The best public speaking app depends on whether your problem is technique or nerves. Orai and Speeko are AI speech coaches that give feedback on how you speak. Solo Era does not coach speeches, but it helps with the nerves that come first, by letting you practise small, real situations and rate how nervous you felt before and after. Many speakers benefit from one of each.
How we chose
We separated apps by what they actually train: delivery feedback (filler words, pace, clarity), nerves and exposure, and everyday speaking up. Facts come from official App Store listings, checked on 2026-10-21. Check the listing or app for current pricing. Solo Era is placed first because of its honest strength, nerve practice, and we say clearly what it does not do.
If your fear of speaking is intense or affects work or school, consider help from a doctor, licensed professional or a local speaking group. None of these apps is therapy.
Quick comparison
| App | What it trains | Best for | Platforms (App Store listing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Era | Nerves, through small real-world missions | Getting comfortable before you speak | iPhone |
| Orai | Delivery feedback from an AI coach | Rehearsing talks and presentations | See listing |
| Speeko | AI speech coaching | Presentations, interviews, everyday conversations | See listing |
| Rejection Therapy: Confidence | Daily social training, speak-up streaks | Daily habit of speaking up | iPhone, iPad |
| SocialMax | In-the-moment help | Prep before meetings and events | iPhone, iPad |
1. Solo Era
Best for: the fear that comes before the speech, and people who avoid situations where they might stand out.
Solo Era is an iPhone app for practising doing things alone. It does not record your voice, give speech feedback or write talks. What it offers is the other half of public speaking: getting used to the feeling of being observed and speaking up, at a pace you choose.
You get weekly missions in seven categories (food, movement, culture, travel, everyday, solitude and people), at five difficulty levels, and you can write your own mission, for example "Ask a question at the end of a talk." Library missions that build the same muscles include "Ask a staff member one genuine question" (people, level 1), "Go to a local astronomy club's indoor talk" (people, level 3) and "Take a gym class where you know nobody" (movement, level 3). They let you practise speaking up and being among strangers in low-stakes settings.
The feature that matters most here is the before-and-after nerve rating. You rate how nervous you felt before and after each mission, and the Progress screen plots the numbers over months, alongside XP and a weekly streak. Public speaking fear is often a prediction ("it will go badly"). A record showing that the actual experience was easier than predicted is useful evidence. The journal stores a photo and notes for each mission.
It is free to download, and a subscription is required to start missions. Details and any free trial are shown in the app before purchase. Solo Era does not promise you will feel confident, and it is not therapy or medical care.
Solo Era for iPhone
Practise the nerves, not just the script
Small missions make speaking up feel more ordinary. Rate your nerves before and after to see what changes.
2. Orai
Best for: rehearsing a talk and getting feedback on how it sounds.
The App Store listing calls Orai an AI public speaking coach for presentations, speeches, interviews, meetings and sales pitches. You practise out loud and get instant feedback on filler words, pace, clarity, energy, confidence and conciseness, and you can rehearse a prepared talk or speak freely. If your problem is "um", rambling or speed, this is the type of tool that targets it. See the listing for current pricing.
3. Speeko
Best for: presentations and job interviews, with feedback.
The listing describes Speeko as an AI speech coach for big presentations, job interviews or simply sounding more confident in everyday conversations. Like Orai, it gives personalised feedback on your delivery. If you want a coach-style experience for a specific occasion, it is a reasonable pick to compare with Orai. See the listing for current pricing.
4. Rejection Therapy: Confidence
Best for: building a daily habit of speaking up.
Made by Stijn Braams (a different product from Jia Jiang's official Rejection Therapy app), it is described as offering daily social training, an ACT conversation coach, speak-up streaks and a custom growth plan. If you struggle to speak in meetings or groups, a daily nudge can help. See the listing for current pricing.
5. SocialMax
Best for: quick help before a meeting or event.
SocialMax is an AI companion called Max (an owl) that offers in-the-moment help using CBT and ACT techniques per the listing. Event Prep provides conversation starters for parties, meetings and dates, and SOS offers a talking point, an exit strategy and a breathing exercise. It suits last-minute preparation. It is not a substitute for professional care. See the listing for in-app purchases.
A simple speaking-confidence plan
- Name the fear. Is it forgetting words, being judged or your voice shaking? Different fears need different practice.
- Rehearse the delivery. Use an AI coach or record yourself. Aim for clear and steady, not perfect.
- Practise the nerves. Do small exposure steps: ask a question in a shop, then in a class, then in a group. Our comfort zone ladder can help you build steps.
- Speak in low-stakes rooms. A club, a class, a short toast or team update.
- Review. Write down what actually happened compared with your prediction.
For more, read how to get over the fear of public speaking, how to speak confidently, and our conversation practice apps.
Which should you choose?
| Your main problem | Start with |
|---|---|
| "I freeze before I speak" | Solo Era |
| "I use too many filler words" | Orai or Speeko |
| "I never speak up in meetings" | Rejection Therapy: Confidence |
| "I panic right before an event" | SocialMax |
Common mistakes
- Over-rehearsing alone. Speaking to an empty room can never fully replace speaking to people.
- Aiming for zero nerves. Some nervousness is normal and can even sharpen focus.
- Skipping small steps. Jumping straight to a big talk raises the stakes for no reason.
- Comparing yourself to polished speakers. They practised more than you saw.
Last checked: 2026-10-21. Facts about other apps come from their official sites and App Store listings and can change, so confirm current details before you decide.
FAQ
What is the best app for public speaking?
It depends on your problem. Orai and Speeko are built to give feedback on delivery, while Solo Era is built to reduce the nerves with small real-world practice. Choose based on whether technique or fear is the main barrier.
Does Solo Era teach public speaking?
No. Solo Era has no speech analysis or speaking lessons. It helps you get used to doing things that feel exposing, such as speaking up, and tracks how nervous you feel before and after.
Can an app cure fear of public speaking?
No app can promise that. Repeated practice and exposure often reduce fear for many people. If your fear is severe, speak with a doctor or licensed professional.
How do I practise public speaking alone?
Record yourself, speak aloud to a mirror or use an AI coach. Then move to real people: a friend, a small group, a class.
How long does it take to get comfortable speaking in public?
There is no reliable timeline, and we will not invent one. Progress depends on how often you practise and how big each step is.
Are these apps free?
Several are free to download, but paid features are common. Solo Era is free to download and requires a subscription to start missions. Check each listing for current details.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
