Are you looking for the best tools for learning Chinese? For those learning Chinese, Chinese language learning apps can be a total game-changer. Beginning from gamified apps and interactive platforms to structured courses, there are tools available to match every skill level and learning style.
But the sheer number of apps can be overwhelming for learners. Given the innumerable apps ranging from Chinese pronunciation tools, best AI tools for learning Chinese, best Chinese dictionary app, to Chinese flashcards apps, each with endless features, how do you know which one is the best app to learn Chinese?1
The truth is, no single app that can do it all. The most successful learners use a combination of tools, each one designed for a specific purpose. For a complete overview of all learning methods, check out our guide on the best way to learn Chinese.
In this guide, we will take a look at the top language learning apps available in 2026 and help you make an informed decision.
| Category | Suggested Tool | Brief Features | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Language Learning Apps | HelloChinese | Gamified lessons; Speech recognition; Offline learning | Engaging beginner-friendly interface that makes learning Chinese interactive and fun |
| Top Language Learning Apps | Duolingo | Bite-sized lessons; Progress tracking; Daily practice reminders | User-friendly platform ideal for building foundational Chinese vocabulary and habits |
| Essential Chinese Dictionaries | Pleco | Extensive word database; Handwriting recognition; Multiple dictionaries | Comprehensive reference tool for serious learners and in-depth study |
| Essential Chinese Dictionaries | Hanzii Chinese Dictionary | AI-powered translations; OCR text recognition; Example sentences | Quick and versatile translations for learners reading Chinese text online or in images |
| Pronunciation and Speaking Tools | Laoshi: Learn Chinese & HSK | AI pronunciation scoring; Vocabulary-based story generator | Immediate feedback to help learners improve speaking accuracy and fluency |
| Pronunciation and Speaking Tools | HelloTalk | Language exchange with native speakers; Instant messaging; Voice chat | Real-world conversation practice with native Chinese speakers |
| Flashcard and Memory Aids | Anki | Spaced repetition system; Customisable flashcard decks | Highly effective for long-term vocabulary and character retention |
| Flashcard and Memory Aids | Skritter | Character writing practice; Stroke order guidance | Helps learners master Chinese character writing through guided practice |
| Additional Resources | Chinese Grammar Wiki | Comprehensive grammar explanations; Example-based explanations | Clarifies complex Chinese grammar concepts for learners at different levels |
| Additional Resources | Zhongwen Chrome Extension | Instant translations while browsing; Popup dictionary | Improves reading comprehension by providing quick contextual translations |
Top Language Learning Apps
Here are some of our favourite apps for learning Chinese.
HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a popular Chinese language learning application that focuses on real-time conversation between users and native Chinese speakers. Available on both Google Play and iTunes, this app is special for its built-in language-learning tool.
This means messages can be translated and corrected in real-time, helping users learn new phrases, improve their vocabulary, and gain fluency. Additionally, those who’d like to improve their speaking can change a text message into a vocal message so they can listen to the Chinese pronunciation.2
As an introvert, HelloTalk gave me the perfect platform to practice speaking Korean without pressure. Now I chat confidently with native speakers!"
Lisa Wang, Korean Exchange Partner
It’s a fun way to improve your Chinese online while:
- Meeting new people
- Learning more about their culture
- And learning more about their daily lives.
With over 10 million+ downloads on Google Play and a user base of 70M+ total users, along with a score of 4 stars, this is a must-have application for anyone wanting to learn a new language.
Apart from language-specific apps, you get access to powerful learning tools in HelloTalk that work with all 260+ languages.
Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the best language learning apps around, and by practising for just a few minutes each day, you’ll make some impressive progress. While some of the sentences are a bit odd, there are also some very useful expressions for you to learn.
Additionally, you can join groups and clubs set up by other members and learners and help each other to learn Chinese online.
The app is also completely free. However, you can pay for it if you want to remove the ads that pop up between lessons and practice sessions.
Overall, I like learning a new language through this app. It definitely is a great tool to practice the skills when learning a new language in ways you don't get in a traditional setting. The exercises this app provides help you retain the information easily.
Jesse, software engineer on Capterra
How about reading some of the best Chinese learning books for beginners?
Essential Chinese Dictionaries
Pleco
Pleco is highly recommended by plenty of Chinese students across the world. Because of its usefulness, this app is highly rated both on Android (4.6 out of 5) and iTunes (5 out of 5 for the current version).
The app has a huge database of nearly 130,000 Mandarin words, 22,000 Cantonese words, and 20,000 examples of expressions in Pinyin, a writing system that uses the Latin Alphabet to transcribe Chinese words.
Pleco is alone in its class of products for excellence and they offer many add-on features, dictionaries, and it has a good flash card system. I highly recommend it.
Josh Dillon
The Pleco Dictionary App also offers several useful functions and features:
- Practise writing the Chinese characters. Users can practice writing Chinese characters and become a pro in Chinese calligraphy.
- Scan Chinese characters on your smartphone and receive real-time translations.
- Listen to Mandarin, Pinyin, or Cantonese audio clips from native speakers.
- Say a Chinese word or phrase into the app, and it’ll tell you the Chinese character.
Try it yourself!
Hanzii Chinese Dictionary
Hanzii Chinese Dictionary is a free Chinese learning website for users looking for more than just definitions. It provides accurate Chinese translations, while also providing pronunciation and grammar support.
