Speak Review 2026: Pricing, Features and Verdict
The speaking first language app, judged on its published plans, languages, feedback features, terms and 64,000+ App Store ratings.
By , research by the BestBots team · Updated Oct 19, 2026
Fact checked against each company's published pricing, documentation and verified user ratings. How we score
Speak is the best AI app for getting a beginner to speak a new language out loud: every lesson is spoken, and the AI tutor corrects pronunciation and phrasing in real time. It is worth it on annual billing at $83.99 per year on the App Store. Skip it if you want a free plan, a language outside its 6, or an app for kids.
Speak is the best app for getting a beginner speaking a new language out loud: every lesson is spoken, the AI tutor corrects pronunciation and phrasing as you go, and it rates 4.8 on the App Store from 64,000+ ratings. The catch is price, $17.99 per month or $83.99 per year on the App Store, and only 6 languages for English speakers.
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- Starting price
- $17.99 per month
- Pricing model
- per seat
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 7 days
- Paid from
- $17.99 per month or $83.99 per year (App Store)
- Languages taught
- Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Italian and Mandarin for English speakers; English for speakers of other languages
- Voice mode
- Yes, every lesson is spoken, with pronunciation and phrasing feedback
- Ages
- App rated 13+; terms bar minors unless a parent supervises
- Parent controls
- None listed
- Live human help
- No
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
What it is
Speak is a language learning app from Speakeasy Labs built around speaking rather than tapping. Speak describes its method in three steps, Learn, Practice and Apply: you learn phrases, practice them out loud and then use them in AI conversations. It says it has a formal partnership with OpenAI, is backed by the OpenAI Startup Fund, and has been downloaded more than 15 million times.
English speakers can learn Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Italian and Mandarin Chinese. Speakers of other languages can use Speak to practice English, and the app interface supports English plus 15 other languages, including Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Thai.
Pricing explained
Speak's site does not list prices; it says pricing varies by plan, region and current promotions. The US App Store lists these in app purchases:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Per month on annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $17.99 | $83.99 | About $7.00 |
| Premium Plus | $39.99 | $164.99 | About $13.75 |
Both start with a 7 day free trial. There is no free plan after it.
What the price means. Annual Premium costs less per month than ChatGPT Go ($8) and less than Praktika's App Store month ($9.99), but you pay $83.99 up front. Monthly Premium is more than double the annual rate per month, so commit only after the trial convinces you. Premium Plus is worth it only if you will use the personalized lessons and unlimited review every week.
Hidden costs. None listed. Purchases through Apple renew automatically unless you turn off auto renew at least 24 hours before the period ends. A Trustpilot reviewer reported a $164.99 charge through Paddle that they did not recognize, though Speak's Trustpilot page has only 2 reviews.
Key features
Speaking in every lesson
Lessons have you repeat and build sentences out loud. Speak's App Store listing says its AI analyzes your speech and assesses pronunciation, intonation and fluency.
AI conversation practice
After lessons, you hold conversations with the AI tutor that respond to what you actually say, with real time feedback on pronunciation and phrasing. This is the core reason to pick Speak over a tap based app.
Made for You lessons and Speak Tutor (Premium Plus)
Premium Plus adds Made for You lessons and a lesson creator called Speak Tutor, plus unlimited personalized review focused on your weak spots.
Habit tools
Streaks, leagues, reminders and progress tracking, similar to Duolingo, help keep a daily routine.
Speak vs the alternatives on price
| App | Monthly | Annual | Languages | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speak Premium | $17.99 | $83.99 | 6 plus English | No, 7 day trial |
| Praktika Premium | $9.99 | $119.99 (promos lower) | 13 | No |
| ELSA Speak Premium | $19.99 | $99.99 | English only | Yes, limited |
| Duolingo Super | From $9.99 (App Store) | Up to $119.99 (App Store) | Many | Yes |
| ChatGPT | $8 (Go) | Not listed | Many, no course | Yes |
US App Store and vendor prices, October 2026. On annual billing Speak is the cheapest dedicated speaking tutor per month; on monthly billing Praktika is. Assistant prices are tracked in the Price Index.
What users say
Speak rates 4.8 on the App Store from 64,398 ratings, which is high for the category; Praktika is 4.7 from 166,304 and Duolingo 4.7 from 5.5 million. Speak's Trustpilot page has only 2 reviews, both 1 star, which is too few to judge. The 13+ age rating and the lack of a free plan are the two practical limits people should weigh.
