TalkBuoy

AI-powered assistant for interviews, debates, speeches, revision, podcasts & conversations

Tired of AI interviews and rapid-fire questions where you have no time to think?

Get your own back with TalkBuoy.

Real-time AI help for
interviews
Everything TalkBuoy can do Tap to see
🎧 Listens in real time and suggests smart responses instantly
💼 Interview prep, debates, speech Q&A, podcasts & everyday conversations
🔒 Private - your audio is never stored
📞 Works on video calls, speakerphone calls & in-person conversations
🔇 Smart auto-mute - filters your voice & silences mic during read-aloud
📱 Install as an app on any device - works offline-ready as a PWA
📚 Revision mode - paste notes, get quizzed, and study hands-free
🎭 Interview Practice - rehearse with an AI interviewer that asks tailored questions and gives feedback, so you walk in ready
🧐 Debate Practice - the AI takes the opposite side and argues with you, turn by turn, so you can sharpen your arguments before the real thing
🎤 Debate Live - real-time rebuttals against your opponent during an actual debate, with logical fallacies called out when it spots them
🌍 Language Practice - chat out loud with an AI conversation partner in 19 languages (including English as a second language), get feedback, and learn phrases on demand
🌎 Travel helper - someone speaks to you in another language? TalkBuoy listens and suggests what to say back
🔈 Free text-to-speech included - have suggestions read aloud at no extra cost. Upgrade for premium AI voices
🗻 Rehearsal week - a gentle weekly rhythm tracker (no streak guilt). Reframes around your next real event when you've added one
📅 Upcoming events - add a real interview, exam, debate or trip. TalkBuoy nudges you to rehearse 3 days, 1 day, and 1 hour before, then asks how it actually went
🎯 Boot camps - 5-7 day structured rehearsal arcs for interview prep, pre-trip language, or debate sharpening. One focused 5-minute lesson a day
🧠 Cross-session memory - TalkBuoy remembers your role, weak spots and style, so rehearsals get more personal over time without re-typing
📊 Post-session debrief - what went well, what to work on, plus a flashcard recap quiz from the actual session content
🔔 Smart reminders - on-device push and email nudges at the right moments. Always opt-in, never spammy
🎤 Voice notes - dictate a quick spoken thought, transcribed and saved automatically. 3 free, then unlimited on paid plans
🎯 8 boot camps - Interview, Language, Debate, Negotiation, Difficult Conversations, Public Speaking, Conversation Confidence, Med-School Interview

Build a real rehearsal habit

NEW

TalkBuoy isn't just for one-off interviews any more. The home screen is built around a gentle weekly rhythm, real events you're rehearsing for, and a memory that gets to know you. Sign in to use any of these — they're free with your plan.

🗻 Rehearsal week

Sessions per rolling 7 days, with a quiet "best week ever" badge when you beat it. No flame, no streak guilt — just a soft pull-toward rhythm. The tracker reframes around your next real event when you've added one, so the number on screen ties to something that actually matters.

📅 Upcoming events

Add a real interview, exam, debate, trip or hard conversation that's coming up. TalkBuoy pings you 3 days, 1 day, and 1 hour beforehand with a one-tap rehearsal pre-loaded with the right mode and your event context. Afterwards it asks how it actually went, and feeds your answer into future rehearsals.

🎯 8 boot camps

Pre-built 5-7 day rehearsal arcs that fight the "what should I practise today?" paralysis. Eight to choose from: Interview, Pre-Trip Language, Debate, Negotiation, Difficult Conversations, Public Speaking, Conversation Confidence, and Medical School Interview Prep. One focused 5-minute lesson a day — the boot camp ticks itself forward as you go.

🎤 Voice notes dashboard

Tap a button on the home screen, speak a quick thought ("remember to bring up the cost-benefit framing in Tuesday's interview"), and TalkBuoy transcribes it automatically into your own organised voice-notes dashboard — with search, tags, and pinning. Three free for trial users so you can feel it before deciding — unlimited on Student, Pro, or Plus.

🧠 AI that remembers you

Set up your profile once — role / situation, industry, weak spots, communication style — and TalkBuoy carries that context into every session across every mode. Rehearsals feel like working with someone who actually knows you, not a fresh chatbot every time.

📊 Post-session debrief

End any session and get a quick debrief: a one-line headline, what went well, what to work on next time, and a flashcard recap quiz pulled from the actual session content. Your progress dashboard rolls all your sessions into a single view over time. Stats are free; the AI debrief is a Pro/Plus perk.

