Best Free Apps to Learn English

Hey, folks!

If you’re thinking about learning English for free and without complications, you already know that free English course apps are the salvation for those who want to improve their language skills without opening their wallets.

Imagine this: quick lessons on your phone while you wait for the bus or during a work break, all totally free and fun.

That’s why I’ve put together this straightforward guide to show you the 5 best apps I’ve tested that can change the game for your English from zero to fluent. Let’s get started!

Additionally, each of these apps has a unique approach, whether it’s gamification or chatting with natives, so you’ll never get bored.

The good news is that all of them are legal, without piracy, straight from the Play Store or App Store. Ready to dive in?

Come with me as I explain everything step by step.

Finally, at the end, we’ll piece everything together and see how to fit this into your busy routine.

But remember, the secret is consistency, okay? Let’s move on to the first app!

Duolingo: The King of Gamification

Duolingo is like an addictive game that makes you learn English for free without realizing how much time has passed, with a cute owl reminding you of your daily lessons.

It covers basic grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking, all in short lessons of 5-10 minutes. The best part?

The free version gives you full access to the courses, with just a few light ads that don’t interfere.

To get started, download the app, create an account with your email or Google, choose English from Portuguese, and answer a few questions about your level.

Set a daily goal, like 10 minutes, and take the initial test to skip the basics if you already know something.

Then, click on the first lesson and go: listen to phrases, translate, speak into the mic, and earn XP to level up weekly.

Here’s a quick tutorial in list form for you to fly through:

1. Listen and repeat: Every phrase comes with native audio; practice pronunciation by repeating out loud.
2. Write without looking: After listening, type the translation to reinforce it.
3. Free stories: In the menu, activate interactive stories to practice conversation.
4. Friends club: Invite your friends to compete and motivate each other.

As a result, in just one week, you’ll notice a difference in your everyday vocabulary.

Keep it up, and you’ll become an expert!

Memrise: Memorization with Natives

Now, let’s talk about Memrise, another giant among free English course apps, focused on real vocabulary with native videos so you won’t learn anything fake.

It uses spaced repetition (SRS), which spreads out reviews to stick in your long-term memory, and has visual lessons with funny memes. Totally free, with no nonsense.

Download the app, select English, choose the official course (there’s one for every level), and start from scratch.

Each lesson mixes flashcards, audio, and video, like a native saying “What’s up?” in everyday situations.

Review daily to earn points and unlock more content.

Check out this tutorial list to master it:

1. Native videos: Watch real clips, repeat the phrase, and record your voice to compare.
2. Creative mems: Create crazy associations to remember boring words, like image + phrase.
3. Difficult mode: Activate it to review only what you struggle with the most.
4. Daily statistics: Check your progress and adjust goals to stay motivated.

In this way, your brain absorbs useful phrases for real conversations, like ordering food or chatting.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Busuu: Community and Real Practice

Moving on to Busuu, which shines among free English course apps for its community of natives correcting your written and spoken sentences in real-time.

It offers lessons on real dialogues, grammar, and vocabulary, complete with photos and interactive exercises.

The free version unlocks several lessons per day, with offline access included in part.

Install the app, create an account, choose beginner or intermediate English, and set your goals.

Take a placement test, and you’re ready: short dialogues to practice. Send text or audio for natives to correct for free!

Here’s a tutorial list for you to shine:

1. Quick dialogues: Complete sentences in real conversations, like “at the airport.”
2. Native corrections: Write a paragraph, send it, and receive feedback in minutes.
3. Thematic vocabulary: Learn words by theme, with images to reinforce them.
4. Offline review: Download lessons to study without internet.

Soon after, you’ll gain the confidence to speak without fear, because you’re getting real human feedback. Highly recommended!

HelloTalk: Chatting with Natives

Next up is HelloTalk, the king of immersion among free English course apps, connecting you directly with natives for text and voice exchanges.

Features like instant translation, phrase correction, and voice chat make everything easy. It’s completely free, just be careful not to overuse the VIP features.

Download the app, log in with Google, set up your profile (photo, bio in Portuguese and English you want to learn), and enable location to find partners nearby.

Search for “English speakers learning Portuguese” and start chatting!

Here’s a tutorial list to make foreign friends:

1. Chat with translation: Type in Portuguese, translate to English, and let the native correct you.
2. Voice messages: Send audio, receive pronunciation corrections.
3. Live calls: Schedule video calls to practice real speaking.
4. Daily moments: Post a photo or phrase for others to comment and correct.

As a result, you’ll be conversing fluently in no time, since it’s real practice 24/7.

Perfect for shy learners!

Cake: Short and Fun Videos

To wrap up the top 5, Cake is pure fun among free English course apps, with YouTube videos, series clips, and memes to train listening and American expressions.

Lessons last 1-5 minutes, with phrase repetition and quizzes.

100% free, with no annoying ads.

Open the app, choose English, select a video (like “ordering coffee”), and go: listen, see double subtitles (EN/PT), repeat, and test yourself.

Save your favorite phrases for review.

Here’s a tutorial list to get addicted:

1. Thematic videos: Choose categories like “daily life” or “travel.”
2. Smart repetition: The app pauses for you to shadow (imitate) the native speaker.
3. Quick quizzes: Answer what you heard to reinforce your memory.
4. Personal playlists: Create your list of useful phrases.

This way, you’ll pick up the real accent in a light-hearted manner, like educational Netflix.

A great complement!

Choose Your App and Soar in English

• Duolingo (Play Store / AppStore)
• Memrise (Play Store / AppStore)
• Busuu (Play Store / AppStore)
• HelloTalk (Play Store / AppStore)
• Cake (Play Store / AppStore)

In conclusion, I’ve tested all these free English course apps, and each one has its shine: Duolingo for routine, Memrise for memory, Busuu for feedback, HelloTalk for conversation, and Cake for fun.

The key is to mix 2-3 of them into your week, like 15 minutes a day, and track your progress.

No skipping days, okay? With this, your English will take off without spending a dime.

On the other hand, if you get stuck, return to these tutorials and adjust as needed. Which one will you download first?

Let me know in the comments (imagine there’s a comment section, haha). Let’s flow, my friend! You got this!