Is it really free for 30 days?

Yes! Every new account gets 30 days of full premium access — no credit card required. You get unlimited flashcards, all HSK levels, and full analytics from day one.

What happens after 30 days?

After your free period ends, you can subscribe for $8 USD/month to keep full access. You can also invite friends to earn bonus days — each referral adds extra free time to your account.

How is HSK Lord different from Anki?

HSK Lord is purpose-built for Chinese learners. There's no setup, no hunting for decks, and no configuration. All 5,000+ official HSK words are built in with pinyin, definitions, and spaced repetition — ready to go in seconds.

Can I use it on my phone?

Absolutely! HSK Lord is fully responsive and works great on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. Just open your browser and start studying. No app download required.

What if I already know some Chinese?

Take our free placement test to find your level, or just pick the HSK level that matches your ability. You can start at HSK 1 or jump straight to HSK 6 — it's up to you.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes, absolutely. There are no contracts or commitments. You can cancel your subscription at any time and you'll keep access until the end of your billing period.

Best Chinese Learning Apps 2026: Tested & Ranked (HSK Focused)

After testing 20+ Chinese learning apps and passing HSK 6, here are the 7 best apps actually worth your time and money in 2026.

Quick Picks:

🥇 Best Overall: HSK Lord (HSK-focused SRS)
🥈 Best Free Option: Pleco (Dictionary + SRS)
🥉 Best for Beginners: ChineseSkill
💰 Best Budget: Anki (Free desktop)
🎮 Most Fun: Duolingo
🗣️ Best for Speaking: HelloChinese
📚 Best for Reading: Du Chinese

1. HSK Lord

Best for: Serious learners targeting HSK certification

Price: Free / $8/month Pro

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)

Pros

✅ Complete HSK 1-6 vocabulary with native audio
✅ Spaced repetition optimized for Chinese
✅ Progress tracking by HSK level
✅ Example sentences for every word
✅ Character breakdown and stroke order
✅ Clean, modern interface

Cons

❌ Chinese only (not for polyglots)
❌ Limited offline functionality
❌ No speaking feedback (yet)

Bottom Line

HSK Lord is purpose-built for HSK success. If passing HSK tests is your goal, this is your best tool. The spaced repetition system ensures you actually remember what you learn, not just swipe through cards.

Try HSK Lord Free

2. Pleco

Best for: Dictionary power users and readers

Price: Free / Add-ons $5-30 each

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5)

Pros

✅ Best Chinese dictionary available
✅ Handwriting recognition
✅ OCR (camera lookup)
✅ Flashcards add-on with SRS
✅ Extensive example sentences
✅ Works completely offline

Cons

❌ Flashcards cost extra ($10)
❌ Steep learning curve
❌ Not a structured course

Bottom Line

Pleco is the essential Chinese companion. Even if you use other apps for structured learning, you need Pleco as your dictionary. The flashcard add-on makes it a viable Anki alternative.

3. HelloChinese

Best for: Beginners wanting speaking practice

Price: Free / $11.99/month Premium

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

Pros

✅ Speech recognition feedback
✅ Structured HSK-aligned curriculum
✅ Mini-games for practice
✅ Video lessons with native speakers
✅ Writing practice with stroke detection

Cons

❌ Premium is pricey
❌ Speech recognition can be finicky
❌ Less effective beyond HSK 3

Bottom Line

HelloChinese is the best Duolingo alternative that actually teaches Chinese properly. The speech recognition helps with tones—something most apps ignore.

4. Du Chinese

Best for: Reading practice and extensive reading

Price: Free trial / $14.99/month

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5)

Pros

✅ Graded articles at every HSK level
✅ Audio with adjustable speed
✅ Tap-to-translate
✅ Grammar explanations
✅ New content daily

Cons

❌ Expensive subscription
❌ Focused only on reading/listening
❌ No writing or speaking practice

Bottom Line

Du Chinese fills the reading gap that most apps miss. Once you have basic vocabulary, graded reading is essential for fluency. Worth the price if you read daily.

5. ChineseSkill

Best for: Complete beginners

Price: Free / $6.99/month Premium

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5)

Pros

✅ Structured curriculum from zero
✅ Good grammar explanations
✅ Writing practice included
✅ Cute, engaging design
✅ Affordable premium

Cons

❌ Content stops at intermediate
❌ Limited HSK test prep
❌ Audio quality inconsistent

Bottom Line

ChineseSkill is the best starting point for absolute beginners. It teaches Chinese systematically, unlike Duolingo's random approach. However, you'll outgrow it by HSK 3.

