List of 5 Hottest English Learning Apps in 2025

2025 is predicted to be the boom year for smart English learning applications, when these platforms will not only teach vocabulary or grammar but also become personal "language assistants", understanding the weaknesses, habits and goals of each learner. Among hundreds of options on the market, there are five prominent names that are highly appreciated by the learning community and experts for their outstanding effectiveness, creativity and reliability: Duolingo, ELSA Speak, Grammarly, BBC Learning English and Memrise . This article will help you explore in detail the most worth-using applications in 2025 not only based on features, but also on user experience, learning methods, interactivity and AI technology integrated in each platform.

1. Duolingo

There’s no denying that Duolingo has become the icon of online language learning. The app, with its adorable blue bird “Duo,” is not only popular with beginners, but it’s also a daily learning tool for hundreds of millions of people around the world.

The most prominent feature of Duolingo is the “gamification” method of learning. Instead of dry lessons, the application divides knowledge into small “game levels”, where learners receive bonus points, badges and rankings for each task completed. The feeling of “winning” when overcoming each level creates a strong motivation to help users maintain long-term learning habits.

Since 2024, Duolingo has upgraded its learning model with Generative AI to help personalize the learning path based on each person's learning style. With the Duolingo Max version, the application also allows learners to chat directly with a chatbot using the GPT-4 model, helping to practice speaking skills and natural reflexes like when communicating with native speakers.

Another interesting point is that Duolingo not only teaches grammar and vocabulary but also helps learners understand English culture through real-life situations, such as ordering food at a restaurant, asking for directions or writing work emails. Thanks to that, learners do not feel far from reality but can immediately apply knowledge to life.

Duolingo is also highly appreciated for its user-friendly interface design, vibrant colors, and ability to synchronize across multiple devices. Whether you are a student, a student, an office worker, or a busy working person, Duolingo is still the ideal companion to start or maintain your daily English learning journey.

2. ELSA Speak

If you've ever worried that you don't speak English well or have a strong Vietnamese accent when communicating, then ELSA Speak is the app you should install immediately.

Born from the idea of ​​a Vietnamese (Ms. Van Dinh Hong Vu) and developed with the support of the world's leading language experts, ELSA (English Language Speech Assistant) is an application to practice native English pronunciation using AI . With advanced voice recognition technology, ELSA can accurately analyze each syllable, intonation, stress and pronunciation errors of the learner, then give specific instructions for improvement.

ELSA’s strength lies not only in its ability to score each word in detail, but also in its personalized real-time feedback. When you read a sentence, ELSA will point out which sounds you pronounce incorrectly, and at the same time, play back the correct pronunciation for you to compare and practice immediately. This helps learners quickly recognize mistakes that traditional teachers sometimes have difficulty identifying.

As of 2025, ELSA has cooperated with many large universities and businesses, becoming a tool to support learning and assessing international standard English skills. The application also integrates speaking exercises by topic from office communication, travel, job interviews to IELTS Speaking to help learners practice more comprehensively.

Another plus is that ELSA uses a Deep Learning AI language model , which means the more you practice, the better it understands your voice and progress. This makes pronunciation practice more natural and effective than ever.

3. Grammarly

When most people think of Grammarly , they immediately think of a spelling and grammar checker. But in 2025, Grammarly has gone much further and become a comprehensive AI-based intelligent writing assistant .

GrammarlyGO is powered by an advanced linguistic AI platform that allows users to write, edit , summarize, and improve texts in real time. It not only corrects basic grammar errors, but also suggests natural, professional, and contextually appropriate expressions.

Grammarly is especially useful for students, office workers, copywriters, marketers, or designers who often write emails, reports, product descriptions, or social media posts in English. With its tone detector, Grammarly can help you adjust your writing style: be more formal when writing a cover letter, or more friendly when chatting with colleagues.

In addition, Grammarly also has a browser extension and mobile app , making it easy to use anywhere from Google Docs, Gmail to LinkedIn. Some advanced features such as “Rewrite with AI” or “Clarity improvement” even help you turn complex paragraphs into shorter, clearer, and more professional sentences with just one click.

In 2025, Grammarly has further integrated with content creation tools like Canva Docs, Notion AI, and Microsoft Word , making English writing seamless and intelligent. In other words, Grammarly is not just a proofreader, but a companion that helps you write English like a native.

4. BBC Learning English

If you want to learn “standard British” English, BBC Learning English is an option you cannot ignore. Developed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), this platform offers thousands of quality, free lessons that are constantly updated on current events, lifestyle, and culture topics.

The unique feature of BBC Learning English is the combination of language and real-life context . Instead of teaching English in a textbook style, the application helps learners approach the language through news, interviews, dialogues or tutorial videos from BBC's leading reporters, presenters and language experts.

Thanks to that, you not only learn vocabulary and sentence structures, but also understand how native speakers actually use them in everyday life. This is also an ideal tool for those who want to improve their listening skills because the listening lessons in BBC Learning English all have standard English accents, natural speed , helping learners practice reflexes effectively.

The application offers a variety of categories such as “English at Work”, “6 Minute English”, “The English We Speak” or “Grammar Gameshow”. Each section is designed to be concise, lively and has subtitles, helping you learn at any time, even when you only have a few free minutes a day.

What's commendable is that despite being completely free, BBC Learning English maintains the highest quality of content, is free of annoying ads, and doesn't ask users to pay hidden fees. 

5. Memrise

Memrise is a different English learning application that, instead of focusing on dry theory, helps learners experience the language as in real life . With the philosophy of "Learn with locals", Memrise brings you into the world of natural English through short videos, real-life situations and diverse contexts.

Every video in Memrise is filmed by a native speaker, demonstrating everyday language with real expressions, gestures, and voices. This helps learners not only memorize vocabulary, but also understand the usage and emotional nuances behind each word .

Since 2024, Memrise has integrated AI Conversation Partner , allowing learners to chat directly with a voice chatbot. This feature uses speech recognition and natural response technology to help learners practice speaking skills in a safe and friendly environment. You can role-play situations like “ordering food at a cafe” or “job interview” and receive instant feedback from the AI.

Memrise’s interface is simple, elegant, yet effective, combining audio, images, and interactions. The app also uses contextual learning and spaced repetition techniques to help learners remember longer and reproduce vocabulary more easily when communicating.

Memrise is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners, especially those who want to practice listening and speaking naturally without feeling pressured. In other words, this is an application that helps you “live in English” instead of just learning English.

The year 2025 marks a turning point in language learning technology. Apps like Duolingo, ELSA Speak, Grammarly, BBC Learning English and Memrise go beyond simply teaching you English, and become smart companions that help you develop all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with a flexible, creative and personalized approach.

Each app has its own strengths: Duolingo helps you maintain a fun learning habit; ELSA Speak turns you into a native speaker; Grammarly helps you write like a pro; BBC Learning English provides authentic and in-depth learning resources; and Memrise makes you fall in love with languages ​​through vivid experiences.

No matter which platform you choose, the most important thing is still perseverance and clear goals. English cannot be good in just a few weeks, but with modern technology and learning methods, you can absolutely go further every day. Choose a suitable companion from this list, start a new journey and let English be the bridge that brings you closer to the world.