I got tired of promising I’d learn English “when I had more time” or “when I could afford a course.”

The truth is, with a phone in hand, internet access, and a bit of discipline, it is possible to learn a lot without spending anything.

After testing several apps getting frustrated with some and addicted to others—I found three that really worked for me.

With them, I was able to study English every day, at my own pace, in a light and effective way.If you also want to take the first step, here are the 3 free apps that finally helped me unlock my English:

Memrise – I learned English as if I were traveling

Memrise really surprised me. Instead of textbook phrases, it teaches with videos of native speakers, like you’re chatting with real people. And that changes everything!

You learn everyday expressions, different accents, and even train your listening and speaking with quick challenges. It’s almost like being in another country.

Plus, the free version already offers a lot of content, especially for beginner and intermediate levels.

Perfect for anyone who wants to understand and speak like a native.
Great for training listening and speaking.

EWA – reading + audio = powerful combo

What hooked me on EWA was the method of learning with books and famous dialogues.

You choose themes you enjoy (Harry Potter, series, romance, etc.) and read in English with automatic translation and audio narration.

You can repeat phrases, save words, and visually track your progress. And there are even short video lessons with native speakers explaining everyday expressions.

Awesome for those who love reading, listening, and practicing vocabulary.
Blends English learning with engaging content.

Tandem – talk to real native speakers

This one was the most challenging and also the most transformative. On Tandem, you practice English with real people from all over the world.

It works like a language exchange: you help someone with Portuguese, and they help you with English.

I made friends, practiced speaking, and got over my fear of conversation. There are no traditional lessons, but you learn through real-life interaction, with trial and error.

Ideal for anyone who wants to overcome shyness and really talk.
Great for cultural and language exchange.

The result? Today I can handle English well—and I didn’t spend a penny on it

None of these apps worked miracles. But together, they gave me a foundation, fluency, and the confidence to listen, speak, and even write in English.

If you want to learn without all the fuss, it’s really worth trying at least one of them. They’re free, easy to use, and they actually work. Just get started.

Pick your favorite in the Apple Store or Play Store and start today.

The English you want to speak is just a few taps away.