Top 10 Free Online Resources to Learn Chinese in 2025

Top 10 free resources to learn Chinese language online free in 2025. Compare apps and sites for speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin at no cost.
Top 10 Free Online Resources to Learn Chinese in 2025

You want to learn Chinese language online free, but you’re not sure which resources truly help you improve. Currently, over 6 million people are learning Chinese online, and this number is rapidly increasing. Many learners use free tools to grasp basic Chinese, which are user-friendly and ideal for beginners. When searching for the best way to learn Chinese language online free, consider what matters most to you. Some want to learn basic Chinese for travel, while others aim to speak Chinese for business. People often prefer platforms with simple lessons and engaging practice that fit their needs. Coachers.org stands out by offering flexible and personalized coaching, helping you achieve your Chinese learning goals in a way that suits you best.

Key Takeaways

  • Many free online websites help you learn Chinese. Each one has special tools for different skills and goals. - Try apps like HelloChinese or Duolingo to start learning. These apps make practice fun and help you learn every day. - Use more than one resource to practice all skills. Practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing to learn faster. - Websites like Coachers.org give expert help. They have lessons that fit what you need. - Join language exchange groups to talk with real people. You can practice real conversations and get tips from native speakers.

Best Platforms to Learn Chinese Language Online Free

Best Platforms to Learn Chinese Language Online Free
Image Source: unsplash

You have many good choices if you want to learn Chinese language online free. This list shows mandarin chinese learning tools that help you reach your goals. You can use them to learn basic chinese or advanced business mandarin. Each platform is different, so you can pick the best one for self-study. You can also use more than one for a full learning experience.

Coachers.org

You need a platform that fits your needs. Coachers.org is special because it gives you unlimited 1-on-1 lessons with certified teachers. You can pick private or group classes. Every lesson matches your goals, like learning basic chinese for travel or business mandarin for work. The platform lets you choose your schedule, so you can learn chinese even if you are busy. You get progress tracking, feedback, and fun tools to keep you going. Coachers.org uses real-life situations, like business talks and daily chats, to make learning mandarin useful and fun. You can try a free demo class to see if you like it. The platform is for all ages and levels, even kids, with special games and programs. If you want expert coaching, structure, and flexibility, Coachers.org is a great choice for chinese language learning.

Tip: Try a free class first and upgrade your plan later as you get better.

Yoyo Chinese

Yoyo Chinese makes learning mandarin chinese easy to understand. The platform puts its free content into levels, so you know where to begin. Beginners get the first 20 lessons of the Conversational Course for free. Each lesson has videos, study aids, flashcards, and quizzes. You can see your progress as you go. Intermediate learners get free lessons at the start of each advanced course. These lessons have real-life videos, vocabulary, grammar, and listening practice. If you want to learn chinese language online free and like a clear path, Yoyo Chinese is a good choice.

Learner Level

Free Content Offered

Course Structure & Features

Beginner

First 20 lessons of the Beginner Conversational Course free

Videos, study aids, flashcards, quizzes, and progress tracking.

Intermediate

Free lessons at the start of advanced courses

Thematic units, real-life videos, vocabulary, grammar, listening, and quizzes.

Chinese Character Course

300 essential characters

Mini-lessons, stroke tutorials, practice flashcards, and quizzes.

Mandarin Blueprint

Mandarin Blueprint helps you remember Chinese characters in a new way. You learn with the Hanzi Movie Method, which uses stories and memory tricks. The lessons take you from beginner to intermediate with fun videos. You get help from a friendly community and staff. The platform gives you extra things like Anki flashcards and PDFs. Mandarin Blueprint teaches pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and stories. If you want a creative way to learn chinese online, this platform keeps you interested and helps you remember.

  • Hanzi Movie Method helps you remember characters.

  • Lessons have English explanations and native speaker audio.

  • Friendly community and weekly podcasts for support.

  • Good for self-learners who want clear and deep lessons.

