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With Korean pop culture slowly but steadily taking the world by storm, it comes as no surprise that the Korean language is now one of the most popular Asian languages for non-native speakers.
Whether you’re looking to learn the Korean language for travel purposes, or you simply want to understand K-dramas and K-pop even without subtitles, you have plenty of Korean language learning apps at your disposal.
In this post, we’re discussing 19 apps to help you learn the Korean language, most of which are free to download.
Top picks
There’s no shortage of apps to learn Korean for different devices. It can be quite tricky to know which one to download when you’re faced with so many choices.
Here are the ones that helped me kickstart my learning journey and I think you’ll love them, too:
- Rocket Korean is awesome for beginners who want to build their vocabulary and learn the Korean alphabet or Hangul.
- Italki and Preply are perfect for learners in need of affordable online tutors and native speakers to converse with.
If you’re looking for Korean translator apps and Korean vocabulary apps, those are covered in separate articles. Now, it’s time to find out which app suits you best. 갑시다! That’s Hangul for let’s go!
Overall best apps to learn Korean for beginners
1. Mondly
Mondly currently supports over 40 languages, including Korean, which you can learn in any combination. For example, you can learn Korean through Vietnamese, Dutch through Arabic, Norwegian through Chinese, and so on.
What makes Mondly even more unique is its use of advanced technology like augmented reality (only available in some languages) and chatbots in teaching language.
You can learn Korean through Mondly’s short but frequent and highly motivating lessons. It’s a strong contender for introductory Korean but not quite the best resource if you’re looking to deep dive into Korean grammar.
Why you should try Mondly:
- Gamified, competitive, and innovative learning experience
- Also caters to intermediate to advanced learners looking to brush up on their Korean vocabulary
- Great companion app for those who are already learning Korean through other platforms
Pricing: The premium plan unlocks all content for $9.99/month or $47.99 per year. Find the latest promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Pimsleur
Try Pimsleur Korean absolutely FREE today
Pimsleur is a classic language program that’s been around for over five decades. Named after educator and linguist Paul Pimsleur, the Pimsleur Method is a scientifically proven set of principles highlighting how memory could be triggered to best implant a new language.
Pimsleur is one of the most popular Korean speaking apps. The Korean course includes core 30-minute audio lessons and bonus materials such as games, quizzes, and flashcards.
Using gradual repetition, learners hear new words at gradually increasing intervals, and at each time they would remember longer than the time before. While not necessarily great for learning Hangul, this one will get you speaking Korean with relative ease.
Why you should try Pimsleur:
- Strengthen your Korean listening and speaking skills
- Learn new vocabulary in conversational context
- Listen to Korean audio lessons even while doing chores
Pricing: Pimsleur subscription is $14.95/month for Audio-Only; $19.95/month for Premium (with Bonus Materials), or $20.95/month for All Access. Start your full access, 7-day free trial.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Rocket Languages
Learn Korean with Rocket Korean
Rocket Languages is an online language learning platform that uses audio lessons, interactive exercises, and readings to help users learn a new language quickly, correctly, and confidently.
In addition to greetings, basic words, and conventional phrases, it helps you understand more about the Korean language by placing a high value on literacy.
The app has 32 interactive audio lessons. You get 120 hours of lesson time, 2,074 phrases with voice recognition, and 27 writing lessons that show how to read and write using Hangul. Plus lessons on politeness level and honorific titles to avoid common cultural faux pas!
Why you should try Rocket Korean:
- High-quality audio materials and lots of speaking practice
- Gain a strong writing and reading foundation
- Culture lessons and practical vocabulary
Pricing: Introductory lessons in module 1 are free but the rest aren’t. Lifetime access to all materials starts at $27/month. Get discounted rates here.
Devices: iOS and Android
4. Teuida
Fancy learning Korean with Nancy of Momoland? Then Teiuda is for you!
Teuida is a Korean language learning app that helps you to learn Korean by actually speaking it. The app simulates real-life conversations, some with K-pop star Nancy, that will get you speaking Korean right away.
It’s one of the most unique apps to learn Korean and probably one of the best free options for those who want more speaking practice.
