Updated October 1, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
HelloTalk vs SpeakBrit Academy
Where HelloTalk and SpeakBrit Academy differ
| Compare |  HelloTalk |  SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.99 | £89.99 |
| Price per month | $12.99 | £89.99 |
| Free tier | YesHas it | No |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Chinese, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Hindi, Thai, VietnameseCovers more | English |
| AI conversation practice | YesHas it | No |
| Price per year | $79.99 | Not confirmed |
| Lesson price from | Not confirmed | £89.99 to £199.99 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Number of languages | 260 | Not confirmed |
| Lesson length (minutes) | Not confirmed | 30 to 60 |
| Kids version | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Family subscription | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- HelloTalk scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.5.
- Free tier: only HelloTalk.
- AI conversation practice: only HelloTalk.
- Support channels: only HelloTalk offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only SpeakBrit Academy offers Chat.
- Languages: only HelloTalk offers Spanish, Japanese, Korean.
- Learning method: only HelloTalk offers App.
- Learning method: only SpeakBrit Academy offers Live 1to1.
Our verdict on each
HelloTalk
HelloTalk suits learners who want speaking practice with native speakers across 260 languages and can start on the free tier. It ranks well on yearly price at 6 of 18, so the cost of staying is easier to plan than the monthly cycle.
SpeakBrit Academy
SpeakBrit Academy suits families and adults who want live English classes with native British teachers rather than self-paced material. Group plans start at £89.99 a month, and a free assessment plus a 14-day cooling-off window in the UK keep the first step low risk.
Score breakdown
| Area | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherFree tier with fees of $12.99, $12.99 and $79.99 puts entry low against £6.99. | 8.3Monthly subscription with group plans at £89.99, plus a 14-day cooling-off window in the UK after you join. |
| Offer | 9.3Higher260 languages, app and live group and AI conversation on a free tier. | 8.6Live English tuition with native British teachers across 9 program stages from 4, starting with a free assessment. |
| Trust | 9.32012 founding, HK base and HelloTalk, Inc. behind the app. | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Online language tutors and classes | 7 of 25 | 15 of 25 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United Kingdom |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Learning method | App, Live group | Live 1to1, Live group |
| Legal entity | HelloTalk, Inc. | SpeakBrit Academy |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2012 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat |
Online courses
| Fact | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Platform type | Not confirmed | Subscription |
| Subjects | Not confirmed | Languages |
| Certificate types | Not confirmed | Completion |
| Number of courses | Not confirmed | 9 |
| Course languages | Not confirmed | English |
| Graded assessments | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Offline downloads | Not confirmed | No |
Tutoring
| Fact | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription price | Not confirmed | £89.99 to £199.99 |
| Trial lesson | Not confirmed | Free |
| Lesson format | Not confirmed | 1to1, Group |
| Number of tutors | Not confirmed | 7 |
| Tutor vetting | Not confirmed | Screened |
| Tutor background checks | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Minimum age | Not confirmed | 4 |
| Cancellation notice | Not confirmed | 24 hours |
| Satisfaction guarantee | Not confirmed | Free 20-minute assessment before enrolment; 14-day cooling-off period, full refund if cancelled before the first lesson, pro-rata refund for lessons not yet taken |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | HelloTalk | SpeakBrit Academy | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per year | $79.99lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $95.99 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 14 daysbelow the median | 30 days |
| Number of languages | 260highest quarter | Not confirmed | 41 |
| Lesson length (minutes) | Not confirmed | 30 to 60at the median | 30 |
Median across 33 listed providers.
Pros and cons
HelloTalk
Pros
- Free tier lets learners test the app before paying, which most language apps also offer
- 260 languages covered, a wider list than most apps in the ranking
- AI conversation adds a practice partner when no native speaker is free
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre, so a billing or account question goes to email or the help centre with no faster channel
- Monthly billing of $12.99 costs more than the yearly price of $79.99 if you pay monthly
- Entry price of $12.99 is higher than the free entry at €0 and $0
SpeakBrit Academy
Pros
- Entry starts with a free no-obligation assessment, and placement is confirmed by consultation and assessment rather than a self-declared level.
- A 14-day cooling-off period in the UK, with a full refund if you cancel before your first lesson.
- Group plans hold £89.99 a month, and the subscription means that same figure is what renews.
Cons
- There is no free tier, so the only no-cost step is the free assessment before enrolment.
- Moving a class needs 24 hours' notice, which is awkward around work and school runs.
- Classes are live on Zoom at set times, so there is nothing to download and watch later.
Who each suits
HelloTalk
Who it suits
- Learners who want conversation with native speakers rather than a syllabus
- People who can commit to a yearly plan to cut the cost of the monthly cycle
- Anyone starting out who wants to try a language app without paying
Who should look elsewhere
- Learners who want live tutoring by appointment, where Reading Eggs is the better fit
- People who need phone or chat support, since HelloTalk runs on email and help centre only
- Learners on a strict budget who would start free at Phase-6 or Bunpro instead
SpeakBrit Academy
Who it suits
- Families with children from 4 who want live British English classes with a named, vetted teacher.
- Adults working towards IELTS or everyday fluency who prefer speaking with a person to working through material alone.
- Learners who want to test the fit before paying, since a free assessment comes before enrollment.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants recordings or downloads to work through on their own time; classes are live on Zoom and never pre-recorded.
- Anyone studying a language other than English, since the teaching here is English.
- Learners who want to place themselves by a self-declared level; a consultation and assessment set the placement.
Questions about each
HelloTalk
What does HelloTalk cost to start?+
Entry is priced at $12.99, and there is also a free tier so you can try the app first. The monthly plan is $12.99, which is the same figure as entry, so a single month is not cheaper than joining. Bunpro and Phase-6 both offer free entry.
Is the monthly plan worth it or should I pay yearly?+
The monthly plan is $12.99 and the yearly plan is $79.99. Paid yearly plans rank at 6 of 18, which is a stronger showing than the 14 of 25 recorded for monthly billing. If you already know you will stick with it, yearly is the cheaper route.
SpeakBrit Academy
How much does SpeakBrit Academy cost each month?+
Courses are sold as a monthly subscription, so one figure covers entry and renewal. The Adult Group plan sets the entry figure at £89.99, Teen Group and The Social Learner also sit at £89.99, and the individual Private Scholar plan sits at the top of a range running £89.99 to £199.99. Each booking is a live session of 30 to 60 minutes.
Is there a free trial or a free tier?+
There is no free tier. Instead, every learner starts with a free assessment that carries no charge and needs no payment details, and final placement is confirmed afterwards through a consultation and assessment. Group and individual lessons then begin on a paid monthly plan.