Hanashi
Best Apps to Practise Japanese Speaking (2026)
Eoin, Founder of Hanashi • Published Feb 22, 2026
Best Apps to Practise Japanese Speaking (2026)
You came here for clear recommendations, so this article is straightforward: one best pick per goal, who it is for, and how to use it.
If you want the complete strategy behind these picks, read How to Practise Speaking Japanese Online.
In this guide:
- Quick Picks
- Best App by Goal
- Comparison Table
- Which One Should You Start With?
- Simple Weekly Plan
- FAQ
Quick Picks
- Best app for daily speaking confidence: Hanashi
- Best app for live tutor speaking practice: italki
- Best free app for language exchange: HelloTalk
- Best listening resource for speaking support: JapanesePod101 + Nihongo con Teppei
- Best free beginner course: NHK WORLD Easy Japanese
- Best vocabulary retention tool: Anki
Best App by Goal
Best App for Daily Speaking Confidence: Hanashi
Why this is the pick: It focuses on frequent speaking reps with feedback, which is the fastest way to build fluency.
Best for:
- Beginners to lower-intermediate learners
- Busy learners with 10 to 20 minutes per day
- People who feel shy in live conversations
Cost: Free trial + paid features
How to use it well:
- Total 20-30 minutes per day
- Complete 1 or 2 lessons for about 5 to 10 minutes
- Practice talking with the characters for 10 minutes
- Practice talking about a topic for 10 minutes
- Save vocabulary and note down feedback
For serious progress, a yearly plan is usually better than month-to-month switching. One month is often too short to build real speaking momentum in Japanese.
Best for Real Human Speaking: italki
Why this is the pick: Live tutors give immediate, personal correction and real conversation pressure.
Best for:
- Learners preparing for travel, work, or interviews
- Intermediate learners correcting recurring mistakes
- Anyone who needs weekly accountability
Cost: Pay per lesson (varies by tutor)
How to use it well:
- Book one lesson weekly
- Bring five lines you struggled with
- Ask for three natural alternatives before ending
- Practice real conversation speed
Best Free Language Exchange App: HelloTalk
Why this is the pick: Easy access to native speakers through text and voice messages.
Best for:
- Budget-focused learners
- People wanting casual, real-world language
- Learners practicing short daily voice notes
Cost: Free tier available
How to use it well:
- Choose one weekly theme (self-intro, food, directions)
- Send short voice notes, not only text
- Ask for one correction focus at a time
Best Listening Support for Better Speaking: JapanesePod101 + Nihongo con Teppei
Why this is the pick: Better listening rhythm makes speaking smoother and faster.
Best for:
- Learners who can read more than they can follow speech
- Intermediate learners needing understandable daily input
- Learners who pause too often while speaking
Cost: Free episodes available; paid tiers optional
How to use it well (15 minutes):
- 5 minutes listen
- 5 minutes shadow one short segment
- 5 minutes retell in your own words
Best Free Structured Course for Beginners: NHK WORLD Easy Japanese
Why this is the pick: Short, practical beginner dialogues with clear progression.
Best for:
- Absolute beginners
- Learners wanting structure before paying
- Students who prefer short repeatable lessons
Cost: Free
How to use it well:
- Complete one lesson
- Copy three useful phrases
- Reuse those phrases in speaking practice the same day
Best for Vocabulary Retention: Anki
Why this is the pick: You speak more smoothly when high-frequency words become automatic.
Best for:
- Learners forgetting words mid-sentence
- JLPT learners who also want conversation gains
- Anyone needing long-term retention
Cost: Free on most platforms
How to use it well:
- Add only words you will use this week
- Review 5 to 10 minutes daily
- Say each answer out loud once
Comparison Table
| Goal | Best Pick | Cost | Best For | Use It Like This |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily speaking confidence | Hanashi | Free trial + paid features | Building fluency with short daily reps | 20-30 min daily speaking + corrections |
| Real human conversation | italki | Paid per lesson | Live feedback and accountability | 1 lesson weekly + prep notes |
| Free conversation practice | HelloTalk | Free tier + paid features | Voice-note exchange with natives | Daily short voice notes |
| Listening that helps speaking | JapanesePod101 + Nihongo con Teppei | Free + optional paid | Rhythm, comprehension, faster response | Listen, shadow, retell (15 min) |
| Free beginner structure | NHK WORLD Easy Japanese | Free | Absolute beginners | 1 lesson + 3 phrases reused aloud |
| Vocabulary recall for speaking | Anki | Free on most platforms | Faster word retrieval | 5-10 min daily + speak cards aloud |
Which One Should You Start With?
- I freeze when speaking: start with Hanashi
- I need live conversation practice: start with italki
- I need free options first: start with HelloTalk + NHK Easy Japanese
- I cannot follow spoken Japanese: start with JapanesePod101 + Nihongo con Teppei
- I forget vocabulary too fast: add Anki
Start with one main tool for 14 days before switching.
Simple Weekly Plan (30 Minutes a Day)
- Mon-Fri (30 min): 20 min speaking app + 5 min listening + 5 min correction review
- Sat: one tutor or exchange session (20-30 min)
- Sun: review common mistakes and retry corrected sentences
If you only have 10 minutes, spend all 10 on active speaking.
FAQ
What is the best app to practise Japanese speaking?
Hanashi is our top recommendation for most learners because it is designed for daily speaking reps with feedback. If your goal is speaking confidence, start with Hanashi and use it consistently.
Can I improve speaking with free resources only?
Yes, you can improve with free resources like HelloTalk + NHK WORLD Easy Japanese + Nihongo con Teppei. But progress is usually slower because free setups often lack immediate correction and structured feedback. If you want faster speaking improvement, use a speaking-focused app like Hanashi.
Should I focus on speaking or listening first?
Do both, but prioritize speaking if your goal is conversation confidence. A good split is about 70% speaking and 30% listening support.
More Resources
- Full roadmap: How to Practise Speaking Japanese Online (2026)
- AI routine: How to Practise Japanese Speaking with AI (2026)
- All posts: Browse the blog