The Best Chinese Learning Apps in 2026
Busuu is the first choice: its Chinese curriculum uses CEFR levels, checks your starting point with placement testing, and practices speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with community corrections and AI speaking activities adding feedback. Review tools let learners continue practicing at an appropriate level. Busuu is also the best free option. Chénjìn is the cheapest paid choice at $7.99 a month. For learners prioritizing spoken conversation, Pimsleur delivers 30-minute sessions built around role-play and pronunciation feedback. The same course supports audio playback on several hands-free platforms. For grammar-focused Chinese study, LingoDeer gives detailed grammar explanations, native-speaker audio, recording practice, and spaced-review exercises. Offline access keeps those lessons available without an internet connection. These choices cover different starting needs: a broad level-based course, conversation practice, or close attention to grammar. Across the 15 monthly listings with comparable prices, the starting-price range is from $7.99 a month (Chénjìn) to $29 a month (ChinesePod).
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Busuu#1 of 619.2/10A structured Chinese course with placement testing, review tools, and community practice.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Duolingo#2 of 619.1/10A free, game-like routine for Chinese learners who want short, varied lessons.
Free plan · 14-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
Memrise#5 of 618.6/10Broad language practice pairs vocabulary review with videos and AI conversations.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 61 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forLearners who want a structured, well-rounded course
A structured Chinese course with placement testing, review tools, and community practice.
- Offline lessons
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Busuu -
Best forLearners who want a free, gamified daily routine
A free, game-like routine for Chinese learners who want short, varied lessons.
- Offline lessons
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Duolingo verdict → Visit DuolingoFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.1/10★★★★★Visit Duolingo -
Best forLearners seeking immersive study and live tutoring
A structured Chinese-learning option with pronunciation feedback, review tools, and live tutoring.
- Offline lessons
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Rosetta Stone -
Best forLearners focused on spoken conversation
A conversation-led Chinese course with offline lessons and speech practice.
- Offline lessons
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pimsleur -
Best forLearners seeking broad language coverage and AI practice
Broad language practice pairs vocabulary review with videos and AI conversations.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Memrise -
Best forLearners who want grammar-focused Chinese lessons
A structured Chinese course with detailed grammar explanations and offline lesson access.
- Offline lessons
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit LingoDeer -
Best forLearners seeking broad language choice and cultural context
A broad language catalog pairs interactive practice with native-speaker audio and cultural notes.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Ling -
Best forIndependent learners studying with authentic Chinese content
A content-led Chinese study app with vocabulary tools, imports and live learning options.
- Offline lessons
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit LingQ -
Best forLearners building reading and listening skills
A mobile reading-and-listening app with bilingual text, native-speaker audio, and quizzes.
- Offline lessons
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Beelinguapp -
Best forLearners wanting structured self-study with tutoring
Structured self-study pairs pronunciation practice and review with optional one-on-one tutoring.
- Offline lessons
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLearners who prefer studying through videos
A video-led language app with interactive subtitles, review tools, and AI speaking practice.
- Offline lessons
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit FluentU -
Best forIntermediate learners practicing Chinese in sentences
Sentence-based Chinese practice with listening and spaced-repetition reviews.
- Offline lessons
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Clozemaster -
Best forLearners comparing Mandarin varieties and Cantonese
A beginner-focused app pairing Chinese courses with handwriting, speech practice, and review.
- Offline lessons
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ChineseSkill -
Best forLearners seeking affordable audio-led lessons
A structured, audio-led Chinese course with a free tier and optional teacher feedback.
- Offline lessons
7.6/10★★★★☆Try ChineseClass101 -
Best forLearners who want graded Chinese news reading
A news-centered Chinese study app with graded lessons, audio, quizzes, and offline access.
- Offline lessons
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLearners focused on graded Chinese reading
A focused Chinese reading app with synchronized audio, translations, and review tools.
- Offline lessons
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Du Chinese -
Best forLearners using articles, video, and browser tools
A flexible Mandarin study toolkit for learners who want to learn from articles and video.
- Speech recognition
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Chénjìn -
Best forMandarin learners wanting HSK-aligned mobile lessons
Structured, HSK-aligned Mandarin study with speech practice and offline lessons.
- Offline lessons
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit SuperChinese -
Best forMobile learners seeking a broad Mandarin course
A broad, game-based Mandarin course with lessons and review designed for mobile.
