Best Free Chinese Learning Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

With an average user rating of 4.7★, the free chinese learning category is one of the App Store's strongest. Browse all 250+ apps we track, sorted so the most loved ones surface first.

Compare top Free Chinese Learning Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1HelloChinese - Learn ChineseHelloChinese - Learn ChineseFree4.9★ (23K)NoYesAug 2026
2trainchinesetrainchineseFree4.7★ (2.2K)YesYesAug 2026
3Duolingo: Language LessonsDuolingo: Language LessonsFree4.7★ (5.4M)YesYesAug 2026
4ChineseSkill - Learn ChineseChineseSkill - Learn ChineseFree4.8★ (15K)NoYesAug 2026
5Daily HanziDaily HanziFree4.6★ (1.2K)YesYesAug 2026
6Memrise Easy Language LearningMemrise Easy Language LearningFree4.8★ (216K)YesYesAug 2026
7BaoBao: Learn Mandarin ChineseBaoBao: Learn Mandarin ChineseFree4.6★ (207)NoYesAug 2026
8HSK1 Learn Chinese ChinesimpleHSK1 Learn Chinese ChinesimpleFree4.8★ (354)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Free Chinese Learning

HelloChinese - Learn Chinese#1

HelloChinese - Learn Chinese by HelloChinese Technology Co., Ltd.

#1 Chinese Learning App
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.9😊(23K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese screenshot 1
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese screenshot 2
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese screenshot 3
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese screenshot 4
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese screenshot 5
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese screenshot 6

This app offers a fun and effective way to learn Mandarin Chinese from beginner to conversational levels. It combines game-based lessons, stories, videos, and speech recognition to help you master pronunciation, characters, and practical conversations while exploring Chinese culture.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Easy to learn
  • 👍 Engaging and fun
  • 👍 Helpful for beginners
  • 👍 Good for pronunciation practice

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent speech recognition
  • 🐛 Audio quality issues in some videos
  • 💰 Paywall limits access to full content
trainchinese#2

trainchinese by trainchinese B.V.

The best way to learn Chinese
Strong Contender
📚 Education
4.7😊(2.2K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
trainchinese screenshot 1
trainchinese screenshot 2
trainchinese screenshot 3
trainchinese screenshot 4
trainchinese screenshot 5

Learn Chinese with a comprehensive dictionary, flashcards, and OCR. Access example sentences, audio, and character animations. Supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, with customizable phonetic input.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great app for learning Chinese
  • 👍 Helpful for improving vocabulary, pronunciation, and writing
  • 🚀 Comprehensive dictionary and flashcard features
  • 👍 Customizable word lists and training modes

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs after updates
  • 💰 Subscription model is expensive for long-term use
  • 🔍 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
Duolingo: Language Lessons#3

Duolingo: Language Lessons by Duolingo

Languages, Math, Music & Chess
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.7😊(5.4M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#1in Education
Duolingo: Language Lessons screenshot 1
Duolingo: Language Lessons screenshot 2
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Duolingo: Language Lessons screenshot 6

Learn languages, math, music, and chess through fun, bite-sized lessons. Build vocabulary, grammar, and real-world skills with a science-based methodology. Track progress and stay motivated with a global community.

What We Love

  • 🤩 Fun and entertaining learning experience
  • 🎉 Motivating streak and league features
  • 🎨 Cute and engaging animations
  • 📚 Effective for learning vocabulary and basics

Room to Improve

  • 🤖 Issues with voice recognition and pronunciation feedback
  • 🤑 Aggressive monetization tactics and paywall for key features
  • 🤯 Frustrating heart/health system that penalizes mistakes

More Free Chinese Learning apps to explore

4
ChineseSkill - Learn Chinese
ChineseSkill - Learn Chinese
ChineseSkill - Learn Chinese
#1 Mandarin & Cantonese App
Free

Master Mandarin Chinese with interactive lessons, smart reviews, and AI-powered speaking practice. Learn Pinyin, Hanzi, vocabulary, and grammar for work, travel, or HSK exams. Improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Gamified bite-sized lessonsNative-speaker audio & videoHandwriting practice
📚 Education
(15K)
free with in-app purchases
5
Daily Hanzi
Daily Hanzi
Daily Hanzi
Daily Chinese on Lock Screen
Free

Learn Chinese characters, pronunciation, and meaning passively throughout your day by viewing them on your phone's lock screen. This app integrates learning into your existing habits, making it effortless and sustainable for busy individuals. It offers a pressure-free approach to building familiarity with Chinese.

Lock screen Chinese character displayPassive learning integrationPronunciation and meaning on lock screen
📚 Education
(1.2K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Memrise Easy Language Learning
Memrise Easy Language Learning
Memrise Easy Language Learning
Learn Spanish, French & More
Free

Learn over 40 languages through immersive lessons that simulate real-life conversations and cultural experiences. Practice vocabulary, listening, and speaking with AI-powered bots and native speaker videos to build confidence and speak like a local.

Real-life conversation simulationCultural insightsVocabulary and listening practice
📚 Education
(216K)
free with in-app purchases
7
BaoBao: Learn Mandarin Chinese
BaoBao: Learn Mandarin Chinese
BaoBao: Learn Mandarin Chinese
Read Stories, Audiobooks & AI
Free

Master Chinese reading and listening with authentic content like novels, news, and videos. Features include side-by-side translation, native audio, tap-to-translate, AI-powered flashcards, and gamified challenges. Suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced.

