What English Ninjas does

English Ninjas is an online English-speaking practice platform that connects individual learners globally with a distributed network of native-speaking tutors for real-time, one-on-one video and audio conversation sessions. The platform is delivered through a website and native iOS and Android applications, with shared infrastructure including a student progress panel, session recording and tutor notes, a built-in translation tool, and a topic-based content pool covering business, travel, science, art, literature, philosophy, health, and fitness. Tutors are organized by specialization (e.g., Business English, TOEFL, Language & Culture, Science & Technology) and rated by learners after each session.

The company operates two legal entities: ENGLISH NINJAS, INC., a Delaware corporation holding the intellectual property and brand, and Open Education LLC, the Florida-based operational entity that runs the service. It has undergone a 2024 rebranding to 'Open English'. The commercial model is a subscription-based, self-serve platform with packages starting at $6.84/month, a 7-day free trial, auto-renewing billing (via Stripe), and an optional 30-hour speaking practice certificate with LinkedIn integration. A separate Corporate Solutions offering targets enterprise buyers through a dedicated inquiry form.

The platform serves a reported 400,000+ students across consumer, kids, and enterprise segments, with global distribution via web, mobile app stores, and organic social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn). Founded circa 2015, the company has raised approximately $1.55M in disclosed funding across six rounds through March 2020, with backers including Founders Factory, ZMT Ventures, and Wesley Clover. The team size is 11-50 employees.

Name

English Ninjas

Legal name

ENGLISH NINJAS, INC.

Website

https://englishninjas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

English Ninjas (now Open English) is an online platform that connects global English learners with native-speaking tutors for real-time video and audio speaking practice via web and mobile apps, serving 400,000+ students on a subscription model starting at $6.84/month.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Language Learning

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Tutoring, Conversation Exchange & Language Coaching Platforms (EDAFAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Language Tutoring (Conversation & Fluency) (EDANACAA), One-on-One ESL Tutoring & Coaching (EDAAACAL)

Keywords

• Online English tutoring
• Language learning platform
• Native speaker practice
• Corporate English training
• Conversation English courses

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Subscription Packages: Users purchase time-based packages that provide a specific number of minutes for video/audio sessions with tutors. Packages are auto-renewing unless the user disables auto-renew. The company recommends 10 sessions per week (daily 20-minute practice).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

English Ninjas is an online language learning platform that connects students with native English-speaking tutors for real-time speaking practice via video and audio sessions accessible 24/7 from computer, tablet, or smartphone. The service is delivered through subscription packages starting at $6.84/month, supplemented by a dedicated corporate training offering for enterprise teams.

Product overview

English Ninjas is a single, unified online English learning platform that connects students with native speaking tutors for real-time speaking practice. The core offering consists of the web-based learning platform and mobile apps (Android/iOS) that share access to a common student panel, content pool, and translation tools. The platform sells subscription packages starting at $6.84/month as the primary commercial vehicle, with an optional certificate awarded after 30 hours of practice. Corporate Solutions is offered as a specialized B2B tier for organizational clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English Ninjas Online Learning Platform An online English learning platform enabling students to practice English through live speaking sessions with native speaking tutors via computer, tablet, or smartphone at any time. Includes student panel, conversation recording, translation tools, and topic-based content pools.
• English Ninjas Mobile App (iOS/Android) Native mobile applications for Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store) that allow students to access 24/7 English tutoring practice on the go, enabling voice sessions and voice calls with native-speaking tutors.
• Corporate Solutions Enterprise English training solution for organizations to invest in their teams' English speaking skills. Companies can inquire about corporate packages through a dedicated inquiry form at /companies/ that collects organization size (1-10, 11-50, 51+ employees) and inquirer role.
• English Ninjas Subscription Packages Subscription packages providing access to tutoring sessions with native speakers. Package prices start at $6.84 per month. Includes options to book lessons with preferred tutors and access to various tutors.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cambly: Cambly is a direct competitor offering on-demand 1:1 English conversation practice with native speakers via video, very similar to English Ninjas' core product. Same target learner, same delivery mechanism (live video/audio tutors), same subscription pricing model.
• Preply: Preply is a global online tutoring marketplace for languages (with English as the dominant category), connecting learners with vetted tutors via video. Directly comparable in business model (marketplace + subscriptions) and target customer (adult language learners).
• iTalki: iTalki is one of the largest language-learning marketplaces, offering 1:1 lessons with community and professional teachers across many languages including English. Comparable marketplace model, tutor selection experience, and per-lesson/subscription pricing structure.
• Verbling: Verbling connects language learners with hand-picked native-speaker teachers for live video lessons, with a strong emphasis on English and Spanish. Closely comparable in offering, tutor network approach, and consumer subscription model.
• Lingoda: Lingoda is an online language school offering live group and private classes with certified native teachers, including a strong English vertical. Comparable in live native-teacher delivery, structured curriculum, and subscription/class-pack pricing.

Broad incumbents

• Open English: Open English is an established, larger online English-language school focused on Latin America, offering live classes with native teachers and structured curriculum. Notably, English Ninjas rebranded to the same name in 2024, making this both a competitive collision and a broader incumbent with deeper pockets and an enterprise-grade curriculum.
• EF Education First: EF is a global education company with a substantial online and live English-learning offering (EF English Live), combining self-study with teacher-led classes. Comparable target learner and live-class delivery, but operates at much larger scale and brand recognition.

Emerging players

• Babbel: Babbel is a leading subscription language-learning app focused on self-paced lessons with some live-class add-ons. Partial overlap — different primary delivery (self-paced vs. live tutoring) but targets the same adult learner with similar subscription pricing.
• Busuu: Busuu is a self-paced language-learning platform with community feedback and a premium tier. Overlaps with English Ninjas on language-learner target and subscription pricing, but its core delivery is self-study rather than live native-tutor practice.

Others

• Duolingo: Duolingo is the largest consumer language-learning platform globally, freemium with gamified self-study. It serves the same end learner and frequently substitutes for paid tutoring, but does not offer live native-speaker practice — making it an adjacent substitute rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/engninjas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCO9p21f5q-6TopofXJpnMIg
• Facebookfacebook.com/engninjas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/english-ninjas
• Instagraminstagram.com/engninjas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about English Ninjas