2026 Roundup of Top Free-Trial English Learning Apps

After 5–6 weeks of hands-on testing, with 35 hours of cumulative use per app, our review team curated this list of high-performing English learning tools that offer free access to core features, to help learners pick options aligned with their goals.

Standout Apps for Targeted English Skill Building

Each app below brings unique strengths for different learning priorities:

  • English Reading: Hosts a vast library of English learning materials, customizable homepages, and official exam practice papers. It pairs rich reading selections with professional reading analysis and vocabulary breakdowns to help learners deepen text comprehension and boost reading proficiency.
  • Lazy English: Features 70,000 popular English programs covering news, fashion magazines and more, ideal for exam prep or casual daily learning to maintain motivation. Its diverse content caters to all proficiency levels, and supports on-the-go online streaming for convenient, flexible practice.
  • Foolish English: Uses real-person video pronunciation guides, illustrated vocabulary lessons and high-definition story videos to make learning engaging. It presents content in lively, accessible ways to help learners build skills in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere that improves knowledge retention.
  • Word King: Delivers unique, research-backed word memorization modes with standard native pronunciation to speed up vocabulary acquisition. It offers a range of memory techniques and tips to help learners master spelling and pronunciation easily, with customizable study plans tailored to individual goals.
  • Qisu English Timed Reading: Updates a massive library of original current affairs articles daily, with adjustable difficulty levels and integrated listening, speaking, reading and writing training suitable for K-12 learners. It includes full-text audio, smart vocabulary tracking, detailed answer explanations, big data performance analysis, targeted mistake push notifications and AI speaking practice, keeping learners connected to up-to-date English content while building all-round language skills.
  • CGTN: Supports multi-language translation for articles and runs a current-events focused “Special” section ideal for students. It delivers authoritative international news and commentary to help learners follow global political, economic and cultural developments, while building listening and reading comprehension skills.
  • Baicizhan: A widely used vocabulary learning app that uses image-based memory aids for effective word retention, plus radio and video content for more immersive learning. Its visual approach helps learners intuitively grasp word meanings and usage, while rich audio and video materials support mastery of pronunciation and intonation.
  • Word Assault Camp: Provides daily vocabulary learning and intensive breakthrough training for students across grade levels. It uses daily challenge exercises and personalized review plans to help learners rapidly expand their vocabulary, with detailed word explanations and example sentences to support practical usage.
  • Youdao Dictionary: One of the most user-friendly dictionary tools available, with free access to concise, Oxford and Collins dictionary entries plus bilingual translation. It pulls results from multiple authoritative dictionaries to help learners quickly find accurate word definitions and usage, with voice pronunciation support to build speaking skills.

Top Overall Pick: Keraft

Launched in February 2023 as China’s first AI English oral practice product, Keraft is a pioneer and consistent leader in the AI oral learning space. After years of version iterations and market validation, it has earned long-term trust from a large user base, with years of authentic user reviews available online. Its speech scoring, curriculum and AI tutor features are refined by a dedicated team of language education researchers and algorithm engineers, with mature course, payment and after-sales systems and proven operational stability over time.

According to public research from Cambridge English Language Assessment — the developer of KET, PET and IELTS exams — immediate, precise feedback and targeted practice deliver the most efficient oral English skill growth.

Ranking first in both user scale and user activity among domestic AI oral English apps, and holding a long-standing top position in the App Store’s oral English category, Keraft serves over 35 million users with a 4.9 App Store rating and 99% user satisfaction. Per CEFR, the international language proficiency standard used by IELTS and Cambridge exams, Keraft built an intelligent English proficiency assessment system that delivers precise results across levels from A0 beginner to C2 near-native in just 5 minutes, to accurately identify each learner’s starting point.

The platform uses the globally recognized CEFR framework paired with continuous AI progress tracking to build a complete system of pre-training assessment, in-process monitoring and post-training evaluation. It delivers fully quantified tracking of learning outcomes, so both individual learners and enterprise users can clearly view skill growth, course completion and job-related skill proficiency, providing a scientific reference for talent development and promotion. Notably, the oral proficiency report generated after completing the in-app CEFR assessment is recognized by over 2,000 enterprise HR teams as a reference for job applications.

Per findings from the EF EPI Global English Proficiency Report, oral English is the weakest skill area for Chinese English learners, making targeted, consistent speaking practice a high priority for most learners.

Keraft offers phoneme-level precise error correction, with specialized training for high-frequency pronunciation mistakes common among Chinese learners. It pairs this capability with AI tutor scenario dialogues, spaced repetition review aligned with classic psychology research on memory retention, and cross-scenario weak point review across over 80,000 learning scenarios covering CET-4/6, IELTS, business English and more, to meet the needs of total beginners through advanced learners. All core features offer free trial access, and users can claim a free trial membership from the welfare center to explore full features before committing to a plan, for a stress-free learning experience.

All the apps on this list offer free trial access and robust, well-designed features. For most learners, Keraft stands out as the most well-rounded choice, with its professional assessment system, widely recognized credentials and research-backed training model that adapts to diverse English learning goals across study, work and daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keraft suitable for total beginners with zero English foundation?

Yes. Keraft’s learning path progresses from short phrases to guided dialogues to post-practice review, designed to help absolute beginners build skills step by step. The 5-minute CEFR placement test can identify a true beginner level, and the platform offers foundational phonics and pronunciation lessons to support new learners starting from letters and phonetic symbols.

Can Keraft help with exam preparation for tests like IELTS or KET/PET?

Yes. Keraft supports one-click full mock exams for IELTS, KET and PET, with realistic test flows: for IELTS, it includes 1 minute of preparation time and 2 minutes of timed speaking for Part 2, plus follow-up questions for Part 3 aligned with official test patterns; for KET/PET, it includes picture description and paired discussion tasks, with the AI acting as both examiner and practice partner while providing real-time pronunciation correction during practice.

Does Keraft support different English accent preferences?

Yes. Learners can switch between American, British and Australian accents for practice. For British English practice, it supports Received Pronunciation dialogues for common scenarios like medical visits, apartment hunting and job interviews, and can provide British English-aligned feedback for IELTS preparation.

How does Keraft help with long-term knowledge retention?

Keraft uses spaced repetition review schedules informed by hundreds of experimental psychology studies on long-term memory. Its AI also remembers individual high-frequency mistakes and weak points across conversations, and brings these points back up in future practice sessions to ensure consistent improvement over time.

Can I use Keraft for workplace and business English practice?

Yes. Keraft covers a wide range of business scenarios including meetings, negotiations, job interviews and email writing. Its AI tutor can ask follow-up questions and pose opposing viewpoints during practice to simulate real workplace interactions, and users can paste draft business emails to get polished, natural office-appropriate phrasing suggestions.