🔔 Smart, opt-in reminders

Turn on push notifications (or stick to email) and TalkBuoy will nudge you at the moments that actually matter: when an upcoming event is approaching, when your rehearsal week is about to slip, when you haven't checked in for a while. One tap to enable, one tap to silence.

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Start with a free 5-minute trial - no credit card required to sign up.

How It Works

1
Choose your mode

Interview, Speech Q&A, Podcast, or Conversation - TalkBuoy adapts to the situation.

2
Start listening

TalkBuoy uses your microphone to hear what the other person says in real time.

3
Get smart suggestions

AI-generated responses appear on screen within seconds - read them, adapt them, or use them as inspiration.

9 Modes for Every Situation Tap to explore

Choose the mode that fits your situation. Each one tailors how TalkBuoy listens and responds.

💼 Interview Mode

For job interviews and professional meetings. Upload your CV and add notes about your experience. TalkBuoy listens to the interviewer's questions and suggests 2-3 tailored answers that reference your real skills and background. Use voice calibration so it only responds to the interviewer, not you.

🎭 Interview Practice Mode NEW

Rehearse a real interview with an AI interviewer. Enter the job role (and optionally upload your CV) and the AI runs a proper interview — opening with "tell me about yourself", asking follow-ups, and giving you short coaching feedback after each answer. Speak your answers out loud, tap when you're done, and it asks the next question. Skip or end the interview anytime.

🎤 Speech Q&A Mode

For audience questions after a talk or presentation. Paste your speaker notes or slides summary. When someone asks a question, TalkBuoy suggests answers based on your material - including a diplomatic option for tricky questions. It can also search the web if a question needs current data.

🎙 Podcast Mode

For podcast appearances, panels, and media interviews. Add your bio and talking points. TalkBuoy suggests conversational, story-driven answers - one with an anecdote, one direct, and one quotable. Keeps you sounding natural and prepared without a script.

💬 Conversation Mode

For everyday chats, networking events, or any situation where you want backup. No prep needed - just start listening. TalkBuoy suggests casual, natural responses with varied tones: warm, light-hearted, or thoughtful. Great for social situations or when speaking in a second language.

🌍 Language Practice Mode NEW

Practise speaking a new language with an AI conversation partner. Pick your target language (including English as a second language — native English speakers and English learners both welcome) and your level, and the AI chats with you out loud as a friendly native speaker, gives gentle feedback in your own language, and teaches phrases on demand — ask "give me 5 useful restaurant phrases" and it teaches them, then immediately role-plays the scenario so you actually use them. Supports 19 target languages.

📚 Revision Mode

For studying and exam prep. Paste your notes or study material. Say "quiz me" and TalkBuoy asks you questions from your notes, marks your answers, and explains what you got wrong. Say "read" or "tell me about [topic]" to have it summarise sections. Skip voice calibration in this mode so TalkBuoy hears you and you can talk to it directly - it becomes a hands-free study partner.

🧐 Debate Practice Mode

For tournament prep, public speaking practice, or stress-testing your own arguments. Pick a topic and your stance. The AI takes the opposite side and argues with you turn by turn — making real counter-arguments, attacking your weak points, and asking probing questions. Tap to start your turn, speak your argument, tap again when done, and the AI will counter-argue. Repeat until you've drilled it.

🎤 Debate Live Mode

For real debates, panels, or any heated argument where you need fast comeback ideas. Set the topic and your stance, calibrate your voice so TalkBuoy ignores you, and it'll listen to the opponent. When they make a point, 2-3 tailored rebuttals appear on screen — read silently, or hear them through your earbuds. It will name the fallacy when the opponent commits an obvious one (straw man, false dichotomy, etc.).

Tips for Best Results Tap to view
🔊 Volume up, phone off silent

TalkBuoy hears through your mic. Make sure the other person's voice is audible - turn the speaker volume up and check your phone isn't on silent.

💻 Two devices required for calls

Phone calls lock the microphone - TalkBuoy can't listen on the same phone as your call, even as a PWA. Take the call on your phone (on speaker) and run TalkBuoy on a laptop or tablet nearby. For video calls on a laptop, just open TalkBuoy in another tab.

🎧 Use earbuds for in-person

In face-to-face interviews or meetings, wear earbuds with a mic. The mic picks up everyone in the room while TalkBuoy's suggestions stay private - only you can see and hear them.

🎤 Calibrate your voice

Record the 5-second voice sample before starting. This lets TalkBuoy filter out your voice and only respond to the other person.

