5 Best Chinese Flashcard Apps Compared (2026)

Quick Comparison Table

Before diving into the detailed reviews, here is a side-by-side comparison of all five apps across the features that matter most for Chinese flashcard study:

What Makes a Good Chinese Flashcard App

Not all flashcard apps are created equal, and Chinese has specific requirements that generic flashcard tools often fail to address. Before we review each app, it is worth understanding the five features that separate a good Chinese flashcard app from a mediocre one.

SRS Algorithm Quality

The spaced repetition algorithm is the engine that drives long-term retention. A good SRS adapts to your individual performance on each card, scheduling reviews at the optimal moment — just before you would naturally forget the word. The difference between a well-tuned SRS and a basic interval system is substantial: research consistently shows that optimized SRS produces 80-90% retention at 30 days, compared to 40-50% with fixed-interval flashcard review. For Chinese learners working through the HSK 1 through HSK 6 word lists (over 5,000 vocabulary items total), this efficiency difference compounds dramatically over months of study.

HSK Alignment

If you are studying for the HSK exam — and the majority of Chinese learners are — your flashcard app needs content that matches the official HSK vocabulary lists exactly. This means not just having the right words, but organizing them by level so you can study systematically. With the transition to HSK 3.0 introducing significant changes to the vocabulary requirements, apps that support both the current HSK 2.0 and upcoming HSK 3.0 lists provide the most flexibility.

Audio and Pronunciation

Chinese is a tonal language, and learning vocabulary without audio is like learning music from sheet paper without ever hearing the melody. A quality flashcard app includes native-speaker audio for every word, with correct tone pronunciation. Some apps go further by including audio for example sentences, which helps develop natural rhythm and intonation. This is not a luxury feature — it is essential. Learners who study characters without audio consistently develop poor pronunciation habits that become increasingly difficult to correct at higher levels.

Character Display and Decomposition

Chinese characters are not random combinations of strokes — they have internal structure. Characters are composed of radicals and components that carry meaning and phonetic clues. A good flashcard app displays characters clearly at a readable size, shows pinyin with proper tone marks (not tone numbers), and ideally offers character decomposition so you can see the building blocks of each character. This structural understanding accelerates learning significantly, as you begin to recognize patterns across hundreds of characters rather than treating each one as a completely unique symbol.

Progress Tracking

Motivation is the silent killer of language learning projects. Most learners who quit Chinese do not quit because the language is impossible — they quit because they lose track of their progress and feel like they are not getting anywhere. Effective progress tracking shows you exactly how many words you have mastered, your retention rates, your daily streaks, and your projected completion timeline for each HSK level. This data transforms an abstract, years-long learning project into a series of visible, achievable milestones. Use our study calculator to estimate how long it will take you to reach your target HSK level.

#1 HSKLord — Best for HSK Vocabulary Mastery

HSKLord was built from the ground up for one purpose: to be the most efficient way to learn and retain HSK vocabulary. Unlike general-purpose flashcard tools that require you to assemble your own content, HSKLord comes pre-loaded with the complete vocabulary lists for HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4, HSK 5, and HSK 6, plus the upcoming HSK 3.0 word lists. You pick your target level and start studying immediately — no deck building, no configuration, no searching for community-created content of uncertain quality.

The SRS algorithm is purpose-built for Chinese. It accounts for the unique challenges of character-based learning: the visual similarity between certain characters, the tonal distinctions that are easily confused, and the way compound words relate to their individual character components. Review intervals are calculated based on your performance history across all cards, not just the current card in isolation. This means the system gets smarter the more you use it — it learns your personal strengths and weaknesses and adapts the schedule accordingly.

Each vocabulary card includes the simplified character, pinyin with tone marks, English definition, native-speaker audio, and example sentences showing the word in context. The progress dashboard tracks your mastery across each HSK level, showing exactly how many words you have learned, how many are in active review, and your current retention rate. You can take the placement test to determine your starting level, which ensures you are not wasting time on words you already know.

Pros: Complete HSK 1-6 and 3.0 vocabulary out of the box. Optimized SRS algorithm designed specifically for Chinese. Clean interface that requires zero setup. Native-speaker audio for every word. Detailed progress tracking with retention analytics. Placement test to find your starting point.

Cons: Focused specifically on HSK vocabulary — not a general-purpose flashcard maker. If you need to study non-HSK content (such as specialized business vocabulary or classical Chinese), you will need a supplementary tool. The subscription model may not appeal to learners who prefer a one-time purchase, though the free trial lets you evaluate before committing.

Best for: Learners who are preparing for the HSK exam or following the HSK curriculum as their study roadmap. If you want to sit down and start learning HSK vocabulary with zero friction and maximum efficiency, HSKLord is the strongest choice. For a deeper comparison, read our HSKLord vs Anki breakdown.

