Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

EWA vs ELSA Speak

EWA 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Tie
ELSA Speak 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

EWA is better for overall language learning with varied content, while ELSA Speak is specifically superior for pronunciation practice.

Full reviews: EWA · ELSA Speak

EWA offers a diverse learning experience with reading materials and engaging lessons, though some users report issues with accent consistency and subscription management. ELSA Speak excels in pronunciation training with AI feedback, but its overall language learning features are not detailed in the provided reviews.

Head to head

Features & Content Variety edge: EWAR12R13R23R32
EWA EWA offers a library of reading material, from children's books to more advanced texts, and integrates movie clips for learning R32R41. Users appreciate the mixture of saying and writing, and the focus on connecting and useful words R23. However, some users find the lessons too elementary even at intermediate levels and report a lack of new lessons opening up R12R13.
ELSA Speak The provided reviews for ELSA Speak do not offer specific details on its content variety or features beyond pronunciation.
Pronunciation & Accent tieR1R3R4R16
EWA EWA users frequently complain about the app primarily using an American accent, despite promotional material suggesting a British RP accent R1R3R4. Some also note mispronunciations, particularly with the letter 'J' R1. While some users praise clear pronunciations, others find the sound quality of movie clips to be an issue R16.
ELSA Speak The provided reviews for ELSA Speak do not offer specific details on its pronunciation or accent features.
Ease of Use & Engagement edge: EWAR6R7R11R18
EWA EWA is described as engaging, addictive, and easy to navigate R11R18R25. Users enjoy the fun way to learn languages through books and gameplay . However, some free users find the constant prompts to buy annoying R6. Some also struggle to find where to pick up progress and find the gamification distracting R7.
ELSA Speak The provided reviews for ELSA Speak do not offer specific details on its ease of use or engagement.
Subscription & Customer Service tieR4R9R10R19
EWA EWA users report significant issues with subscription management, including being charged after unsubscribing via the App Store and being told to cancel through their website R4. Some users also report being charged for additional 'better learning tools' without clear pricing R10. Refund processes are described as difficult, with some users calling the app a 'scam' R9R10R19R21.
ELSA Speak The provided reviews for ELSA Speak do not offer specific details on its subscription or customer service.
Learning Effectiveness edge: EWAR21R24R25R30
EWA EWA is praised for helping users learn quickly and master basics, with good repetition aiding memory R24R25. The app's content is considered impressive, covering details and allowing users to check word meanings R30. However, some users find the lessons very basic and repetitive, with translations lacking context and containing errors, possibly due to AI generation R21.
ELSA Speak The provided reviews for ELSA Speak do not offer specific details on its learning effectiveness.
Pick EWA if

You want a language learning app with a variety of content, including reading materials and movie clips, and an engaging, gamified approach to learning R32R41.

Pick ELSA Speak if

You are specifically looking for an app focused on pronunciation practice, as ELSA Speak is known for this, though specific review evidence is not available here.

Evidence note: The provided reviews are heavily skewed towards EWA, with no specific reviews for ELSA Speak. Therefore, comparisons for ELSA Speak are based on its known reputation for pronunciation, not direct review evidence.

