7 Best HSK Study Apps in 2026 (Tested & Reviewed)

Quick Pick: Best HSK Apps at a Glance

Short on time? Here is a quick comparison of all 7 apps we reviewed. Scroll down for the full, detailed review of each one.

How We Tested These Apps

There is no shortage of Chinese learning apps available in 2026, but most of them are general-purpose language tools that happen to include Chinese. We specifically evaluated each app for HSK exam preparation — not general language learning, not travel phrases, not business Chinese. The HSK has a defined vocabulary list and a structured level system, and the best apps are built around that structure.

We evaluated each app across five criteria:

• HSK Alignment: Does the app organize content around official HSK vocabulary lists? Can you study by HSK level? Does it cover both HSK 2.0 and the upcoming HSK 3.0?
• SRS Quality: How effective is the spaced repetition algorithm? Does it adapt to your performance? Does it schedule reviews at optimal intervals?
• User Experience: Is the app intuitive and well-designed? Can you start studying quickly without a lengthy onboarding process? Does it work smoothly on mobile and desktop?
• Price: What does it cost? Is there a free tier or trial? Does the pricing offer good value relative to what you get?
• Progress Tracking: Can you see how many words you have learned? Does the app show your retention rate? Can you track progress by HSK level?

Each app was tested for a minimum of two weeks of daily use, targeting HSK 1 through HSK 4 content. We paid for premium features where applicable to give each app a fair evaluation.

#1 HSKLord — Best for Spaced Repetition Vocabulary

HSKLord is a dedicated HSK vocabulary app built from the ground up around spaced repetition and the official HSK word lists. Unlike general-purpose Chinese apps that include HSK as a side feature, HSKLord makes HSK vocabulary mastery its entire focus. Every design decision, from the level structure to the review scheduling, is optimized for learners who want to pass the HSK exam efficiently.

What sets HSKLord apart is the quality of its SRS implementation. The algorithm is tuned specifically for Chinese characters and HSK vocabulary, accounting for factors like character similarity, tone confusion, and the way related words cluster together. It does not just schedule reviews on a generic timer — it adapts to the specific challenges of learning Chinese.

HSKLord covers all HSK 1 through HSK 6 vocabulary, and it already includes word lists for the new HSK 3.0 system. If you are not sure which level to start with, the built-in placement test evaluates your current knowledge and places you at the right starting point. The study calculator then estimates how long it will take to reach your target level based on your daily study commitment.

Key Strengths

• Purpose-built SRS for Chinese: The spaced repetition algorithm is specifically optimized for HSK vocabulary, not a generic flashcard system repurposed for Chinese.
• Complete HSK coverage: All HSK 1-6 words plus HSK 3.0 vocabulary lists, organized by level and ready to study immediately.
• Clean, focused interface: No gamification clutter, no social feeds, no unrelated features. You open the app and you are studying within seconds.
• Detailed progress tracking: See your retention rate, words learned, daily streak, and projected timeline to reach your target HSK level.
• Placement test and study calculator: Start at the right level and know exactly how long your preparation will take.

Key Weaknesses

• Vocabulary-focused only: HSKLord concentrates on vocabulary and character recognition. It does not teach grammar, listening comprehension, or conversational Chinese. You will need supplementary resources for those skills.
• Paid after free trial: While the free trial is generous, full access requires a subscription. Learners on a strict budget may prefer a free alternative like Anki.
• No handwriting practice: If you need to write characters by hand for the HSK exam, you will need a separate tool like Skritter.

Best For

Learners who want the most efficient path to HSK vocabulary mastery. If you are serious about passing the HSK and want a dedicated tool that handles the most important part of exam preparation — knowing the words — HSKLord is the best option available. It pairs well with Pleco for dictionary lookups and a grammar resource for the non-vocabulary components of the exam.

Pricing

Free trial with all features included, followed by a monthly or annual subscription. The annual plan offers significant savings over monthly billing. No credit card required to start the trial.

Want to see how HSKLord compares to specific alternatives? Read our detailed comparisons: HSKLord vs Anki, HSKLord vs HelloChinese, HSKLord vs Pleco.

Here is a preview of the kind of vocabulary you will study. Click the cards below to reveal the pinyin and English meaning. These are common HSK 1 words:

#2 HelloChinese — Best for Complete Beginners

HelloChinese is a gamified Chinese learning app that excels at introducing absolute beginners to Mandarin. If you have never studied Chinese before and the idea of tones, characters, and pinyin feels overwhelming, HelloChinese provides a gentle, well-structured on-ramp. It teaches pronunciation, basic characters, simple grammar, and essential phrases through bite-sized lessons with immediate feedback.

