Best Apps and Websites to Learn Chinese Online
Learning Mandarin Chinese used to mean sitting in a classroom and memorizing textbooks. Now, with mobile apps and websites, Chinese anywhere through online mandarin classes. You can learn at your own pace, often for free.
This guide explains:
- Where you can learn Chinese online and where can I learn Mandarin Chinese
- What each app/site actually does (with a list of online Chinese classes, Mandarin language lessons, or a Chinese learning app)
- Pricing info so you know how much you need to spend for a course of Chinese language.
- Pros, cons, and how to choose the best Chinese learning platform
Why Learning Chinese Online Works
Online platforms help you build four key Mandarin skills:
- Speaking & listening
- Reading & writing characters
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Vocabulary retention
For many learners, an online Chinese language course offers more flexibility and faster progress than traditional classroom study.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, online learning can be faster and more effective than traditional classroom study. This is because of spaced repetition systems (SRS), AI feedback, native content, and adaptive paths.
How to Choose the Best App or Website
Choose based on your main goal:
| Goal | Best Tool Type |
| Speaking fluently | AI apps, tutors, and an online Chinese tutor |
| Vocabulary mastery | SRS flashcards |
| HSK preparation | Structured courses for HSK online preparation |
| Writing characters | Handwriting apps |
| Listening & comprehension | Immersion videos |
Top Apps to Learn Chinese Online
1. Pingo — Best for Speaking Practice
Price: Free base tier (some premium features subscription may apply later, including a free trial)
What it does:
AI-powered spoken Mandarin practice with pronunciation feedback for Chinese pronunciation practice online. This AI is also equipped with role=play simulations commonly used in online mandarin classes.
Why it matters:
Speaking confidence is often the biggest hurdle — Pingo forces output, not just passive input.
- Instant tone and pronunciation correction
- Practical dialogues you can repeat until natural
Best for: Oral fluency and real conversational preparation
Limit: Not a complete stand-alone for writing or in-depth grammar
2. Anki — Best for Vocabulary Retention
Price:
- Free on most platforms
- Paid one-time fee on iOS (~$25)
What it does:
Customizable flashcards with spaced repetition scheduling to help learn Chinese characters online.
Why it matters:
Memory science shows spaced review drastically improves recall efficiency.
- Fully customizable decks
- Works offline
- Thousands of pre-made Chinese decks
Best for: Long-term vocabulary learning
Limit: No built-in speaking or listening practice
3. Pleco — Best Dictionary + Lookup Tool
Price: Free core app (paid add-ons from $1–$100+)
What it does:
High-quality Chinese–English dictionary with handwriting input, OCR, example sentences, and flashcards.
Why it matters:
Quick vocabulary lookup keeps learning momentum going during study or conversation.
- Offline access
- Camera OCR to recognize characters
- Rich pronunciation audio
Best for: All learners as a support resource
4. Duolingo — Best for Habit Building
Price: Free; Duolingo Plus subscription (~$7–$10/month)
What it does:
Gamified bite-sized lessons covering basic vocabulary and grammar, ideal for Mandarin for beginners and learning Chinese for beginners.
Why it matters:
Great for establishing daily progress habits.
- Fun, game-like progression
- Simple onboarding for beginners
Best for: Total beginners and daily consistency
Limit: Weak speaking/tone feedback
5. Skritter — Best for Writing Characters
Price: ~$14.99/month, discounted for annual plans
What it does:
Stroke-by-stroke handwriting practice with SRS.
Why it matters:
Writing reinforces visual memory of characters far better than typing alone.
- Real handwriting recognition
- Built-in SRS
Best for: Writing accuracy and character retention
6. Memrise — Best for Mnemonic Learning
Price: Free, Memrise Pro ~$69/year
What it does:
Uses mnemonics and native speaker clips to cement vocabulary and phrases.
Best for: Audio listening and fun recall
7. ChineseSkill — Best Structured Beginner App
Price: Free; ChineseSkill Premium ~$9.99/month
What it does:
Curriculum designed by Peking University educators, with games and animations.
