Speak review

What Speak is

Speak is a language-learning app built around speaking out loud. Its tagline is “Don’t just learn languages, start speaking them.” Instead of tapping multiple-choice answers, you repeat phrases, answer prompts and hold AI-driven conversations, and Speak gives real-time feedback on pronunciation and phrasing at your level.

Speak says it has been downloaded more than 15 million times worldwide. It has a formal partnership with OpenAI and is backed by the OpenAI Startup Fund.

Key features

AI conversation practice

Free-talking practice with an AI partner, without the anxiety of being judged by a person.

Real-time feedback

Corrections on pronunciation and phrasing as you speak.

Lessons matched to your level

Structured lessons that adapt to what you know.

Speak Tutor

The full Speak Tutor experience is part of Premium Plus.

Personalized review

Premium Plus builds custom review from your mistakes and creates Made for You lessons.

Languages

Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Italian and Simplified Chinese for English speakers.

Pricing breakdown

From Speak’s website and FAQ, checked October 16, 2026. Speak doesn’t publish fixed prices online—it says pricing varies by plan, region and current promotions, and the most accurate price is within the app.

Plan	Price	What you get
Free trial	$0 for 7 days	Core features including AI conversation practice
Speak Premium	See app	Core language-learning experience
Speak Premium Plus	See app	Premium + unlimited personalized lessons, custom review, Made for You lessons, full Speak Tutor

Best use cases

• Travelers: practice phrases before a trip.
• Beginners: build confidence speaking from day one.
• Intermediate learners: get comfortable with free conversation.
• Busy people: fit short speaking sessions into the day.

How to get started

1. Go to speak.com and click Get Started.
2. Start your 7-day trial.
3. Download the app and log in.
4. Do a lesson a day and try a free conversation.
5. Choose Premium or Premium Plus before the trial ends.

Tips and tricks

• Speak out loud every time, even when it feels awkward.
• Repeat lessons with low pronunciation scores.
• Use free talk to practice real situations.
• Set a daily reminder to build the habit.

Example practice scenario:

Practice ordering at a café in Spanish: greet the barista, order a large coffee with oat milk and a croissant, and ask how much it costs.

Pros and cons

👍 Pros

• Focus on speaking from day one
• Instant AI feedback
• Judgment-free practice
• Personalized lessons on Premium Plus
• Backed by OpenAI partnership

👎 Cons

• No free plan after the trial
• Limited language selection
• Prices not shown publicly
• Less grammar and reading depth

Who should (and shouldn't) use Speak

✅ A good fit if you…

• Want to talk, not just memorize
• Feel nervous speaking with people
• Learning one of Speak's six languages

⛔ Look elsewhere if you…

• Want a free, gamified app (consider Duolingo Max)
• Need flashcards for vocab (consider Quizlet)
• Learning languages Speak doesn't offer

Speak alternatives

• Duolingo Max — Duolingo's top subscription tier, built around AI features like Video Call and Roleplay, now in flux as AI moves into Super. (from Varies by region and platform; check in the app)
• Quizlet — Flashcards, practice tests, Learn mode and AI study guides for students and teachers. (from See quizlet.com/upgrade (price not confirmed))
• ChatGPT — OpenAI's AI assistant for chat, research, writing, coding, images, voice and agentic work. (from $8/mo (Go); Plus $20; Pro $100–$500)
• Khanmigo — Khan Academy's AI tutor for learners and free AI teaching assistant for teachers, with tools for families and districts. (from $4/mo or $44/yr (learners and families))
• Google Gemini — Google's AI assistant for chat, research, image and video generation, built into Gmail, Docs and Android. (from $4.99/mo (Google AI Plus))

FAQ

Is Speak free?

Speak offers a 7-day free trial to explore core features like AI conversation practice. After the trial, a paid subscription is required.

How much does Speak cost?

Speak says pricing varies by plan, region and current promotions, and the most accurate price is shown in the app. We couldn't confirm a public price.

Which languages does Speak teach?

English speakers can learn Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Italian and Simplified Chinese.

What's the difference between Premium and Premium Plus?

Speak Premium gives access to the core language-learning experience. Premium Plus adds unlimited personalized lessons, custom review built from your mistakes, Made for You lessons and the full Speak Tutor experience.

Is Speak affiliated with OpenAI?

Yes. Speak has a formal partnership with OpenAI and is backed by the OpenAI Startup Fund.

How do I start?

Click Get Started on speak.com to create an account and start your trial, then download the Speak app from the App Store or Google Play and log in—or sign up directly in the app.

Sources

This is an editorial review based on research of official Speak pages and documentation, not hands-on benchmark testing. Prices are in USD and were checked on October 16, 2026; vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official pricing page before buying.

1. Speak homepage and FAQ
2. Speak pricing