💬 Chatbots and assistants · 🗣️ Language learning
NovaPals by Novakid
By Novakid. Visit NovaPals by Novakid
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
NovaPals is a free AI speaking app from Novakid, an online English school for children, launched in 2026 for English learners 13 and older. Teens hold spoken conversations with cartoon AI characters about topics like games, music and travel, get gentle corrections on grammar and pronunciation, and earn coins to unlock characters. The maker says it follows a CEFR-based curriculum. No account is needed; progress is stored on the phone.
Our take: Worth a try for a teen who needs low-pressure English speaking practice; not for children under 13.
| Ages it suits | 13+ |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | You must be at least 13. Teens between 13 and the age of majority (usually 18) must review the terms with a parent or guardian and have their permission. (terms) |
| Price | Free. Free to download with no subscription and no ads, per the maker (Oct 2026). |
| Works on | iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | No account needed |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | A chatbot built on outside AI models such as OpenAI talks with the learner by voice or text and corrects grammar and pronunciation. |
What's good
- Free with no ads
- No account needed
- Short transcript retention
- Speaking practice without the pressure of a live tutor
Watch for
- Open-ended chat with an AI character
- Sends voice and text to OpenAI and similar providers
- Brand new, so no track record
- How the free app will be funded is not explained
Data and privacy
Voice and text are sent to outside AI providers such as OpenAI to generate replies; the maker says the data is not used to train the providers' models, audio is not kept, and text transcripts are kept 30 days. It uses PostHog analytics and is not meant for children under 13. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No independent study found; the product is new and the claims come from the maker's launch announcement.
In the Big Index
- On the list 12 AI tutors for kids, compared (with each one's age rules)
- On the list 13 AI language-learning apps for kids and teens
- The maker in the who's who: Novakid
Alternatives to NovaPals by Novakid
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Babbel
Babbel · ages about 13+ (built for adults)
A solid choice for a motivated older teen; younger kids are not allowed and are better served by kids' apps.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Buddy.ai
Buddy.ai · ages about 3-8
Engaging speaking practice for preschoolers learning English; privacy-minded parents should skip the recording consent or delete data regularly.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Busuu
Busuu Limited (owned by Chegg, Inc.) · ages 13+
A fair choice for a teen studying a language who wants speaking practice; younger kids need a different app.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Cambly Kids
Cambly Inc. · ages about 4-15
Helpful for children learning English as a new language who need speaking practice; parents should sit in on early calls and read the recording terms.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Duolingo
Duolingo, Inc. · ages about 10+ (children under 13 get a restricted mode)
A fine free habit-builder for tweens and teens learning a language; younger kids are better served by Duolingo ABC or a kids' app.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Google Translate Practice
Google · ages teens and adults; younger kids with a parent
Worth a try for teens learning Spanish or French who want speaking practice; younger kids and families wanting a full course should pick a dedicated app.
Where these facts come from
- https://novapals.ai/en
- https://novapals.ai/en/terms-of-use
- https://novapals.ai/en/privacy-policy
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/novapals/id6755720016
- https://thejournal.com/articles/2026/04/22/novakid-launches-ai-app-for-english-speaking-practice.aspx
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.