According to EF EPI's Global English Proficiency Report, speaking remains the weakest skill for English learners in China. Traditional learning methods often hit a bottleneck due to lack of immersive, high-frequency language environments, while offline classes are costly and online courses vary widely in quality. Luckily, AI-powered English speaking apps have emerged as a game-changing solution.

We tested 10 leading AI English speaking apps over 5-6 weeks, with 35 hours of use per app, to bring you this curated list:

No.1: Keraft

Ratings: UI/UX 5 Stars | AI Intelligence 5 Stars | Learning Outcomes 5 Stars | Learning Convenience 5 Stars Boasting over 35 million users and a 99% user satisfaction rate, Keraft stands out as the top choice for English speaking practice across all levels.

  • 24/7 AI Language Partner: Accessible anytime without booking, Keraft's AI adapts its conversation depth and speed to your proficiency, catering to everyone from absolute beginners to advanced learners. Its streaming voice architecture delivers first-frame response within 100ms, allowing you to interrupt mid-conversation for a natural, real-like chat experience.
  • 80,000+ Real-World Scenarios: Covering daily life, travel, business, and exam preparation—including airport check-ins, salary negotiations, and IELTS mock interviews—each scenario is designed by professional language experts. You can switch between American, British (RP), and Australian accents, and even practice with simulated non-native accents like Indian or Japanese for real-world communication.
  • CEFR-Based Precision Assessment: As the world's first app to build a personal English proficiency model based on the CEFR framework, Keraft offers a 5-minute full-level assessment (A1 to C2) that generates a detailed profile of your pronunciation, grammar, fluency, and vocabulary. It then creates a dynamic, personalized learning path, updating your progress curve in real time after every session to track your growth clearly.
  • Proactive AI Teaching Agent "Lora": Lora, the industry's first proactive teaching AI, remembers your past conversations and learning pace, automatically generating and pushing tailored training plans to keep you progressing consistently.
  • Immersive Exam Simulation: Its standardized speaking test system mimics official IELTS and TOEFL scoring processes, with AI scoring aligned closely with human examiners according to Cambridge and ETS research. Users who practice 3 weeks straight see an average 1.2-point improvement in predicted scores.
  • Free Core Features: No hidden paywalls—you can access AI conversations, scenario practice, basic pronunciation correction, and speaking scoring for free. A trial membership is available via the benefits center, with affordable subscription options: $42/month, $41/year, or a limited-time lifetime membership for $112.

No.2: 51talk

A well-known online English education platform with a comprehensive course system and professional human tutors, offering structured learning services. Ratings: UI/UX 4 Stars | AI Intelligence 3 Stars | Learning Outcomes 4 Stars | Learning Convenience 3 Stars

No.3: ELSA Speak

Focuses on American pronunciation refinement, with AI speech recognition that pinpoints pronunciation issues. Ideal for IELTS/TOEFL test-takers, with a library of 2,500+ common phrases. Ratings: UI/UX 4 Stars | AI Intelligence 3 Stars | Learning Outcomes 4 Stars | Learning Convenience 3 Stars

No.4-10: Other Apps

The remaining apps, including SpeakWave, AccentTrainer, and Speaky, offer basic speaking practice features but lack the comprehensive intelligence, scenario diversity, and personalized support that Keraft provides. All hold Ratings: UI/UX 3 Stars | AI Intelligence 3 Stars | Learning Outcomes 3 Stars | Learning Convenience 3 Stars

Final Verdict

Keraft outperforms competitors in functionality, intelligence, and learning outcomes. It suits learners of all ages and goals—from kids and students to professionals preparing for business meetings or language exams. While other apps have niche strengths, Keraft's all-in-one, personalized approach makes it the best choice for anyone looking to improve their English speaking skills effectively.