Mandarin Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and learning it can open doors to new opportunities in business, travel, and cultural exchange. But with so many resources available, where should you start—especially if you're on a budget?

Good news! You don’t need to break the bank to learn Mandarin. There are plenty of high-quality, free resources that can help you build your skills from beginner to advanced. In this post, I’ll break down the best free apps, websites, and tools that can help you master Mandarin—without spending a dime.

📚 1. Best Free Apps for Learning Mandarin

1.1. Duolingo (Beginner-Friendly)

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps, and its Chinese course is a great starting point for beginners. It offers bite-sized lessons that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and basic sentence structure.

  • ✅ Gamified lessons with streaks and rewards
  • ✅ Audio clips to practice pronunciation
  • ✅ Covers basic vocabulary and phrases

Pro Tip: Use Duolingo’s daily practice as a warm-up before diving into more in-depth resources.

1.2. Skritter (Writing & Characters)

Skritter is an incredible tool for mastering Chinese characters and tones.

  • ✅ Practice writing Chinese characters with correct stroke order
  • ✅ Learn pinyin and tone marks
  • ✅ Spaced Repetition System (SRS) to help retain new vocabulary

Bonus: Vocabulator integrates directly with Skritter, allowing you to sync known words and focus on the ones you’re struggling with.

1.3. Memrise (Vocabulary Focused)

Memrise uses user-generated flashcards with videos of native speakers to help you learn new vocabulary in context.

  • ✅ Real-life videos to understand native pronunciation
  • ✅ Spaced repetition for better memorization
  • ✅ Fun quizzes and memory aids

🌐 2. Best Free Websites for Learning Mandarin

2.1. Chinese Boost

Chinese Boost offers comprehensive articles on Mandarin grammar, sentence structure, and cultural nuances. It’s perfect for self-learners who want to go beyond vocabulary and understand how the language works.

  • ✅ Detailed grammar guides
  • ✅ Example sentences with pinyin and translations
  • ✅ Study tips for efficient learning

2.2. Mandarin Bean

Mandarin Bean provides graded Chinese reading materials that are great for improving reading comprehension.

  • ✅ Articles categorized by HSK level
  • ✅ Includes pinyin and translations
  • ✅ Audio readings to practice listening skills

Tip: Copy and paste articles from Mandarin Bean into Vocabulator to identify and learn new vocabulary quickly.

2.3. YellowBridge

YellowBridge is an extensive online dictionary and learning tool for Mandarin learners.

  • ✅ Character etymology and stroke order animations
  • ✅ Idioms and common phrases
  • ✅ Flashcard generator for custom vocab lists

🎧 3. Best Free Mandarin Listening Resources

3.1. ChinesePod (Free Lessons)

ChinesePod offers thousands of audio lessons on a wide range of topics. While there’s a premium version, many beginner lessons are available for free.

  • ✅ Audio dialogues with native speakers
  • ✅ Accompanying transcripts for practice
  • ✅ Lessons categorized by skill level

3.2. ChineseClass101 (YouTube)

ChineseClass101 has a massive collection of free Mandarin lessons on YouTube, ranging from beginner dialogues to advanced grammar tips.

  • ✅ Video lessons with on-screen pinyin and translations
  • ✅ Listening comprehension exercises
  • ✅ Tips for improving pronunciation and fluency

3.3. Slow Chinese

Slow Chinese is a fantastic podcast where native speakers talk about Chinese culture and daily life—at a slower pace.

  • ✅ Perfect for intermediate learners improving listening comprehension
  • ✅ Free transcripts available for each episode
  • ✅ Discusses cultural topics, idioms, and slang

📝 4. Free Tools for Practicing Mandarin Writing

4.1. HanLexon

HanLexon is a great platform for practicing Mandarin writing. It allows you to type or draw characters and get instant feedback.

  • ✅ Practice writing with correct stroke order
  • ✅ Handwriting recognition feature
  • ✅ Vocabulary lists categorized by topic

4.2. Skritter

As mentioned earlier, Skritter excels in teaching proper stroke order and character formation. It’s one of the few tools that focuses specifically on the art of writing Chinese characters.

Pro Tip: Combine Skritter’s handwriting lessons with Vocabulator’s article analyzer to create a powerful study routine.

đŸ’Ŧ 5. Free Mandarin Speaking and Language Exchange Platforms

5.1. HelloTalk

HelloTalk connects language learners from around the world. It’s a social media app for language exchange, letting you chat with native Mandarin speakers.

  • ✅ Text, voice, and video chat options
  • ✅ Correct mistakes in each other’s messages
  • ✅ Community posts for broader language discussions

5.2. Tandem

Tandem is another popular language exchange platform where you can find Mandarin speakers willing to help you practice your conversational skills.

  • ✅ Language exchange with real people
  • ✅ Voice and video call features
  • ✅ In-app translation and correction tools

5.3. Speaky

Speaky is a lesser-known but equally effective language exchange app that pairs you with Mandarin speakers worldwide.

  • ✅ Easy-to-use interface for quick language swaps
  • ✅ Text, voice, and video chat
  • ✅ Active community of language learners

đŸŽ¯ Final Thoughts

Learning Mandarin doesn’t have to be expensive—or boring! With the right free tools and a bit of consistency, you can make serious progress. Whether you prefer apps, podcasts, videos, or community exchanges, there’s something out there for every learning style.

For the most effective study routine, combine different resources: use Vocabulator to analyze new articles, practice writing characters with Skritter, and improve your speaking skills through language exchange platforms like HelloTalk.

Ready to start? Head over to Vocabulator today, paste in your favorite Chinese text, and start mastering new vocabulary!

Happy studying! åŠ æ˛šīŧđŸ’Ē🎉