Learning Chinese is more popular than ever as China is one of the largest economies in the world. However, not everyone has enough time or budget to join in-person classes. Many Chinese learning apps have emerged to meet the demand for effective and affordable self-study options. Here, Ni Hao Ma will introduce the TOP 7 best free Chinese learning apps for you!
Benefits of Chinese learning apps
Learning Chinese has become increasingly popular due to China’s growing global influence and the valuable opportunities that language skills can open. Apps offer innovative, accessible, and interactive methods for mastering Mandarin, making it easier and more convenient than traditional learning methods. Some of the prominent advantages of learning through an app include:
- Flexibility in Time and Location: Language-learning apps allow users to manage their time and study from anywhere. With just a smartphone or tablet and an Internet connection, learners can easily access lessons on the go.
- Diverse and Engaging Learning Methods: Language apps often combine images, audio, games, and interactive exercises, helping learners naturally remember vocabulary and grammar. Through fun activities, learning becomes less tedious, more engaging, and more effective.
- Cost Savings: Compared to in-person classes, learning through an app is often more affordable. Many apps even offer free courses or low-cost options, making them accessible to everyone—from students to working professionals.
- Regular Practice Support: Apps encourage learners to maintain a daily routine through reminders and progress tracking. Some apps also feature evaluation systems and challenges to help learners monitor their progress and stay motivated.
- Suitable for All Levels: Whether you’re a beginner or already have a foundation in Chinese, language apps offer tailored programs from basic to advanced. This allows learners to easily choose the path that best matches their goals and skill level.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Many Chinese learning apps support all core language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and pronunciation. This comprehensive approach enables learners to build confident, natural communication skills.
Top 7 Free Apps for Learning Chinese
To help you find the best tool for learning Chinese, Ni Hao Ma lists out the 7 most popular free Chinese learning apps available, along with the advantages of each app. Let’s dive in!
1. HelloChinese
HelloChinese is one of the most popular free Chinese learning apps in Vietnam, with over 10 million users. Whether you’re a complete beginner with little knowledge of Chinese, this app makes starting your journey to master the language both easy and enjoyable. Created by a team of experienced professionals, HelloChinese offers engaging lessons that help you learn vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking skills interactively.
Advantages:
- Pronunciation lessons are specifically designed for beginners.
- Over 1,000 stories to practice reading and comprehension skills.
- More than 2,000 clips to help familiarize learners with native Chinese speech.
- Handwriting feature for practicing Chinese character writing.
- Covers key content up to the HSK4 proficiency level.
- Option to study in Traditional or Simplified Chinese.
- Syncs learning progress across different devices.
- Option to display either pinyin (Latin-script phonetic transcription) or Chinese characters while learning.
- Learn through fun games, making study enjoyable and engaging.
2. Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the most popular free apps for learning Chinese worldwide. Not only does it offer Chinese, but Duolingo also allows users to study over 40 different languages through fun and engaging lessons. Developed by language experts, Duolingo helps prepare you for real-life communication scenarios, whether for travel, study or simply for enjoyment.
Advantages:
- Reinforces listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through fun and effective games.
- Earn rewards based on learning progress and achievement milestones.
- Daily lesson reminders to encourage consistency.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Easy-to-select thematic lessons for focused learning.
3. SuperChinese
SuperChinese is a free Chinese learning app that stands out for its use of AI technology to personalize the learning experience for each user. Upon starting, you’ll take a placement test to match you with the appropriate level. SuperChinese covers content from HSK1 to HSK5, with each level offering 24 mini-lessons, each lasting about 20-30 minutes. These lessons are designed to comprehensively develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Advantages:
- Quick placement test takes just 10 minutes.
- Includes sample dialogues to understand vocabulary usage in real-life contexts.
- Features lively video examples.
- AI technology aids in practicing accurate pronunciation.
- Timed mini-tests for reviewing material after each lesson.
- Function to track learning progress.
- Supports 9 different languages.
4. ChineseSkill
ChineseSkill is a completely free Chinese learning app designed to help learners approach the language in a scientific and effective way. This app focuses on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through a variety of lessons, ranging from basic to advanced. Designed with a game-based structure, ChineseSkill makes learning more accessible and fun.
Advantages:
- Offline learning function (for completed lessons).
- Fun game design that allows users to review while having fun.
- Lessons are logically organized with a variety of topics.
- Uses various memorization techniques, such as Spaced Repetition (SRS).
- Engages users through the “Compete with Friends” feature.
- Option to display pinyin, Chinese characters, or both while learning.
- Syncs the learning program across different devices.
5. SuperTest
SuperTest (formerly known as HSK Online) is a free Chinese learning app available on both computers and smartphones, designed to help users study and prepare for the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test). Focusing on listening, reading, and writing skills, SuperTest offers an effective solution for enhancing knowledge and familiarizing learners with the HSK exam format.
Advantages:
- Learn and practice vocabulary by topic and HSK level.
- Covers content from HSK 1 to HSK 6.
- Provides detailed explanations for each answer.
- Over 10 practice tests are available for each level (paid access to unlock additional practice exams).
- User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
- Allows for writing corrections by an AI-powered teacher.
6. LingoDeer
LingoDeer is one of the leading language learning apps today, especially popular for its intelligent teaching methods and user-friendly interface. In addition to Chinese, LingoDeer also supports many other languages, such as English, Korean, Japanese, and more. Developed by a team of experts, the app offers a comprehensive range of lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, and dialogues. LingoDeer is an engaging and enjoyable free Chinese learning app that’s worth trying out.
Advantages:
- Lessons are divided into levels ranging from beginner to advanced.
- A wide variety of lesson topics.
- Provides guidance on writing and pronunciation of Chinese characters.
- After each lesson, the app gives a quality assessment (Weak, Good, or Perfect).
- Over 2,000 common vocabulary words and phrases.
- Allows offline learning.
- Combines lessons with games, making learning more enjoyable.
7. HeyChina
HeyChina is a free Chinese learning app designed to help learners access the language in an affordable yet effective way. The app covers everything from basic vocabulary and grammar to advanced lessons, providing a solid foundation and helping users develop all four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—up to the HSK4 level.
Advantages:
- Familiar topics with high practical relevance.
- Learn Chinese characters through images and games for better retention.
- Speaking practice with AI.
- HSK1 to HSK4 practice tests with detailed answers and explanations.
- Option to display either pinyin or Chinese characters.
Conclusion
Above are the top 7 free Chinese learning apps you can use to start your journey toward mastering the language. Each app offers unique features, from basic lessons for beginners to advanced tools for learners with a higher level of proficiency. We believe Ni Hao Ma has provided you with useful information, and encourage you to stay persistent in your studies to achieve great results!