ChineseClass101

ChineseClass101 has many audio and video lessons with real teachers. You can get the Innovative Language 101 App for free and make a Free Lifetime Account. New users get a 7-day Free Premium Trial with full access. The app lets you track your progress and download lessons to study offline. You can make your own learning plan and use lesson notes, playback, and vocabulary lists. The most popular free feature is the "Word of the Day," which gives you a new word with audio and sentences every day. You also get a dictionary, grammar help, and free lessons from every series. If you want to learn chinese language online free with lots of audio and video, ChineseClass101 is a good pick.

  • Free Lifetime Account with daily words, vocabulary, and notes.

  • 7-day Free Premium Trial for new users.

  • Download lessons and track your progress.

HelloChinese

HelloChinese makes learning chinese fun and interactive. The app uses games, so you earn rewards and keep streaks as you finish lessons. You set daily goals and see your progress, which helps you stay on track. HelloChinese uses AI speech recognition and chatbots to help you practice speaking. The app gives you instant feedback, so you know what to fix. If you want to learn basic chinese or build a habit, HelloChinese is easy to use and keeps you coming back.

LingoDeer

LingoDeer is great if you want clear lessons and grammar help. The app is easy to use and works for beginners and intermediate learners. You get lessons with listening and speaking practice, plus a travel phrasebook. LingoDeer lets you study offline, so you can learn anywhere. The exercises are fun, but some people think they repeat too much. The app does not teach writing, but it covers grammar and pronunciation well. If you want to learn chinese language online free with a focus on grammar, LingoDeer is a strong choice.

Aspect

LingoDeer

Other Free Platforms

Lesson Quality

Comprehensive, structured, clear grammar explanations

Basic, less depth, may lack speaking/writing practice

User Interface

User-friendly, intuitive

Varies

Offline Mode

Available

Often limited

User Retention

Engaging exercises, intuitive design

Mixed

Advanced Content

Limited

Varies

Note: LingoDeer is a top pick for beginners who want to build a strong base in mandarin.

These platforms give you many ways to learn chinese language online free. You can use them together to fit your style. You can learn basic chinese, focus on business mandarin, or just enjoy learning chinese. With so many choices, you can find the best tool for self-study or make your own path to fluency.

Chinese Language Learning Apps and Tools

You want to make learning Chinese easy and fun. These apps help you practice vocabulary, grammar, and listening every day. Many teachers in 2025 recommend these tools because they work well for beginners and advanced learners. Here are some of the best apps you can try right now.

Memrise

Memrise gives you a playful way to learn Chinese words. You can use the free version and still get a lot out of it. The app uses spaced repetition, so you remember words longer. You see videos of native speakers, which helps you hear real accents. Memrise lets you pick from many vocabulary lists, like HSK or textbook words. You can even make your own lists. The app uses mnemonics and games to make learning stick. You set daily goals and get reminders to keep going.

Tip: Memrise is great if you want to build your vocabulary fast and enjoy a mix of audio, written, and visual learning.

Skritter

If you want the best tool to learn to write Chinese, Skritter is a top choice. Skritter teaches you to write Chinese characters step by step. First, you look at the character. Next, you break it into parts. Then, you practice writing it, paying attention to stroke order. The app gives you instant feedback and helps you fix mistakes. Skritter uses spaced repetition, so you remember what you learn. You can study from popular textbooks or make your own lists. Many people use Skritter as their main Chinese characters app.

Feature

Skritter Highlights

Writing Practice

Real-time feedback, stroke order help

Memory Tricks

Mnemonics and spaced repetition

Custom Lists

Study from books or make your own

Duolingo

Duolingo makes Chinese language learning feel like a game. You earn points, unlock levels, and keep streaks. The app teaches you words, grammar, and sentences with short lessons. You get instant feedback, so you know when you are right. Duolingo is easy to use and works well for daily practice. Many people use it as their first Chinese reading app.

ChineseSkill

ChineseSkill gives you lots of interactive games and quizzes. You can practice listening, grammar, and vocabulary. The app has a special "Immersion" section with real conversations. You can play the "GRAMMAR DOCTOR" game to fix sentences and learn grammar rules. ChineseSkill also has review cards to help you remember what you learn. This app is one of the most popular Chinese characters apps for beginners.

  • Listen to real-life conversations.

  • Play grammar games and quizzes.

  • Review with knowledge cards.