Why you should try Teuida:
- An interactive and fun way of learning Korean. The simulations are really engaging.
- Perfect for beginners who want to speak Korean confidently
- Learn real-life expressions from locals
Pricing: Introductory chapters for free. Premium plans, which start from $9.99/month, include ad-free access and more conversation practice.
Devices: iOS and Android
5. Ling App
Ling believes that learning should be fun and not boring. You can clearly see this in the way this app is designed.
One of the most immersive apps to learn Korean, Ling teaches the language through engaging mini-games, quizzes, and smart chatbots that get you talking almost right away. Learning new Korean words feels just like a game!
While learning through Ling Korean is fun, the content is not dumbed down. Aside from the practical vocabulary and conversational practice, the app also offers extensive grammar tips. This one’s a well-rounded learning tool for beginners and intermediate learners.
Why you should try Ling App:
- Interactive games, quizzes, and challenges to learn Korean
- Learn in just 10 minutes per day
- User-friendly interface
- Chatbots offer lots of speaking practice
Pricing: Some content for free. Unlock all lessons and features with a premium plan, starting at $14.99/month. Check the latest offers here.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to learn Korean vocabulary
6. Rosetta Stone
Learn Korean with Rosetta Stone
If you’ve been learning languages for quite some time, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve encountered Rosetta Stone. Not surprising, given that it’s been in the market for over 25 years.
Like Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone teaches Korean in the context of conversations, through an approach called Dynamic Immersion. Basically, you’ll build real-life Korean vocabulary in 10-minute, bite-sized lessons rich with audio and visual cues.
This app isn’t the best for those who want in-depth grammar lessons or advanced vocabulary. But it’s an awesome resource for beginners and learners who want to get as much conversation practice as possible.
Why you should try Rosetta Stone:
- Established language course that deals with the essentials
- Learn Korean words and phrases in context
- Develop confidence in speaking and listening
Pricing: Starts at $7.99/month. Sign up now for the latest Rosetta Stone Korean promo.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Memrise
Another popular Korean language app is Memrise, with more than 50 million users in 189 countries. It’s among the best Korean flashcards apps and uses images, videos, and audio clips as memory aids for an effective way of learning Korean.
Memrise incorporates rich, real-life expressions in its seven-course levels. It contains thousands of video clips of native speakers speaking in their native language. As a result, you hear the local pronunciation and accents.
Words and sentence examples are also practical and applicable in real-life situations. One of the best apps to learn Korean for students who prefer contextualized learning.
Why you should try Memrise:
- Learn by listening to naturally-voiced audio and video clips of real locals
- Supplementary lessons for those learning through other avenues
- Build confidence in speaking
- Get acquainted with native accents and Korean culture
Pricing: Free with limited content. For full access, sign up for Memrise Pro for as low as $5/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
8. Lingopie
Ask polyglots what the best language learning method is, and many of them will answer, ‘immersion’. For many Korean learners like myself, exposure to the language (and being forced to use it) is what drives improvement.
But not everyone can just pack and go to Korea (how I wish!) so we look for the next best thing: consuming Korean content. Lingopie helps with that… and more!
You can choose from Lingopie’s collection of Korean TV shows and movies. While these videos provide entertainment, they’re meant for active learning as you can click on the subtitles and learn the words’ meaning and pronunciation. You can even practice by recording yourself and the app will cross-check your pronunciation.
Why you should try Lingopie:
- Diverse collection of Korean TV shows and movies to learn from
- Learn by hearing native accents and authentic vocabulary
- Follow along transcripts and grow your vocabulary
Pricing: You can save by subscribing to the yearly plan, which costs $5.99/month. Or try it for free!
Devices: iOS and Android
9. Promova
Promova is especially helpful if you’re looking for an app that focuses on building vocabulary. It boasts interactive lessons and fun quizzes, helping you retain new words and phrases more easily. The app emphasizes bite-sized learning, allowing you to fit in short practice sessions throughout the day.
One of the key advantages of Promova is its focus on practical vocabulary. The app recognizes that fluency doesn’t require memorizing every word in the dictionary. Instead, Promova prioritizes the most commonly used words and phrases in everyday Korean conversations. This is great if you want to be able to communicate effectively as soon as possible!
