The best way to learn Korean is through lessons with a Korean language teacher, but supplemental study materials – such as Korean learning apps – can be very beneficial for language students studying how to speak korean fluently.
Learning to speak Korean can be challenging, especially for English speakers. The language has a different alphabet, Hangul, and it contains sounds that aren’t found in English. However, with the right resources, guidance, and practice, you can absolutely learn to speak Korean, and even become fluent.
That’s where these apps for learning Korean come in. Each of these apps has a different set of features and benefits, so you can choose the tool that fits your unique learning style and goals. We have included apps that will have you learning Korean for free and apps that need to be paid for to learn how to speak Korean.
What Are the 10 Best Apps to Learn Korean?
1. Korean – Lessons+
Price: Free
Best for: All Levels
Korean – Lessons+ gives you access to TalkToMeInKorean.com’s podcast content, including a large collection of grammar lessons, pdf files, audio curriculum, and videos to help you learn the Korean language. Whether you’re a beginner who’s just starting to learn Korean or someone who has been learning Korean for a while, Korean – Lesson’s plus has content that will help you improve your Korean skills.
Korean – Lessons+ is perfect if you want to just turn on a podcast and learn Korean while you’re driving to work or on your morning run. The content is organized into categories and the app is easy to navigate. Korean – Lessons+ is a great app to have even if it’s not the only app you use.
2. TenguGo Hangul
Price: Free
Best for: Beginners
TenguGo Hangul includes vowel and consonant charts and instructions for reading and writing in Korean.
If you’re a beginner, TenguGo Hangul is one of the best Korean for beginners learning apps to help you master the alphabet. It will let you learn the Hangul at your own pace using easy-to-navigate lessons, quizzes, and flashcards.
3. Korlink’s Talk to Me in Korean
Price: Free
Best for: Beginner to intermediate students
This free app is specifically built for people that want to follow the Korean lessons found on the Talk to Me in Korean website.
There are English explanations, easy-to-follow examples, multiple learning levels, pictures, videos, and grammar lessons. The lessons are organized by level so you can choose content that is fit for you. There are several podcasts about a variety of topics ranging from Korean vocab to Korean culture.
Korlink’s Talk to Me in Korean learning app is a great option for learners who are eager to immerse themselves Korean language. Using the app paired with resources on the website, you’ll soon have a grasp of basic grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation that lay the foundation for building your fluency.
4. Korean Vocabulary Free – Flashcards for Beginners and Kids
Price: Free. Paid upgrades available.
Best for: All learners
When it comes to this app for learning Korean, the name says it all. Download this digital learning tool to access Korean vocabulary flashcards. The flashcards are organized by categories like basic, people, numbers, colors, eating, shopping, business, sightseeing, and greetings. Easily learn Korean vocabulary and speak Korean with confidence!
This Korean learning app is available for Apple and Android devices, and you can download additional features for a small fee. This is the perfect app to use when you have small windows of free time for testing your Korean vocabulary. Pull out the app and practice during a commute on the train, while waiting for an appointment, or for just a few minutes before bed.
5. Dongsa Korean Verb Conjugator
Price: .99 with additional upgrades available.
Best for:
Dongsa is a fantastic tool to help you learn Korean verbs. The app teaches all of the different Korean verb conjugations, and it can also help you improve your Korean writing skills. You can search any Korean verb you want and the app will give you all the conjugations of that word.
Dongsa is a great supplementary tool for those trying to learn Korean or for those who simply want to quickly find the conjugation of a specific word. If you’ve spent any time at all learning a language, you’ll know that verb conjugations are at the heart of becoming fluent. And also that conjugating verbs in a new language can be one of the most challenging skills to learn. This app makes that task easy, while reinforcing grammar rules so you have a foundation to build your fluency.
6. Eggbun
Price: Free. Paid upgrade available for additional features.
Best for: All learners
Eggbun is a great all-encompassing Korean learning app that covers Korean reading, writing, vocabulary, and speaking.
Eggbun has a gorgeous user interface that is fun and easy to use. A virtual Korean teacher named Lanny will teach you Korean through a personal chat box where it feels as if you are having a conversation in real time. The chats often include audio messages spoken by native Korean speakers which help users improve their pronunciation.
This well-designed app also helps users gain a better understanding of Korean culture through a feature called Culture Notes. This is a bonus that will give you a better grasp of how to use Korean language in the context of conversations with new friends or while traveling.
7. Learn Korean Language by Drops
Price: Free. Additional features available for purchase.
Best for: Visual learners
Learn Korean by Drops has a clean and intuitive user interface which makes it one of the easiest apps to use on this list. You won’t get lost in the weeds or overwhelmed with too many options, because it leads you through the learning process in clear, concise, and result-driven steps.
This Korean learning app is perfect for visual learners because it teaches new vocab by prompting you to match the word to an image rather than a definition. There are over 2700 words that are organized into more than 150 topics covered through a combination of addictive games and short lessons.
8. Sejong Korean Grammar-Basic/Sejong Korean Vocab-Basic
Price: Free
Best for: Beginner to advanced students
Sejong Korean Grammar and Sejong Korean Vocab support Korean, English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Indonesian.
Sejong Korean Grammar is based on the Sejong Hakdang Grammar book so it has an extensive curriculum. It covers 120 grammatical patterns with explanations through a combination of quizzes and games. The app has a friendly user interface with beautiful graphics.
Sejong Korean Vocab covers 1,700 basic vocab words and 3,000 intermediate vocab words through a combination of flash cards, games, and writing activities. Like their grammar app, Sejong’s vocab app has a friendly user interface with beautiful graphics.
9. Korean by Nemo
Price: Free
Best for: Beginner to advanced students
Korean by Nemo specializes in correcting pronunciation for non-native speakers. Users record themselves saying korean words/phrases and the app plays back the proper pronunciation of that word along with the user’s voice. There are over 30 categories of words and phrases including food, shopping, travel, and compliments.
Korean by Nemo is not structured around lessons and you can jump around to whichever category of words you want to practice. The app also provides English descriptions of all the words. Review Mode helps you study words you learned earlier and allows you to quiz yourself to make sure you retain the information.
This is a practical Korean learning app that will prepare you with words and phrases that are useful in everyday conversation. Using the app just a few times a week is designed to quickly expand your vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills.
10. My Korean Teacher
Price: Free
Best for: Intermediate students
My Korean Teacher is a cute app that helps students learn the alphabet, basic vocabulary, useful phrases for travel, and proper spelling and spacing in sentences. The lessons are set up as quizzes where there is an image or phrase on the screen and you have to choose the corresponding Korean word.
I would not recommend this app if you’re trying to learn Korean for the first time because it does not provide any tutorials. Instead, you’re thrown into quizzes. My Korean Teacher is a great app if you already have some basic knowledge of the Korean Language and want to refine your skills. Use the app to reinforce lessons learned in a Korean language class, private lessons, or on another more basic app.
Use These Apps for Learning Korean!
These Korean learning apps are perfect for supplementing your Korean language learning journey. Whether you’re just getting started or well on your way to fluency, check out the options above to launch your language skills to the next level.
Of course, the best program, to learn Korean is with the help of a teacher. Check out our Korean language educators if you’re serious about learning to speak Korean.
Photo by Gonzalo Baeza
Maile Proctor