💡 Keep it close & quiet

Position the speaker close to your mic and minimise background noise for the best transcription accuracy.

Pick your rehearsal plan

Every paid plan unlocks the same toolkit. The only choice is how much rehearsal time you need each month for what's coming up.

Free Trial
$0
No credit card required
  • ⏱️ 5 minutes of live rehearsal
  • 🎤 3 free voice notes (taster)
  • 🔈 Free browser text-to-speech
  • 🎯 All 8 boot-camp programs
  • 🗻 Rehearsal-week tracker + daily prompt
  • 🧠 Cross-session AI memory
Student
$7.99/mo
Casual prep — 1 or 2 events a month
  • ⏱️ 4 hours of live rehearsal each month
  • 🎤 Unlimited voice notes (search, tags, pin)
  • 🎧 Premium AI voices (Nova, Onyx + 4 more)
  • 🧠 Cross-session AI memory
  • 📊 AI session debrief + flashcard recap
  • 📅 Event reminders + how-did-it-go follow-up
  • 🎯 All 8 boot-camp programs
Pro
$14.99/mo
Most popular — preparing for something real
  • ⏱️ 8 hours of live rehearsal each month
  • 🎤 Unlimited voice notes (search, tags, pin)
  • 🎧 Premium AI voices (Nova, Onyx + 4 more)
  • 🧠 Cross-session AI memory
  • 📊 AI session debrief + flashcard recap
  • 📅 Event reminders + how-did-it-go follow-up
  • 🎯 All 8 boot-camp programs
Plus
$29.99/mo
Heavy users — daily rehearsal, multiple events
  • ⏱️ 16 hours of live rehearsal each month
  • 🎤 Unlimited voice notes (search, tags, pin)
  • 🎧 Premium AI voices (Nova, Onyx + 4 more)
  • 🧠 Cross-session AI memory
  • 📊 AI session debrief + flashcard recap
  • 📅 Event reminders + how-did-it-go follow-up
  • 🎯 All 8 boot-camp programs

🔈 Free browser text-to-speech is included on every plan including trial. Premium AI voices are a paid-plan perk.

Run low on rehearsal time? Top up: 1 hr / $4.99 · 3 hrs / $11.99 · 5 hrs / $17.99. Top-up minutes never expire.

Cancel anytime. Billed monthly via Stripe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TalkBuoy?

TalkBuoy is an AI-powered real-time assistant that listens to conversations through your microphone, suggests smart responses on screen, and speaks them in your ear. It's designed for job interviews, Q&A sessions after presentations, podcast appearances, and everyday conversations where you want a bit of backup. It also has practice modes where the AI plays the other side — an interviewer, a debate opponent, or a native-speaker language partner — so you can rehearse before the real thing.

Can I practise a job interview with the AI?

Yes — that's Interview Practice mode. Enter the role you're interviewing for (and optionally upload your CV), and the AI runs a realistic mock interview: it greets you, asks you to tell it about yourself, asks tailored follow-up questions, and gives you a short piece of coaching feedback after each answer. You answer out loud just like a real interview. You can skip questions or end the interview whenever you like, and you'll get a debrief at the end.

Can TalkBuoy help me learn a language?

Yes — Language Practice mode turns TalkBuoy into an AI conversation partner. Pick your target language (19 supported, including English as a second language) and your level, and the AI chats with you out loud as a friendly native speaker, gives gentle feedback in your own language, and adjusts difficulty to your level. Ask it things like "give me 5 useful restaurant phrases" and it teaches them, then immediately role-plays the scenario so you practise using them. You can ask it to speak slower, use easier words, translate, or switch scenarios anytime.

Can I practise speaking English with TalkBuoy?

Yes. Pick Language Practice mode, choose English at the top of the target-language list, set your own language for explanations, and pick your level. The AI chats with you in English as a friendly native speaker and switches to your own language whenever you ask for a translation, a slower repeat, or an explanation. Great for non-native English speakers who want a low-stakes conversation partner to build fluency. (If you're a native English speaker who wants a casual English chat instead, try Conversation mode — no language-learning framing.)

Can TalkBuoy remind me to rehearse before a real event?

Yes. Add the event from the home screen — an interview, exam, debate, trip, hard conversation — and TalkBuoy will nudge you to rehearse 3 days, 1 day, and 1 hour beforehand. Each nudge opens a one-tap rehearsal pre-loaded with the right mode and a note about the event. Afterwards it asks how it actually went, and uses your answer to shape future rehearsals on the same theme. Nudges arrive by email by default; turn on push notifications to get them on-device too.

