Best Read Chinese Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

Finding the right read chinese apps can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 250+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Compare top Read Chinese Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Du Chinese: Read&Learn ChineseDu Chinese: Read&Learn ChineseFree4.9★ (4.5K)NoYesAug 2026
2Readibu - Chinese novel readerReadibu - Chinese novel readerFree4.8★ (152)NoYesAug 2026
3TCB | Read Chinese to LearnTCB | Read Chinese to LearnFree4.6★ (546)NoYesAug 2026
4Read BeanRead BeanFree4.9★ (369)NoYesAug 2026
5BaoBao: Learn Mandarin ChineseBaoBao: Learn Mandarin ChineseFree4.6★ (192)NoYesAug 2026
6HelloChinese - Learn ChineseHelloChinese - Learn ChineseFree4.9★ (22K)NoYesAug 2026
7Pleco Chinese DictionaryPleco Chinese DictionaryFree4.7★ (1.9K)NoYesAug 2026
8Huli: Read & Learn ChineseHuli: Read & Learn ChineseFreeNoYesJun 2026

Top Picks for Read Chinese

Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese#1

Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese by Sinamon AB

Read Mandarin at any level
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.9😊(4.5K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese screenshot 1
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese screenshot 2
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese screenshot 3
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese screenshot 4
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese screenshot 5
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese screenshot 6

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.

What We Love

  • 👍 Excellent reading and listening practice
  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use interface
  • 💡 Variety of content and levels
  • 👍 Helpful features like pinyin, translations, and flashcards

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Subscription is considered expensive by some
  • 🔒 Limited access to premium content without subscription
  • 💡 Need more advanced or longer-form stories
Readibu - Chinese novel reader#2

Readibu - Chinese novel reader by Lingyi Chen

Read Chinese web novels
Strong Contender
📚 Education
4.8(152 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Readibu - Chinese novel reader screenshot 1
Readibu - Chinese novel reader screenshot 2
Readibu - Chinese novel reader screenshot 3
Readibu - Chinese novel reader screenshot 4
Readibu - Chinese novel reader screenshot 5
Readibu - Chinese novel reader screenshot 6

Access a vast library of Chinese web novels, short stories, and children's tales. Enhance your learning with integrated dictionary lookups, text-to-speech, and pinyin display. Premium features offer advanced tools like sentence translation and offline reading for an immersive language learning experience.

TCB | Read Chinese to Learn#3

TCB | Read Chinese to Learn by The Chairmans Bao Ltd

Chinese Reading, Graded News
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.6😊(546 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
TCB | Read Chinese to Learn screenshot 1
TCB | Read Chinese to Learn screenshot 2
TCB | Read Chinese to Learn screenshot 3
TCB | Read Chinese to Learn screenshot 4
TCB | Read Chinese to Learn screenshot 5
TCB | Read Chinese to Learn screenshot 6

This app offers over 9,500 news-based lessons to enhance Chinese reading skills. It provides content for all proficiency levels, with daily updates and features like offline study and a one-tap dictionary. Improve fluency and vocabulary through interactive exercises and detailed lesson breakdowns.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Continuous content updates
  • 👍 Interesting and engaging content
  • 🔍 Helpful learning tools (vocabulary, grammar, quizzes)
  • 🎧 Good audio quality and narration

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and glitches
  • 🔍 Inconsistent dictionary definitions
  • 🔍 Lack of full sentence translations

More Read Chinese apps to explore

4
Read Bean
Read Bean
Read Bean
Daily Graded Chinese Readings
Free

Master Chinese with authentic, graded readings and interactive exercises. Tailored lessons adapt to your HSK level, offering vocabulary drills, grammar practice, and AI-powered speaking roleplays. Get instant translation and pronunciation support.

Authentic graded readingsHSK 1-6 level adaptationInteractive drills and exercises
📚 Education
(369)
free with in-app purchases
5
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
(192)
free with in-app purchases
6
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese
#1 Chinese Learning App
Free

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.

Game-based learningGraded storiesImmersive lessons
📚 Education
(22K)
freemium
7
Pleco Chinese Dictionary
Pleco Chinese Dictionary
Pleco Chinese Dictionary
Handwriting, OCR, flashcards
Free

This app is a comprehensive tool for learning Chinese, offering integrated dictionaries, document reading, and flashcard features. It supports various input methods including handwriting and OCR, with extensive dictionary options and pronunciation guides.

Integrated dictionaries with over 110,000 entriesFull-screen handwriting inputLive OCR for word lookup
🔍 Reference
(1.9K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Huli: Read & Learn Chinese
Huli: Read & Learn Chinese
Huli: Read & Learn Chinese
Graded Stories & Flashcards
Free
📚 Education
(0)
9
Coco : Read & Learn Chinese
Coco : Read & Learn Chinese
Coco : Read & Learn Chinese
Learn Mandarin by reading
Free

Learn Mandarin Chinese through engaging illustrated stories, native audio, and interactive tools. Build reading, vocabulary, and speaking skills in context with features like tap-to-translate and shadowing practice. Progress from beginner to advanced levels with HSK-aligned content.

