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スピークバディー

スピークバディー
: How to use it, features, and the business problems it solves

What is スピークバディー?

An app from appArray, Inc. focused on practicing English conversation with an AI character. Role-play across 1,000+ scenes with an "AI buddy," plus a generative-AI-powered Free Talk feature. It lets you practice speaking anytime and anywhere; 5M+ downloads, App Store 4.6. Offers personalized curricula and a business version, "SpeakBuddy for Business."

Business problems it solves

About "スピークバディー"

What is SpeakBuddy

SpeakBuddy is an app from appArray, Inc. focused on practicing English conversation with an AI character. You practice role-play conversations across 1,000+ scenes with an "AI buddy," and it also has a free-form "Free Talk" feature powered by generative AI. Its strength is letting you practice speaking — which can be nerve-racking in front of others — anytime and anywhere; it has surpassed 5 million downloads.

Provider
appArray, Inc.
Category
AI English-conversation app (speaking-focused)
Core
Role-play conversation with an AI buddy + generative-AI Free Talk
Platforms
iOS/Android, Japanese UI (study in English)
Pricing
¥3,980/mo (1-month) / ¥2,367 effective (12-month); free trial available
Track record
5M+ downloads, App Store 4.6

Rack up speaking volume without worrying about your partner

Improving at conversation takes volume, but a human partner can mean nerves and constraints on time and cost. SpeakBuddy's strength is that because your partner is an AI, you can speak freely, as much as you want. Role-play across business, daily-life and other scenes, practice freely with generative-AI Free Talk, and cover pronunciation and the four skills — all in one app.

Features

01Speak

  • Role-play with the AI buddy — practical conversation across 1,000+ scenes
  • Free Talk — free-form English practice powered by generative AI
  • Pronunciation training — feedback on speaking and pronunciation

02Build the four skills

  • Vocabulary, listening, writing — study comprehensively
  • Key phrases & shadowing — master conversational patterns

03Keep going

  • Level assessment & personalized curriculum — a plan matched to your level
  • Progress tracking — record and sustain your study

How to use

  1. Assess your level

    Take a level assessment first and set a curriculum that fits you.

  2. Role-play across scenes

    Practice conversations with the AI buddy in business, daily-life and other scenes.

  3. Speak in Free Talk

    Increase your speaking volume with free-form conversation via generative AI.

  4. Train pronunciation and the four skills

    Build overall ability with pronunciation feedback, vocabulary, listening and more.

Pricing

For individuals: 1-month plan ¥3,980/mo and 12-month plan ¥2,367 effective monthly (¥28,400/yr). There is a free trial so you can try before you continue (as of August 2026).

1-month plan
¥3,980/mo
12-month plan
¥2,367 effective/mo (¥28,400/yr)
Free
Free trial available

For business (SpeakBuddy for Business)

There is also "SpeakBuddy for Business," deployed at 350+ companies. You can learn in as little as 5 minutes, with level diagnosis and curriculum recommendations, an admin learning-progress dashboard, and optional online lessons with Japanese instructors. Pricing is an individual plan by organization size (contact for a quote).

Track record and reviews

5M+Cumulative downloads
4.6App Store rating
13.3 moAverage retention
350+Business deployments

It has won the Good Design Award, the Japan e-Learning Award (Grand Prize) and Google Play Best of 2023 (Best AI category). It claims "No.1 in cumulative domestic downloads among AI English-conversation apps with a Free Talk feature."

How SpeakBuddy differs from other AI English/language apps

Language apps differ between "comprehensive study" and "speaking-focused." SpeakBuddy stands out for being designed for Japanese native speakers, securing speaking volume through AI role-play plus Free Talk.

AspectSpeakBuddyComprehensive (Duolingo)Pronunciation/speaking (LingoChamp etc.)
FocusAI English conversation (speaking)Reading/writing included, comprehensivePronunciation scoring & speaking
DesignJapanese UI, curriculum for Japanese learnersMultilingual, gamifiedAvailability varies by service
PartnerAI buddy + Free TalkAI lessonsAI coach

For gamified comprehensive study, Duolingo; for pronunciation scoring, LingoChamp; for casual chat, Cotomo. For people who want a Japanese UI and lots of English speaking practice, SpeakBuddy is a strong choice.

This page is based on information published on the official site as of August 2026. Please check the official site for the latest specs and pricing.

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