I love this dictionary app. works offline as well as having so much information and character and grammar and examples. works with Pinyin and does simplified and traditional characters. you can also save words into notebook, which is a really helpful function. I also love the translation function too.
Sophia Tse - user-submitted review on Google Play
Pronunciation and Speaking Tools
Laoshi: Learn Chinese & HSK
Laoshi is a Mandarin learning and writing system developed by Laoshi Inc and is available on both Android and iOS devices. Its core system revolves around flashcards built especially for the Chinese language.
Features
- Laoshi uses the Spaced Repetition System (SRS) to learn Chinese vocabulary more quickly and retain it for the long term.
- Practice drawing directly in the app
- Study HSK word lists covering all levels.
- The Grammar section has clear explanations of Chinese grammar.
- Users can import their word lists from Anki, Quizlet and others and create their own
- Choose from 30,000 + word lists and thematic decks
The Laoshi app is available in 10 different languages — including Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Watching YouTube videos can also help with Chinese language immersion.
Flashcard and Memory Aids
Anki
Anki is a flashcard program that is highly recommended by almost every Chinese language learner. The app can be installed on both Android and iOS, allowing users to read, learn, and remember Chinese words and characters for free.
Users can create a Chinese vocabulary list or import existing ones and test themselves using text, audio, images, speech synthesis, and spaced repetition to improve their Chinese.
With an interface that blends simplicity and flexibility, this app is made particularly special by the dedicated community around it. Thanks to the community, there are so many different vocabulary packets available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced speakers of Chinese.
Additionally, since the app is “open source”, there is a huge range of tools and extras being developed for it. This also means that the app can continue to exist without depending on any particular company for funding.
Explore the other comprehensive resources that can elevate your Chinese language learning journey.
Skritter
Learning a new language is tough, and mastering the Chinese language requires more than just knowing a few phrases. Even if you can speak Chinese perfectly and have a fantastic understanding of Chinese grammar, you still need to be able to read and write Chinese characters to truly understand the language!
This is where Skritter comes in. It is a language learning app that teaches users to write Chinese and Japanese characters while building their vocabulary, giving learners a comprehensive view of the language.
This app uses Spaced Repetition, a method that can help you learn Chinese characters with a 90% retention rate. Skritter also features handwriting recognition technology, providing feedback to users on accuracy and stroke order.
Key Features
🌟Decks: This is the starting point of your learning journey. Decks are organised by character and vocabulary types. Select the category you want to learn from.
🌟Character Decompositions: Get to know the characters to help in memorisation.
🌟Personal Progress Stats: Track your learning over time.
🌟Writing Style Corrections: Provides instant corrections to help users learn the proper form
🌟Smart Flashcards: For character meaning, pronunciation and tone practice
Additional Resources
✅Chinese Grammar Wiki
Led by John Pasden for his company AllSet Learning, Chinese Grammar Wiki is a comprehensive Chinese grammar resource that seeks to make Chinese grammar accessible to all—free of paywalls. Initially designed for clients of AllSet learning, it has since grown into a trusted tool among learners worldwide.
The book stands out for its clear organisation by proficiency level. Grammar structure is thoughtfully organised by difficulty level with clear explanations for each, beginning from A1 and A2 for beginners, all the way up to advanced C1 grammar structures.
The volume features:
- About 1000 entries explaining patterns and usage in Chinese grammar
- 245 separate grammar structures
- Examples showcasing both colloquial and formal usage
- Each grammar point includes examples with Pinyin, English translation and Chinese characters
- Content designed to match the learner’s level
✅Zhongwen Chrome Extension
The Zhongwen Chrome Extension is a free browser extension that is easy to use and has the capability to transform any Chinese webpage into an interactive learning experience.
Instead of users memorising innumerable vocabulary sheets, Zhongwen Chrome Extension encourages learners to build Chinese vocabulary through the method of immersion.
- All you have to do is download the extension and whenever you need to use it, click the extension icon in the top-right corner of Firefox.
- When it’s active, a red “On” label will appear. Click the icon again anytime to deactivate it.
Hover your mouse over the Chinese characters and will instantly see a pop-up with their meanings. It also lets you save words into a personal study list for later review and provides quick access to the Chinese Grammar Wiki for deeper learning. But there is much more to this extension than just providing you with meanings of words and adding them to your vocabulary.
Key Features
- You can look up over 1,00,000 words and expressions
- Works with both Simplified and Traditional Chinese
- Includes a recent version of the CEDICT Chinese-English dictionary
- Displays Hanyu Pinyin alongside characters with customisation options
- Colour-coded tones to make pronunciation easier to learn
- Highlights text currently being translated
- Lets you add words to a wordlist and then export that list to Anki
- Skitter users can directly add words to Skitter flashcards
Conclusion
Given the variety of tools for learning Chinese, accessing Chinese classes has become more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a complete newbie looking to practice conversational Mandarin or preparing for advanced-level HSK exams, the best AI tools for learning Chinese make learning Chinese interesting and enjoyable.
And the best part about these apps? You can pause, rewind, and study Chinese pronunciation tools, the best Chinese dictionary app, or the Chinese flashcards app as many times as you want. With consistent effort and the right digital support, the journey to fluency becomes both achievable and enjoyable.
References
- Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – where are the educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
- Wang, Y., Zhan, H., & Liu, S. (2022). A comparative study of perceptions and experiences of online Chinese language learners in China and the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 2(1), 69–99. https://doi.org/10.1515/jccall-2022-0009
Summarise with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