#2 Anki — Most Customizable

Anki is the Swiss Army knife of flashcard applications. It is open-source, free on desktop and Android (though the iOS app costs $24.99), and offers a level of customization that no other flashcard tool can match. You can configure virtually every aspect of the learning experience: card templates with custom HTML and CSS, the SRS algorithm parameters, the number of new cards per day, the interval modifiers, and much more. For power users who want total control, Anki is unmatched.

Anki uses a modified version of the SM-2 (SuperMemo 2) algorithm, which is well-researched and effective. Community members have created thousands of shared decks for Chinese, including comprehensive HSK vocabulary sets with audio, example sentences, and character decomposition. The most popular Chinese decks have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times and are generally high quality. However, you need to evaluate and select the right deck yourself — there is no official curation, and quality varies significantly across the thousands of available options.

The biggest drawback of Anki is the learning curve. The interface is functional but dated, and configuring it optimally for Chinese requires a significant time investment. Setting up card templates to display characters, pinyin, and definitions in a clear layout is not intuitive. The algorithm parameters — again, easy interval, graduating interval, interval modifier, maximum interval, and so on — are powerful but overwhelming for most learners. Many people download Anki with enthusiasm, spend an hour trying to configure it, and switch to something simpler. For a detailed guide on getting Anki set up for Chinese, see our Anki Chinese setup guide.

Pros: Free on desktop and Android. The SM-2 algorithm is proven and effective. Unparalleled customization for power users. Massive library of community-created Chinese decks. Add-on ecosystem extends functionality (stroke order animations, audio auto-download, Chinese grammar support). Syncs across devices via AnkiWeb. Active community with helpful forums.

Cons: Steep learning curve — the interface is not beginner-friendly. Requires significant time investment to configure optimally for Chinese. Community deck quality is inconsistent and needs evaluation. No built-in HSK organization — you must find or build decks yourself. The iOS app costs $24.99 (which subsidizes the free desktop version). No integrated progress dashboard tied to HSK level milestones.

Best for: Technically inclined learners who enjoy configuring their tools and want maximum control over every aspect of their flashcard study. If you are the kind of person who customizes their development environment with dotfiles and shell scripts, you will likely appreciate Anki. If you just want to start learning Chinese vocabulary with minimal setup, you will likely find Anki frustrating.

#3 Pleco — Best Dictionary + Flashcard Combo

Pleco is first and foremost the best Chinese-English dictionary app available. It has held that title for over a decade, and no competitor has seriously challenged it. The dictionary is comprehensive, fast, and includes features that are indispensable for Chinese learners: handwriting recognition (draw a character you do not know), optical character recognition (point your camera at Chinese text), audio pronunciation for every entry, and multiple dictionary sources including the CC-CEDICT open-source dictionary and premium dictionaries from publishers like Oxford and ABC. If you are learning Chinese, you should have Pleco installed regardless of what flashcard app you use.

The flashcard system in Pleco is a secondary feature, and it shows. While functional, the SRS implementation is more basic than what you find in dedicated flashcard apps. The core advantage of Pleco's flashcards is the seamless integration with the dictionary: you can look up any word and add it to a flashcard deck with one tap. This creates a natural workflow where your reading and dictionary usage directly feeds your flashcard study. For learners who are already reading Chinese content (graded readers, news articles, social media) and want to capture new vocabulary for review, this integration is extremely valuable.

Pleco also offers organized flashcard packs that you can purchase as add-ons, including HSK vocabulary sets. However, the flashcard interface is less polished than dedicated tools, and the SRS scheduling is not as sophisticated. The progress tracking is minimal compared to apps that are built around flashcard study. Think of Pleco as a dictionary that happens to have flashcards, rather than a flashcard app that happens to have a dictionary. For a detailed comparison of Pleco's flashcard capabilities versus HSKLord, see our HSKLord vs Pleco review.

Pros: The best Chinese-English dictionary available, period. Seamless dictionary-to-flashcard workflow — look up a word and add it to review with one tap. Handwriting and OCR recognition for unknown characters. Multiple dictionary sources for comprehensive definitions. Available on both iOS and Android. The base app is free.

Cons: Flashcards are a secondary feature, not the core product. SRS algorithm is less sophisticated than dedicated flashcard tools. Limited progress tracking and analytics. Premium flashcard add-ons cost extra. The flashcard interface can feel clunky compared to purpose-built apps. No web version — mobile only.

Best for: Intermediate to advanced learners who are already reading Chinese content and want to capture unfamiliar words for flashcard review. Also excellent as a supplement to a dedicated flashcard app — many learners use Pleco as their dictionary and HSKLord or Anki as their primary flashcard tool.

