11 Best Apps to Learn Korean Quickly at Home
Chad Emery Published on August 3, 2021 
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Looking for apps to learn Korean? It seems like apps for learning Korean are popping up all over the place (maybe because it’s one of the most spoken languages). And with this increased competition, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best apps to learn Korean.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Apps to Learn Korean
- Best Overall: Rocket Languages
- Best Korean App to Improve Pronunciation: Pimsleur
- Best Korean App for Listening: KoreanClass101
- Best App to Find Korean Tutors: italki
- Best App to Practice Reading Korean: LingQ
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best apps available today. The apps on this list will show you how to learn Korean, whether they focus on grammar and vocab or communication. They all have their own strengths, so try a few of them out to see which one is best for your needs.
What Are The Best Apps To Learn Korean?
This table shows the best apps to learn Korean based on what skills they teach or how they teach you the language. Using one or a combination of these apps can help you quickly improve your Korean, even if you’re a complete beginner!
Here are the 11 best apps to learn Korean.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Rocket Languages
| Try for Free → |
Best Korean App to Improve Pronunciation  | Pimsleur
| Try for Free → |
Best Korean App for Listening  | KoreanClass101
| Try for Free → |
Best App to Find Korean Tutors  | italki
| Try Now → |
Best App to Practice Reading Korean  | LingQ
| Try for Free → |
Best App to Learn Korean Vocabulary  | Drops
| Try for Free → |
Best Beginner Korean App  | Lingodeer
| Try for Free → |
Best TOPIK Test Prep App  | TOPIK ONE
| Try for Free → |
Best App to Learn Korean with Flashcards  | Memrise
| Try for Free → |
Best App to Learn Korean Grammar  | Talk To Me In Korean
| Try for Free → |
Best Free Korean Learning App  | Viki
| Try for Free → |
Rocket Languages
Best Overall App to Learn Korean
The Rocket Languages Korean course is the best overall app to learn Korean because of the quality of its lessons. It will help you go from complete beginner to having decent conversations in Korean.
The activities are interactive and focus on communication instead of memorizing and regurgitating words and phrases. The course covers everything from learning the Korean alphabet to pronunciation.
Try Rocket Korean for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Rocket Korean review.
Key Features
- Start communicating in Korean from the very first lesson
- Flexible structure lets you choose your lessons
- Includes extensive writing practice to help you learn the alphabet quickly
- Activities are engaging and cover useful topics
Pricing
Unlike most other apps, you pay for the Rocket Korean course upfront instead of paying a monthly subscription. The course costs $149.95, and you also have the option to pay $27.00 per month for 6 months. Rocket Languages also offers a free trial so you can test it out before buying.
Try Rocket Korean for free to start communicating in Korean today.
Pimsleur
Best Korean App to Improve Pronunciation
Pimsleur is an app that focuses on improving your speaking and listening skills. The lessons are all audio, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you start having conversations in Korean.
Because the lessons are audio, you can take them anywhere. There’s even a driving mode so you can take them in your car. The course follows a logical order that helps you progress quickly and efficiently.
Try Pimsleur for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Pimsleur review.
Key Features
- Audio lessons improve your speaking and listening skills faster than other apps
- High-quality audio uses native speakers to help your comprehension
- Take lessons anywhere you want
- Learn to navigate situations you’ll encounter in everyday life
Pricing
There is a free 7-day trial that gives you access to all of Pimsleur’s features. If you enjoy it, a Pimsleur subscription costs between $14.99 and $20.99 per month. There is also a fixed-price option that costs $150.00 per level. The full course has three levels and costs $350.00.
Try a free trial of Pimsleur to start having conversations in Korean.
KoreanClass101
Best Korean App for Listening
KoreanClass101 is a one-stop shop to improve your Korean skills, especially listening. It offers audio lessons for Korean learners of all levels, as well as a lot of additional learning tools. These include word lists, flashcards, an audio dictionary, and even personalized help from a private Korean tutor.
You can choose which lessons you want to complete, and there are thousands to choose from. They’re all short and focus on specific topics. KoreanClass101 regularly adds new lessons, so you’ll always have something new to learn.
Try KoreanClass101 for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this KoreanClass101 review.
Key Features
- Thousands of lessons to choose from
- High quality audio recorded by native speakers
- Additional learning tools enhance your studying
- You can choose to have a private tutor help you
Pricing
The KoreanClass101 app comes with a free 7-day trial, so you can explore all of its features. If you enjoy it, there are three subscription levels you can choose from. The Basic subscription costs between $4.00 and $8.00 per month, the Premium costs between $10.00 and $25.00 per month, and Premium Plus costs between $22.83 and $47.00 per month.
The Basic plan includes access to all lessons, while the Premium level gives you additional features like line-by-line dialogues and custom word lists. The main selling point for Premium Plus is 1-on-1 access to Korean teachers and a personalized learning program.
Sign up for a free KoreanClass101 account to access thousands of lessons.
italki
Best App to Find Korean Tutors
italki helps you find a dedicated tutor in Korean for 1-on-1 online lessons to improve your speaking as quickly as possible. You can connect with your Korean tutor whenever and as often as you want to practice.