Authentic books and audiobooksSide-by-side translationNative narration with adjustable speed
📚 Education
(207)
free with in-app purchases
8
HSK1 Learn Chinese Chinesimple
HSK1 Learn Chinese Chinesimple
HSK1 Learn Chinese Chinesimple
Your Course to HSK Success
Free

Master Chinese language skills and prepare for the HSK exam with a comprehensive learning path. Features include extensive vocabulary, structured lessons, handwriting practice, flashcards, and real-life sentence examples with native audio. Personalized learning options and engaging gamification make the process enjoyable and effective.

HSK vocabulary masteryOver 300 structured lessonsHandwriting stroke animations
📚 Education
(354)
free with in-app purchases
9
Learn Chinese like Chinese
Learn Chinese like Chinese
Learn Chinese like Chinese
Learn Chinese
Free
$4.99 | 100% OFF
📚 Education
(0)
10
HeyChina: Learn Chinese
HeyChina: Learn Chinese
HeyChina: Learn Chinese
Basic Chinese Learning App
Free

Master Chinese with a fun, step-by-step approach. Learn vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and practice speaking with practical exercises. The app offers personalized learning paths and rewards to keep you motivated.

Methodical lesson routePronunciation and speaking practiceDevelop 4 mastery skills
📚 Education
(179)
free with in-app purchases
11
MyMandarin - Learn Chinese
MyMandarin - Learn Chinese
MyMandarin - Learn Chinese
Personalized Mandarin Practice
Free

Master Mandarin Chinese with personalized daily sessions that adapt to your learning style. Practice speaking with an AI coach, read engaging stories, and improve writing skills with interactive feedback. Save and review vocabulary using spaced repetition to build fluency.

Personalized daily learning sessionsAI-powered speaking practice with feedbackInteractive writing and character stroke practice
📚 Education
(11)
freemium
12
Dayword - Learn Chinese Daily
Dayword - Learn Chinese Daily
Dayword - Learn Chinese Daily
Lock Screen Widget, HSK Vocab
Free

Learn Chinese vocabulary effortlessly by glancing at your phone's lock screen. This app offers daily word exposure with pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences, adapting to your HSK level. Track your progress and build a strong foundation for daily communication.

Lock screen widgets for daily learningHSK level-aware vocabularySpaced review system
📚 Education
(0)
free with in-app purchases
13
LongLingo - Learn Chinese
LongLingo - Learn Chinese
LongLingo - Learn Chinese
The Chinese Flashcard App
Free
📚 Education
(0)
14
Learn Speaking HSK Chinese Pinyin Vocabulary List
Learn Speaking HSK Chinese Pinyin Vocabulary List
Learn Speaking HSK Chinese Pinyin Vocabulary List
by pimporn rungratikunthorn
Free

This free educational app helps children learn basic Mandarin Chinese vocabulary for the HSK Level 1 test. It features 150 words with example sentences and illustrations to aid memorization and practice reading and listening skills.

150 basic Chinese vocabulary wordsHSK Level 1 preparationExample sentences
📚 Education
(0)
free
15
HeroStroke: Learn Chinese
HeroStroke: Learn Chinese
HeroStroke: Learn Chinese
Learn Cantonese & Mandarin
Free

Embark on a learning adventure to master Chinese characters through interactive quests in real cities. This app offers stroke practice, pronunciation checks, and age-aware quizzes for kids and beginners.

Interactive character questsReal stroke-order practiceSpeak-to-check pronunciation
📚 Education
(2)
free with in-app purchases
16
Radical Chinese
Radical Chinese
Radical Chinese
Learn Chinese Seriously
Free
📚 Education
(0)
17
Ni Hao - Learn Chinese Lite
Ni Hao - Learn Chinese Lite
Ni Hao - Learn Chinese Lite
HSK Vocabulary
Free
📚 Education
(0)
18
Learn Chinese - LingFast
Learn Chinese - LingFast
Learn Chinese - LingFast
AI Speaking, Vocab & Live Chat
Free
📚 Education
(0)
19
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese
Read Mandarin at any level
Free

Learn Mandarin Chinese through engaging stories with integrated tools for reading and listening comprehension. Access definitions, pinyin, native audio, and translations instantly. Build vocabulary with a built-in dictionary and flashcards.

Extensive library of Mandarin storiesContent for all learning levelsInstant pinyin, definitions, and translations
📚 Education
(4.5K)
free with in-app purchases
20
HanziPop: Chinese Widget
HanziPop: Chinese Widget
HanziPop: Chinese Widget
Chinese on your Lock Screen
Free
📚 Education
(0)

FAQ about Free Chinese Learning

What are the best free chinese learning apps for iPhone?
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese tops our free chinese learning apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 23K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 250+ free chinese learning apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
HelloChinese is designed to help beginners learn Mandarin Chinese from scratch to a conversational level. It offers a fun and effective approach through game-based lessons, stories, videos, and interactive exercises that cover listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Key features include game-based learning to keep users engaged, over 1,000 graded stories, immersive lessons for practical conversations, 2,000+ videos with authentic speakers, innovative learning games, speech recognition for pronunciation correction, character handwriting practice, systematic HSK-level courses, and bite-sized curriculum.