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HelloChinese alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave HelloChinese: content thins out past upper-beginner, and full course needs a subscription. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces HelloChinese, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Du Chinese currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Anki logoAnkiOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 557.2
  1. Anki logo

    1. AnkiTop pick

    Best for: Self-directed learners who want free, customisable spaced-repetition flashcards

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from HelloChinese

    Free flashcards for long-term character and vocabulary review.

    Pros

    • Free and open source on desktop and Android
    • Highly customisable cards and scheduling
    • Large library of shared decks and add-ons

    Cons

    • Dated interface and steep learning curve
    • Official iOS app is paid
    • You must build or choose decks yourself
    Visit Anki Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Anki a good HelloChinese alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Sync
    Free AnkiWeb sync
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop price
    Free on Windows, Mac and Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Android app
    AnkiDroid, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    iOS app
    AnkiMobile, paid, funds development
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Deck size
    Handles 100,000+ cards
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best HelloChinese alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Du

Best HelloChinese alternative for most people

Du Chinese

Graded reading with audio once you know the basics.

Anki logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for a free option

Anki

Free flashcards for long-term character and vocabulary review.

LingoDeer logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

LingoDeer

Grammar-focused course that also covers Chinese.

Anki logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for open source

Anki

Free flashcards for long-term character and vocabulary review.

Anki logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for Mac

Anki

Free flashcards for long-term character and vocabulary review.

Anki logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for Windows

Anki

Free flashcards for long-term character and vocabulary review.

Anki logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for Linux

Anki

Free flashcards for long-term character and vocabulary review.

Duolingo logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for iPhone and Android

Duolingo

Free gamified Chinese course.

italki logo

Best HelloChinese alternative for working in the browser

italki

Book a Mandarin tutor to practise tones in conversation.

HelloChinese alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to HelloChinese?

Du Chinese ranks first right now. Graded reading with audio once you know the basics. LingoDeer and Duolingo follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to HelloChinese?

Yes. Du Chinese (free plan + paid), LingoDeer (free plan + paid), Duolingo (free plan + paid) and Anki (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to HelloChinese?

Yes: Anki.

Which HelloChinese alternatives work on Linux?

Anki runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from HelloChinese?

The complaints we hear most: content thins out past upper-beginner; full course needs a subscription; mandarin only.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces HelloChinese, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.