You can study or practice whatever you want in your lessons or you can choose to follow a more formal course with a tutor. Either way, you’re in complete control of what you learn. Practicing with a tutor is the best way to improve your speaking and listening skills, and you’ll sound more like a native speaker after just a few lessons.
Try italki for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this italki review.
Key Features
- Search and filter hundreds of Korean tutors to find your perfect match
- Study whatever you want whenever you want
- All tutors are verified and interviewed by italki
- The platform is safe and secure to use
Pricing
Italki lets tutors set their own prices for lessons, so you can always find someone in your price range. Korean lessons range anywhere from $5.00 per hour to over $40.00 per hour. Most tutors also offer a trial lesson with a 50% discount, so try a few different tutors to see who can help you the most.
Try italki to find the perfect online Korean tutor.
LingQ
Best App to Practice Reading Korean
LingQ is the best Korean language app for reading because it gives you an option to import your own content and transform it into interactive language lessons. You can use songs, books, and YouTube videos to create lessons, as long as they have a written transcript. LingQ also has a handy database where you can save new words and phrases.
More than 8 million Korean translations are available in the LingQ Dictionary. In LingQ lessons, you read the transcript for each piece of content (video, audio, or book) in real-time. LingQ stands out among other Korean reading apps because it also shows you examples of that word in other contexts.
Try LingQ for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this LingQ review.
Key Features
- Import any Korean content and automatically create your own lessons
- Learn words in different contexts with a simple click
- Easily practice and review new words with flashcards
- Follow along in real-time with transcripts
Pricing
LingQ offers both free and paid subscriptions. In the free LingQ subscription, you can access 5 lessons and look up 20 vocabulary words. The Premium subscription costs between $8.99 and $14.99 per month. There is also a Premium Plus plan, which costs between $35.99 and $41.99 per month.
Apart from everything you get with the Premium plan, Premium Plus also includes 3,000 LingQ points you can use to have your writing corrected, schedule live tutoring sessions, and access additional lessons.
Try LingQ for free to start reading Korean in no time.
Drops
Best App to Learn Korean Vocabulary
Drops Korean focuses on Korean vocabulary and phrase learning. It offers a sleek and user-friendly experience with quizzes, games, and vocabulary-building tools.
Each word or phrase comes with an animation to help you remember it, and Drops uses spaced repetition to help you review everything you learn. In just a few minutes every day, you’ll be surprised how quickly your Korean vocabulary grows.
Try Drops for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Drops review.
Key Features
- Contains thousands of useful words and phrases
- Unique animations and interactive games help you remember new vocab
- Spaced repetition technology to review words and phrases at the perfect time
- Simple to use and very well-designed
Pricing
There are three payment plans: monthly ($13.00), one-year ($69.99), and lifetime ($159.99). There is also a free version that lets you study for five minutes per day. If you want to try all of the features Drops offers, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial.
Sign up for a free Drops account to start building your Korean vocabulary today.
Lingodeer
Best Beginner Korean App
Lingodeer is the perfect app for beginners who want to learn Korean. Through interactive lessons, you’ll learn the language in a logical and easy-to-follow order.
All audio is voiced by native Korean speakers, and Lingodeer also has in-depth grammar explanations that break down the most difficult topics. The lessons build on what you’ve already learned, which helps you remember everything long-term.
Try Lingodeer for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Lingodeer review.
Key Features
- Course is easy to follow and lessons are interactive and engaging
- Grammar explanations are clear and concise
- Lessons are the perfect length
- Audio is from native speakers to improve your comprehension
Pricing
You can try the alphabet lesson, flashcards, test outs, the first unit, and reviews in Lingodeer for free. To access the full course and additional features, you can get a paid subscription. The LingoDeer subscription prices are $14.99 per month, $39.99 for 3 months, and $79.99 for a year. There’s also a lifetime option for $159.99.
Start learning Korean the right way with a free Lingodeer account.
TOPIK ONE
Best TOPIK Test Prep App
The TOPIK test is a Korean proficiency test. The TOPIK ONE app has sections on writing, reading, vocabulary, grammar, and listening. The test items are well-structured, and they help you identify areas you need to practice more.
Each TOPIK test practice section contains test items with audio files. Upon answering a question, you get right/wrong feedback immediately. The app is practically a version of the TOPIK test online.
Key Features
- Prepare for every aspect of the TOPIK exam
- Identify your weaknesses and practice them more
- Immediate feedback helps you study efficiently
Pricing
The TOPIK app is completely free to use. It is ad-supported, so ads may interrupt your learning every once in a while.
Get TOPIK ONE to pass your exam with flying colors.
Memrise
Best App to Learn Korean with Flashcards
Memrise is a well-known language app that focuses on teaching Korean with flashcards. Once you choose your level, Memrise introduces you to hundreds of scenarios you can explore to learn related words and phrases.
The app also has other features to practice what you learned, like a video library and a chatbot. You can use the chatbot to practice having a written or spoken conversation in any spoken scenario. Or, if you want to test your listening skills, Memrise helps you find videos that include the words and phrases in your lessons.
Try Memrise for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Memrise review.
