✨ Feeling overwhelmed by learning Chinese? You’re not alone! Mandarin can seem challenging—the characters, the tones, and the grammar all feel like a puzzle! But don’t worry. With the right tools, you can progress faster and enjoy the journey.

📱 The good news? Technology is on your side! These 10 must-have apps for learning Chinese can help you boost your vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and practice real conversations—anytime, anywhere. Let’s find the best one for you!

1. Duolingo 📚

Great for: Beginners

Duolingo makes learning Mandarin fun with its gamified lessons, interactive exercises, and daily challenges. It turns language learning into a game, which keeps motivation high, especially for beginners. The lessons are bite-sized, making it easy to squeeze in practice during a coffee break or commute. However, while it’s engaging, the app mainly focuses on basic vocabulary and sentence structure, so advanced learners might find it too simple.

Pros:
✅ Free version available
✅ Easy-to-follow lessons
✅ Engaging and interactive

Cons:
❌ Limited speaking practice
❌ Simplistic grammar explanations

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

2. Pleco 📚

Great for: Dictionary & Character Recognition

Pleco is hands-down one of the best Chinese-English dictionary apps out there. Whether you’re scanning a menu in a restaurant, reading a street sign, or trying to decipher a textbook, Pleco’s powerful OCR feature lets you point your phone’s camera at Chinese text for instant translations. It also includes stroke order animations to help with handwriting and customizable flashcards for vocabulary retention. The free version is great, but some of the best features, like advanced OCR and professional dictionaries, require a purchase.

Pros:
✅ Offline access
✅ Accurate translations
✅ Handwriting input

Cons:
❌ Some features require payment

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

3. HelloChinese 🎓

Great for: Structured Learning

If you’re looking for an app that takes you step by step through Mandarin basics, HelloChinese is a fantastic choice. The app is designed to teach pronunciation, grammar, and sentence structure in a logical order, making it feel like a guided course rather than a random collection of exercises. The speech recognition feature is particularly useful for improving tones, and the interactive exercises keep learning fresh. However, more advanced learners might find the material too elementary.

Pros:
✅ Covers tones and pronunciation
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Offline mode

Cons:
❌ More suitable for beginners than advanced learners

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

4. Anki 🔥

 

Great for: Flashcards & Spaced Repetition

If memorizing Chinese characters feels impossible, Anki is your best friend. The app uses a spaced repetition system (SRS) to reinforce words and characters at optimal intervals, helping you retain information for the long term. The ability to create your own decks or download pre-made ones makes it highly customizable. However, the interface isn’t the most user-friendly, and there’s a learning curve to getting started.

Pros:
✅ Highly customizable
✅ Proven memorization technique
✅ Syncs across devices

Cons:
❌ Learning curve for new users

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

5. Skritter ✍️

Great for: Handwriting Practice

If you’re serious about learning to write Chinese characters, Skritter is a must-have. The app lets you practice stroke order by writing directly on your screen, giving instant feedback to ensure accuracy. It’s particularly useful for HSK preparation and supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. While effective, it does require a paid subscription.

Pros:
✅ Focuses on proper stroke order
✅ Supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese
✅ Great for HSK preparation

Cons:
❌ Requires a subscription

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

6. ChinesePod 🎧

Great for: Listening & Comprehension

ChinesePod is ideal for learners who want to improve their listening skills. The app provides engaging podcast-style lessons with native speakers covering a variety of topics. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in real-life Mandarin conversations. However, full access requires a premium subscription.

Pros:
✅ Engaging podcast-style lessons
✅ Covers beginner to advanced levels
✅ Real-life conversations

Cons:
❌ Premium subscription required for full access

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

7. Tandem 👤

Great for: Speaking with Native Speakers

Tandem connects you with native Chinese speakers for real conversations via text, audio, and video. It’s an excellent way to practice speaking in an authentic setting while also learning about Chinese culture. However, since it’s a language exchange app, your partner may also want to practice your native language, which means you need to split time between learning and teaching.

Pros:
✅ Free language exchange
✅ Learn real conversational Mandarin
✅ Cultural insights from native speakers

Cons:
❌ Requires active participation
❌ Finding a consistent partner may take time

📥Get the Apps here: iOS | Android

8. HSK Online 📝

Great for: HSK Exam Preparation

If you’re preparing for an HSK exam, this app is a lifesaver. It offers practice tests, vocabulary lists, and grammar explanations tailored to each HSK level. The structured approach helps track progress efficiently. However, if you’re not planning to take the HSK, the app might not be the best fit for general learning.

Pros:
✅ Official HSK format
✅ Tracks progress
✅ Grammar explanations

Cons:
❌ Best suited for test preparation, not casual learners

📥Get the Apps here:  iOS | Android

9. LingoDeer 🌟

Great for: Grammar & Sentence Structure

LingoDeer goes beyond vocabulary drills and focuses on grammar and sentence structure in a way that feels clear and intuitive. The interactive lessons make learning fun, and the app includes quizzes to reinforce knowledge. However, full access requires a paid subscription.

Pros:
✅ Clear grammar explanations
✅ Well-structured lessons
✅ Fun quizzes and challenges

Cons:
❌ Requires a paid version for full access 

📥Get the Apps here:  iOS | Android

10. Hanping Dictionary 🔍

Great for: Quick Lookups & Offline Dictionary

Hanping is another excellent Chinese dictionary app, particularly for Android users. It provides fast, offline access to definitions, example sentences, and pronunciation guides. The app includes handwriting recognition and stroke order animations. Some advanced features require payment.

Pros:
✅ Offline access
✅ Handwriting recognition
✅ Stroke order animations

Cons:
❌ Some features require payment

📥Get the Apps here: Android only

---

Final Thoughts

Learning Chinese is a journey, and the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you’re focusing on vocabulary, listening, writing, or speaking, there’s an app tailored to your needs. While no single app can replace immersive learning and real conversation, combining a few of these can help you progress faster and stay motivated.

📢 Want to take your Chinese to the next level? At SN Mandarin, we offer structured courses, live classes, and personalized lessons to help you reach fluency. Sign up today and start your Mandarin journey with expert guidance!