Comparison

TOPIK Note vs Chingu

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TOPIK Note

Master Korean vocabulary and grammar for the TOPIK exam with smart, spaced repetition. Learn words and grammar points through various quiz formats and practice with real past exam questions. Hear native pronunciation for every word and sentence.

Highlights
  • 9,000+ TOPIK-level words
  • SM-2 spaced repetition system
  • Four learning modes per word
  • Native speaker audio pronunciation
  • 210 TOPIK grammar points
  • 1,700+ real TOPIK exam questions
  • Progress tracking dashboard
Features
Read full description

You already know you want to pass TOPIK. The real question is how — without burning study time on words that won't move your score, or losing a week to reviews you didn't need. TOPIK Note sorts 9,000+ Korean words by exact TOPIK level and schedules your reviews for you, so every minute goes to the words that count. Study what matters, when it matters. The app remembers what you know and what you don't. SM-2 spaced repetition (8-stage intervals) tracks every answer and adjusts your schedule automatically. Hard words come back sooner. Words you've nailed space out further — so you're never drilling something you already own. FOUR WAYS TO LEARN EACH WORD • See the Korean word, pick the meaning • See the meaning, pick the Korean word • Fill in the missing word in a sentence • Read a Korean sentence and choose what it means Same word, four angles. By the time it sticks, you can use it in context — not just spot it on a flashcard. With 36,000+ quizzes, you won't run out. HEAR EVERY WORD Tap the speaker on any word or example sentence to hear how it's pronounced. Reading Korean is half the work — knowing how it sounds is the other half. MADE BY KOREANS, REVIEWED BY KOREANS Every definition and example is written and checked by native Koreans — no clumsy machine translations to unlearn later. EVERY TOPIK LEVEL, ONE APP • Beginner (Level 1–2) — foundational words • Intermediate (Level 3–4) — everyday and compound words • Advanced (Level 5–6) — academic and nuanced vocabulary Pick your level. Switch anytime. The app adapts to your pace. GRAMMAR BUILT ON WORDS YOU ALREADY KNOW 210 TOPIK grammar points — from beginner particles to advanced connectives (79 beginner, 94 intermediate, 37 advanced). Every example sentence is built from vocabulary you've already studied, so a grammar point arrives as a sentence you can actually say, not a rule to memorize. • Fill-in-the-blank, conjugation, and meaning quizzes for every point • Spot a grammar pattern inside any word's example sentence and tap straight through to its explanation • Reviews are scheduled the same way as vocabulary — the grammar you keep missing comes back sooner PRACTICE REAL TOPIK EXAMS Vocabulary gets you ready. Past exams tell you if you're ready. • 1,700+ real TOPIK I & II questions pulled from 21 past exam papers — 878 reading and 850 listening • Listening questions play the original exam audio. Answer first, then read the full transcript to see exactly what you missed • Submit your answer, then read an explanation that walks you through the correct choice — available in English, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) • "My answered questions" keeps everything you've tried, sorted by wrong and right, so you can drill your weak spots • Exam stats: overall accuracy, separate TOPIK I and II progress, a 30-day trend, and a breakdown by question type TRACK YOUR PROGRESS A stats dashboard that earns its space: • Daily study streak • Accuracy across each quiz type and TOPIK level • Wrong Notes — every word you miss, collected automatically so you can target your weak spots No vanity metrics. Just signals for where to focus next. STUDY ON YOUR TERMS Bookmark words you want to revisit. Set a daily reminder — even five minutes a day compounds over weeks. YOUR LANGUAGE, YOUR INTERFACE App interface in English, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional). Word definitions in all of those plus Korean. The Korean stays Korean — only the explanations change. You've decided to learn Korean. TOPIK Note makes sure your time goes to the right words, in the right order. Terms of Use (EULA): https://topik-note.com/en/terms-of-service.html Privacy Policy: https://topik-note.com/en/privacy-policy.html

About

Chingu

Learn Korean by watching your favorite K-content. This app transforms videos into interactive lessons with one-tap translation and contextual vocabulary building. Practice listening and speaking with native content to achieve fluency.

