ languages, with 10 free minutes a day.
- Free plan:
- Yes, 10 minutes a day
- Free trial:
- 14 days
Good to know: Some recent App Store reviews say it is hard for beginners.
Katie AI vs TalkPal →
How we compared these apps
- We looked at the 11 English speaking apps and tutor services people compare most often: Katie AI, Speak, ELSA Speak, Loora, Praktika, TalkPal, Fluently, ChatGPT Voice, Cambly, Preply and Duolingo.
- For each one we checked its US App Store listing, its own website, and its most recent US App Store reviews, on October 20, 2026.
- Where an app does not publish something, we say "Not stated" instead of guessing.
- Each app's limit comes from its own website or from patterns in recent reviews. We make Katie AI, and we list a limit for Katie too.
Frequently asked questions
Is Katie AI like Speak?
Both are AI tutors that correct your speaking. Speak starts with structured lessons in 7 languages. Katie AI is English only and starts with open conversation.
Does Katie AI remember previous conversations?
Yes. Katie remembers what you talked about before and what you want to learn, so it feels like talking to a person who knows you, not starting over with a new app each time. It uses that to choose topics that matter to you and to pick up where you left off.
Read next
Sources
- Katie AI on the US App Store
- Loora plans (free lesson)
- Loora on the US App Store (App Store listing)
- Praktika website
- Praktika blog (free plan, June 2026)
- Praktika on the US App Store (App Store listing)
- ELSA Speak website (plans)
- ELSA Speak on the US App Store (App Store listing)
- TalkPal plans (free plan, trial)
- TalkPal on the US App Store (App Store listing)