Why you should try Promova:
- Bite-sized and engaging lessons
- Focus on practical vocabulary building
- Comes with pronunciation sound bites
Pricing: Starts from $49.99 for three months. You can get huge discounts here.
Devices: iOS and Android
10. Drops
One of the most addictive apps out there, Drops is a Korean flashcards app that teaches the language in a gamified way. This beautiful app offers bite-sized lessons and is one of the best apps for building Korean vocabulary and phrase learning.
It does help that this Korean language app has a great design and is pleasing to the eye. Using a visual language learning method, you will drag and drop words to their matching icons, or vice versa.
Learning Korean from Drops takes as short as five minutes a day. This is really short when you consider how addicting the app can be. At some point, however, you’ll want to explore other resources to make up for the lack of Hangul writing/reading lessons.
Why you should try Drops:
- A fun, gamified environment
- No need to commit to long hours of studying Korean
- Perfect for visual learners and those who enjoy learning through memory association
- Great mental workout for casual learners
Pricing: Free but limited to five minutes of gameplay. You can extend the time limit for as low as $5/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
11. Duolingo
With over 300 million users across the world and more than 90 courses in 38 languages, Duolingo is hands down the largest online language learning platform today. It’s also one of the most popular apps to learn Korean.
Duolingo features game-like lessons, with fun and interactive exercises that encourage you to keep leveling up. It immerses you in repetitive information for longer recall and then quizzes you right away.
Casual learners can learn Korean for just five minutes per day, but if you want to learn faster, you can set your goal to 20 minutes a day. And if you finish consecutive lessons with no mistakes, you can choose to skip the next lessons and level up faster.
Why you should try Duolingo:
- Learn in a gamified way
- Build your Korean vocabulary in as short as five minutes daily
- Refresh existing Korean knowledge
Pricing: The basic service is free. Duolingo Plus is ad-free, gives you offline access, and lets you make unlimited mistakes for $6.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
12. Innovative Language 101 (KoreanClass101.com)
Learn Korean with KoreanClass101
Innovative Language 101 is the app version of KoreanClass101.com, a reputable source for Korean language learners.
With over a billion lesson downloads since 2005, Innovative Language 101 has a wealth of new and archived audio and video lessons covering absolute beginners to advanced levels, making it one of the best apps to learn Korean.
The thing I like most about this app is the abundance of course materials. Innovative Language 101 keeps on churning out new lessons so you will never run out of stuff to learn.
Why you should try Innovative Language 101:
- Learn useful, conversational Korean
- Listen to audio lessons from native speakers
- Basic grammar tips
Pricing: The first three lessons are free, as well as the new lessons released every week. Paid plans start from $8/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to learn Korean alphabet
13. LingoDeer
Another Korean flashcards app, LingoDeer is one the best apps to learn the Korean alphabet. LingoDeer’s slogan is “learn languages smarter, not harder” and this is evident in its design.
The lessons start with Hangul and then proceed with pronunciation and extensive grammar explanations. This makes it a great Korean language app for beginners who wish to build a strong foundation.
Lessons come in 3 levels, starting from Korean 1 to fluent Korean. A travel phrasebook is also available. All levels include a comprehensive introduction to the Korean alphabet.
Why you should try LingoDeer:
- Understand the rules of Korean alphabet and grammar. No guesswork here.
- Improve listening and speaking skills through audio lessons recorded by native speakers
- A variety of exercises that cover different skills
Pricing: Introductory lessons are free. Unlock all 200+ lessons, download and learn offline, and learn on any device for as low as $11.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
14. Seemile
Seemile has been churning out Korean lessons in video format on YouTube since 2010. The lessons range from beginner level to advance – starting out with animated videos on how to learn the Korean alphabet, reading and writing Korean, and carrying out conversations like a local.
Learners can eventually move on to more advanced lessons that can help those who plan on taking TOPIK (Korean proficiency test).
The lessons are available not just in English but also in Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. All of the good stuff from Seemile’s YouTube channel is right here on its app of the same name, but in a more fun and handy presentation. This makes Seemile one of the best apps to learn Korean.
Why you should try Seemile:
- Exhaustive lessons on Hangul
- Retain more information through memory association technique
- Learn Korean through stories and dialogues
Pricing: Free with some in-app purchases
Devices: iOS and Android
Best Korean learning apps for advanced learners
15. FluentU
FluentU is a content curation platform as much as it is a language learning app, bringing language learning with real-world, pre-existing videos.
These videos, painstakingly transcribed and translated, are entertaining, timely, and diverse. You can learn through movie trailers, music videos, news content, and even inspiring speeches.
It’s a highly immersive platform that currently offers 10 languages, including Korean. The only downside is that there’s not enough writing and speaking practice.
Why you should try FluentU:
- Widen vocabulary through a diverse collection of videos
- An entertaining way to learn Korean
- Ideal for learners who already know a bit of Korean
Pricing: Free for 14 days. Choose between monthly ($30) or annual billing ($240) after the 14-day trial.
Devices: iOS and Android
16. Glossika
Glossika focuses on spaced repetition, presenting you with natural Korean sentences and having you shadow the recordings. This practice reinforces memorization, pronunciation, and fluency.
Glossika offers a variety of starting points, so you can take a placement test or begin with the basics. The program gradually increases the difficulty as you progress, keeping you motivated and challenged.
While Glossika focuses on listening and speaking, it can be a strong foundation for other language skills. The natural sentences you learn will expose you to Korean grammar in context. Additionally, Glossika offers written versions of the sentences, so you can pick up some reading comprehension along the way.
Why you should try Glossika:
- Natural acquisition of Korean speaking skills and grammar
- Tons of full Korean sentences to boost your vocabulary
- Improves listening and speaking skills
Pricing: A Glossika subscription starts from $16.99/month. But you can try it for free first! If you’d like to support Learn Languages From Home, make sure to complete your purchase through the Glossika website (not the mobile app). You can sign up and use whatever platform you want, but if you make the purchase using the website, I make a small commission. Thanks!
Devices: iOS and Android
17. Naver Korean Dictionary
Learn Korean with Naver Korean Dictionary
It’s impossible to meet a Korean who doesn’t use Naver, the Korean version of Google. Naver Korean Dictionary is the Koreans’ favorite online Korean dictionary. But to call it a dictionary is a misnomer.
The app is a hub for many things including a dictionary for Korean to English and English to Korean, a translation tool (Papago), a text recognition tool, and a search engine. Above all, it’s a great Korean language learning app.
Why you should try Naver Korean Dictionary:
- Expand your Korean vocabulary
- A great reference tool and all-in-one Korean survival kit
- Ideal for learners with prior knowledge
Pricing: Free!
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to learn Korean from online tutors and native speakers
18. Italki
Learning Korean isn’t just about grammar, spelling, or vocabulary. Most language learners would say that what makes them feel fluent in any language is when they’re able to hold a decent conversation with a native speaker.
Strengthening one’s conversational skills is what makes Italki one of the best apps to learn Korean.
Simply put, Italki is a language learning app that adds a human element to the experience through human-taught one-on-one lessons done on video call, usually Skype or via Italki’s Classroom.
Italki connects 5 million language learners with over 10,000 professional and community teachers who can help you be more confident in speaking. But even beginners who want to learn how to write the Korean alphabet first can still get their writing checked and corrected.
Why you should try Italki:
- One-on-one coaching from trained Korean tutors
- Comprehensive tutor profiles
- Flexible pricing and scheduling of lessons
Pricing: Teachers set the rates. On average, Korean lessons cost $15/hour. Try it now.
Devices: iOS and Android
19. Preply
Similar to Italki, Preply is an online platform that connects students to language tutors around the world. What makes Preply different is that it can connect you to tutors who teach subjects on any topic, not just languages.
Feel like dipping your toes in first? You can use the free trial before signing up for regular classes. You can easily find a Korean teacher by sifting through tutor profiles.
Why you should try Preply:
- Coaching from native speakers
- Competitive pricing
- Large databse of Korean tutors
Pricing: Costs depend on the rates set by the tutor. You can get discounts too!
