7 Best Apps to Learn English in 2026 (15 min/day)
Which English-learning app actually works? We compared 7 of them and ranked them by what level they get you to.
Which app is best for learning English on your own? Short answer: no single app is enough — but the right two or three apps, combined with real conversation practice, will get most learners from A0 to B1 in 12–18 months. We compared 7 popular apps for English self-study. Here is what actually works.
How we ranked them
Three criteria: (1) does it teach all four CEFR skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking) or only one? (2) Can you reach B1 (independent user) with it? (3) Does it fit a 15-minute daily routine?
Comparison table
| App | Best for | Reaches level | Price/month | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo | Habit + basics | A2 | Free / $7 | Great starter, plateaus at A2 |
| Babbel | Grammar + dialogue | B1 | $13 | Best paid app for adults |
| Memrise | Vocabulary + listening | B1 | $8 | Real-people video clips win |
| Busuu | Writing + feedback | B1 | $10 | Native-speaker corrections |
| Drops | Vocabulary only | A2 | $10 | Visual, 5-min sessions |
| Cake | Listening + accent | B2 | Free / $5 | Real YouTube clips |
| Anki | Long-term vocab | any | Free | Power-user, no hand-holding |
1. Duolingo — the habit-builder
Duolingo is the easiest way to get a daily English habit. The streak system genuinely works for motivation. But the lessons stay shallow — you will reach A2 (basic phrases, present and past tense) and then plateau. We use it with kids 7–12 as a warm-up between lessons. Verdict: use it for the first 3 months, then upgrade.
2. Babbel — grammar that sticks
Babbel teaches grammar in proper dialogue context, not isolated drills. Lessons are 10–15 minutes and built by linguists. It is the only app where our students actually retained the present perfect after a month. Verdict: best paid app for adult beginners A1→B1.
3. Memrise — listening with real people
Memrise mixes spaced-repetition vocabulary with short video clips of native speakers in real situations (ordering coffee, asking directions). Closes the gap between "I can read English" and "I understand the British guy at the airport." Verdict: pair it with Babbel.
4. Busuu — writing with corrections
Busuu is the only mainstream app where native speakers correct your writing for free. You submit a short paragraph, somebody in London or New York fixes it. The community is large enough that corrections arrive in hours. Verdict: the missing piece for the four-skills approach.
5. Drops — vocabulary in 5 minutes
Drops is built around the idea that 5 visual minutes a day is better than zero. The illustrations are excellent for nouns and concrete vocabulary. Useless for grammar. Verdict: use as a vocabulary supplement, not a main app.
6. Cake — accent and idioms
Cake feeds you 60-second clips from real YouTube videos with built-in pronunciation drills. The free version is generous. Best for learners at B1+ who want to sound natural instead of like a textbook. Verdict: the most underrated app on this list.
7. Anki — power-user flashcards
Anki is not an English app — it is a spaced-repetition engine. You build your own deck or download a shared one (4,000-word English-frequency decks are free). Steepest learning curve, highest ceiling. Verdict: if you are serious about IELTS or business English, Anki is non-negotiable.
The real plan: combine three apps + a live teacher
No app teaches you to think in English — only conversation does. The plan we recommend at Inlingua Baku:
- Babbel for 15 min/day → daily grammar + dialogue
- Memrise for 10 min/day → listening + vocabulary
- Busuu twice a week → writing with corrections
- 1 group lesson per week at Inlingua → live speaking with a teacher who corrects pronunciation in real time
This combination gets most adult learners from A0 to B1 in 10–12 months. Free placement test on WhatsApp (15 min).
FAQ
Can I learn English with apps only, no teacher?
To A2, yes. To B1 (independent user), very rarely. The bottleneck is speaking — apps cannot correct your pronunciation in real time or push you to use grammar spontaneously. From B1 onward, a teacher is the single highest-ROI investment.
Which English app is best for IELTS?
None of the seven above are IELTS-specific. For IELTS use the official Cambridge practice books + a teacher for Writing and Speaking. See our IELTS Baku 2026 guide.
Which app is best for kids?
For ages 6–10: Duolingo (the gamification works). For ages 10+: Babbel. For very young learners, screen apps are not the right format — short songs and stories work better. See our age-by-age guide.
Which apps are best for vocabulary, listening and pronunciation?
Vocabulary: Anki (long-term) + Drops (daily). Listening: Memrise + Cake. Pronunciation: Cake (it ranks your accent against natives). For grammar use Babbel.
Can I learn English in 15 minutes a day?
Yes, but slowly. 15 min/day with Babbel reaches A2 in about 9 months. To reach B1 in a year you need 30–45 min/day plus weekly speaking practice with a teacher.
What is the best free English-learning app?
Duolingo for habit + basics, Anki for serious vocabulary work, Cake free tier for listening. No fully-free combination gets you to B1 — at some point Babbel or a real teacher becomes worth the spend.
Next step: book a free Inlingua Baku placement test on WhatsApp +994 77 642 08 04 — find out exactly where you are on the A0–B2 scale and which app stack fits your level.
Apps + live lessons work better than apps alone. See English courses in Baku at Inlingua, CEFR A1–C2. WhatsApp +994 77 642 08 04 for a free placement test.