Key Features
- Increase your vocabulary quickly with high-quality flashcards
- Learn the correct pronunciation with video and audio created by native speakers
- Practice having a conversation with a chatbot
- Flexible way to study for short amounts of time
Pricing
Memrise offers a lot of its Korean course for free. But, if you want an unlimited experience, you need to pay for the Pro subscription. This costs $59.99 per month but gets cheaper if you purchase a longer subscription.
Try Memrise for free to practice Korean with flashcards.
Talk To Me In Korean
Best App to Learn Korean Grammar
Its name will have you believe it centers on speaking skills, but Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) is actually the best app to learn Korean grammar. If you’re just beginning, the lessons will build your knowledge of rules, phrases, and vocabulary. There is an introduction to Hangul with keyboard practice, comprehension quizzes, sample dialogue videos, and downloadable lesson notes.
There are 10 courses in the main grammar course, which include about 30 lessons. Each lesson is short, so you can study as much (or as little) as you want.
Key Features
- Learn Korean grammar in an easy-to-follow and manageable format
- Plenty of lists, videos, and quizzes to help you remember what you learned
- The lessons are short so you don’t get overwhelmed
Pricing
There are a few ways you can purchase Talk To Me In Korean. TTMIK books cost between $12.00 and $38.00 each. The video and audio courses range from $5.00 to $25.00. The app itself, which is the most useful option, costs $12.99 per month or $93.00 per year.
Try TTMIK to learn Korean grammar in a fast and easy way.
Viki
Best Free Korean Learning App
If you love Korean shows and movies (like most people who learn the language), you need to try Viki. The free Korean learning app helps you understand content by providing definitions and translations. You can also hear audio of specific words.
Over time, you’ll improve your comprehension skills and vocabulary with Viki.
Key Features
- Learn the language with native Korean content
- Immerse yourself in Korean culture while studying
- Watch hours of content for free
Pricing
There is a free version that is ad-supported and a premium version that costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
Learn Korean with K-Dramas on Viki.
Why You Should Use Apps To Learn Korean
Using an app to learn Korean can make your learning experience more positive. You won’t waste time studying boring content or trying to memorize useless information. Korean learning apps are designed to help you learn the language in a fun and engaging way.
Each app has its own strengths. If you’re having trouble with speaking and pronunciation, you can use an app like Pimsleur or italki to focus on these skills. If you need help with grammar, try Talk To Me In Korean. To learn a lot of new words and phrases, an app like Drops has you covered.
How To Use Apps To Learn Korean
Using a language is app is one of the best ways to learn Korean, but first, you have to find the right one for you. Hopefully this list can guide you. Once you’ve found a few apps that look interesting, you can use the free trials to see which one you like and best fits your learning goals. Next, you can create a study routine. Most apps recommend studying every day, even if it’s just for a short amount of time. Consistency is the most important aspect of language learning. You can also use an app in addition to other language learning resources like a Korean book or online course.
Best Apps To Learn Korean: Final Thoughts
Learning Korean is hard, but apps are making it easier. They all have their own strengths, so try a few out to see which one is best for your needs. If you want to learn the language fluently, using one (or more) of the apps on this list will give you a well-rounded understanding of Korean.
You may find it helpful to have some of these apps on hand so you can practice whenever you get a chance – whether it be waiting in line at the store or even while watching TV.
The apps featured here are all high quality and will let you jump into learning the beautiful Korean language. We hope this article has been useful in helping you figure out how to start learning Korean today!
Best Apps To Learn Korean: FAQ
It’s possible to become conversational in Korean within one year, as long as you study consistently. The time it will take to learn Korean depends on how much time and effort you can devote to it though, as well as your attitude, your native language, and your teacher – if you choose to work with one. A good teacher will focus on your unique learning needs and provide the right guidance so you can learn as quickly as possible.
To see how long it will take you to learn Korean, check out this fluency calculator.
Even if English is the only language you speak, you’ll find Korean fluency perfectly achievable even if you’re working on your own. Begin by choosing an app that best suits your skill level, interests, and learning style.
The best app to learn Korean is Rocket Languages. It has a complete course that takes you from complete beginner to conversational in just a few months. The app also helps you practice every communication skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), unlike most other apps. The lessons are high-quality and you start speaking from the very first time you open the app.
It’s neither difficult nor easy. It’s easier than Arabic or Chinese, but harder than German or French for a native English speaker. The main aspect of Korean that is most difficult for English speakers is the alphabet. However, with consistent study, you can learn the alphabet quickly.
Yes, but you need to start with Hangul and then build up to a conversational level. In 6 months, it will be possible to have meaningful conversations in Korean. True proficiency cannot be achieved in that period of time though.
It’s possible to learn some Korean with K-Pop and K-Dramas, but if you’re learning the basics, this shouldn’t be the only way you learn. It helps you become familiar with commonly used words, making them easier to remember. To actually learn to speak the language though, using apps to learn Korean like Rocket Languages or Lingodeer is best.
Table of Contents
Rocket Languages Pimsleur KoreanClass101 italki LingQ Drops Lingodeer TOPIK ONE Memrise Talk To Me In Korean Viki