#4 Hack Chinese — Best Sentence-Based Learning

Hack Chinese takes a different philosophical approach to flashcard learning: instead of drilling isolated words, it emphasizes learning vocabulary through complete sentences. The theory is sound — words in context are easier to remember and more useful in practice than words in isolation. When you study a word like 可能 (kěnéng, "possible/maybe"), you do not just see the character and definition — you see it embedded in a sentence like "明天可能会下雨" (It might rain tomorrow), which gives you both the meaning and the grammatical usage in a single exposure.

The app includes pre-made sentence sets organized by HSK level (1 through 6), and the SRS system schedules both individual word reviews and sentence reviews. The sentence audio is high quality, recorded by native speakers, which means you are simultaneously training vocabulary recall, listening comprehension, and natural pronunciation patterns. This multi-modal approach can accelerate the transition from recognizing words in isolation to understanding them in flowing speech and text.

The main trade-off with Hack Chinese is speed. Sentence-based review inherently takes more time per vocabulary item than word-based review. When you are reviewing a sentence, you are processing multiple words, grammar patterns, and contextual meaning — which is great for depth but slower for breadth. Learners who need to cover a large amount of vocabulary quickly (such as cramming for an upcoming HSK exam) may find the sentence-based approach too slow. For those with more time and a focus on practical fluency over test scores, it is an excellent approach. See our HSKLord vs Hack Chinese comparison for a detailed analysis.

Pros: Sentence-based approach builds contextual understanding, not just isolated word recognition. High-quality native-speaker sentence audio. HSK 1-6 sentence content included. Clean, modern interface. Good for developing practical comprehension alongside vocabulary.

Cons: Slower vocabulary coverage than word-based flashcard apps. Subscription pricing with no free tier (only a limited trial). Less efficient for rapid HSK exam prep where you need to cover specific word lists quickly. Smaller user community than Anki or Pleco. No dictionary integration. Less customization than Anki.

Best for: Learners who prioritize practical fluency and comprehension over raw vocabulary count. If you want to understand Chinese as it is actually used — in sentences, with natural grammar and flow — rather than accumulating a list of isolated word-meaning pairs, Hack Chinese aligns with that goal.

#5 Quizlet — Simplest to Use

Quizlet is the flashcard app that most people have already used. It powers study sets across every subject imaginable, from high school biology to medical school boards. For Chinese, Quizlet offers the lowest barrier to entry: the interface is clean, intuitive, and requires virtually zero learning curve. You can search for existing Chinese vocabulary sets (there are thousands created by other users and teachers), start studying in seconds, and switch between multiple study modes including classic flashcards, matching games, multiple choice quizzes, and timed tests.

The simplicity is both Quizlet's greatest strength and its most significant limitation. The review algorithm uses basic intervals rather than a true SRS — it does not track your performance on individual cards with the same precision as Anki or HSKLord. This means you spend more time reviewing words you already know and less time on words you struggle with. For small vocabulary sets (under 100-200 words), this inefficiency is minor. For the 5,000+ words across HSK 1-6, the lack of optimized SRS means significantly more study time to achieve the same retention levels.

Quizlet also lacks Chinese-specific features. There is no built-in audio for most user-created sets (though some premium sets include it), no character decomposition, no radical display, and no pinyin tone mark support beyond what the set creator manually typed. It treats Chinese vocabulary the same way it treats French vocabulary or biology terms — as generic text-to-text flashcards. This is fine for basic vocabulary drilling, but it misses the Chinese-specific optimizations that dedicated tools provide.

Pros: The simplest, most intuitive flashcard interface available. Zero learning curve. Huge library of user-created Chinese vocabulary sets. Multiple study modes (flashcards, matching, quizzes, tests). Good for collaborative study — teachers can create and share sets with students. Free tier is functional for basic use.

Cons: Basic interval system rather than true SRS — less efficient for long-term retention. No Chinese-specific features (character decomposition, radical display, tone support). User-created content quality varies widely. Lacks native-speaker audio for most sets. Premium features (ad-free, image upload, advanced study modes) require a subscription. Not designed for the scale of vocabulary needed for serious Chinese study.

Best for: Absolute beginners who want the simplest possible entry point into Chinese flashcard study, or classroom learners whose teacher has created a Quizlet set for the class. Also useful as a supplementary tool for quick-drill practice alongside a primary SRS-based app. If you are serious about long-term Chinese study, you will likely outgrow Quizlet within a few months and want to transition to a tool with a proper SRS.

How to Choose Your Flashcard App

With five solid options, the right choice depends on your specific situation and priorities. Walk through the following decision points to narrow down your best fit:

Are You Studying for the HSK Exam?