6. Anki

Best for: Power users who want full control

Price: Free (desktop) / $25 (iOS)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2/5)

Pros

✅ Completely customizable
✅ Works for any language/subject
✅ Proven spaced repetition algorithm
✅ Massive deck library
✅ Works offline

Cons

❌ Steep learning curve
❌ Dated interface
❌ Requires setup time
❌ Quality varies by deck

Bottom Line

Anki is the power user's choice. If you're willing to invest time in setup and customization, it's incredibly powerful. Most learners prefer ready-made solutions like HSK Lord.

Read: HSK Lord vs Anki Comparison

7. Duolingo

Best for: Casual learners testing the waters

Price: Free / $6.99/month Super

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)

Pros

✅ Fun and engaging
✅ Builds daily habit
✅ Free tier is generous
✅ Multiple languages in one app

Cons

❌ Not aligned with HSK
❌ Weak on tones and characters
❌ Won't lead to fluency
❌ Poor grammar explanations

Bottom Line

Duolingo is fun but insufficient for serious Chinese learning. Use it for 10 minutes a day to maintain interest, but don't expect it to prepare you for HSK or real conversations.

Read: HSK Lord vs Duolingo Comparison

Comparison Table

| App | Best For | Price | HSK Focus | Offline | Rating | |-----|----------|-------|-----------|---------|--------| | HSK Lord | Serious HSK students | Free/$8mo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Limited | 4.8/5 | | Pleco | Dictionary & flashcards | Free+ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Full | 4.7/5 | | HelloChinese | Speaking practice | Free/$12mo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Limited | 4.5/5 | | Du Chinese | Reading practice | $15/mo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Limited | 4.4/5 | | ChineseSkill | Beginners | Free/$7mo | ⭐⭐⭐ | Limited | 4.3/5 | | Anki | Power users | Free/$25 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Full | 4.2/5 | | Duolingo | Casual learning | Free/$7mo | ⭐⭐ | Limited | 3.5/5 |

App Combinations That Work

The Budget Combo (Free)

Anki (vocabulary SRS)
Pleco (dictionary)
YouTube (listening practice)
Total cost: $0

The Balanced Combo ($15/month)

HSK Lord (core vocabulary)
Pleco (dictionary and lookups)
Du Chinese (graded reading)
Total cost: ~$23/month

The Intensive Combo ($25/month)

HSK Lord Pro (vocabulary + analytics)
HelloChinese Premium (speaking)
Du Chinese (reading)
iTalki (tutoring)
Total cost: ~$50/month with tutoring

My Personal Stack (HSK 6 Graduate)

When I passed HSK 6, here's what I used daily:

Morning (30 min):

HSK Lord (vocabulary review)

Commute (20 min):

Du Chinese (graded article)

Lunch (10 min):

Pleco (lookups and flashcards)

Evening (30 min):

Textbook exercises
iTalki conversation (twice weekly)

Total app cost: $23/month

FAQ

Which app is best for HSK 6?

HSK Lord is specifically designed for HSK 6's 5,000+ vocabulary requirement. Pleco with flashcards is a strong alternative for power users.

Do I need to pay for Chinese learning apps?

Not necessarily. Anki (desktop) + Pleco (free) can take you to HSK 6. However, paid apps save significant time and often provide better content.

Can I learn Chinese with just apps?

Apps are excellent for vocabulary and reading, but you'll need conversation practice (language partners or tutors) for speaking and listening fluency.

What's the best free combination?

Anki + Pleco + YouTube (Chinese content) + Language exchange apps (Tandem, HelloTalk). Total cost: $0.

Should I use multiple apps?

Yes, but limit yourself to 2-3. One for vocabulary (HSK Lord/Anki), one for reading (Du Chinese), and optionally one for speaking (HelloChinese).

Which app teaches characters best?

HSK Lord and ChineseSkill both have good character teaching with stroke order. HelloChinese has the best writing detection.

What about tone practice?

HelloChinese has the best speech recognition. HSK Lord provides tone pair exercises. Most other apps neglect tones entirely.

Final Recommendations

For Absolute Beginners

Start with: ChineseSkill (free) Add later: HSK Lord when ready for structured HSK prep

For HSK Test Takers

Essential: HSK Lord Recommended add: Pleco for lookups

For Reading Focus

Best: Du Chinese Budget alternative: Graded readers + Pleco

For Speaking Focus

Best: HelloChinese + iTalki tutors

For Budget Learners

Best free combo: Anki + Pleco + YouTube

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" app—only the best app for your goals:

HSK certification? → HSK Lord
Casual interest? → Duolingo or ChineseSkill
Reading fluency? → Du Chinese
Speaking practice? → HelloChinese
Zero budget? → Anki + Pleco

Most serious learners eventually use HSK Lord for vocabulary and Pleco as their dictionary. These two tools form the core of an effective Chinese study routine.