Illustrated graded readersTap-to-translate and pinyin supportNative Mandarin audio with slow mode
📚 Education
(1)
free with in-app purchases
10
Ricci: Learn Chinese Read News
Ricci: Learn Chinese Read News
Ricci: Learn Chinese Read News
Read an article a day.
Free

This app helps you learn Chinese by reading daily news articles. It integrates into your routine, shows how the language is used in society, and provides access to Chinese-only information.

Daily news articles for learningIntegrated dictionaryGoogle Cloud Translation
📚 Education
(2)
free
11
HanRead: Read & Learn Chinese
HanRead: Read & Learn Chinese
HanRead: Read & Learn Chinese
Chinese Dictionary&Translator
Free

This app provides in-depth understanding of Chinese text, going beyond literal translation to explain context, cultural references, and implied meanings. It offers two reading modes: free text interpretation from any app and a curated book library with sentence-by-sentence guidance for deep reading.

AI-powered text interpretationContext and cultural reference explanationsFree text mode for any app
📚 Education
(1)
subscription
12
Read Chinese - Learn Mandarin
Read Chinese - Learn Mandarin
Read Chinese - Learn Mandarin
Learn Mandarin Chinese stories
Free

Master Mandarin Chinese through engaging stories and phrases. This app offers voiced pronunciations, pinyin support, and detailed translations to enhance your learning journey. It's designed for users of all levels to build vocabulary and comprehension.

Read Mandarin storiesLearn Chinese phrasesPhrases sorted by HSK level
📚 Education
(5)
free with in-app purchases
13
Bamboo Reader: Read Chinese
Bamboo Reader: Read Chinese
Bamboo Reader: Read Chinese
Import & read what you love
Free

Master Chinese by importing any document, article, or voice recording. Get instant translations, build vocabulary with smart flashcards, and study offline. Supports HSK levels 1-6 for structured learning.

Import documents, articles, and web contentInstant word translation with pinyinSmart spaced repetition flashcards
📚 Education
(1)
freemium
14
Translate Photo & Camera Scan
Translate Photo & Camera Scan
Translate Photo & Camera Scan
OCR Scanner: Image Translator
Free

Instantly recognize and translate text from images in over 100 languages using advanced OCR and neural network technology. Perfect for travelers and language learners, it allows you to scan menus, signs, and documents with your phone's camera and get accurate translations.

Text recognition from imagesTranslate in over 100 languagesSmart document edge detection
🔧 Utilities
(11K)
free with in-app purchases
15
Modu: Read Chinese
Modu: Read Chinese
Modu: Read Chinese
Graded reader, dictionary, HSK
Free
📚 Education
(0)
16
PolyRead: Learn Chinese
PolyRead: Learn Chinese
PolyRead: Learn Chinese
Learn Chinese through reading
Free
📚 Education
(0)
17
Reading Chinese Alphabet Book
Reading Chinese Alphabet Book
Reading Chinese Alphabet Book
A Mandarin Words Pronunciation
Free

This educational game helps children and adults learn Mandarin Chinese. It offers a fun and engaging way to master Chinese alphabet pronunciation and vocabulary, preparing users for future opportunities. The app can be used online or offline.

Mandarin Chinese language learningAlphabet pronunciationVocabulary building
📚 Education
(1)
free
18
Hanzi Reader: Read Chinese
Hanzi Reader: Read Chinese
Hanzi Reader: Read Chinese
Scan Any Book, Learn to Read
Free

Learn Chinese characters by scanning any book page. This app identifies new characters, provides pinyin, audio, and stroke order, and offers practice games. It's designed for learners of all ages to start reading real Chinese content immediately.

Scan book pages with camera or photosAI character identificationLearn pinyin, meaning, and stroke order
📚 Education
(3)
freemium
19
Pocket Chinese Reader
Pocket Chinese Reader
Pocket Chinese Reader
Learn Chinese through reading
Free

Master Chinese through reading with HSK-aligned content and an interactive dictionary. Utilize a smart vocabulary review system and personalized study lists to accelerate learning. Connect with a community and study offline.

HSK-aligned reading passagesInteractive dictionary lookupSpaced Repetition System (SRS) for vocabulary
📚 Education
(1)
free with in-app purchases
20
Kanshu.app: AI Chinese Reader
Kanshu.app: AI Chinese Reader
Kanshu.app: AI Chinese Reader
by Peter Ridilla
Free
📚 Books
(0)

FAQ about Read Chinese

What are the best read chinese apps for iPhone?
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese tops our read chinese apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 4.5K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top read chinese apps we rank are free to download, including Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese and Readibu - Chinese novel reader.
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 250+ read chinese apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Du Chinese is a language learning application designed to help users learn Mandarin Chinese through reading and listening to stories. It provides tools like instant word definitions, pinyin, native speaker audio, and sentence translations to facilitate comprehension and vocabulary building.
Key features include an extensive library of Mandarin Chinese stories and articles for all levels, instant access to pinyin, definitions, and translations, native speaker audio for all readings, a built-in dictionary and flashcard system for vocabulary reinforcement, and options for both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

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