Can I take voice notes?

Yes — tap 🎤 Voice note on the home screen, speak naturally (up to 60 seconds), and TalkBuoy transcribes the audio and saves it as a study note automatically. Trial users get 3 free voice notes to feel out the feature; Student, Pro, and Plus plans get unlimited.

What's a boot camp?

A boot camp is a short, structured 5-7 day rehearsal arc. One focused 5-minute lesson per day, designed to fight the "what should I practise today?" paralysis. There are three to start: a 5-Day Interview Boot Camp, a 7-Day Pre-Trip Language Booster, and a 5-Day Debate Sharpener. You pick one, run today's lesson with a single tap, and it automatically ticks forward to the next day's lesson once you've completed it.

Does TalkBuoy remember me between sessions?

Yes — if you sign in. You can fill in a persistent profile (role / situation, industry, communication style, weak spots, strengths, bio) and TalkBuoy carries that context into every session across every mode. So rehearsals get steadily more personal over time without you re-typing the same context every run. You can edit or clear it any time from your profile card on the home screen.

What's the "rehearsal week" tracker?

It's TalkBuoy's gentle habit primitive — sessions per rolling 7 days, with a target of 7 (one a day). No flame, no streak guilt: it just nudges you toward a steady weekly rhythm. When you've added an upcoming event, the tracker reframes around that event ("3 days until your VP interview · 2 rehearsals this week"), so the number on screen ties to something real, not arbitrary days.

What does the post-session debrief give me?

At the end of any session you get a quick debrief: a one-line headline of how it went, what went well, what to work on next time, the most-memorable moments from your transcript, a 3-5 sentence summary of what was covered, and a 5-question flashcard recap quiz pulled from the actual session content. You can reopen any past recap from the Recap Tests list on the home screen and retake it. Stats are free; the AI-written debrief is a Pro/Plus perk.

Is my audio recorded or stored?

No. Audio is streamed to our servers for real-time transcription and then immediately discarded. We do not store, save, or replay any audio recordings. Transcripts are held only for the duration of your session.

How does voice calibration work?

Before starting a session you can record a short 5-second voice sample. TalkBuoy uses this to recognise your voice and filter it out, so it only transcribes and responds to the other person speaking.

Can I use TalkBuoy on calls?

Yes! There are a few ways to use it during calls:

Video calls (Zoom, Teams, Meet): Open TalkBuoy in a browser tab alongside your call. With speakers on, your mic picks up what the other person says and suggestions appear on screen.

Two-device setup: Join the call on your phone and place it near your laptop running TalkBuoy. The laptop mic hears the call audio from your phone speaker.

Virtual audio routing (advanced): Use tools like VB-Cable (Windows) or BlackHole (Mac) to route your call's audio output directly into TalkBuoy's mic input for cleaner capture without background noise.

Smart auto-mute: When TalkBuoy reads a suggestion aloud (Speaker On), it automatically mutes the mic so it doesn't transcribe its own voice. Your voice is also filtered out using the voice calibration you set up before the session.

In-person meetings: Wear earbuds with a mic and run TalkBuoy on your phone or laptop. The mic picks up everyone else in the room while suggestions stay private to you on screen (or read aloud through your earbuds).

Important - two devices required for phone calls: Phone calls lock the microphone at the OS level. You cannot run TalkBuoy on the same phone as your call - not in the browser, not as a PWA. You need a second device (laptop or tablet) running TalkBuoy while the call plays on speaker from your phone. Make sure the phone is not on silent, the speaker volume is up, and the phone is placed close to your laptop mic.

What devices and browsers are supported?

TalkBuoy works in any modern browser with microphone access - Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on desktop and mobile. You can also install it as a PWA (Progressive Web App) for a native app experience.

How do I install TalkBuoy on my phone?

TalkBuoy can be installed as an app directly from your browser - no app store needed.

iPhone / iPad (Safari):

  1. Open TalkBuoy in Safari (this won't work in Chrome or other browsers on iOS).
  2. Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow at the bottom of the screen).
  3. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen".
  4. Tap "Add" in the top right. Done - TalkBuoy now appears as an app on your home screen.

Android (Chrome):

  1. Open TalkBuoy in Chrome.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu (top right).
  3. Tap "Install app" or "Add to Home Screen".
  4. Confirm by tapping "Install". The app icon will appear on your home screen.

