Best apps to learn korean for free in 2026: 8 apps compared

Duolingo is the easiest free way to start Korean and keep going daily. Short lessons cover Hangul, vocabulary, reading, listening, and basic sentences, with game-like streaks and points that help many beginners build a habit. The Korean course now includes alphabet sessions and writing practice, so new learners are not left guessing at Hangul. Grammar depth is the limit. Duolingo teaches largely by pattern and repetition, with light explanations, so learners who want to understand verb endings and politeness levels will need a grammar supplement. The free version also includes ads, and some features are paid. Use Duolingo as your daily habit app, and pair it with LingoDeer or Talk To Me In Korean for grammar.

LingoDeer is our top free pick for learners who want to understand Korean, not just memorise phrases. Lessons include explicit grammar notes, clear explanations of sentence structure, verb conjugation, and politeness levels, with native audio throughout. Because the course was built with East Asian languages in mind, Hangul is taught early and sentence patterns are introduced in a logical order. Free access is limited to the alphabet section and early units, with the full course behind a paid plan, so treat the free tier as a strong foundation test. If the grammar style clicks, the paid course is a natural next step, but you can also continue free with Duolingo for practice and Talk To Me In Korean for grammar. For serious beginners, LingoDeer sets the grammar standard.

Memrise suits learners who want to build vocabulary fast and hear how words sound in real speech. Courses include video clips of native speakers, spaced repetition to aid memory, and a Hangul section for beginners, which helps pronunciation from the start. That video-led approach makes vocabulary feel less like a word list and more like listening practice. Grammar is not Memrise's strength, so it works best as a supplement to a structured course like LingoDeer or Duolingo, rather than as your only app. Paid features add more content and conversation practice, but the free tier gives enough vocabulary work to test the method. Use Memrise for daily word learning alongside a grammar course.

Drops is built for learners with only a few minutes a day. Each session uses images and quick matching games to teach vocabulary, including Hangul, in a visual style that suits learners who remember words better with pictures than with lists. The free tier gives a short daily session, which is enough to add a handful of words each day without feeling overwhelmed. The five-minute free limit is also the main drawback, since longer study needs a paid plan, and Drops does not teach grammar or sentence building in depth. Use it as a vocabulary supplement, for example after your main Duolingo or LingoDeer lesson, rather than as a complete Korean course on its own.

Talk To Me In Korean, often called TTMIK, is one of the longest-running Korean learning resources, with a level-by-level grammar curriculum, audio lessons, and written breakdowns. Free podcast and video lessons cover a wide range of grammar points, and graded stories help bridge the gap between beginner drills and native-speed speech. For learners who want textbook-grade grammar explained in a friendly, conversational style, TTMIK is hard to beat. The full course library, workbooks, and some app features are paid, so free users should start with the free lessons and podcast to test the teaching style. TTMIK works best as a second track alongside a daily app: use Duolingo or LingoDeer for daily practice, and TTMIK when you want a grammar point explained properly.

KoreanClass101 suits audio learners who want to hear natural Korean dialogue and learn through listening. Lessons are built around conversations, with vocabulary lists, lesson notes, and playback controls, so you can study on a commute or while doing other tasks. Free lessons and app access give a useful sample of the teaching style across beginner levels. The full library, including higher levels and advanced features, needs a subscription, and lesson style can vary by teacher and level. Use the free lessons to test whether audio-led learning suits you, and pair it with a grammar app if you need structured explanations. For listening practice, KoreanClass101 remains a strong free starting point.

Cake uses short video clips, often from dramas and everyday speech, to teach expressions you actually hear in Korean media. You can watch with subtitles, repeat lines, and practise speaking, which helps pronunciation and listening for real conversation. That media-led style suits K-drama fans who want to understand phrases they hear on screen. Cake is not a structured course, so it will not take you step by step through grammar or Hangul in the way LingoDeer does. Use it as a fun supplement for listening and speaking, alongside a main course, and check the app store listing for current free features. For everyday expressions and speaking confidence, Cake adds a useful, enjoyable layer.

Teuida focuses on speaking, with conversation scenarios, pronunciation practice, and feedback that helps beginners hear and correct their Korean sounds. That speaking focus fills a gap left by many vocabulary and grammar apps, where learners can read well but struggle to speak. Short, scenario-based lessons cover greetings, travel, shopping, and other everyday situations. Grammar and vocabulary depth are limited compared with LingoDeer or Memrise, and full content needs a subscription, so Teuida works best as a speaking supplement. Use it for a few minutes after your main lesson to practise saying phrases out loud, rather than as your only Korean app. For learners who want to speak early, Teuida is a practical free start.