Best ELSA Speak Alternatives in 2026
The top ELSA Speak alternatives are Duolingo, Busuu and Babbel: 15 language learning apps our editors would look at instead of ELSA Speak, in our ranking order.
ELSA Speak: A focused English app for improving pronunciation, fluency, and real-world speaking. Where it falls short: the free plan limits role-play, coaching, feedback, lessons, and paths..
Switching from ELSA Speak? For most language learning apps buyers the best ELSA Speak alternative is Duolingo, built for beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option. Memrise offers the most languages offered (149).
Why People Look for an ELSA Speak Alternative
- The free plan limits role-play, coaching, feedback, lessons, and paths
- The app focuses on English rather than multiple target languages
- Offline lessons are not offered
- No offline lessons — 12 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallDuolingo9.4
Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option
Visit Duolingo - Best free optionDuolingo9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Duolingo - Most languages offeredMemrise9.0
149
Visit Memrise - Best for offline lessonsDuolingo9.4
Offline lessons (ELSA Speak: no)
Visit Duolingo
All 15 ELSA Speak Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forBeginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.3
A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Duolingo -
Best forLearners wanting courses plus native-speaker feedback
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.3
A broad language-learning app combining structured lessons with human and AI feedback.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Busuu -
Best forLearners wanting a structured paid course
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.3
A guided paid course with practice across listening, speaking, writing, and grammar.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Babbel -
Best forLearners prioritizing language breadth and native video
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.3
A broad language-learning app combining native video, structured lessons and AI practice.
- Placement test
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Memrise -
Best forLearners wanting immersive lessons and live tutoring
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.3
A broad language-learning subscription for guided lessons, practice and tutoring.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Rosetta Stone -
Best forAudio-first learners practicing real-world conversation
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.3
A strong audio-first choice for conversational practice, but there is no free plan.
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pimsleur -
Best forSerious learners who value proven depth
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.3
A deep, mature learning system for learners who want structured progress.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SuperMemo -
Best forBroad-language learners seeking varied practice modes
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.3
A broad language-learning app with varied practice modes and a freemium entry point.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Mondly -
Best forFree, established English study resources
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.3
A mature, free web resource for structured English study across levels and skills.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Speech practice
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forIndependent learners studying authentic texts
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.3
A free, open-source reading workflow for independent language learners.
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forChildren learning English through play
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.3
A playful English-learning app with offline content, speaking practice and parent tracking.
- Offline lessons
- Speech practice
- Mobile apps
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forEnglish learners focused on grammar drills
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.3
A free, grammar-focused app with broad practice across four English levels.
- Mobile apps
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLearners who study through authentic online media
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
- Editor score 7.5 vs 7.3
A media-rich language app for learners who want flexible reading and listening practice.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit LingQ -
Best forLearners focused on AI speaking conversations
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 7.3
A conversation-first AI tutor with structured courses, pronunciation feedback, and mobile access.
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
- Mobile apps
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Talkpal -
Best forMultilingual learners focused on vocabulary retention
- Better than ELSA Speak:
- Offline lessons
A flexible choice for independent learners who want vocabulary retention across devices.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit MosaLingua
ELSA Speak Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to ELSA Speak?
Duolingo: #1 in our Language Learning Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.
Is there a free alternative to ELSA Speak?
Yes. Duolingo, Busuu, Memrise, SuperMemo and Mondly have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for ELSA Speak alternatives?
The free plan limits role-play, coaching, feedback, lessons, and paths; The app focuses on English rather than multiple target languages; Offline lessons are not offered.
Which ELSA Speak alternative has the most languages offered?
Memrise, with 149.
How do I switch from ELSA Speak?
Export your data from ELSA Speak (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel ELSA Speak.
How to Switch from ELSA Speak
- Export your data from ELSA Speak (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel ELSA Speak.
ELSA Speak vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Offline lessons | Speech practice | Placement test | Personalized review | Mobile apps | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | ELSA Speak | Yes | $159.99/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 1 | Duolingo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Busuu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Babbel | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Memrise | Yes | €69.99/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 5 | Rosetta Stone | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 6 | Pimsleur | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 7 | SuperMemo | Yes | 359 PLN/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 8 | Mondly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 9 | BBC Learning English | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 10 | Learning with Texts | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |||
| 11 | LearnEnglish Kids: Playtime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |||
| 12 | LearnEnglish Grammar | Yes | No | No | Yes | 7.6 | |||
| 13 | LingQ | Yes | $119.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 14 | Talkpal | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | ||
| 15 | MosaLingua | No | $71.88/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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