Desktop (Chrome / Edge): Click the install icon in the address bar, or go to the browser menu and select "Install TalkBuoy".

Is text-to-speech free?

Yes! TalkBuoy includes free text-to-speech using your browser's built-in voices. You can have suggestions read aloud at no extra cost on any plan, including the free trial.

If you'd like a more natural, lifelike experience, premium AI voices (powered by OpenAI) are available on paid plans (Student, Pro, or Plus). But the free voices work great and are always available.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can cancel at any time from your profile menu. You'll continue to have access until the end of your current billing period. Subscriptions are managed securely through Stripe.

What happens when my trial runs out?

When your free trial minutes are used up, you'll be prompted to upgrade. Your account and any uploaded CVs are kept - just pick a plan to continue.

TalkBuoy

Trial

AI-powered assistant for interviews, speeches, revision, podcasts & conversations

Quick start: Choose a mode below, follow the step-by-step instructions, then tap Start Listening at the bottom. TalkBuoy listens through your microphone and shows suggested responses on screen.
Loading...
Today Start your TalkBuoy rehearsal.
Add CV, notes, or voice calibration (optional)

⚓ Voyage Log

Badges you've earned along your TalkBuoy journey. New ones unlock automatically as you rehearse and prep for real events.

1. Upload Your CV (Optional)

Upload your resume or CV so TalkBuoy can reference your real experience, skills, and achievements in its suggested answers. Most useful for Interview Mode. You can skip this for other modes.

Choose what to practise

Revision Mode - Step by Step
  1. Paste your study notes below - textbook excerpts, revision guides, lecture notes, or anything you need to learn.
  2. Do NOT record your voice - skip step 3 entirely. TalkBuoy needs to hear you so you can talk to it and answer its questions.
  3. Test your microphone (scroll down to step 4) and tap Start Listening.
  4. Tap the Quiz Me button (or say "quiz me" out loud) - TalkBuoy asks you a question based on your notes.
  5. Answer out loud - TalkBuoy hears your answer, tells you if you're right or wrong, and explains the correct answer.
  6. Keep going - it asks the next question automatically. Say "quiz me" again anytime for a new question.
  7. Say "tell me about [topic]" to hear a summary of a specific section from your notes.
  8. Tap Read Notes to have your full notes read aloud to you.
  9. Tap Speaker On for fully hands-free studying - hear questions and feedback through your earbuds without looking at the screen.
  10. Tap Stop when you're done studying.

Keyword Triggers (Optional)

Most useful for Interview Mode. Pre-write answers for questions you expect to be asked.

How it works: Type a keyword (e.g. "strengths") and write your answer. During the session, when the interviewer says that keyword, your pre-written answer appears and is read aloud instantly - no waiting for AI.

3. Record Your Voice (Optional)

This teaches TalkBuoy what your voice sounds like so it can ignore you and only respond to the other person.

Record your voice if using: Interview, Speech Q&A, Podcast, or Conversation mode. Tap the button below and speak normally for 5 seconds. TalkBuoy will then filter out your voice and only listen to the other person (interviewer, audience, host).
Skip this step if using: Revision mode. In Revision mode, TalkBuoy needs to hear you so you can answer quiz questions out loud and talk to it directly.
⚠️ Phone on silent? Turn it off! Make sure your volume is up - the microphone won't pick up audio otherwise.

Test mic & start

Test your microphone to make sure TalkBuoy can hear audio. You should see the green bar move when you speak or play sound. Once it works, tap Start Listening to begin your session.

After you start, TalkBuoy will listen through your mic and show suggested responses on the next screen. In Revision Mode, say "quiz me" or tap the Quiz Me button to get started.

🔊 Turn your phone OFF silent!
Set your ringer/volume to loud (not silent or vibrate) or TalkBuoy's spoken answers won't play. On iPhone, flip the silent switch off. Plug in earbuds for privacy.

🔈 Speech Assistant

Type or paste any text and tap Read Aloud to hear it spoken. Use this to practise answers before a session, test your earbuds, or hear text spoken back to you.

Free browser voices are included on all plans, including the free trial. Tick "Premium voice" for higher-quality AI voices (paid plans only).

1x

TalkBuoy

Interview Mode

What They Said

Listening... speak or play audio near your mic.

Suggested Response

Suggestions will appear here after they finish speaking.

Session debrief

Reviewing your session...

0s
Duration
0
Turns
0
Avg words / turn
0
Suggestions
Analysing your session...

Transcripts are discarded after this screen — they're not stored.