Best Chinese Apps for Kids in 2026, Compared
Last updated: October 22, 2026. Prices are US prices as listed on that date.
The best Chinese app for a child depends on age and goal. Nihao is free and teaches first words with pictures and audio in Simplified or Traditional characters. Studycat suits ages 2 to 8 who like games. LingoAce and WuKong give live teachers for a fee. HelloChinese and Duolingo fit teens better than young children.
We make Nihao, so it is listed first. Every other app is described from its own store listing or website, with the source linked, and each one has its strengths and limits.
At a glance
| App | Ages | What it is | Price | Characters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nihao | 4 and up, and adult beginners | Short picture-and-audio word lessons on the web | Free | Simplified and Traditional, with Taiwan's own words where they differ |
| Studycat (Learn Chinese) | 2 to 8 | Game app with songs and mini games | $14.99 a month or $59.99 a year after a 7-day trial (US App Store) | Not stated in its listing |
| Miaomiao's Chinese for Kids | 0 to 5 | Two-minute cartoons with tracing | $2.99, one-time (App Store) | Not stated in its listing |
| LingoAce | About 3 to 15 | Live online classes with a teacher | About $14 to $30 a class, sold in packages, with a free trial class | Ask when booking |
| WuKong Chinese | 3 to 18 | Live online classes with a teacher | About $20 a class (35 classes for $700), with a free trial class | Ask when booking |
| HelloChinese | Teens and adults | Self-paced course app | Free start; Premium $11.99 a month or $69.99 a year (US App Store) | Simplified and Traditional |
| Duolingo (Chinese course) | Anyone; under-13 accounts need a parent's email | Self-paced course app for all ages | Free with ads; Super removes them (about $14 a month or $96 a year, by third-party guides) | Simplified |
What to look for
- Made for your child's age: toddlers need pictures and sound, not reading.
- Native-speaker audio for every word, so you don't need to speak Chinese yourself.
- The right characters: Simplified for mainland China and Singapore, Traditional for Taiwan and Hong Kong.
- Short lessons a child can finish in five minutes, every day.
- No ads or surprise purchases in front of a child.
1. Nihao
Best for: Families who want a free daily habit of first words, especially in Traditional characters
- Ages
- 4 and up, and adult beginners
- Price
- Free
- Characters
- Simplified and Traditional, with Taiwan's own words where they differ
Strengths
- 205 lessons and 841 words and phrases, each with a looping picture clip, native-voice audio and a sentence
- Switch between Simplified and Traditional at any time; Traditional learners are taught Taiwan's words (公車, 馬鈴薯) with their own audio
- Every lesson ends with tracing a character in the right stroke order
- No ads, and no account needed
Limits
- No speaking practice or live teacher yet
- Runs in the browser; there is no app-store app yet
- Vocabulary only: no stories or grammar lessons
Source: trynihao.com
Start a free lesson2. Studycat (Learn Chinese)
Best for: Young children who learn best through games
- Ages
- 2 to 8
- Price
- $14.99 a month or $59.99 a year after a 7-day trial (US App Store)
- Characters
- Not stated in its listing
Strengths
- Polished games made for preschoolers
- Also teaches English, French and German
Limits
- Subscription after the trial
- Built for ages 2 to 8, so older kids may outgrow it
3. Miaomiao's Chinese for Kids
Best for: Toddlers who like watching cartoons
- Ages
- 0 to 5
- Price
- $2.99, one-time (App Store)
- Characters
- Not stated in its listing
Strengths
- 50+ short cartoon episodes with a tracing exercise after each
- No ads or in-app purchases
Limits
- For under-fives only
- An older app: its store listing dates from 2017
Source: App Store
4. LingoAce
Best for: Families who want a real teacher and a set schedule
- Ages
- About 3 to 15
- Price
- About $14 to $30 a class, sold in packages, with a free trial class
- Characters
- Ask when booking
Strengths
- Live 1-on-1 or small-group classes
- Structured levels with a placement test
Limits
- The most expensive kind of option
- Classes must be booked, and packages are prepaid
Source: LingoAce pricing guide
5. WuKong Chinese
Best for: Families who want a formal, school-like course
- Ages
- 3 to 18
- Price
- About $20 a class (35 classes for $700), with a free trial class
- Characters
- Ask when booking
Strengths
- Long-term learning path from preschool to high school
- A free trial class to place your child
Limits
- Large prepaid packages
- Fixed class times
Source: WuKong pricing, WuKong FAQ
6. HelloChinese
Best for: Older kids and parents who want grammar, speaking and reading
- Ages
- Teens and adults
- Price
- Free start; Premium $11.99 a month or $69.99 a year (US App Store)
- Characters
- Simplified and Traditional
Strengths
- A full course with grammar, speaking and handwriting practice
- Both scripts
Limits
- Not made for young children
- Most lessons are behind the Premium paywall
Source: App Store
7. Duolingo (Chinese course)
Best for: Older kids and adults who like streaks and a game feel
- Ages
- Anyone; under-13 accounts need a parent's email
- Price
- Free with ads; Super removes them (about $14 a month or $96 a year, by third-party guides)
- Characters
- Simplified
Strengths
- Free, with a strong daily-streak habit
- Huge community and many languages
Limits
- Not designed for young children
- Ads in the free version
Source: Internet Matters guide
Which one should you pick?
- A free start for ages 4 and up: Nihao.
- Traditional characters or Taiwan's words: Nihao.
- Games for ages 2 to 8: Studycat.
- Cartoons for under-fives: Miaomiao.
- A live teacher: LingoAce or WuKong.
- Teens who want a full course: HelloChinese.
Questions
What is the best Chinese app for kids?
It depends on the child's age and what you want. For a free daily habit of first words with pictures and audio, in Simplified or Traditional characters, try Nihao. For game-style learning at ages 2 to 8, Studycat. For a live teacher, LingoAce or WuKong. For teens, HelloChinese.
Is there a free Chinese app for kids?
Yes. Nihao is free, with no ads and no account needed: 205 short lessons covering 841 words and phrases. Duolingo's Chinese course is also free, with ads, but it is not made for young children.
Which Chinese app for kids teaches Traditional characters?
Nihao teaches both Simplified and Traditional characters, and Traditional learners are taught the words used in Taiwan. HelloChinese also supports both scripts but is made for teens and adults.
How can I teach my child Chinese if I don't speak it?
Use an app that says every word aloud in a native voice and shows a picture, so you don't need to explain anything. Do five minutes a day together, and repeat each word out loud with your child. Live classes such as LingoAce or WuKong add a teacher who can correct pronunciation.
See something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it. Browse what Nihao teaches by topic or read about Nihao.