Public speaking is a crucial skill that many of us either dread or feel uncertain about. I know I’ve been there—standing in front of a group, my hands clammy, my mind racing. But with practice, and the right tools, anyone can improve their speaking skills. Thankfully, technology has made this task easier by offering a variety of apps designed to help improve public speaking. I’ve spent some time exploring these tools, and here I’m going to share my findings on the best apps that can help you elevate your speaking skills. From voice training to speech analysis, these apps cover a range of helpful features that will assist you in becoming more confident and effective in front of an audience.
Table of Contents
Why Public Speaking Matters
Before diving into the apps themselves, let’s pause for a moment to think about why public speaking is so important. Whether you’re giving a presentation at work, delivering a speech at a wedding, or simply making a toast, effective public speaking is a valuable skill. It’s all about communicating your ideas clearly and confidently. Many opportunities—personal and professional—can open up with strong public speaking skills, including promotions at work, invitations to conferences, and the ability to influence others.
The problem, however, is that most people struggle with public speaking. I’ve seen this in many of my colleagues, and it’s something I’ve personally faced as well. For some, it’s the fear of speaking in front of an audience that holds them back. For others, it’s simply a lack of practice and the inability to structure a speech well. The good news is that with consistent practice and the right tools, anyone can improve.
How Apps Can Help
Now, let’s talk about how apps can assist in your journey to becoming a better speaker. Apps can provide a structured way to practice, offer feedback on your speeches, and help you monitor your progress over time. Whether you’re looking to work on your voice control, reduce filler words, or receive constructive feedback, these apps cover all those areas.
I’ve reviewed several popular apps designed to help with public speaking, and I’ve broken them down into categories to help you make an informed choice. You’ll find apps focused on various aspects of public speaking, such as vocal training, speech analysis, and presentation skills.
1. Speeko
Speeko is a great app for anyone who wants to improve their speaking skills in a more personalized way. I like this app because it uses AI to analyze your speech and provide real-time feedback. You simply record your practice speeches, and the app will offer suggestions on how to improve. It evaluates factors like your pace, tone, pitch, and pauses. One feature I find particularly helpful is its ability to track your progress over time, giving you clear insights into areas that need improvement.
Key Features:
- Speech analysis with AI
- Tracks progress over time
- Provides feedback on pace, tone, pitch, and pauses
- Personalized coaching
Best For: Those looking for personalized feedback to improve their speaking style.
2. Toastmasters International
Toastmasters is widely known for its real-world speech training programs, and their app brings this training to your fingertips. I’ve personally attended a few Toastmasters meetings, and I can say the app is a great companion for anyone serious about developing their public speaking skills. The app includes access to a wide range of speech topics, public speaking tips, and a community of speakers. You can also participate in virtual meetings and speech evaluations, which is an excellent way to get feedback on your performance.
Key Features:
- Access to Toastmasters resources and tips
- Virtual speech evaluations
- Join global meetings and events
- Community support
Best For: Those looking for a structured and community-based approach to improving public speaking.
3. Orai
Orai is an app I highly recommend for beginners who need to focus on their delivery. The app uses AI to analyze your speech and helps you track your performance across multiple sessions. One of the aspects I particularly enjoy is how it helps reduce filler words like “um” and “uh” by giving feedback on how often they occur. Additionally, it provides a “Confidence Meter” that tracks your overall confidence level throughout your practice sessions.
Key Features:
- Real-time feedback on filler words and delivery
- Confidence Meter to track improvement
- Personalized speech coaching
- Tracks speech clarity and pace
Best For: Beginners who want to focus on delivery and reduce filler words.
4. Pronunroid
Pronunroid is the perfect app if you want to focus on pronunciation and enunciation. I’ve used this app to refine my speech, especially when I’m practicing for important presentations. It provides exercises to help improve your pronunciation and works with various languages, making it a versatile tool for non-native speakers as well. One of the great features is that it listens to your speech and offers suggestions on how to make your pronunciation clearer.
Key Features:
- Speech recognition for accurate feedback
- Exercises for pronunciation and enunciation
- Tracks progress over time
- Works with multiple languages
Best For: Anyone looking to improve their pronunciation and clarity.
5. Big Stage
Big Stage is an app designed to help you practice public speaking in front of a virtual audience. If the idea of speaking in front of a crowd makes you nervous (and trust me, I’ve been there), this app is a great way to ease into it. You can practice your speeches in front of a simulated audience that reacts to your performance, and the app provides feedback on your delivery, content, and body language. It’s a unique way to prepare for the real thing.
Key Features:
- Virtual audience simulation
- Body language and delivery feedback
- Tracks performance and progress
- Offers suggestions for improvement
Best For: Those who need to practice with a virtual audience and focus on delivery.
6. Speechling
Speechling is an app I’ve found helpful for improving speech fluency, especially when preparing for long presentations. The app connects you with real-world coaches who can evaluate your speeches and offer guidance. I like that it provides daily speech practice sessions, as this encourages consistency and makes practicing easy. You can also record your speech and get direct feedback from a coach, which is useful when you want personalized guidance.
Key Features:
- Daily speech practice exercises
- Direct feedback from professional coaches
- Personalized coaching sessions
- Tracks fluency and delivery
Best For: Those who want personalized coaching and consistent practice.
7. Ummo
Ummo is an app that focuses on helping you get rid of filler words like “um” and “uh,” which are common problems for many speakers (myself included). This app is simple yet effective. All you need to do is speak, and Ummo will analyze your speech and provide feedback on how many filler words you used. Over time, this feedback helps you become more aware of your speech patterns and gradually reduce the use of these unnecessary words.
Key Features:
- Tracks filler words
- Provides feedback on speech clarity
- Simple interface for easy use
- Free basic version available
Best For: Those looking for a simple tool to reduce filler words.
Comparison Table
Here’s a comparison table to help you see how these apps stack up against each other in terms of features:
| App Name | Personalized Feedback | Virtual Audience | Pronunciation Focus | Filler Word Tracking | Speech Coaching | Community Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeko | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Toastmasters | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Orai | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pronunroid | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Big Stage | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Speechling | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ummo | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
How to Choose the Right App for You
Choosing the right app depends on your goals and what aspect of public speaking you want to focus on. If you need help with filler words and delivery, I’d recommend Orai or Ummo. For those who want a more structured learning path with community support, Toastmasters International is a solid choice. If you need help with pronunciation, Pronunroid is the best option.
For those who want to simulate real-world scenarios, Big Stage’s virtual audience feature is a great way to prepare for a crowd. And if you prefer personalized feedback and coaching, Speechling provides direct connections with real coaches.
Conclusion
Improving your public speaking skills takes time, but with the right tools, you can make the process a lot easier and more effective. Whether you’re a beginner looking to reduce filler words or an experienced speaker trying to fine-tune your delivery, there’s an app out there that can help you reach your goals. I’ve personally found these apps to be extremely helpful, and I’m confident that with consistent practice, they can help you improve too. Public speaking is a skill anyone can master—it just takes the right tools and dedication.
