Best Speak alternative: practice with what you read

• Your material, not a course. Bring in a video from a YouTube channel you like, a news story, or a whole book as a PDF or EPUB, and read it with every word colored by how well you know it. The Speak app writes its own lessons; its custom lessons start from a topic you describe, and we found no way to bring in your own.
• Words, one at a time. Spark splits known words into passive (you recognize them) and active (you can use them), and a word only turns active when you type it correctly without help, use it on your own in a chat, or still know it 7 days later. In the Speak app you bookmark lines to a Saved Lines list; we did not find word-by-word tracking or spaced repetition.
• A chat about what you read. After a piece, you chat about it in the language you are learning, and Spark corrects every message. You type or speak; Spark answers in text for now. The Speak app's spoken replies are in Free Talk's Immersive Mode, not in course lessons, and its help center says you still tap to send each sentence. Its store listings also describe phone call-style chats with an AI tutor, for people learning English.
• On any screen. Spark runs in the browser, on a computer as well as a phone. Speak's lessons are in its iPhone, iPad and Android apps; its website is for signing up.

• You start from zero. Nothing imports from Speak, so your Saved Lines stay in the Speak app; Spark's only vocabulary import is from LingQ.
• Pick the language you are learning and answer a few short questions, including the topics you like and your level. Your dashboard then suggests up to three short articles, or you can bring in your own with the Chrome extension.
• What the Speak app taught you still counts. Tap only the words you do not know; the rest count as known when you move on.

• Praktika: talking with an AI avatar tutor, in 14 languages
• Langua (by LanguaTalk): speaking out loud with an AI tutor
• Duolingo: a short daily lesson that builds a habit
• LingQ: the widest range of sources and languages

Can I use Spark and the Speak app together?

Yes. Read or watch something in Spark, tap the words you do not know, and review them the next day. Then open Free Talk in the Speak app and say the same ideas out loud. Nothing moves between the two apps.

What's the best Speak alternative if I already understand a lot?

Spark, if what you want next is to use the words you already half know. Read or watch something you chose, tap only the words you do not know, then chat about it, typing or speaking. Spark replies in text for now.

Can I use my own articles or videos in the Speak app?

We did not find a way. Its custom lessons (a beta, in select courses) and Custom Courses (a closed beta) are made from a topic, goal or situation you describe, and Speak writes the lesson. Spark opens the article, video or book itself.

Speak vs Praktika: which is better?

Both are phone apps for speaking out loud with an AI. Praktika has animated avatar tutors, 14 languages at every level on one plan, and a free version. The Speak app has a course with video lessons, and is paid after a 7-day trial. On the US App Store, Praktika Premium is $9.99 for 1 month and Speak Premium starts at $17.99 a month. More in our Praktika comparison.

Speak vs Langua: which is better?

Langua (by LanguaTalk) is an AI conversation tutor that replies in voices cloned from native speakers, with a hands-free call mode. It runs on the web, iOS and Android, its help center lists 23 languages, and it has a free version. The Speak app is a phone course with spoken role-play in Free Talk. More in our Langua comparison.

Speak vs Duolingo: which is better for speaking?

For speaking out loud, the Speak app, since that is what it is built around. Duolingo is a course of short lessons in 40+ languages, with a free version that shows ads. Spark is for using the words from things you read and watch. More in our Duolingo comparison.

How much does the Speak app cost?

Speak's website lists no prices; its home page says pricing varies by plan, region and promotions, and the app shows the current one. On the US App Store (November 2026), Premium is $17.99 to $21.99 a month or $83.99 to $109.99 a year, and Premium Plus is $39.99 a month or $164.99 a year. Speak's help center says Premium caps some personalized lessons each day and Premium Plus does not. Reviewers on the US App Store (April to November 2026) say you get about one lesson before a paywall. Spark has a free plan and a 7-day Core trial with no card; Core is then $14.99 a month or $149 a year, so Speak's annual Premium can cost less by the year.

Can I use the Speak app on a computer?

Not for lessons. Speak's help center says the app is not available on desktop (PC); it runs on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets. You can sign up and start the trial on speak.com, then learn in the app. Spark runs in any modern browser, on a computer, tablet or phone.

How do I cancel the Speak app?

Where you cancel depends on where you paid. On the App Store, cancel in your iPhone's Settings, under your Apple ID and Subscriptions. On Google Play, use Payments & Subscriptions. If you paid on Speak's website, go to Profile, Settings, Manage Membership in the app. Speak says you will not get a refund for the rest of the period, and that a trial must be canceled at least one day before it ends to avoid a charge. Source: Speak's cancellation help.

Is Spark good for beginners?

Not at first. Spark works best once you can read simple real content. If you are brand new, it starts you on short stories written at your level, but a course built for day one, like the Speak app, may suit you better.

How much does Spark cost?

Free to start. Every new account gets a 7-day trial of Core with no card. After that, Core is $14.99 a month or $149 a year, and Plus is $29.99 a month or $299 a year.

Facts about other products were checked on their own websites and app store listings in November 2026. Prices and features change. If something here is out of date, tell us at matt@learnwithspark.io and we will fix it.