EF English Live review
Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 30, 2026
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Our verdict
EF English Live suits adults who want an English course with live lessons and a certificate, and who can commit for a while. The money back period of 84 days is the longest in this group, and study through app, live 1to1 and live group gives you a choice between app work and live classes.
Key facts
- Best for
- English learners who want app study plus live lessons and a certificate on a single plan.
- Money-back period
- 84 days (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Languages
- English (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Highest CEFR level
- C2 (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Lesson length (minutes)
- 40 (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Speech recognition
- Yes (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Offline use
- Yes (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Certificate
- Yes (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Signum International AG (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Founded
- 1965 (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Phone, Help-centre (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
- Learning method
- Mobile app, Live 1to1, Live group
- Official website
- ef.com
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- Google Play
Pros and cons
Pros
- The money back period of 84 days tops the brands in this group, so a course that does not fit can be refunded at length.
- Study can run through app, live 1to1 and live group, so the same purchase covers self paced app work and live teaching.
- A certificate is included at the finish, which matters for anyone who needs proof of level.
- Offline access and speech recognition are both part of the app, so practice does not stop without a connection.
Cons
- The plan teaches English only, with a single language offered, so a household learning another language needs a second course.
- Live lessons run 40 minutes each, which is shorter than the long sessions some adults plan around.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, which leaves out in app chat for quick questions between lessons.
- The level ceiling is C2, so anyone aiming beyond that has to look elsewhere for the final step.
Who it suits
- Adults who want a single paid course that mixes app study with live English teaching.
- Learners who want a certificate at the end and value a long refund window over a low entry price.
- People who plan to study on trains, flights or commutes and need offline access.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone learning several languages at once, since only English is offered.
- Learners who want long single lessons, as sessions are 40 minutes.
- Learners who prefer structured self study and managing their own review schedule, where Bunpro or Reading Eggs suit better.
What it does well
The strongest feature here is the refund window. For an adult joining a course that runs over several months, that length of cover matters more than a small saving on the first payment. The course set is broad in format rather than in language: study runs through app, live 1to1 and live group, so app lessons and live teaching sit on the same plan, and a certificate is part of the finish. Live sessions are 40 minutes long, so booked classes are short enough to fit around work. The app also works offline and scores speech, which means you can practise out loud on a commute and hear whether the pronunciation lands. The level ceiling is C2, which suits adults aiming at advanced or mastery level work.
Who runs it
EF English Live is run by Signum International AG, a named company rather than a set of freelance teachers, and it has been trading since 1965. A single legal entity means a single set of terms, a single place to take a complaint, and a single company answerable if a live lesson does not happen. The same structure shows up in how help is offered. Support runs on email, phone and help centre, so you can email, call or work through the help centre. Phone support is less common in this category, and having it alongside email matters for anyone rearranging a booked live class. The trade off is that an established company sells a fixed course rather than matched hourly tutoring, so the plan does not flex around a specific tutor request.
How EF English Live compares
Frequently asked questions
Can I study English on my own with the app, or are live classes required?+
Both are covered. Study runs through app, live 1to1 and live group, so you can work in the app alone or book live sessions. The app also works offline, which means you can keep going on a commute or a flight, and it scores your speech so pronunciation practice is built in rather than added on.
Does EF English Live give a certificate at the end?+
A certificate is part of the course, and the level range tops out at C2. That matters if you need proof of your level for work or study. Anyone aiming above C2 would need another course for the final step, so check the target level before you join.
How long are the live lessons?+
Live sessions run 40 minutes each. Shorter sessions are easier to fit around a working day, but if you prefer a long weekly block you may prefer a tutor service that books longer classes. The app side covers the rest of the practice between sessions.
What languages can I learn on this plan?+
English is the only language on offer, so it is a single subject rather than a multi language subscription. If you are learning another language as well, budget for a second course. Reading Eggs and Bunpro serve different needs too, and neither covers several languages in a single purchase either.
How can I get help if something goes wrong with a booking?+
Support runs on email, phone and help centre, so you can email, speak to the team by phone, or use the help centre. Phone support is the useful one for live lessons, since a cancelled class needs a person rather than a form. The company behind the brand is Signum International AG, so there is a single named party to deal with.
Who is behind EF English Live?+
The service is run by Signum International AG and has been trading since 1965. That length of trading matters for an adult signing up for a course that runs over months, since the counterparty is a company with published terms rather than a set of independent tutors.
Sources
- englishlive.ef.com/en checked September 30, 2026
Backs: Certificate, Languages, Legal entity
“When you pass, you receive a certificate”
- englishlive.ef.com/en/method/app checked September 30, 2026
Backs: Learning method, Offline use
“24/7 access to private and group classes”
- englishlive.ef.com/en/method/levels-and-certificates checked September 30, 2026
Backs: Highest CEFR level, Founded, Speech recognition
“Level 16 is for fully proficient learners (CEFR C2)”
- englishlive.ef.com/en/method/satisfaction-guarantee checked September 30, 2026
Backs: Money-back period
“If you are not satisfied after your first 12 weeks, you get your money back”
- englishlive.ef.com/en/terms-and-conditions checked September 30, 2026
Backs: Lesson length (minutes), Support channels
“A private Lesson of 40 minutes”
Compiled from 5 source pages, checked September 30, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price from, Price per month, Price per year, Free tier, Free trial length.
Related by the facts
EF English Live
English learners who want app study plus live lessons and a certificate on a single plan.