Devices: iOS and Android
20. Tandem
Have you ever tried studying Korean and wondered, am I writing or saying this word right? You’ve most likely wished you had someone, preferably a native speaker, who can check your work and strike up a conversation with you as practice.
That’s exactly what Tandem does and it’s one of the best apps to learn Korean if you want to talk to real people.
Tandem is a language exchange app that lets you master any language by actually chatting with real people. It has intuitive messaging features and language tools for language learning. There are lots of active language learners from all over the world so there’s no shortage of language partners.
It’s a highly social and collaborative space where you can meet people who share the same joys and struggles of language learning. You can also purchase lessons with Korean language tutors.
Why you should try Tandem:
- Challenges you to learn new words to keep the conversation going
- Learn Korean while meeting new people and learning about new cultures
- A great boost to your journey if you’re already using other apps or resources
Pricing: Free. Tandem Pro starts at $6.66/month and gives you unlimited translations, an ad-free experience, and lets you find language partners in the same city.
Devices: iOS and Android
21. Eggbun
Eggbun promises a fun way to learn Korean. And it’s pretty much able to achieve that. The app itself looks fun, with its beautifully designed interface and Lanny, the cute egg-looking chatbot and mascot who acts as your Korean language tutor.
The app has over 1,000 lessons encompassing beginner to advanced levels. Learn about Hangul, greeting expressions, how to introduce yourself, Korean expressions in everyday life, and even learn business Korean. It’s one of the best apps to learn Korean if you’re looking for an interactive and fun experience.
A feature that isn’t readily visible is the Eggbun School, an 8-week class that connects you to a Korean coach that you can converse with as well as classmates whom you can engage with on a KakaoTalk chat room.
Why you should try Eggbun:
- Strengthen your Korean alphabet writing and reading skills
- Read and write Korean in a fun and interactive setting
- Learn about Korean culture through the informative Culture Notes section
Pricing: Free with limited features. Eggbun Premium unlocks all content for $4/month while Eggbun School Premium costs $179.
Devices: iOS and Android
Top tips for learning Korean
Learning a new language can be daunting but it can also be fun. Now that you have a list of handy Korean language learning apps, here are some tips and tricks to help you be successful:
Learn the Korean alphabet first
I cannot stress this enough. It’s nice to be able to say a few Korean phrases here and there but your romanized “kamsahamnida” and “saranghaeyo” can only get you so far.
Learning Hangeul is fairly easy if you have the correct teaching material and/or instructor. Being able to read and write in Hangul will help you learn the language faster. Apps like Rocket Languages and Lingodeer have comprehensive Hangeul lessons.
Listen to K-pop and watch K-dramas
This is the easiest way of immersing yourself in the Korean language if you’re not in Korea. This will help train your ears and over time, you will learn to recognize words and phrases. You might not understand the words right away but it’s good listening practice and help you improve pronunciation.
Take it further by listening to Korean-only podcasts or watching TV shows without subtitles. If you’re not that confident just yet, you can watch K-dramas and K-films on Lingopie first.
Invest in resources like Korean books and paid tutors or courses.
Investing in tutors such as those on Italki is well worth your money because it gives you the kind of coaching and correction that you won’t get from isolated learning. Furthermore, textbooks, albeit traditional, are helpful in studying grammar rules. The same goes for online Korean courses.
Get a comprehensive list of resources in our article on the best books, websites, podcasts, YouTube channels, and more to learn Korean!
Don’t forget jeondemal (polite and formal language)
Korea is big on politeness levels and hierarchies. You may think you’re fluent when you can string words together but you will not impress locals with your banmal (informal speech).
There’s a reason why -nida and -yo exist in most Korean sentences and it’s important to learn this if you plan to talk to locals.
Practice makes perfect
Okay, maybe not perfect. Even expats living in Korea for quite some time can still fumble with the language. But with consistent studying, exposing yourself to the language on a daily basis, and lots of determination, you can be as fluent as you’d like to be.
What are you waiting for? Take your pick from these apps to learn Korean, download, and start learning! 파이팅!
i love the apps and the tips
thanks alot