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Ready to start? Try HSK Lord free and see why it's ranked #1 for HSK preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Chinese Learning Apps 2026: Tested & Ranked (HSK Focused)

After testing 20+ Chinese learning apps and passing HSK 6, here are the 7 best apps actually worth your time and money in 2026.

Quick Picks:

🥇 Best Overall: HSK Lord (HSK-focused SRS)
🥈 Best Free Option: Pleco (Dictionary + SRS)
🥉 Best for Beginners: ChineseSkill
💰 Best Budget: Anki (Free desktop)
🎮 Most Fun: Duolingo
🗣️ Best for Speaking: HelloChinese
📚 Best for Reading: Du Chinese

1. HSK Lord

Best for: Serious learners targeting HSK certification

Price: Free / $8/month Pro

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)

Pros

✅ Complete HSK 1-6 vocabulary with native audio
✅ Spaced repetition optimized for Chinese
✅ Progress tracking by HSK level
✅ Example sentences for every word
✅ Character breakdown and stroke order
✅ Clean, modern interface

Cons

❌ Chinese only (not for polyglots)
❌ Limited offline functionality
❌ No speaking feedback (yet)

Bottom Line

Try HSK Lord Free

2. Pleco

Best for: Dictionary power users and readers

Price: Free / Add-ons $5-30 each

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5)

Pros

✅ Best Chinese dictionary available
✅ Handwriting recognition
✅ OCR (camera lookup)
✅ Flashcards add-on with SRS
✅ Extensive example sentences
✅ Works completely offline

Cons

❌ Flashcards cost extra ($10)
❌ Steep learning curve
❌ Not a structured course

Bottom Line

Pleco is the essential Chinese companion. Even if you use other apps for structured learning, you need Pleco as your dictionary. The flashcard add-on makes it a viable Anki alternative.

3. HelloChinese

Best for: Beginners wanting speaking practice

Price: Free / $11.99/month Premium

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

Pros

✅ Speech recognition feedback
✅ Structured HSK-aligned curriculum
✅ Mini-games for practice
✅ Video lessons with native speakers
✅ Writing practice with stroke detection

Cons

❌ Premium is pricey
❌ Speech recognition can be finicky
❌ Less effective beyond HSK 3

Bottom Line

HelloChinese is the best Duolingo alternative that actually teaches Chinese properly. The speech recognition helps with tones—something most apps ignore.

4. Du Chinese

Best for: Reading practice and extensive reading

Price: Free trial / $14.99/month

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5)

Pros

✅ Graded articles at every HSK level
✅ Audio with adjustable speed
✅ Tap-to-translate
✅ Grammar explanations
✅ New content daily

Cons

❌ Expensive subscription
❌ Focused only on reading/listening
❌ No writing or speaking practice

Bottom Line

Du Chinese fills the reading gap that most apps miss. Once you have basic vocabulary, graded reading is essential for fluency. Worth the price if you read daily.

5. ChineseSkill

Best for: Complete beginners

Price: Free / $6.99/month Premium

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5)

Pros

✅ Structured curriculum from zero
✅ Good grammar explanations
✅ Writing practice included
✅ Cute, engaging design
✅ Affordable premium

Cons

❌ Content stops at intermediate
❌ Limited HSK test prep
❌ Audio quality inconsistent

Bottom Line

ChineseSkill is the best starting point for absolute beginners. It teaches Chinese systematically, unlike Duolingo's random approach. However, you'll outgrow it by HSK 3.

6. Anki

Best for: Power users who want full control

Price: Free (desktop) / $25 (iOS)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2/5)

Pros

✅ Completely customizable
✅ Works for any language/subject
✅ Proven spaced repetition algorithm
✅ Massive deck library
✅ Works offline

Cons

❌ Steep learning curve
❌ Dated interface
❌ Requires setup time
❌ Quality varies by deck

Bottom Line

Anki is the power user's choice. If you're willing to invest time in setup and customization, it's incredibly powerful. Most learners prefer ready-made solutions like HSK Lord.

