CiaoSpeak

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.9 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan · 3-day trial
• Best for
  Learners practicing spoken Mandarin with Taiwan audio
• Free plan
  Yes
• Character writing practice
  Yes
• Facts checked
  23 Oct 2026

• Where it wins

  • Scenario questions support spoken or typed answers with feedback
  • Taiwan-accent audio spans words, sentences, stories, and practice questions
  • Mistake review, handwriting guides, and placement testing support structured study

• Where it doesn't

  • The free plan limits Speak practice to five questions each day
  • Full Stories and unlimited Quick Practice require CiaoSpeak+
  • Available on iPhone and Android, with mobile-only deployment

Our verdict on CiaoSpeak

CiaoSpeak is a mobile Mandarin-learning app centered on the Chinese spoken in Taiwan. Its structured lessons cover tones, vocabulary, grammar, and sentences, with TOCFL-level labels to help learners navigate the material. A placement quiz helps identify a starting level, while Traditional characters can be displayed with either Zhuyin or Pinyin. The approach suits learners who want focused study alongside spoken or typed responses to scenario-based questions, rather than a course centered on simplified characters or broad language coverage.

Practice is the app's clearest distinction. Learners can answer questions by voice or text and receive feedback, then revisit mistakes through spaced-repetition review. Taiwan-accent audio is used for words, sentences, stories, and practice questions. Handwriting exercises include stroke-order guides, and reading material ranges from leveled stories and dialogues to articles and chapter series. Together, these features connect listening, speaking, reading, and writing around Taiwan Mandarin; the emphasis is especially relevant to learners seeking Taiwan audio and active response practice. The mobile-only format makes it a less suitable fit for anyone looking for a desktop course.

The Free plan includes lessons and mistake review, with up to five Speak questions each day. CiaoSpeak+ Monthly and CiaoSpeak+ Yearly both add more Speak scene practice, the full Stories library, and unlimited Quick Practice rounds. A three-day free trial is listed. This gives learners room to explore the core lessons before deciding whether they need more daily speaking practice or the expanded reading library. CiaoSpeak is a sensible fit for solo learners who value Taiwan-focused content and a mix of practice modes; learners who need unrestricted Speak practice or full story access should expect to move beyond the free plan.

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CiaoSpeak pricing

All 3 CiaoSpeak plans and prices →

CiaoSpeak fact sheet

Alternatives to CiaoSpeak

• BusuuA structured Chinese course with placement testing, review tools, and community practice.9.2
• DuolingoA free, game-like routine for Chinese learners who want short, varied lessons.9.1
• Rosetta StoneA structured Chinese-learning option with pronunciation feedback, review tools, and live tutoring.9.0

See all CiaoSpeak alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

CiaoSpeak is listed in our Chinese Learning Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 28 Oct 2026 · How we research and update