The app loosely follows the HSK 1 through HSK 4 curriculum, though its primary focus is on teaching Chinese rather than explicitly preparing you for the HSK exam. Lessons combine vocabulary, grammar explanations, listening exercises, and speaking practice into a cohesive learning path. The gamification elements — experience points, daily streaks, progress badges — keep beginners motivated during the initial phase when everything feels foreign and difficult.

Key Strengths

• Excellent beginner experience: Tone training, pinyin introduction, and stroke order are taught from the very first lesson with clear audio and visual guides.
• Well-rounded curriculum: Covers vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking in integrated lessons rather than isolating each skill.
• Speech recognition: Built-in pronunciation feedback helps you get tones right early, which is critical for Chinese.
• Free tier available: Basic lessons are free, so you can try the app before committing to premium.

Key Weaknesses

• Limited to HSK 1-4: Content does not extend to HSK 5 or HSK 6, so intermediate and advanced learners will outgrow it.
• Weak spaced repetition: The review system is basic compared to dedicated SRS apps. You may not retain vocabulary as efficiently long-term.
• Gamification can slow progress: The game-like structure means you spend time on animations, rewards, and non-study activities that eat into actual learning time.

Best For

Absolute beginners who need a structured introduction to Mandarin. HelloChinese is the best first step for someone who has never studied Chinese. Once you reach HSK 2 or HSK 3 level, you will likely want to transition to a more efficient tool for dedicated vocabulary building.

Pricing

Free basic tier with limited lessons. Premium subscription unlocks the full course, additional exercises, and removes ads. Premium pricing is typically around $12-15/month or less on an annual plan. For a detailed comparison, see our HSKLord vs HelloChinese review.

#3 Pleco — Best Chinese Dictionary

Pleco is the definitive Chinese dictionary app and an indispensable tool for any serious Chinese learner. While it is not primarily a study app, its dictionary is so comprehensive and its additional features so useful that every HSK learner should have it installed. If you encounter an unfamiliar character while reading, studying, or browsing Chinese websites, Pleco is where you go to look it up.

Beyond its dictionary functionality, Pleco includes an optical character reader (point your camera at Chinese text to get instant translations), a built-in flashcard system, and HSK vocabulary lists that you can browse or study. The flashcard system includes a basic SRS algorithm, though it is not as refined as dedicated SRS apps like HSKLord or Anki.

Key Strengths

• Best Chinese dictionary available: Multiple dictionaries including CC-CEDICT, with example sentences, stroke order diagrams, and audio pronunciation.
• OCR camera reader: Point your phone camera at Chinese text — menus, signs, textbooks — for instant translations. Enormously useful in daily life.
• HSK word lists built in: Browse and study HSK vocabulary directly within the app.
• Free core app: The dictionary and basic features are completely free. Paid add-ons enhance functionality but are not required.

Key Weaknesses

• Not a primary study app: Pleco is a reference tool first. Using it as your main study method is not as efficient as a dedicated SRS vocabulary app.
• Basic SRS implementation: The built-in flashcard system works but lacks the sophistication of purpose-built spaced repetition apps.
• Dated interface: The app's design has not changed significantly in years. It is functional but not visually modern.

Best For

Every Chinese learner, as a companion tool. Pleco is not a replacement for a dedicated study app, but it is the best dictionary available and an essential part of any HSK learner's toolkit. Use it alongside your primary study app for instant lookups and reference. See our HSKLord vs Pleco comparison for more details.

Pricing

The core dictionary is free. Premium add-ons include additional dictionaries, enhanced OCR, professional audio pronunciation, and an advanced flashcard module. Add-on bundles range from $10-30 as one-time purchases. The free version is sufficient for most learners.

#4 Anki — Best for Customization

Anki is the open-source spaced repetition powerhouse that has been a staple of the language learning community for over a decade. It is not a Chinese-specific app — you can use Anki to study anything from medical terminology to guitar chords — but its flexibility and the depth of its SRS algorithm make it a formidable tool for HSK preparation. The community has created extensive HSK decks covering all levels, and the ability to customize every aspect of your study experience is unmatched.

The trade-off is complexity. Anki has a steep learning curve, and setting up an effective Chinese study system requires time and technical comfort. You need to find or create the right decks, configure card templates, adjust scheduling parameters, and potentially install add-ons for features like audio or tone coloring. Once configured, it is extremely powerful. But getting to that point requires effort that ready-to-go apps like HSKLord eliminate entirely.

Key Strengths

• Completely free (desktop/Android): The desktop and Android versions are free. Only the iOS version costs money ($24.99 one-time purchase).
• Total customization: Customize card templates, scheduling intervals, display styles, and study parameters to match exactly how you learn best.
• Proven SRS algorithm: Anki's SM-2 based algorithm has been refined over many years and is trusted by millions of learners worldwide.
• Huge community: Thousands of shared decks, add-ons, and tutorials available. If you want a specific study setup, someone has probably already built it.
• Cross-platform sync: Study on desktop and mobile with synced progress through AnkiWeb (free).

