Learning English had been one of my long-time goals. I had already tried in-person classes, YouTube videos, even printed booklets… but nothing really matched my pace.

That’s when I decided to try a few free mobile apps. No pressure just to see what would happen.

And to my surprise, it actually worked. By studying just 10 to 15 minutes a day, I expanded my vocabulary, understood everyday phrases, and even improved my listening skills.

The secret? Using the right apps, with methods that matched my learning style.

So if you also want to start learning English without spending anything, here are the best free apps I’ve tested, with details on what each one really offers.

Duolingo

Duolingo was my first experience learning English through an app, and it’s still part of my routine.

It works like a game, where you advance through levels as you get exercises right. That really motivated me because studying became fun instead of a chore.

The lessons are short (perfect if you have limited time), and you get to practice multiple skills: vocabulary, writing, reading, listening, and even speaking.

The app gives you instant corrections and even simple grammar explanations.

What’s great is that you can study from beginner to intermediate levels, all at your own pace.

And it’s completely free, with a very intuitive interface. You can use it on your phone or in a browser too.

Cake

Cake won me over for one reason: it teaches real, natural English, just like what you hear in movies, TV shows, and online.

No forced phrases or boring situations. The videos are short and come with subtitles in both English and Portuguese, so you can follow word by word.

After the video, the app asks you to repeat expressions out loud and even trains your pronunciation with speech recognition.

I thought this was amazing because it really helps with speaking confidence—especially if you’re shy like me.
You can also save favorite phrases, review them later, and even build your own phrasebook. And yes, it’s all 100% free.

BBC Learning English

When I felt I was ready to move beyond “fun basics” into something more serious, I discovered the BBC Learning English app.

It’s completely in English, but very well structured—ideal for anyone with a bit of a foundation looking to go deeper.

There are videos on all kinds of topics: business, culture, daily life, grammar, pronunciation… all explained by British teachers in a calm, clear way.

Audio comes with transcripts, so you can read along while listening, which really boosts comprehension.

I especially used the series “English at Work” and “The English We Speak”, which teach everyday workplace expressions and conversations.

And yes, it’s all free and ad-free.

LingQ

LingQ is perfect for people who like learning through real reading and listening.
Here’s how it works: you choose content (a news article, podcast, dialogue), and the app shows the text with the words you already know and new words highlighted.

When you tap a new word, its meaning pops up, and it gets added to your learning list.
Gradually, the app builds a personalized vocabulary based on your level and interests.

It’s an immersive experience—great for improving listening, reading, and vocabulary all at once.
The free version already gives you plenty of content, but if you want premium features, there’s a paid plan available.

EnglishClass101

Finally, EnglishClass101 helped me when I wanted a more structured course but still free.

It offers audio and video lessons divided by level (from beginner to advanced), with native teachers explaining things step-by-step.

Each lesson includes audio, English subtitles, translations, key vocabulary, and exercises to reinforce what you learn.

What I liked most is the practical approach no overly complex grammar. It’s taught like real-life conversations, which is way more useful.

You can access lots of content for free, especially if you register and use the basic plan. Daily notifications also help keep you on track.

In the end, the best app is the one that fits your style

These days, I use more than one app per week, switching depending on what I want to practice.

Duolingo helps me stay consistent. Cake trains my listening. BBC brings in more formal content. LingQ is where I read and listen.

And EnglishClass101 gives me solid lesson structure.

Each one has its strengths, and the best part? They all have free versions, so you can try them out and see which one fits your learning style best.

So go ahead download them now on your Android or iOS, and start learning English today in a fun, easy, and totally free way!