Highlights
  • Watch K-content with one-tap translation
  • Instant dictionary lookup for words
  • Graded listening and shadowing practice
  • Contextual vocabulary building
  • Personalized word banks
  • Smart SRS flashcards
Features
Read full description

Chingu: Learn Korean Easy – Turn your K-Content obsession into Korean fluency! Transform your favorite short videos, K-Dramas, K-Pop clips, lifestyle vlogs, and trending variety shows into the most engaging study routine ever. Let's be honest: you already spend hours watching native content and listening to your favorite creators. Why not use that time to build real vocabulary? True fluency requires deep Contextual Input. Memorizing isolated word lists or practicing rigid sentences without context won't unlock natural conversation. Chingu provides a comprehensive all-in-one platform that bridges the gap between entertainment and long-term vocabulary retention. Why language learners choose Chingu: Watch Authentic K-Content with One-Tap Translation • Absorb Real Korean: Move beyond artificial app exercises. Pick up genuine everyday conversations, native pronunciation, and daily expressions right from bite-sized videos and pop culture media. • Instant Dictionary Lookup: Tap any word in the dual subtitles while watching to see its definition instantly, breaking down complex structures without losing your place. Active Graded Listening & Shadowing Practice Train your ears to adjust to native speech rhythms, real-world speeds, and authentic intonations. Use our media library to shadow native speakers, improving your natural speech flow, cadence, and speaking confidence step-by-step. Deep Contextual Vocabulary Building Move more deeply than short, fragmented learning or text-heavy grammar drills. Chingu offers a curated space of multimedia and bilingual stories to help your brain process words in context and absorb real-world expressions naturally. Personalized Word Banks & Smart SRS Flashcards • Save on the Go: Seamlessly bookmark new words, phrases, and native expressions directly from your video scrolling or reading exercises into custom study decks. • Spaced Repetition System: Review with a scientifically optimized flashcard algorithm that challenges your memory right before you are about to forget, ensuring vocabulary sticks long-term. An elegant all-in-one solution that replaces the hassle of juggling between standard video feeds, external dictionary tools, and manual vocabulary apps. Perfect for: • K-Drama and K-Pop enthusiasts looking to understand real-world phrases and connect deeply with the culture. • Beginners who want a rich, solid vocabulary foundation to support their journey toward Korean fluency. • Busy adults who want to turn daily media-scrolling habits into productive language progress. Download Chingu: Learn Korean Easy today and discover how combining authentic videos with smart tools makes learning Korean effortless!

Screenshots

TOPIK Note4 screens
Chingu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Chingu at none against TOPIK Note's shown. TOPIK Note's advantage is review sentiment (65% vs 56%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TOPIK Note sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month and Chingu sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for TOPIK Note against 4.8 for Chingu. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 64 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of TOPIK Note's written reviews are positive against 56% of Chingu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
TOPIK Note versus Chingu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTOPIK NoteChingu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (55 ratings) — better4.8 (64 ratings)
Positive reviews64.7% of reviews — better55.6% of reviews
Number of ratings5564 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJihoon LEEQuan Pham

Customer experience

TOPIK Note

All ratings53 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral8.8%
Negative26.5%

Chingu

All ratings64 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral33.3%
Negative11.1%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

TOPIK Note

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (Monthly)$10.991 Month
  • Premium (Annual)$64.991 Year
One-time4
  • Premium Lifetime - 60% OFF$31.99
  • Premium Lifetime - 50% OFF$39.99
  • Premium Lifetime - 30% OFF$55.99
Show 1 more
  • Premium (Lifetime)$79.99
6 purchases

Chingu

Subscriptions6
  • Plus+ 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • Plus+ 3 months$19.993 Months
  • Plus+ 1 Year$49.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Annual 50%1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • Annual 30%1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • Annual 20%1 Year trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is TOPIK Note free?
TOPIK Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chingu free?
Chingu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TOPIK Note or Chingu?
TOPIK Note is rated higher. TOPIK Note averages 4.9 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while Chingu averages 4.8 from 64 ratings.
Do TOPIK Note or Chingu have ads?
TOPIK Note shows ads; Chingu does not.
Which is updated more often, TOPIK Note or Chingu?
TOPIK Note ships an update every 4 days, and Chingu every 4 days. Most recently, TOPIK Note was updated on November 11, 2026 and Chingu on November 12, 2026.

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