LingQ

LingQ helps you read and listen to real Chinese content. You can pick from books, podcasts, and news stories. The app shows you new words and tracks your progress. You can import your own videos or songs and turn them into lessons. LingQ uses spaced repetition to help you remember words. The app also has a big community where you can chat and get writing help. Many learners use LingQ as their main Chinese reading app because it makes practice feel natural.

Note: Try using more than one app to get the most out of your Chinese language learning. Mix reading, writing, and listening for the best results.

Learn Chinese Online with Listening and Speaking Resources

Learn Chinese Online with Listening and Speaking Resources
Image Source: pexels

Do you want to sound more like a native speaker? You need good tools for listening and speaking practice. Here are some top chinese listening apps and chinese speaking apps. These help you build real skills for daily life.

ChinesePod

ChinesePod has a big library of audio lessons. There are lessons for all levels, from beginner to advanced. You start as a newbie and move up step by step. Each lesson uses real conversations with native speakers. This lets you hear how mandarin sounds in real life. You can listen to short dialogues and repeat after the speakers. Try the shadowing technique to work on your accent. Many learners say daily listening with ChinesePod helps them learn pronunciation and tones faster.

Pimsleur

Pimsleur is special because it uses only audio. You listen and speak along with each lesson. The focus is on pronunciation and polite conversation. The program breaks down new mandarin words into syllables. This helps you get every sound right. You repeat after native speakers and practice full sentences. This way, you remember words and speak with more confidence. Pimsleur is great for busy people. You can use it anywhere with headphones.

Tip: Record yourself and compare your voice to the native speakers in Pimsleur. This helps you find small mistakes and get better faster.

Mandarin Corner

Mandarin Corner has many videos for learning. You get HSK vocabulary videos and survival chinese lessons. There are also real conversations about daily topics. The videos have pinyin and English subtitles, so you can follow along. Some videos slow down the speech to help you understand. You can watch stories in slow chinese or listen to podcasts with subtitles. This makes Mandarin Corner good for both listening and speaking practice.

  • HSK vocabulary with example sentences

  • Slow conversations for easier listening

  • Real-life topics like shopping, school, and travel

Mandarin Click

Mandarin Click gives you short, useful videos. You learn phrases and everyday mandarin expressions. The videos show real-life situations. You see how people use chinese in context. You can pause, repeat, and practice speaking with the video. This hands-on way helps you feel more confident and improve your accent. Mandarin Click is great if you want quick lessons for your daily routine.

Italki

Italki lets you talk with native mandarin speakers in live lessons. You pick your teacher and set your goals. Many teachers help with pronunciation, vocabulary, and real conversation. You get instant feedback and lots of time to speak. Students say they feel more comfortable using chinese after practicing on Italki. This platform is one of the best chinese speaking apps for building confidence and fluency.

Note: Experts say daily listening and speaking practice is best for learning mandarin. Use these tools every day and focus on good practice, not just more practice.

Reading and Grammar for Learning Chinese

Do you want to boost your reading and grammar skills in chinese? You have some great free resources to help you get started. These tools make it easier to learn to read chinese characters and understand how the language works.

The Chairman’s Bao

The Chairman’s Bao is a favorite for many learners. You can pick articles that match your level, from HSK1 all the way to HSK6+. Each article is written by native speakers and follows the latest HSK word lists. You can filter stories by your level, so you never feel lost. The articles are rewritten news pieces, so you get real-world topics in simple chinese. As you move up, the articles get longer and more complex. You also get audio, a pop-up dictionary, and grammar notes to help you along the way.

  • Articles for every level, beginner to advanced

  • Filter by HSK level for the right challenge

  • Audio, dictionary, and grammar notes included

Tip: The Chairman’s Bao is the best tool to learn to read chinese if you want real news in simple language.

Du Chinese

Du Chinese gives you short stories and articles for all levels. You can listen to native speakers while you read. The app highlights words as you go, so you can follow along easily. If you tap a word, you see the meaning right away. This makes reading chinese less scary. You can save new words and review them later. Du Chinese is perfect if you want to read a little bit every day.

