ChinesePod
ChinesePod: A broad Mandarin curriculum with strong audio, video, pronunciation, and offline study tools. Ranked #132 of 276 in Language Learning Apps by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for comprehensive Mandarin audio and video learning.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forComprehensive Mandarin audio and video learning
- Free planYes
- Paid from$249/yr
- Offline lessonsYes
- Founded2005 · New York, New York, United States
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- More than 4,000 lessons across six proficiency levels
- Includes transcripts, exercises, tests, flashcards, and pronunciation training
- Premium plans support mobile access and offline lesson downloads
Where it doesn't
- Premium starts at $29 per month
- The focus is Mandarin Chinese rather than multiple target languages
- Free access includes ads and limits several learning materials
Our verdict on ChinesePod
ChinesePod is an online Mandarin learning platform for beginners through advanced learners. Its curriculum spans more than 4,000 audio and video lessons across six proficiency levels, with dialogues, Chinese, pinyin, and English transcripts, vocabulary examples, grammar notes, cultural explanations, and exercises. Learners can study on the web, iOS, and Android, while placement and level tests help identify an appropriate starting point. The platform is designed for independent learners who want a structured Mandarin curriculum rather than a multi-language app.
The feature depth is strongest in the combination of listening, reading, vocabulary, and pronunciation practice. Premium includes on-demand audio and video lessons, PDF lesson notes, practice tests, vocabulary review, mobile app access, content downloads, and the Say It Right pronunciation course. Learners also get playlists, bookmarks, lesson history, vocabulary decks, and flashcards. Offline downloads are useful for study away from an internet connection, while dialogue transcripts and vocabulary audio support close examination of spoken Mandarin. This makes ChinesePod a fit for learners who want varied lesson formats and progression through multiple levels.
Pricing divides the product between an ad-supported Free Plan and Premium access. The free tier provides access to all lessons with ads, but limits dialogues, vocabulary, expansions, and exercises; it also includes basic playlists, bookmarks, and lesson history. Premium costs $29 per month, $79 per three months, or $249 per year, with premium learner access on the quarterly and annual plans. A 14-day free trial is also available, and Group Plans offer custom pricing for companies plus academic pricing for schools and universities. ChinesePod suits learners seeking comprehensive Mandarin content and pronunciation practice; those wanting several target languages or a lower-cost paid plan should look elsewhere.
Your product? Our editors can test ChinesePod in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
ChinesePod pricing
All 3 ChinesePod plans and prices →
ChinesePod fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $249/yr |
| Offline lessons | Yes |
| Speech practice | Yes |
| Placement test | Yes |
| Personalized review | Not verified |
| Mobile apps | Yes |
| Languages offered | 1 |
| Free trial | 14 days · card required |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | chinesepod.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ChinesePod
- DuolingoA strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.9.4
- BusuuA broad language-learning app combining structured lessons with human and AI feedback.9.2
- BabbelA guided paid course with practice across listening, speaking, writing, and grammar.9.1
See all ChinesePod alternatives →
Also Ranked In
ChinesePod is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used ChinesePod? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used ChinesePod for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
ChinesePod is listed in our Language Learning Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/chinesepod/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/chinesepod.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Guides on language learning apps
- The Best Language Learning Apps We've Tested for 2026Aug 2026
- The Best Language Learning Apps for 2025: Top Picks for Every GoalAug 2026
- The Best Language Learning Apps: 30 Compared by Goal (2026)Aug 2026
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update