If yes, you need an app with content that matches the official HSK word lists exactly, organized by level. HSKLord is the most direct solution here — every word in the HSK 2.0 and 3.0 curricula is built into the app, organized by level, with progress tracking tied to your target exam. Anki can achieve similar coverage if you find the right community decks and configure them properly, but it requires more setup time. Hack Chinese also covers HSK content through its sentence sets. Pleco and Quizlet can be made to work, but require more manual effort to ensure you are covering the right vocabulary.

Do You Want Maximum Customization?

If you want to control every aspect of your flashcard experience — card templates, algorithm parameters, study schedules, display formatting — Anki is the only real option. No other app comes close to its customization depth. The trade-off is time: expect to spend several hours configuring Anki before your study experience is truly optimized. If you are technically inclined and enjoy tinkering, this setup time is an investment that pays off. If you just want to study, the setup cost may not be worth it.

Do You Need a Dictionary Alongside Flashcards?

If dictionary access is a priority — especially if you are reading Chinese content and regularly looking up unfamiliar words — Pleco offers the most seamless workflow. The ability to look up a word and add it to a flashcard deck with one tap is a genuine time-saver. That said, many learners use Pleco as their dictionary and a separate app (HSKLord, Anki) as their primary flashcard tool. These approaches are complementary, not mutually exclusive.

Do You Prefer Simplicity Above All Else?

If your main requirement is that the app be as simple and intuitive as possible with no setup, Quizlet wins on pure ease of use. However, be aware that Quizlet's lack of true SRS means you are sacrificing long-term efficiency for short-term convenience. HSKLord offers a middle ground — nearly as simple as Quizlet (pick your HSK level and start studying) but with the SRS backbone that makes long-term retention dramatically better.

The Science of Flashcards for Chinese

Flashcards are not just a study convention — they are grounded in well-established cognitive science principles. Understanding the science behind why flashcards work (and why they work particularly well for Chinese) can help you use them more effectively regardless of which app you choose.

Spaced Repetition and the Forgetting Curve

The forgetting curve, first described by Hermann Ebbinghaus in the 1880s, shows that newly learned information decays exponentially if not reviewed. Within 24 hours, you lose roughly 70% of new material; within a week, up to 90%. Spaced repetition combats this by scheduling reviews at precisely the points where your memory is about to fade. Each successful review strengthens the memory trace and extends the interval before the next review is needed. After enough successful reviews, the interval stretches to months or even years — the word has moved into long-term memory. For Chinese learners, this means the 150 words in HSK 1 can be moved into durable long-term memory within a few weeks of consistent SRS study. For a deeper dive, read our article on the science of spaced repetition.

Active Recall and the Testing Effect

The testing effect is one of the most robust findings in cognitive psychology: testing yourself on material produces better retention than additional study of the same material. When you see a flashcard and attempt to retrieve the answer from memory — even if you fail — the retrieval attempt itself strengthens the memory. This is why flashcards are more effective than re-reading vocabulary lists, even though re-reading feels easier and more comfortable. The effortful retrieval process is uncomfortable, but it is precisely that effort that builds durable memory traces. For Chinese, this means looking at the character 学 and actively trying to recall "xué, to study" before flipping the card is far more effective than simply reading "学 = xué = to study" off a vocabulary list.

Interleaving and Tonal Language Learning

Interleaving — mixing different types of problems or categories during practice rather than studying one category at a time — has been shown to improve learning outcomes across many domains. For Chinese, interleaving is particularly relevant because of tones. If you study all first-tone words together, then all second-tone words, your brain does not get practice distinguishing between tones. But when an SRS flashcard deck interleaves words with different tones, your brain must actively identify the correct tone for each word, building the discrimination ability that is critical for Mandarin comprehension and production. Good SRS apps naturally interleave vocabulary by scheduling cards based on review timing rather than category, which means you get the interleaving benefit automatically. This is one of the less obvious but significant advantages of SRS-based study over studying vocabulary in chapter or topic-based blocks.

Dual Coding and Character Memory

Dual coding theory suggests that information encoded through both visual and verbal channels is remembered better than information encoded through only one channel. Chinese characters are inherently dual-coded — each one is simultaneously a visual symbol and a spoken word. When a flashcard presents the character 山 alongside the pronunciation "shān" and the meaning "mountain," your brain creates multiple interconnected memory pathways: the visual form, the sound, the meaning, and the connections between all three. Flashcard apps that include audio amplify this effect further by engaging auditory processing. This is one reason why flashcards are disproportionately effective for Chinese compared to alphabetic languages — the visual distinctiveness of characters provides an extra encoding dimension that most other languages lack.