Chinese Grammar Wiki

You need clear grammar explanations when you study chinese. Chinese Grammar Wiki organizes grammar points by level, like beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each point comes with simple examples and pinyin. The site avoids hard words at the lower levels, so you don’t get stuck. Many learners say it’s easier to use than a textbook.

  • Grammar points sorted by level

  • Simple examples with pinyin

  • Free and easy to use

BBC Chinese

BBC Chinese gives you news and stories in chinese. You can read about world events and culture. The language is more advanced, so it works best if you already know some chinese. You get a chance to see how native speakers write and use grammar in real life.

Chinese-tools.com

Chinese-tools.com is a handy site for reading and grammar. You get grammar guides, vocabulary lists, and reading practice. The site also has tools to help you look up words and practice writing. If you want to build your skills step by step, this site is a good choice.

Note: Try mixing these resources to get the most out of your chinese reading and grammar practice.

Community and Exchange for Chinese Language Learning

It is easier to learn Chinese when you talk with others. You can join online groups and find language partners. Real people can give you feedback and help you learn. These platforms let you practice speaking, writing, and understanding Chinese. They are friendly and make learning fun. Here are some good places to meet other learners and native speakers.

Tandem

Tandem helps you find people who want to swap languages. You make a profile and pick your native language. Then, you choose Chinese as the language you want to learn. You can share your hobbies and pick how you want to chat. You can use text, voice, or video to talk. Tandem shows you Chinese speakers who want to learn your language. You both help each other learn. You can even meet partners near you if you want. Tandem is good for real talks and learning about culture.

Tip: Try using text, voice, and video to see which helps you most.

Preply

Preply lets you take live video lessons with tutors. You get a lesson plan that matches your goals. Tutors use whiteboards and screen sharing to teach you. You can use flashcards to remember words. You can also see your progress on a dashboard. Preply lets you pick your own schedule and tutor. You get feedback right away, so you can improve fast. Many people like Preply because it feels personal and keeps them working hard. Kids can use Preply too, and tutors work with parents to make lessons fun.

Lang-8

Lang-8 is a place to practice writing. You write in Chinese, and native speakers fix your work. You help others by fixing their writing in your language. This way, everyone learns together. You get tips on grammar, word use, and style. Lang-8 is great if you want to get better at writing and see how people really use Chinese.

Livemocha

Livemocha gives you lessons and a big group for language exchange. You can practice reading, writing, and speaking. Other users check your work and give you advice. You also help others learn your language. Livemocha makes learning social and fun. You can meet people from many countries who want to learn Chinese too.

Here is a quick look at other popular community platforms for language exchange:

Platform

Highlights

Best For

HelloTalk

18M+ users, text/voice/video chat

Large user base, easy language exchange

Discord

Group chat servers, free

Community learning, group practice

Reddit

Forums, free, active communities

Finding partners, sharing resources

Speaky

Text/audio messaging, filters

Quick partner matching

Note: Join more than one group to find more partners and ways to practice.

Comparison Table of Top Free Resources

It can be hard to pick the right Chinese learning tool. You want something that matches how you learn. It should help you reach your goals. To help you, here is a table that compares the best free resources. You can quickly see what each one gives you. This helps you choose the best one for your learning.