Key Weaknesses

• Steep learning curve: Setting up Anki effectively for Chinese takes time. Beginners often struggle with the interface, deck management, and card configuration.
• No built-in HSK structure: You need to find and download community-created HSK decks. Quality varies, and some decks are outdated or contain errors.
• Ugly default interface: The out-of-box experience is visually plain. Making it look good requires custom CSS and template editing.
• No progress tracking by HSK level: Without custom setup, Anki does not track your progress in terms of HSK levels — it just shows cards reviewed and retention rates.

Best For

Technically inclined learners who want full control over their study system and do not mind spending time on setup. Also the best option for learners on a strict budget who cannot afford a subscription. If you are the type of person who customizes everything on your computer, you will love Anki. If you want something that works out of the box, look elsewhere. For a head-to-head comparison, see HSKLord vs Anki for Chinese.

Pricing

Free on desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) and Android. iOS app is $24.99 (one-time purchase, developed by a separate team). AnkiWeb for syncing is free. This makes Anki the best free option on this list for most users.

#5 Hack Chinese — Best for Sentence Learning

Hack Chinese takes a sentence-first approach to Chinese vocabulary learning. Instead of studying isolated words, you learn vocabulary in the context of complete sentences. This helps you understand not just what a word means, but how it is used in natural Chinese. The app includes HSK 1 through HSK 6 word lists, and every word comes with multiple example sentences sorted by difficulty.

The sentence-based approach has genuine advantages. Research on language acquisition consistently shows that contextual learning produces stronger recall than isolated word memorization. When you learn the word “\u7406\u89e3” (l\u01d0ji\u011b, to understand) in the sentence “\u6211\u7406\u89e3\u4f60\u7684\u610f\u601d” (I understand your meaning), you are encoding not just the definition but also the grammar patterns and collocations that surround it.

Key Strengths

• Sentence-based learning: Every vocabulary word comes with example sentences, giving you natural context for each word you study.
• Full HSK 1-6 coverage: Complete official word lists organized by level.
• Good SRS implementation: The spaced repetition system is well-built and adapts to your performance.
• Audio for all sentences: Native speaker audio for sentences and individual words helps with listening and pronunciation.

Key Weaknesses

• Slower pace: Studying full sentences takes more time per word than studying words in isolation. If speed is your priority, this trade-off may not work for you.
• Subscription required: No free tier beyond a limited trial. The app is entirely behind a paywall.
• Web-focused: The mobile experience is less polished than the desktop version, which matters if you study primarily on your phone.

Best For

Intermediate learners ( HSK 3+) who want to learn vocabulary in context and are willing to invest more time per study session for deeper understanding. Also a good choice if you find isolated flashcards boring. See HSKLord vs Hack Chinese for more.

Pricing

Subscription-based, typically around $12-15/month or less on an annual plan. Limited free trial available. No free tier for ongoing use.

#6 Skritter — Best for Handwriting Practice

Skritter occupies a unique niche in the Chinese learning app ecosystem: it is the best app for practicing character handwriting on a touchscreen. If the HSK exam you are taking includes a handwriting component, or if you simply want to be able to write Chinese characters by hand, Skritter is the tool for the job. You trace characters on your screen with your finger or stylus, and the app provides real-time feedback on stroke order, stroke direction, and overall character form.

Skritter includes HSK word lists and uses spaced repetition to schedule handwriting reviews. It is not just a tracing app — it tests your active recall by asking you to write characters from memory, which is a much more demanding (and effective) exercise than passive recognition. The combination of handwriting practice with SRS creates a powerful system for learners who need to produce characters, not just recognize them.

Key Strengths

• Best handwriting practice available: Real-time stroke order feedback with active recall testing. No other app matches this for character writing.
• SRS for handwriting: Characters you struggle to write appear more frequently. Characters you write correctly are spaced out.
• HSK word lists included: Study handwriting organized by HSK level.
• Teaches stroke order: Essential for proper character formation, which improves both handwriting and character recognition.

Key Weaknesses

• Narrow focus: Handwriting is the core feature. If you do not need to write characters by hand, Skritter offers less value than broader apps.
• Expensive: At approximately $15/month, Skritter is one of the pricier options on this list, especially for a single-skill tool.
• Declining relevance: As HSK exams move increasingly to computer-based formats, handwriting is becoming less important for test-taking. Typing Chinese is a separate skill.

Best For

Learners who need or want to write Chinese characters by hand. This includes anyone taking the paper-based HSK exam with a writing section, calligraphy enthusiasts, or learners who find that handwriting practice improves their overall character retention. See HSKLord vs Skritter for a comparison.