Best for: Beginners looking for guided progression
8. FluentU — Best for Immersive Listening
Price: ~ $29.99/month or ~$240/year (14-day free trial)
What it does:
Real-world videos + interactive subtitles + quizzes.
- Great for listening comprehension
- Contextual vocabulary learning
Best for: Intermediate learners honing natural comprehension
Best Websites to Learn Chinese Online
Website Comparison
| Website | Best For | Price |
| Taiwan Mandarin Education Resource Center | Self-study | Free |
| Chinese-Learning.cn | HSK & Business Chinese | Paid |
| Coursera – NTU Chinese | Absolute beginners | Free/Paid certificate |
| Yoyo Chinese | Speaking & pronunciation | Free/Paid |
| Loecsen | Basic survival Chinese | Free |
| Oh Young Language Center | Structured long-term plan | Paid |
| Preply | 1-to-1 tutor lessons | $10+ per lesson |
Many of these platforms function as a complete online chinese language course, from beginner to advanced levels.
Taiwan Mandarin Education Resource Center
Price: Free
Best for: Self-learners of all levels
Highlights: University-level learning materials covering listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Chinese-Learning
Price: Paid (varies by course and level)
Best for: HSK exam prep and business Chinese online course
Features: Professional tutors, structured paths, daily conversation courses.
Coursera – “Learning Chinese: Start From Scratch”
Price: Free to audit; paid certificate option
Best for: Absolute beginners
Features: University-level academic course designed by National Taiwan University.
Yoyo Chinese
Price: Free lessons + Paid courses (~$20–$200 depending on bundle)
Best for: Pronunciation and speaking foundations
Highlights: Explains tones and real-world speaking in digestible video lessons.
Loecsen – Chinese Basics
Price: Free
Best for: Quick survival phrases and beginner vocab
Features: Interactive visuals and audio for essential words & phrases.
Oh Young Language Center
Price: Paid (varies by program)
Best for: Comprehensive curriculum + long-term learners
Features: Structured lesson plans + support for multi-language speakers
Preply – 1-to-1 Chinese Tutor Lessons
Price: From ~$10 per lesson (depends on tutor)
Best for: Personalized speaking practice + real teacher feedback
Features: Schedule flexibility, tutor filters by specialty, tailored learning plans
How to Learn Chinese Online Effectively
To truly progress, consider a mixed learning approach:
- Use SRS apps (Anki, Skritter) for vocabulary and characters
- Use AI or live tutors (Pingo, Preply) for speaking
- Add immersion (FluentU, BBC Chinese) for listening comprehension
- Use websites for structured lessons and grammar reference
The principle is: don’t rely on only one tool, combine tools that strengthen each language skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I learn Mandarin Chinese online?
You can learn Mandarin online using mobile apps like Duolingo, Pingo, and Skritter. You can also use websites like Coursera, Yoyo Chinese, and Chinese-Learning.
What is the best place to learn Mandarin online?
It depends on your goal:
- Speaking: Pingo, Preply
- Grammar: Chinese Grammar Wiki
- HSK prep: Chinese-Learning.cn
- Beginners: Coursera, ChineseSkill
Are there free websites to learn Chinese?
Yes. Free resources include the Taiwan Mandarin Education Resource Center, Loecsen, BBC Chinese, and Chinese Grammar Wiki.
How much does it cost to learn Chinese online?
There is a wide range:
- Free apps and content: Duolingo, Anki, Pleco, Loecsen
- Subscriptions: FluentU ~$29.99/month, Skritter ~$14.99/month
- Tutoring: Preply ~$10+ per lesson
How long does it take to learn Mandarin Chinese online?
Basic conversation usually takes 3 to 6 months with daily practice. General fluency often takes 1 to 2 years with regular, organized study.
What is the best online Chinese learning platform for beginners?
Coursera, Yoyo Chinese, and ChineseSkill are excellent beginner options because of clear explanations and structured progression.
Can I learn Chinese online for free?
Absolutely! Many quality free resources exist, but combining free tools with paid tutors or structured courses significantly accelerates progress.
What is the difference between simplified and traditional Chinese?
Mainland China and Singapore use Simplified Chinese, while Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau use Traditional Chinese. Choose based on your goals.
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