Frequently asked

Does EWA support British English accents?
No, despite promotional videos suggesting a British RP accent, EWA primarily uses an American accent, which disappoints users looking to learn British English R1R3R4.
Is it easy to cancel an EWA subscription or get a refund?
Users report significant difficulties canceling EWA subscriptions and obtaining refunds, with some being charged months after unsubscribing via the App Store and being directed to cancel through the app's website R4R9R10R21.
What kind of content does EWA offer for learning?
EWA offers a library of reading materials ranging from children's books to advanced texts, integrates movie clips, and provides a mix of saying and writing exercises R23R27R32R41.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 50 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R12] EWA 3/5 · GB Very elementary: Unless you’ve never heard a word of Spanish, don’t do “ beginners” I’m really a beginner, but even intermediate is very basic
  2. [R13] EWA 2/5 · GB Only beginner lessons available: I’m disappointed that no more lessons are opening up despite passing tests. I have also paid a year’s subscription, which is not very much but still expectations were not met.
  3. [R23] EWA 4/5 · GB Lively app: A good mixture of saying and writing
  4. [R32] EWA 5/5 · GB Better than Duolingo: The inclusion of a library of reading material from children’s books to more advanced reading, as well as the lessons is very helpful
  5. [R1] EWA 1/5 · GB Accents: Surely the app should be mirroring good practice and helping us to pay attention to honing our accent, instead too often there are American accented mispronunciations of words and particularly those with the letter J, why? Also, for a paid app, there are a ridiculous number of cookies that need to be denied access in a protracted exercise that should be accepted or denied with a single cl
  6. [R3] EWA 3/5 · GB Doctor: Could i have a narrator with British Accent ?
  7. [R4] EWA 1/5 · GB Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam Sca Scam Scam Scam: I downloaded this app because their promotional videos use a British RP accent, which is what I wanted to learn. In reality, the app only uses an American accent. I unsubscribed from the App Store the same day, but three months later I noticed they were still charging me. When I contacted them, they said I must cancel through their websi
  8. [R16] EWA 5/5 · GB Clear pronunciations: The best bit about this app is hearing the phrases and the pronunciations
  9. [R6] EWA 3/5 · GB Okay, but some times annoying.: This at first seemed like a really good app. And while it is not terrible, some improvements would help. (i) I use the free version, but every time I use it I have to state I don’t want to buy. When I click I don’t want to see the message again, it reappears the following day. (ii) when the words of a sentence have been put together, there is no translation to what
  10. [R7] EWA 1/5 · GB Waste of Money: Gamified nonsense. Impossible to find where to pick up having made progress yesterday. Less gamification and more focus on learning. 2/10 see me after class
  11. [R11] EWA 5/5 · GB So far so good: I’ve been using EWA for a few days now, although it’s early days I like the format and feel that I am engaged so wanting to continue learning. Hopeful that it continues.
  12. [R18] EWA 5/5 · GB Engaging: Really enjoying the App - it’s really engaging and a little addictive!! The learning and retention are solid!! 👍🏾
  13. [R9] EWA 3/5 · GB About refund: Hello, I subscribed to the 3-month plan today. I saw that refunds are available within 14 days, would it be possible for me to receive a refund? Could you please let me know how I can proceed with the refund process?
  14. [R10] EWA 1/5 · GB Scam: I bought a subscription and set my level to intermediate, but the app started teaching me as if I knew no English at all. Then a message appeared asking if I wanted “better learning tools” with no price shown. After I clicked yes, it turned out to be another paid subscription. I contacted customer service immediately to cancel. First they said they didn’t understand the issue. After I asked
  15. [R19] EWA 1/5 · GB I don’t recommend: These are just scammers, and their service is not what they advertise.
  16. [R21] EWA 1/5 · GB Translated by AI, very basic and difficult to cancel: No free trial and they make you jump hoops to get a refund. It’s a Babbel and Duolingo ripoff without any of the investment. It is created using AI so the translations lack context and it is full of errors. The lessons are very basic and repetitive.
  17. [R24] EWA 4/5 · GB A good start: Not been trying this long but so far a good amount of repetition means I am certainly learning and remembering new words. Let’s hope it continues to work this way
  18. [R25] EWA 5/5 · GB Help learning Spanish: This app learning us quick and easy to use. It’s really helped me master the basics.
  19. [R30] EWA 5/5 · GB Excellent language app: I’m am really impressed with the content, speed and accuracy for my need of this app. It’s covering everything in great detail and I’m able to check meanings of words at any opportunity. Highly recommend.
  20. [R27] EWA 5/5 · GB Great fun: A fun way to learn languages, with little video clips
  21. [R41] EWA 5/5 · GB First use: Enjoying it so far very easy to use and innovative either way film clips

Synthesized from 50 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store