Pricing

Approximately $14.99/month or $99.99/year. Free trial available. No free tier.

#7 Du Chinese — Best for Reading Practice

Du Chinese is a graded reading app that provides Chinese texts organized by difficulty level, aligned with HSK standards. It addresses a gap that most flashcard and vocabulary apps do not touch: reading fluency. Studying individual words is essential, but reading connected Chinese text is a different skill that requires practice, and Du Chinese is the best app for building that skill.

The app offers hundreds of articles, stories, and essays at each difficulty level. Texts are categorized by HSK level, so you can read material that matches your current vocabulary. Tapping any word in a text shows its definition, pinyin, and audio, making it easy to look up unfamiliar characters without leaving the reading interface. Sentence-by-sentence audio playback lets you listen along as you read, which helps with pronunciation and listening comprehension simultaneously.

Key Strengths

• Graded reading by HSK level: Content matched to your ability prevents frustration from texts that are too hard or boredom from texts that are too easy.
• Tap-to-translate: Instant word definitions within the reading interface. No need to switch to a separate dictionary app.
• Sentence audio: Native speaker audio for every sentence helps with listening and pronunciation.
• Regular new content: The library is updated frequently with new articles, keeping the reading material fresh.

Key Weaknesses

• Supplementary only: Reading practice is valuable but not sufficient for HSK preparation on its own. You still need vocabulary drilling and other study methods.
• No SRS: Du Chinese does not have a spaced repetition system. Words you look up are not automatically scheduled for review.
• Subscription for full access: Free users can access a limited number of texts. Full library access requires a subscription.

Best For

Learners at HSK 2 and above who want to practice reading connected Chinese text. Du Chinese works best as a supplement to your core vocabulary app. After drilling words with spaced repetition, reading them in context with Du Chinese reinforces your learning and develops reading fluency. It is particularly valuable for HSK 4, HSK 5, and HSK 6 preparation, where reading comprehension is a major component of the exam.

Pricing

Limited free access to a small selection of texts. Full access subscription is approximately $10-12/month or discounted on annual plans. Free users can still get a good sense of the app's quality before subscribing.

How to Choose the Right HSK App

The best HSK app for you depends on three factors: your current level, your primary study goal, and your budget. Here is a practical framework for choosing:

If you are a complete beginner (no Chinese knowledge): Start with HelloChinese to learn pronunciation, tones, and basic characters. After 1-2 months, add HSKLord or Anki for dedicated vocabulary drilling as you start targeting specific HSK levels.

If you are targeting HSK 1-HSK 3: Your primary need is vocabulary acquisition. HSKLord or Anki as your main app, plus Pleco for dictionary lookups. At these levels, vocabulary knowledge is the biggest determinant of exam success.

If you are targeting HSK 4-HSK 6: You need vocabulary plus reading and listening practice. Use HSKLord or Anki for vocabulary, add Du Chinese for reading fluency, and consider Hack Chinese if you want sentence-based context. Pleco remains essential as your dictionary.

If you are on a strict budget: Anki (free) plus Pleco (free core) gives you a powerful study setup at zero cost. You will need to spend more time on setup, but the tools themselves are excellent.

If you need handwriting: Add Skritter to whatever core app you choose. No other app matches its handwriting practice quality.

Regardless of which apps you choose, the most important factor is consistency. A mediocre app used daily will produce better results than the perfect app used sporadically. Pick your tools, set a daily study schedule, and stick with it. For more on the science behind effective study scheduling, see our guide on the science of spaced repetition.

Our Recommendation

If we had to recommend just one app for HSK preparation, it would be HSKLord. The combination of a purpose-built SRS algorithm, complete HSK vocabulary coverage (including HSK 3.0), and a clean interface focused entirely on the task of learning HSK words makes it the most efficient path to exam readiness. Vocabulary is the foundation of the HSK exam at every level, and no app handles HSK vocabulary better.

That said, the ideal setup for most learners is a combination of apps:

1. HSKLord for daily vocabulary drilling with spaced repetition (your core study app)
2. Pleco for dictionary lookups whenever you encounter unfamiliar characters
3. One supplementary app based on your needs: Du Chinese for reading, HelloChinese for beginner foundations, Skritter for handwriting, or Hack Chinese for sentence context

This combination covers all the skills tested on the HSK while keeping your app stack manageable. You are not spreading yourself across six different apps — you have one primary tool for your most important task (vocabulary), one reference tool (dictionary), and one supplementary tool for your personal weak area.

If you are unsure where to start, take the free HSK placement test to find your current level, then use the study calculator to plan your path forward. Both tools are free and take less than 5 minutes. For a deeper understanding of how the HSK exam works, read our complete guide to the HSK.

Frequently Asked Questions