Resource

Cost

Course Format

Skill Coverage

Interactivity

Content Structure

Target Audience

Extra Features

Coachers.org

Free trial, paid plans

Live online classes, app

Speaking, listening, reading, writing, business

1-on-1, group, feedback

Personalized, flexible

All levels, business, kids

Progress tracking, expert coaches

Yoyo Chinese

Free lessons, paid courses

Video, app

Listening, speaking, reading, grammar

Quizzes, flashcards

Level-based

Beginners, intermediate

Character course, progress tracking

Mandarin Blueprint

Free trial, paid plans

Video, community

Reading, writing, pronunciation, grammar

Memory tricks, podcasts

Story-based

Beginners, self-learners

Hanzi Movie Method, Anki decks

ChineseClass101

Free account, paid upgrade

Audio, video, app

Listening, speaking, reading, grammar

Quizzes, notes

Topic-based

All levels

Word of the Day, offline lessons

HelloChinese

Free, premium option

App, games

Speaking, listening, reading, writing

Speech recognition, games

Linear progression

Beginners, casual learners

AI chatbot, daily goals, streaks

LingoDeer

Free, premium option

App

Listening, speaking, reading, grammar

Exercises, quizzes

Structured lessons

Beginners, travelers

Offline mode, travel phrasebook

Memrise

Free decks, paid upgrade

App, video

Vocabulary, listening, reading

Games, spaced repetition

Topic-based

All levels

Native speaker videos, custom lists

Duolingo

Free, premium option

App, gamified

Reading, writing, listening, speaking

Points, streaks, levels

Linear progression

Beginners, casual learners

Fun interface, daily reminders

Tip: Look at this table to compare each resource. Think about which skills you want to learn first. Some tools help you speak, others help you read or write. Try a few and see which one you like best.

You can use more than one resource to learn everything. For example, you can use Coachers.org for speaking and Memrise for words. This way, you get more practice and keep learning fun.

How to Combine Free Resources for Effective Learning

You want to learn Chinese language online free. You might not know how to use all the tools together. Using different resources gives you a better plan. This helps you reach your goals faster. It also makes learning Chinese more fun.

Here is an easy way to make your own study plan:

  1. Start with the basics. Try apps like Duolingo or HelloChinese. These help you learn basic Chinese words and grammar. You build a strong base with these apps.

  2. Practice every day. Study for 20-30 minutes each day. Use Memrise or flashcards to remember the top 500 characters. Spaced repetition helps you remember better.

  3. Mix skills. Read short stories on Du Chinese. Listen to podcasts on ChinesePod. Write simple sentences on Lang-8. This way, you practice reading, listening, and writing.

  4. Speak often. Use Tandem or Italki to talk with native speakers. Join group sessions on Coachers.org for real conversations.

  5. Track your progress. Keep a journal or use app trackers. Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.

  6. Immerse yourself. Listen to Chinese music and watch videos. Change your phone’s language settings. This helps you start thinking in Chinese.

Tip: Do not use only one app. Mixing resources helps you avoid mistakes. You will not skip speaking or focus only on characters.

Resource Combinations for Your Goals

Your Goal

Best Resource Mix

Speak with friends

HelloChinese, Tandem, Coachers.org group sessions

Business Chinese

Coachers.org 1-on-1, ChineseClass101, Memrise business vocabulary

Learn basic Chinese

Duolingo, Memrise, LingoDeer

Improve reading

The Chairman’s Bao, Du Chinese, Chinese Grammar Wiki

Coachers.org gives you structure and feedback with coaching. You can join group or private sessions as much as you want. Set your own schedule and get expert help. This makes it easy to learn Chinese online at any level.

A guide like this helps you mix free tools and expert coaching. You get the best of both and reach your goals faster.

You can learn Chinese faster if you use free online tools together. Each tool helps you get better at a different skill. Coachers.org is great if you want to make real progress. You get as many lessons as you need with expert teachers. The classes are flexible and fit your schedule. You can learn how to talk every day, do business, or even train to be a teacher.

Ready to reach your goals? Join Coachers.org today!

FAQ

What is the best free resource to start learning Chinese?

You can start with HelloChinese or Duolingo. Both apps make learning fun and easy. They use games and short lessons. You will see progress fast. Try both and see which one you like more.

Can I really learn to speak Chinese online for free?

Yes, you can! Many free apps and websites help you practice speaking. Use HelloChinese, Tandem, or Coachers.org’s free class. Speak out loud every day. You will get better with practice.

How do I choose the right Chinese learning app for me?

Think about your goal. Do you want to speak, read, or write? Try a few apps. See which one feels easy to use. You can also ask friends or teachers for advice.

Tip: Mix different apps to cover all skills. This helps you learn faster.

Is Coachers.org good for business Chinese?

Yes! Coachers.org offers business Chinese coaching. You can join group or private lessons. The teachers help you with real business topics like emails and meetings. You get feedback and support.

Do I need to pay for advanced Chinese lessons?

You can learn a lot for free. Some advanced lessons may cost money. Try free resources first. If you want more help, you can upgrade later. Many sites offer free trials or sample lessons.

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