Read: HSK Lord vs Anki Comparison

7. Duolingo

Best for: Casual learners testing the waters

Price: Free / $6.99/month Super

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)

Pros

✅ Fun and engaging
✅ Builds daily habit
✅ Free tier is generous
✅ Multiple languages in one app

Cons

❌ Not aligned with HSK
❌ Weak on tones and characters
❌ Won't lead to fluency
❌ Poor grammar explanations

Bottom Line

Duolingo is fun but insufficient for serious Chinese learning. Use it for 10 minutes a day to maintain interest, but don't expect it to prepare you for HSK or real conversations.

Read: HSK Lord vs Duolingo Comparison

Comparison Table

App Combinations That Work

The Budget Combo (Free)

Anki (vocabulary SRS)
Pleco (dictionary)
YouTube (listening practice)
Total cost: $0

The Balanced Combo ($15/month)

HSK Lord (core vocabulary)
Pleco (dictionary and lookups)
Du Chinese (graded reading)
Total cost: ~$23/month

The Intensive Combo ($25/month)

HSK Lord Pro (vocabulary + analytics)
HelloChinese Premium (speaking)
Du Chinese (reading)
iTalki (tutoring)
Total cost: ~$50/month with tutoring

My Personal Stack (HSK 6 Graduate)

When I passed HSK 6, here's what I used daily:

Morning (30 min):

HSK Lord (vocabulary review)

Commute (20 min):

Du Chinese (graded article)

Lunch (10 min):

Pleco (lookups and flashcards)

Evening (30 min):

Textbook exercises
iTalki conversation (twice weekly)

Total app cost: $23/month

FAQ

Which app is best for HSK 6?

HSK Lord is specifically designed for HSK 6's 5,000+ vocabulary requirement. Pleco with flashcards is a strong alternative for power users.

Do I need to pay for Chinese learning apps?

Not necessarily. Anki (desktop) + Pleco (free) can take you to HSK 6. However, paid apps save significant time and often provide better content.

Can I learn Chinese with just apps?

Apps are excellent for vocabulary and reading, but you'll need conversation practice (language partners or tutors) for speaking and listening fluency.

What's the best free combination?

Anki + Pleco + YouTube (Chinese content) + Language exchange apps (Tandem, HelloTalk). Total cost: $0.

Should I use multiple apps?

Yes, but limit yourself to 2-3. One for vocabulary (HSK Lord/Anki), one for reading (Du Chinese), and optionally one for speaking (HelloChinese).

Which app teaches characters best?

HSK Lord and ChineseSkill both have good character teaching with stroke order. HelloChinese has the best writing detection.

What about tone practice?

HelloChinese has the best speech recognition. HSK Lord provides tone pair exercises. Most other apps neglect tones entirely.

Final Recommendations

For Absolute Beginners

Start with: ChineseSkill (free) Add later: HSK Lord when ready for structured HSK prep

For HSK Test Takers

Essential: HSK Lord Recommended add: Pleco for lookups

For Reading Focus

Best: Du Chinese Budget alternative: Graded readers + Pleco

For Speaking Focus

Best: HelloChinese + iTalki tutors

For Budget Learners

Best free combo: Anki + Pleco + YouTube

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" app—only the best app for your goals:

HSK certification? → HSK Lord
Casual interest? → Duolingo or ChineseSkill
Reading fluency? → Du Chinese
Speaking practice? → HelloChinese
Zero budget? → Anki + Pleco

Most serious learners eventually use HSK Lord for vocabulary and Pleco as their dictionary. These two tools form the core of an effective Chinese study routine.

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Ready to start? Try HSK Lord free and see why it's ranked #1 for HSK preparation.

Best Chinese Learning Apps 2026: Tested & Ranked (HSK Focused)

1. HSK Lord

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

2. Pleco

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

3. HelloChinese

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

4. Du Chinese

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

5. ChineseSkill

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

6. Anki

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

7. Duolingo

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

Comparison Table

App Combinations That Work

The Budget Combo (Free)

The Balanced Combo ($15/month)

The Intensive Combo ($25/month)

My Personal Stack (HSK 6 Graduate)

FAQ

Which app is best for HSK 6?

Do I need to pay for Chinese learning apps?

Can I learn Chinese with just apps?

What's the best free combination?

Should I use multiple apps?

Which app teaches characters best?

What about tone practice?

Final Recommendations

For Absolute Beginners

For HSK Test Takers

For Reading Focus

For Speaking Focus

For Budget Learners

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Rudolph Minister

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HSK Lord vs Duolingo: Best App for Learning Chinese? (2026)

Ready to Start Learning Chinese?

Best Chinese Learning Apps 2026: Tested & Ranked (HSK Focused)

1. HSK Lord

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

2. Pleco

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

3. HelloChinese

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

4. Du Chinese

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

5. ChineseSkill

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

6. Anki

Pros