How a Free App Can Help You Practise Public Speaking Anywhere, Anytime
Public speaking is one of those skills that demands constant practice — but finding opportunities to practise can be surprisingly difficult. What if you could pull out your phone, receive a random question, and deliver an impromptu speech with real-time feedback on your performance? That's exactly what the Speeko app offers, and after putting it through a live test, I'm convinced it's one of the best digital tools available for aspiring speakers.
What Is Speeko and How Did I Discover It?
Speeko is a public speaking app that offers both free and paid features designed to help you sharpen your communication skills. It landed on my radar while I was researching the top ways to practise public speaking, and I was immediately impressed. So impressed, in fact, that I arranged a Zoom call with the founder, Nico, to ask him what inspired its creation.
What I love most about Speeko is its accessibility. Not everyone has a Toastmasters club nearby, and not everyone is comfortable with virtual meetings. Speeko puts a powerful practice tool right in your pocket, available whenever you have a few spare minutes.
Full disclosure: I do have an affiliate link for Speeko's paid features, and I earn a commission from purchases made through it. That said, I wouldn't promote anything I don't genuinely believe in — and much of what I'm describing here is available for free.
The Random Prompt Feature: Think-on-Your-Feet Training
One of Speeko's standout free features is the random prompt generator. It works a lot like Table Topics in Toastmasters: the app throws a question at you, gives you just three seconds to prepare, and then you have to speak. It's intense, challenging, and incredibly effective at building your impromptu speaking skills.
Here's why this matters. If you've ever delivered a speech and then opened the floor to questions, you know how nerve-wracking it can be to respond without preparation. Random prompts train you to think on your feet, organise your thoughts quickly, and deliver a coherent answer under pressure.
My Live Test: Two Prompts, Two Very Different Answers
To show how this works in practice, I ran through two random prompts during a live recording session — no previewing, no rehearsal.
Prompt 1: "If you could learn any foreign language in an instant, which would you choose?"
I chose Arabic. My wife grew up in Bahrain and spent about half her life there. Many of her relatives are from the region, and I've always felt that learning Arabic would be an incredibly endearing way to connect with that side of her family — to meet them on their level and show genuine appreciation for their culture.
I even shared the honest admission that while I've been using Duolingo for roughly 1,500 consecutive days, I've let the gamification lull me into going through the motions rather than truly learning. It was a good reminder — to myself and anyone listening — that practice without purpose is just motion.
Prompt 2: "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"
I went with flying — admittedly a common choice, but I tried to build a case for it on the spot. I talked about efficiency, skipping airline costs for work travel, accessing otherwise unreachable places, and even saving people in danger. Was it my most polished answer? Absolutely not. I ran one second over time, and the logic got a little shaky when I imagined my wife clinging to my back mid-flight. But that's the beauty of practice: you learn where your thinking breaks down.
Real-Time Feedback That Actually Helps
After each prompt, Speeko generates a detailed performance report. Here's what the free version evaluates:
- Speaking Pace: Both times, the app confirmed my pace was solid.
- Clarity and Articulation: My voice was rated as "crystal clear."
- Filler Words: I used five fillers in the first prompt and four in the second — a small improvement, but proof that awareness drives progress.
- Intonation: The app suggested adding more vocal inflection to hold attention.
- Pausing: This was my biggest area for improvement. Speeko flagged that I wasn't pausing enough — a habit I've long struggled with. I tend to talk too fast without taking a breath, scanning the room, or letting ideas land.
Some deeper analytics, like detailed filler word breakdowns and advanced word choice analysis, are reserved for the paid subscription. But even the free feedback is remarkably useful and actionable.
Why This Tool Complements Traditional Practice
Let me be clear: Toastmasters remains my number-one recommendation for practising public speaking. There's no substitute for standing in front of real people, reading the room, and receiving live feedback. However, I've heard from many people who don't have a Toastmasters club in their area or who aren't comfortable with virtual meetings.
Speeko fills that gap beautifully. It's not a replacement for in-person practice — it's a supplement that lets you build consistency. You can practise on your commute, during a lunch break, or before bed. The random prompt feature alone turns idle moments into genuine skill-building sessions.
Key Takeaways for Better Public Speaking
- Practise impromptu speaking regularly. The ability to respond to unexpected questions is one of the most valuable communication skills you can develop.
- Seek feedback, even from an app. You can't improve what you don't measure. Knowing your filler word count or pacing issues gives you specific targets.
- Slow down and pause. This was my biggest lesson from the exercise. Pausing gives your audience time to absorb your message and gives you time to think.
- Practise with purpose. Just as my Duolingo streak taught me, showing up daily means nothing if you're just going through the motions. Be intentional.
Whether you're preparing for a keynote, a job interview, or simply want to feel more confident in everyday conversations, tools like Speeko can make a real difference. Download the free version, try a few random prompts, and pay attention to the feedback. You might be surprised by what you learn about your own speaking habits — and how quickly you can start improving.