The best Irish speaking app depends on what you say and who answers you. Pimsleur has you answer recorded prompts, Glossika has you repeat sentences, Mango Languages and uTalk have you record yourself next to a speaker, and Poppy explains your lessons and plays roleplay. Talkpal answers you as an AI, and Preply puts you with a tutor. For courses and reading apps, see our Irish app comparison.
Bubblegum
For serious learners, Bubblegum is the best app to learn Irish. You learn from Irish you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
Tell Poppy, your AI tutor, your level and what you like, and she writes your Irish lessons. If a sentence is hard to follow, ask Poppy to explain it, or ask her to roleplay a conversation.
With Regenerative Review™, words you save show up again in new lessons, so that you can review words in new contexts without having to use flashcards.
- Irish lessons are written at your level, with English explanations.
- Ask Poppy to explain a sentence, or to roleplay a conversation.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- Voice chat with Poppy lets you talk, but it does not score your pronunciation.
- Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read.
- Regenerative Review™
Mobile
Pimsleur
Pimsleur suits learners who want a recording that tells them what to say.
- You answer recorded Irish prompts aloud, in a fixed order of lessons.
- Model audio lets you compare your answer.
MobileWeb
Glossika
Glossika suits learners who want to say many whole sentences out loud.
- Repeat and shadow Irish sentences, with spaced repetition to bring them back.
- Native model audio is there to compare.
MobileWeb
Mango Languages
Mango Languages starts each Irish lesson with a conversation. It suits learners who want to hear a dialogue first and then say it.
- The complete Irish course is free, with no plan needed.
- A voice comparison tool plays your recording next to the native model.
- Flashcards
MobileWeb
uTalk
uTalk suits learners who want to say the first Irish words aloud before they talk to anyone.
- Hear supplied Irish phrases, then record yourself and compare.
- Starter words are free.
MobileWeb
Other Apps We Looked At (2)
- TalkpalDialogue mode uses scripted conversations. Premium adds calls, roleplays, characters and debates, and the publisher advertises pronunciation and grammar corrections.
- PreplyA tutor directory for live one-to-one Irish lessons, including everyday conversation. You pick the tutor, so check that they explain in English.
| App | Usable in | Learning help in | How you practice | Who answers you | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Yes | Partly | Ask Poppy or have her roleplay | Poppy | Lessons written for others |
| Pimsleur | Yes | Unconfirmed | Answer recorded prompts aloud | The recording | Free sample |
| Glossika | Yes | Unconfirmed | Repeat and shadow sentences | The course | 7-day trial |
| Mango Languages | Yes | Yes | Conversation lessons, record and compare | The course | Complete Irish course |
| uTalk | Yes | Yes | Record and compare | The course | Starter words |
| Talkpal | Yes | Unconfirmed | Scripted dialogues, calls, roleplays | AI | 10 minutes of chat a day |
| Preply | Yes | PartlyDepends on the tutor | Live one-to-one lessons | A tutor | Paid trial lesson |
Which Irish speaking app should a beginner choose?
If you are serious about learning Irish, start with Bubblegum. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes lessons at your level about things you like. Or choose Mango Languages if you want a free Irish course where you record yourself, or Pimsleur if you want a recording that tells you what to say. For reading and listening before you speak, see our Irish comprehensible input comparison.
Can I practice speaking Irish for free?
Mango Languages has its complete Irish course free, and uTalk has free starter words. Talkpal's basic chat is limited to 10 minutes a day, and its Premium plan has a 14-day trial. Pimsleur has a free sample lesson, and Glossika has a 7-day trial.
Do these apps check my Irish pronunciation?
Mango Languages and uTalk play your recording next to a native model, and you hear the difference yourself. Talkpal advertises pronunciation and grammar corrections. That is the publisher's own description. A tutor on Preply can tell you how your Irish sounds and explain why.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read. Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- Pimsleur: Irish course
- Pimsleur: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Glossika: Irish course
- Glossika: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Mango Languages: Irish course
- Mango Languages: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- uTalk: Irish course
- uTalk: Languages you can learn from
- Talkpal: Irish course
- Talkpal: Pricing
- Talkpal: Roleplays
- Talkpal: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Preply: Irish tutors
- Preply: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Bubblegum
