Best Hanyu Alternatives in 2026
The top Hanyu alternatives are Duolingo, Busuu and Babbel: 15 language learning apps our editors would look at instead of Hanyu, in our ranking order.
Hanyu: An all-in-one iOS course for Chinese learners, from beginner lessons to HSK practice. Where it falls short: available only on iOS devices.
Switching from Hanyu? For most language learning apps buyers the best Hanyu alternative is Duolingo, built for beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option. Memrise offers the most languages offered (149).
Why People Look for a Hanyu Alternative
- Available only on iOS devices
- Focuses on Chinese rather than multiple languages
- Premium plan pricing varies by region
- Languages offered: 1 — up to 149 with Memrise
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallDuolingo9.4
Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option
Visit Duolingo - Best free optionDuolingo9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Duolingo - Most languages offeredMemrise9.0
149
Visit Memrise
All 15 Hanyu Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forBeginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option
- Better than Hanyu:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 3.0
A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Duolingo -
Best forLearners wanting courses plus native-speaker feedback
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 14 vs 1
- Editor score 9.2 vs 3.0
A broad language-learning app combining structured lessons with human and AI feedback.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Busuu -
Best forLearners wanting a structured paid course
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 14 vs 1
- Editor score 9.1 vs 3.0
A guided paid course with practice across listening, speaking, writing, and grammar.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Babbel -
Best forLearners prioritizing language breadth and native video
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 149 vs 1
- Editor score 9.0 vs 3.0
A broad language-learning app combining native video, structured lessons and AI practice.
- Placement test
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Memrise -
Best forLearners wanting immersive lessons and live tutoring
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 25 vs 1
- Editor score 8.9 vs 3.0
A broad language-learning subscription for guided lessons, practice and tutoring.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Rosetta Stone -
Best forAudio-first learners practicing real-world conversation
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 51 vs 1
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.0
A strong audio-first choice for conversational practice, but there is no free plan.
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pimsleur -
Best forSerious learners who value proven depth
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 25 vs 1
- Editor score 8.7 vs 3.0
A deep, mature learning system for learners who want structured progress.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SuperMemo -
Best forBroad-language learners seeking varied practice modes
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 41 vs 1
- Editor score 8.6 vs 3.0
A broad language-learning app with varied practice modes and a freemium entry point.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Mondly -
Best forFree, established English study resources
- Better than Hanyu:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 3.0
A mature, free web resource for structured English study across levels and skills.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Speech practice
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forIndependent learners studying authentic texts
- Better than Hanyu:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 3.0
A free, open-source reading workflow for independent language learners.
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forChildren learning English through play
- Better than Hanyu:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 3.0
A playful English-learning app with offline content, speaking practice and parent tracking.
- Offline lessons
- Speech practice
- Mobile apps
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forEnglish learners focused on grammar drills
- Better than Hanyu:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 3.0
A free, grammar-focused app with broad practice across four English levels.
- Mobile apps
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLearners who study through authentic online media
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 52 vs 1
- Editor score 7.5 vs 3.0
A media-rich language app for learners who want flexible reading and listening practice.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit LingQ -
Best forLearners focused on AI speaking conversations
- Better than Hanyu:
- Languages offered: 130 vs 1
- Editor score 7.4 vs 3.0
A conversation-first AI tutor with structured courses, pronunciation feedback, and mobile access.
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
- Mobile apps
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Talkpal -
Best forEnglish learners improving pronunciation and fluency
- Better than Hanyu:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 3.0
A focused English app for improving pronunciation, fluency, and real-world speaking.
- Placement test
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit ELSA Speak
Hanyu Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Hanyu?
Duolingo: #1 in our Language Learning Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.
Is there a free alternative to Hanyu?
Yes. Duolingo, Busuu, Memrise, SuperMemo and Mondly have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Hanyu alternatives?
Available only on iOS devices; Focuses on Chinese rather than multiple languages; Premium plan pricing varies by region.
Which Hanyu alternative has the most languages offered?
Memrise, with 149.
How do I switch from Hanyu?
Export your data from Hanyu (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Hanyu.
How to Switch from Hanyu
- Export your data from Hanyu (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Hanyu.
Hanyu vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Offline lessons | Speech practice | Placement test | Personalized review | Mobile apps | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Hanyu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.0 | |
| 1 | Duolingo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Busuu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Babbel | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Memrise | Yes | €69.99/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 5 | Rosetta Stone | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 6 | Pimsleur | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 7 | SuperMemo | Yes | 359 PLN/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 8 | Mondly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 9 | BBC Learning English | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 10 | Learning with Texts | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |||
| 11 | LearnEnglish Kids: Playtime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |||
| 12 | LearnEnglish Grammar | Yes | No | No | Yes | 7.6 | |||
| 13 | LingQ | Yes | $119.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 14 | Talkpal | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | ||
| 15 | ELSA Speak | Yes | $159.99/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
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
- The 7 best language learning apps of 2025Aug 2026
- Best Language Learning Apps for iPhone and iPad in 2026Aug 2026
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update