Public speaking. For a lot of us, those two words are enough to make our palms sweat and our stomachs do a little flip-flop. It’s that universal fear, right up there with spiders and clowns. I’ve been in the SEO and marketing game for years, and I’ve had to present countless times—to clients, at conferences, in team meetings. And I’ll let you in on a secret: it never gets completely easy.
There’s always that little voice in your head. Am I talking too fast? Did I just say 'um' for the tenth time? Do I sound as confident as I want to?
For ages, the only way to get better was to join a Toastmasters club or awkwardly ask a coworker to critique you. But now, we live in the future, and the future has AI. I kept hearing whispers about an app called Orai, an AI-powered speech coach that lives in your pocket. An AI that gives you instant feedback? I was intrigued. And, honestly, a little skeptical. So, I decided to take it for a spin.
So, What Exactly is Orai?
Think of Orai as a personal trainer for your voice. You wouldn't just show up to a marathon without training, right? Orai applies that same logic to speaking. It’s an app for your phone (and a web app) that you use to practice your speeches, presentations, or even just daily conversations. You hit record, you talk, and then the AI magic happens.
It listens to you, not with the impatient sigh of a busy colleague, but with the infinite patience of a machine designed for one single purpose: to make you sound better. It breaks down your speech into cold, hard data, analyzing everything from your pacing and energy to those pesky filler words that we all lean on.
Visit Orai
Getting Started: My First Practice Session
The setup was painless. I downloaded the app, signed up, and was greeted by a clean, unintimidating interface. No clutter, no confusing menus. Just a big friendly button inviting me to start practicing.
For my first test, I decided to use a short pitch I was preparing for a new client. I just hit record and went for it. I stumbled a bit, I paused awkwardly, and I’m pretty sure I used the word “basically” as a verbal crutch about a dozen times. Once I finished, Orai crunched the numbers and presented my report. And oh boy, was it an eye-opener.
The Orai Features That Actually Move the Needle
A lot of apps are packed with features that look cool but you never actually use. Orai, for the most part, avoids this trap. It focuses on the stuff that matters.
The Brutally Honest AI Feedback
This is the core of Orai. The feedback isn't just a generic “good job!”. It’s specific. Here’s what it called me out on:
- Filler Words: It created a list of all my filler words—'um', 'ah', 'like', 'you know', 'basically'. Seeing “basically: 9 times” in black and white was a bit of a gut punch, but it’s the kind of direct feedback you need.
- Pacing: My report told me I was speaking at around 165 words per minute, a little on the faster side. It suggested I slow down to add more impact and give listeners time to process. Guilty as charged.
- Conciseness: This was a cool one. It flagged rambling sentences and suggested ways to be more direct. In the world of SEO, being concise is gold.
- Energy & Confidence: It even analyzes your vocal variety and energy. My first recording was flagged as having a bit of a monotone delivery. It motivated me to be more intentional with my intonation on the next go-around.
Personalized Lessons to Fix Your Flaws
Okay, so Orai tells you that you talk too fast and use too many filler words. Now what? This is where teh personalized lessons come in. Based on my results, the app suggested specific, bite-sized exercises. One was about using strategic pauses instead of saying 'um'. Another was a vocal warm-up to improve my energy. It felt much more targeted than just watching a random YouTube video on “how to be a better speaker.”
Let’s Talk Money: The Orai Pricing Structure
Alright, the all-important question: what’s this going to cost? Orai has a pretty straightforward pricing model, which I appreciate. No one likes hunting through a confusing pricing page.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | $0 | Trying it out for 7 days to see if it fits your style. |
| Orai Pro | $10 per user/month | Individuals, students, and professionals serious about improvement. |
| Orai Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Teams, sales departments, and companies wanting to upskill their staff. Includes team analytics. |
It's also worth mentioning they have a separate 4-Week Training Program you can purchase for a one-time fee of $200 per person. This seems like a good option if you have a huge presentation or conference coming up and need a more intensive bootcamp experience.
The Good, The Bad, and The... 'Basically'
No tool is perfect, right? After using Orai for a couple of weeks, I’ve got a good handle on its strengths and where it could improve.
What I Genuinely Liked
The convenience is undeniable. I could practice in my car, at my desk, or while pacing around my living room at 10 PM. The feedback loop is incredibly fast—you finish speaking and your report is ready almost instantly. It’s this immediate, private feedback that I found most valuable. It builds a kind of muscle memory. After a few sessions, I found myself catching my own filler words as I was about to say them. That’s progress.
What Left Me Wanting More
Naturally, the best features are locked behind the Pro plan. The free trial is great for getting a taste, but if you're serious, you'll need to subscribe. My only real gripe is that the super-intensive 4-week training is an additional purchase on top of the subscription. I kind of wish it was bundled into a higher-tier plan, but I understand why they keep it separate.
Is Orai the Cure for Public Speaking Anxiety?
Here’s my take: Orai isn’t a magic pill. It won't suddenly make you love the spotlight if you're a true introvert. But that's not its purpose. What it does do is tackle one of the biggest sources of speaking anxiety: the fear of the unknown. The fear that you sound unprepared.
By giving you data and a clear path to improve, it replaces that fear with a sense of control. You go from worrying about how you sound to knowing how you sound, and more importantly, knowing how to fix it. It's about preparation and confidence. And in my experience, 90% of a great delivery comes from feeling genuinely prepared. This app helps you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orai
How does Orai's AI actually work?
Orai uses sophisticated speech recognition and machine learning algorithms. It transcribes your speech and then analyzes the audio and text data for hundreds of parameters, comparing them against a massive dataset of effective communicators to provide its feedback on pacing, filler words, energy, and more.
Can Orai help me if I have a strong accent?
Yes, Orai is designed with multi-accent support. While no AI is perfect, it's been trained on a diverse range of accents to provide useful feedback for a global user base. The focus is more on clarity, pace, and structure rather than accent reduction.
Is Orai worth it for a student?
I’d say absolutely. At $10 a month for the Pro plan, it's a pretty low-cost investment for a skill that will pay dividends for your entire career. Whether you're practicing for class presentations, a thesis defense, or job interviews, it’s a powerful tool to have.
What's the main difference between Orai Pro and Enterprise?
Orai Pro is built for individuals. Enterprise is designed for teams. The biggest added feature in the Enterprise plan is a central dashboard where a manager can view team-wide analytics, track progress, and manage licenses. It’s for organizations looking to improve communication skills at scale.
Can I cancel my Orai subscription?
Yes, like most modern subscription services, you can typically manage your subscription through the App Store or Google Play Store if you signed up on mobile, or through your account settings on the web app. You can cancel at any time.
Final Thoughts: Should You Give Orai a Try?
If you have to speak in any professional capacity—and let's face it, most of us do—then yes. I think Orai is a genuinely useful tool. It's not going to stand on stage for you, but it will make sure you’re as prepared as you can possibly be when you do.
It’s the digital equivalent of practicing in front of a mirror, except this mirror talks back with actual, actionable advice. Start with the 7-day free trial. Record a short presentation. I have a feeling you’ll be surprised, and maybe a little humbled, by what you learn. And that's the first step to becoming a truly powerful speaker.