- Offline lessons
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit HelloChinese -
Best forLearners practicing spoken Mandarin with Taiwan audio
A focused Mandarin course combining scenario practice, handwriting, and spaced review.
- Speech recognition
- Character writing practice
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit CiaoSpeak -
Best forLearners improving through daily graded stories
Daily stories pair listening, vocabulary review, quizzes, and optional teacher feedback.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit maayot -
Best forLearners prioritizing pronunciation feedback
A speaking-focused Chinese learning app with recording, review and paid coaching.
- Offline lessons
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Speechling -
Best forLearners seeking HSK courses and live classes
HSK study, speaking practice, writing tools, and live classes in one learning app.
- Speech recognition
- Character writing practice
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit TaoLi -
Best forLearners who want guided AI conversation practice
A speaking-led Mandarin app pairing HSK 1–4 lessons with AI conversation practice.
- Speech recognition
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit SureChinese -
Best forLearners seeking intensive sentence-based practice
Focused sentence practice pairs audio and recall exercises with scheduled review.
- Offline lessons
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Glossika -
Best forLearners who prefer a video-led Mandarin curriculum
A video-led Mandarin program with a six-course curriculum and interactive review.
- Character writing practice
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Yoyo Chinese -
Best foriOS learners combining character study with AI speaking
An iOS learning app pairing structured Chinese study with AI speaking practice.
- Offline lessons
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Hanyu -
Best forLearners who want Chinese reading with Anki or Pleco
A story-led Chinese study app with reading tools and Pro exports to Anki, Pleco, and Quizlet.
- Character writing practice
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit WeHanzi -
Best forLearners focused on scene-based speaking practice
Scene-based Mandarin speaking practice with translation tools and graded stories.
- Speech recognition
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Linguahan -
Best forLearners preparing for HSK 1–6 exams
HSK-focused lessons, writing and mock tests, with offline study and no speech recognition.
- Character writing practice
- Offline lessons
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Learn Chinese -
Best forBeginners seeking free character-writing practice
A free mobile app for beginner Mandarin practice, with writing and audio activities across 16 lessons.
- Character writing practice
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Chinese@OU -
Best forLearners focused on Chinese character structure
A focused character-study app with free core learning and a paid interactive Reader.
- Character writing practice
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Hanly -
Best forLearners seeking web-based graded reading practice
A web-based study library for graded Mandarin lessons, audio and HSK/YCT practice.
- Offline lessons
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Mandarin Bean -
Best forLearners seeking web-based HSK video courses
Self-paced web courses combine HSK study with video, pronunciation, and listening practice.
- Offline lessons
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forWeb learners wanting adaptive Mandarin conversation tests
Web-based Mandarin study pairs adaptive skill tests with conversation and character practice.
- Character writing practice
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Mandarin Match -
Best forLearners seeking a premium tutor-supported curriculum
A tutor-supported Mandarin curriculum with a free entry point and a $2,997 annual Fluency Lab.
- Offline lessons
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forLearners seeking structured, offline-capable study
A structured course for independent learners who want review, speaking practice, and offline mobile study.
- Offline lessons
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit MosaLingua -
Best forLearners seeking HSK lessons with handwriting and speaking
A broad Mandarin study app pairing HSK lessons with writing and speaking practice.
- Speech recognition
- Character writing practice
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit MyMandarin -
Best forLearners who prefer audio-led Mandarin lessons
A lesson-rich Mandarin course for audio-led learners, with a free plan and $29 monthly Premium.
- Offline lessons
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit ChinesePod -
Best forBeginners practicing practical Mandarin on mobile
A mobile-first option for practical Mandarin practice, from phrases to characters.
- Speech recognition
- Character writing practice
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Pretalk -
Best foriOS learners focused on Chinese character writing
A focused iOS app for character writing, review, and Chinese text lookup.
- Character writing practice
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit Yizi -
Best forVisual learners building basic Chinese vocabulary
A visual, mobile-first path to Mandarin vocabulary and character recognition.
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Chineasy -
Best forLearners focused on characters and Mandarin reading
A character- and reading-focused Mandarin app with level-matched content and a detailed dictionary.
- Character writing practice
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit Dong Chinese -
Best forCasual Chinese vocabulary practice in short sessions
A vocabulary-focused app for short sessions, with audio, quizzes, and spaced repetition.