Privacy and security
The App Store privacy label, self reported by Speakeasy Labs, lists contact info, identifiers and usage data as used to track you, and contact info, user content, identifiers, usage data and diagnostics as linked to you, for purposes including third party advertising, analytics and personalization. Your voice recordings count as user content.
Speak's terms define a minor as anyone under 18 in most places and say minors may use the service only under the supervision of a parent or guardian who accepts the terms and is responsible for the minor's activity. The terms also forbid uploading personal information of children under 13. They do not mention COPPA or describe age verification.
Who it is for
- Beginners who want to speak from day one in Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Italian or Mandarin.
- English learners who want conversation practice with feedback.
- Travelers preparing for a trip on a deadline.
- Duolingo users who can read but freeze when speaking.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who wants a free plan. Use Duolingo free or ChatGPT voice mode.
- Learners of German, Portuguese, Arabic or other languages outside Speak's 6. Praktika lists 13.
- English exam candidates. ELSA Speak maps scores to IELTS and TOEFL.
- Kids. It is rated 13+ and its terms require parent supervision for minors.
Alternatives
- Praktika: avatar tutors, 13 languages, $9.99 for a month on the App Store.
- ELSA Speak: English pronunciation and exam scoring, $99.99 per year.
- Duolingo: free courses, with Video Call moving into Super.
- ChatGPT: free voice conversations with limits; ask it to correct you.
- Gemini: free Gemini Live voice practice.
See the full ranking in the best AI language tutors.
Verdict
Speak does one thing better than the big names: it gets you talking. The lessons, feedback and AI conversations all push you to speak out loud, and its 4.8 App Store rating from 64,000+ ratings suggests learners notice. Pay annually after the trial, stick to Premium unless you want custom lessons, and pair it with a free assistant for open conversation. If you need more languages or a lower monthly price, Praktika is the closest alternative.
How Speak scores
- Value
- 3.8
- Features
- 4.3
- Ease of setup
- 4.6
- Integrations
- 3.4
- Trust
- 4.2
Pros and cons
Pros
- Speaking first design, with feedback on pronunciation, intonation and fluency
- 4.8 on the App Store from 64,398 ratings
- 7 day free trial
- Annual Premium works out to about $7 per month
Cons
- No free plan after the trial
- Only 6 target languages for English speakers
- Premium Plus at $39.99 per month is the priciest plan here
- Not for kids: terms prohibit minors without parent supervision
Speak plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | $17.99 per month or $83.99 per year | Full lesson library, AI conversation practice, real time feedback, streaks, progress tracking |
| Premium Plus | $39.99 per month or $164.99 per year | Everything in Premium plus Made for You lessons, the Speak Tutor lesson creator and unlimited personalized review |
What users say
Speak reviews from users
No user reviews yet
Be the first to review SpeakSpeak alternatives
Khanmigo4.5
Photomath4.3
Quizlet4.2
Gauth4.1
Mathway4.1
ELSA Speak4.0Frequently asked questions
Is Speak worth it?
If your goal is to speak a language out loud, yes, on annual billing. Premium is $83.99 per year on the App Store, about $7 per month, and every lesson has you speaking with real time feedback. At $17.99 monthly, or $39.99 for Premium Plus, it is expensive next to Praktika or a free assistant.
How much does Speak cost?
On the US App Store, Premium is $17.99 per month or $83.99 per year and Premium Plus is $39.99 per month or $164.99 per year. Speak says pricing varies by plan, region and promotions, so check the app.
Does Speak have a free version?
Speak offers a 7 day free trial. After that a paid subscription is required to keep using it.
What languages does Speak teach?
English speakers can learn Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Italian and Mandarin Chinese. Speakers of other languages can use Speak to practice English.
Speak or Duolingo: which is better?
Speak for speaking: every lesson is spoken with feedback on pronunciation and phrasing. Duolingo for a free daily habit across more courses, with AI Video Call now reaching Super subscribers. Many learners use Duolingo free and pay for Speak.
What is Speak Premium Plus?
Premium Plus adds Made for You lessons, the Speak Tutor lesson creator and unlimited personalized review focused on your weak spots, on top of Premium's lessons and AI conversation practice. It costs $39.99 per month or $164.99 per year on the App Store.
Is Speak good for kids?
Not on its own. The App Store rates it 13+, and Speak's terms say minors may use it only under the supervision of a parent or guardian who accepts the terms. For younger children, Duolingo's free app has stronger child privacy protections.
Who owns Speak?
Speak is made by Speakeasy Labs, Inc. Speak says it has a formal partnership with OpenAI and is backed by the OpenAI Startup Fund.