Best Apps and Tools to Learn Chinese in 2025 (With Local Learning Support in Jakarta!)

April 17, 2025 Learning Chinese

Learning Chinese (Mandarin) is one of the most rewarding goals you can set for yourself in 2025 — whether for personal growth, cultural connection, academic advantage, or business success. With China playing an increasingly influential global role, Mandarin is fast becoming a “must-have” skill.

But let’s be honest — Chinese can also feel intimidating. The tones, characters, and grammar are quite different from English or Bahasa Indonesia. Thankfully, we live in a time where you can learn Mandarin from anywhere with just your phone, and even better when combined with in-person support from expert teachers in Jakarta.

In this article, we’ll share the best apps and tools to learn Chinese in 2025, along with a practical tip: combine these with structured, face-to-face learning at places like Jakarta Chinese school iWorld Learning, especially for adult Chinese learners and kids/teens aged 3–18.

📱 Best Apps to Learn Chinese in 2025

1. Duolingo (Beginner-Friendly Gamification)

Best for: Beginners, casual learners, young learners

Pros: Free, fun interface, game-style learning, daily streaks

Cons: Limited depth, weak in pronunciation/grammar explanations

Duolingo is the go-to for many beginners. It’s engaging, and helps build a consistent daily routine. However, the vocabulary can be random, and pronunciation practice is not accurate enough for serious learners.

✅ Pair with: Jakarta kids & teens Chinese classes at iWorld Learning — young learners can build daily vocabulary at home, and use what they learn during interactive classes with native-speaking teachers.

2. Pleco (The Ultimate Chinese Dictionary App)

Best for: All levels

Pros: Offline access, handwriting recognition, stroke order diagrams, flashcards

Cons: Doesn’t teach — it’s a tool, not a course

Pleco is a must-have for anyone learning Mandarin seriously. You can use it to look up characters by typing, handwriting, voice, or even scanning them. You’ll see definitions, tone marks, usage examples, and even stroke order animations.

✅ Perfect for adult learners in Jakarta, especially when attending structured lessons like Jakarta adult Chinese classes at iWorld Learning, where students can quickly check words and build their personal vocabulary lists.

3. HelloChinese (Comprehensive & Interactive)

Best for: Beginners to intermediate learners

Pros: Speech recognition, grammar tips, writing practice, cultural insights

Cons: Free version limited; advanced content behind paywall

Think of HelloChinese as Duolingo’s smarter cousin — designed specifically for Mandarin learners. It covers speaking, listening, and reading with clear grammar notes and proper tone feedback.

✅ Best used together with in-person feedback. At iWorld Learning’s Jakarta Chinese school, teachers can correct your tone and sentence structure in ways no app can replace.

4. Anki + HSK Flashcards (Customizable Memory System)

Best for: Learners preparing for HSK exams or studying systematically

Pros: Space repetition system (SRS) ensures you retain what you learn

Cons: Not very user-friendly without setup; no audio for some decks

Anki is a powerful memorization tool that works across devices. When used with HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) decks, it helps students master vocabulary from level 1 to 6.

✅ At iWorld Learning Jakarta, our Chinese classes often incorporate HSK standards — so Anki is a perfect supplement to reinforce words and characters learned in class.

5. Skritter (Master Chinese Writing & Tones)

Best for: Visual learners, writing-focused students

Pros: Focus on stroke order, tone drills, character recognition

Cons: Paid-only app; not for total beginners

Skritter is one of the best apps for mastering Chinese character writing. It breaks each character into strokes, lets you practice on-screen, and reinforces tone recognition. It’s ideal for students who want to read and write fluently.

✅ Especially useful for older kids (ages 10–18) and adults enrolled in Jakarta Chinese school iWorld Learning, where writing is a key part of the curriculum.

6. Tandem or HelloTalk (Language Exchange)

Best for: Practicing real conversations

Pros: Chat with native Mandarin speakers around the world

Cons: No structured curriculum, limited corrections

These social language apps allow you to chat or voice call with native speakers. It’s great for cultural immersion and real-world vocabulary. However, it works best when you already have a basic level of Chinese.

✅ Pair with speaking practice at iWorld Learning’s adult Mandarin classes in Jakarta — our teachers can help you build correct sentences before you use them with real people online.

🧠 Pro Tip: Don’t Rely on Apps Alone

Apps are great, but real progress happens when you also:

Speak with a real teacher who can correct your pronunciation
Ask questions and get clear explanations
Get consistent motivation and accountability
Practice reading, listening, and writing in context

That’s why iWorld Learning in Jakarta offers the perfect support system to complement online learning tools.

🇮🇩 Learn Chinese in Jakarta — With iWorld Learning

Whether you’re an adult looking to improve your Mandarin for work or a parent who wants your child to start young, iWorld Learning has you covered.

👨‍🏫 For Adults – Jakarta Adult Chinese Classes

Our adult programs are perfect for:

Professionals working with Chinese clients or colleagues
Adults preparing for HSK certification
Expats or Indonesians who want to travel, study, or do business in China

💼 Program highlights:

Native or bilingual teachers
Small group or 1-on-1 lessons
HSK-aligned curriculum
Focus on speaking, listening, reading & writing
Flexible schedules (morning, afternoon, evenings & weekends)

🧒 For Kids & Teens – Jakarta Kids & Teens Chinese (Ages 3–18)

We believe kids learn best when they’re engaged and having fun. Our classes are designed by age group and level:

🎓 Ages 3–6: Learn Chinese through songs, games, and storytelling

🎓 Ages 7–12: Build vocabulary, sentence structure, and confidence

🎓 Ages 13–18: Focus on reading, writing, speaking, and HSK prepOur teachers use a combination of interactive teaching, real-life scenarios, and cultural immersion to help your child fall in love with Mandarin.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why parents choose us: