Quick answer: Free AI tools like ChatGPT are good for daily practice. You can use them for vocabulary, grammar explanations, writing feedback and low-pressure speaking. They are weakest where many learners need the most help: honest feedback on pronunciation, structured progress toward a goal like IELTS or a job interview, and someone who notices the same mistake you keep making. For most adults, the cheapest plan that works is free AI tools every day plus a human tutor once or twice a week. A marketplace like Preply lets you choose a tutor at your budget, and prices are set by each tutor.
LearnwithZavi is about learning skills for free or for very little money. That's why we start with the free option and only recommend paying when it actually helps.
What free AI tools do well for English learners
If you've taken one of our free AI courses, you already know how to prompt a chatbot. You can use the same skill to learn English.
Unlimited, judgement-free practice
A chatbot never gets tired and never laughs at a mistake. You can ask it to:
- Explain a grammar rule using simple examples
- Rewrite your email in more natural English and explain each change
- Quiz you on 20 new words from your job or field
- Play a role, such as a job interviewer, a customer or a landlord
Instant writing feedback
Paste in a paragraph and ask, "Correct this, then list my three most common errors." This works well for emails, cover letters and IELTS-style essays. Treat the corrections as suggestions, not a final verdict.
Low cost
The free tiers of most AI chat tools are enough for text practice. If you're new to them, our Getting started with ChatGPT course shows you how to set one up as a study partner.
Where free AI tools fall short
AI is a powerful practice tool. It doesn't fully replace a teacher, for these reasons:
- Pronunciation and listening. Voice modes can hold a conversation, but they often don't reliably tell you which sound you're getting wrong or how to fix it.
- Accountability. Most people stop using a free app after a few weeks. A booked lesson with a real person is harder to skip.
- Confident wrong answers. AI can sound sure even when it's wrong, especially about exam rules, regional usage or subtle grammar. Our AI safety and verification course explains how to check what it tells you.
- No plan. A chatbot answers what you ask. It won't build you a 12-week path to a target IELTS band unless you know how to design one yourself.
- Real-time conversation nerves. Speaking to a real person, with their accent and interruptions, is the skill most job interviews and visa interviews actually test.
What a human tutor adds
A good tutor does the things AI is weak at:
- Listens to you speak and corrects pronunciation as you go
- Spots the mistakes you make over and over and plans lessons around them
- Prepares you for a specific goal, such as IELTS, a job interview, business meetings or relocation
- Keeps you accountable with a fixed weekly schedule
The trade-off is cost. Lessons cost money, so you need to choose carefully and use each session well.
How Preply works (and what it costs)
Preply is an online marketplace where independent tutors teach one-to-one video lessons. You can filter tutors by price, availability, native language, specialty (for example IELTS or business English) and reviews.
Pricing: prices vary by tutor. Each tutor sets their own rate per 50-minute lesson. When we checked Preply's English tutors page in November 2026, it showed these average rates:
| Preply English tutors (Preply's published averages) | Average rate |
|---|---|
| Native English speakers | $26 / hr |
| Non-native English speakers | $23 / hr |
| Tutors from the United Kingdom | $26 / hr |
| Tutors from Canada | $27 / hr |
| Tutors from the United States | $30 / hr |
These are averages. Many tutors charge less and some charge much more. Preply shows prices in your local currency, and checkout may add a processing fee or taxes. Always check the final price on the tutor's profile and at checkout before you pay.
Tip: A non-native tutor who shares your first language, such as Hindi, Urdu, Arabic or Yoruba, can often explain grammar more clearly and may charge less.
Comparison: free AI apps vs Preply tutors vs other options
| Free AI chat tools | Preply tutors | Free courses & YouTube | Group classes / language schools | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free tiers available | Prices vary by tutor (Preply averages around $23–$30/hr) | Free | Varies by school |
| Speaking practice | Yes (text or voice) | Yes, live one-to-one | Little or none | Yes, shared with a group |
| Pronunciation feedback | Limited | Strong | None | Moderate |
| Personal study plan | Only if you design it | Yes | No | Fixed syllabus |
| Exam prep (IELTS etc.) | Practice questions only | Tutors who specialise in exams | Some free material | Often available |
| Accountability | Low | High (booked lessons) | Low | Medium–high |
| Schedule | Anytime | You book with the tutor | Anytime | Fixed times |
| Best for | Daily practice, writing, vocabulary | Speaking, exams, fast progress | Beginners on zero budget | People who like classrooms |
Honest pros and cons of using Preply
Pros
- Large choice of tutors at different prices, so you can match your budget
- Filters for specialties such as IELTS, business English and conversation
- Reviews and ratings from past students on each profile
- One-to-one video lessons from home, booked around work
Cons
- It isn't free, and costs add up if you take several lessons a week
- Quality depends on the tutor you pick, so it can take a trial or two to find a good fit
- The final price can include fees and currency conversion
- Make sure you understand the billing and cancellation terms on Preply before you commit
A simple plan that mixes both (and saves money)
- Daily (free, 15 minutes): Use an AI chatbot for vocabulary, a short writing task and a role-play.
- Weekly (paid, 1 lesson): Book a tutor and bring the errors the AI flagged that week. Spend the lesson on speaking and pronunciation, not on grammar you could have learned for free.
- Monthly: Ask your tutor to test you against your goal, such as an IELTS speaking mock or an interview practice, and change your AI practice prompts based on the result.
This way you pay for the human skills you can't get free and use free tools for everything else.
Who should choose what?
- Zero budget, beginner: Start with free AI tools and free courses. Come back to tutors later.
- Working adult who needs English for a job or promotion: Mix AI with one tutor lesson a week.
- IELTS or another exam soon: Find a tutor who specialises in that exam and use AI for extra writing practice.
- Parent looking for a tutor for a child: A human tutor is the safer choice. Many AI tools set minimum ages for users, so check each tool's terms.
FAQ
Can I learn English with only free AI tools?
Yes, you can improve a lot, especially your reading, writing and vocabulary. Most learners still need a human for pronunciation feedback, real conversation practice and a structured plan, so many people combine free AI practice with occasional tutor lessons.
How much does an English tutor on Preply cost?
Prices vary by tutor because each tutor sets their own rate. In November 2026, Preply's English tutors page listed averages of about $26/hr for native speakers and $23/hr for non-native speakers. Check the tutor's profile and checkout for the final price.
Is ChatGPT good for IELTS practice?
It's useful for generating practice questions, getting feedback on essays and building vocabulary. It's not an official IELTS examiner, so check band-score estimates and exam rules against official IELTS materials or an experienced tutor.
Is a native or non-native English tutor better?
Both can be excellent. Native speakers give you natural phrasing and accent. Non-native tutors who learned English themselves often explain grammar clearly and may share your first language. Preply's published averages are slightly lower for non-native tutors.
How often should I take lessons with a tutor?
For most working adults, one or two lessons a week plus daily free practice with AI tools is a sustainable, budget-friendly rhythm. Book more often in the weeks before an exam or interview.
Prices were checked on Preply's English tutors page in November 2026 and may change. LearnwithZavi is not affiliated with IELTS.