- Offline lessons
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit Drops -
Best forLearners practicing Mandarin with paced audio lessons
A paced, listening-led Mandarin course with adjustable audio and offline study.
- Offline lessons
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit site -
Best forAndroid learners building Chinese listening skills
A listening-focused Android app that turns Chinese videos into vocabulary practice.
4.2/10★★☆☆☆Visit LanLan -
Best foriPhone learners focused on character handwriting
A free iOS handwriting companion with guided practice and spaced review.
4.1/10★★☆☆☆Visit Zishu -
Best forLearners focused on Chinese characters and writing
A character-focused Mandarin toolkit for learners and educators, with paid memberships.
- Character writing practice
4.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Arch Chinese -
Best forBeginners focused on HSK 1 characters and pronunciation
A focused HSK 1 course for beginners who want character and pronunciation practice.
- Speech recognition
- Character writing practice
- Offline lessons
3.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit BaoBao Talk -
Best forAndroid learners practicing Chinese characters
A focused Android app for practicing Chinese characters, vocabulary, and recall.
- Character writing practice
3.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Hanzi Deck
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Busuu | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Duolingo | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 3 | Rosetta Stone | No | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Pimsleur | No | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Memrise | Yes | €69.99/yr | 8.6 |
| 6 | LingoDeer | Yes | $14.99/mo | 8.5 |
| 7 | Ling | Yes | $89.99/yr | 8.4 |
| 8 | LingQ | Yes | $119.99/yr | 8.3 |
| 9 | Beelinguapp | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 10 | Transparent Language Online | No | $149.95/user/yr | 8.0 |
| 11 | FluentU | Yes | $11.99/user/mo | 7.9 |
| 12 | Clozemaster | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 13 | ChineseSkill | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 14 | ChineseClass101 | Yes | $4/mo | 7.6 |
| 15 | The Chairman’s Bao | Yes | $6.42/mo | 7.5 |
| 16 | Du Chinese | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 17 | Chénjìn | Yes | $7.99/mo | 7.3 |
| 18 | SuperChinese | Yes | $11.99/mo | 7.2 |
| 19 | HelloChinese | 7.1 | ||
| 20 | CiaoSpeak | Yes | 6.9 | |
| 21 | maayot | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 22 | Speechling | Yes | $19.99/mo | 6.7 |
| 23 | TaoLi | Yes | 6.6 | |
| 24 | SureChinese | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 25 | Glossika | Yes | $199/user/yr | 6.4 |
| 26 | Yoyo Chinese | Yes | 6.3 | |
| 27 | Hanyu | Yes | 6.2 | |
| 28 | WeHanzi | Yes | 6.1 | |
| 29 | Linguahan | Yes | $69.99/yr | 6.0 |
| 30 | Learn Chinese: HSK 1–6 | Yes | $39.99/yr | 5.9 |
| 31 | Chinese@OU | Yes | Free | 5.8 |
| 32 | Hanly | Yes | 5.7 | |
| 33 | Mandarin Bean | Yes | 5.6 | |
| 34 | Chinese Zero to Hero | Yes | 5.5 | |
| 35 | Mandarin Match | $14.99/mo | 5.4 | |
| 36 | Mandarin Blueprint | Yes | $2,997/yr | 5.3 |
| 37 | MosaLingua | No | $71.88/yr | 5.2 |
| 38 | MyMandarin | Yes | 5.1 | |
| 39 | ChinesePod | Yes | $249/yr | 5.0 |
| 40 | Pretalk | Yes | 4.8 | |
| 41 | Yizi | Yes | 4.7 | |
| 42 | Chineasy | Yes | $49.99/yr | 4.6 |
| 43 | Dong Chinese | Yes | $79.99/yr | 4.5 |
| 44 | Drops | Yes | $69.99/yr | 4.4 |
| 45 | Immersive Chinese | Yes | 4.3 | |
| 46 | LanLan: Learn Chinese Lazily | Yes | €39.99/yr | 4.2 |
| 47 | Zishu | Yes | Free | 4.1 |
| 48 | Arch Chinese | $59.99/mo | 4.0 | |
| 49 | BaoBao Talk | Yes | 3.9 | |
| 50 | Hanzi Deck | Yes | 3.8 |
Head-to-head All 18 comparisons →
- Busuu vs LingoDeer
- Busuu vs Ling
- Busuu vs LingQ
- Duolingo vs LingoDeer
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How we rank chinese learning apps
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update