The 4 Best Apps to Learn Korean in 2026
Korean is less frightening than it looks, for one specific reason: its alphabet, hangul, was designed to be easy to learn and you can master it in a couple of days. What really costs you is the grammar, which works the other way round to English, and that is where most general-purpose apps fall short. In this guide we compare the 4 best apps to learn Korean in 2026.
Apps for studying Korean on your phone
Apps to learn Korean covering the hangul alphabet, grammar explanations, vocabulary with native audio, formality levels and writing practice.
Top pick
LingoDeer: Aprende Idiomas
Free (with purchases) · 10M+
Best for grammar
4.3
452K reviews
TopApps analysis
LingoDeer is built specifically for Asian languages and explains Korean grammar in a level of detail no general-purpose app reaches.
LingoDeer is the app that specialises in Asian languages, and the best choice for learning Japanese, Korean or Chinese from scratch. Its courses are designed by native teachers with proper grammar explanations, something generalist apps skimp on for these languages. It includes character writing, native audio and a structured level-by-level method.
Pros
- Specialised in Japanese, Korean and Chinese
- Detailed grammar explanations
- Courses designed by native teachers
Cons
- Full access requires a subscription
- Less gamified than Duolingo
- Smaller catalogue of languages
Duolingo: Aprende Idiomas
Free (with purchases) · 500M+
Best free option
4.7
47.0M reviews
TopApps analysis
Duolingo teaches hangul from the first unit and is the cheapest way to build a daily habit, though it explains little about why each structure works.
Duolingo is the world's most popular language-learning app, with more than 40 languages and a gamified method that keeps you coming back. Five-minute lessons, streaks, levels and rewards turn studying into a daily game. It is free (with ads) and ideal for starting a language or keeping one alive without much effort.
Pros
- More than 40 languages available
- Gamified method that hooks you and keeps you going
- Short lessons that fit into any day
Cons
- The free version shows ads
- Less focused on real conversation than Babbel
- Duolingo Super (ad-free) is paid
Drops: Aprende Vocabulario
Drops Languages · Free (with purchases) · 10M+
Best for vocabulary
4.4
317K reviews
TopApps analysis
Drops teaches Korean vocabulary with illustrations and shows the words in hangul rather than transcribed, which reinforces reading from the start.
Drops does one thing and does it very well: vocabulary. With illustrations and a drag-the-word game, you memorise terms in five-minute sessions. It won't teach you grammar and it won't get you speaking, but it is the most effective and least boring way to load a thousand words into your head before a trip.
Pros
- Visual method that works remarkably well for vocabulary
- Five-minute sessions, easy to keep up daily
- More than thirty languages, including Japanese and Korean
Cons
- Doesn't teach grammar or sentence building
- The free plan caps you at five minutes a day
- Not enough as your only learning method
Memrise: Idiomas toda la vida
Free (with purchases) · 50M+
Best for listening
4.5
1.6M reviews
TopApps analysis
Memrise includes videos of real Koreans speaking at normal speed, essential for getting used to the spoken language and not just the textbook version.
Memrise stands out for teaching languages through videos of real native speakers, backed by a strong spaced-repetition system for locking in vocabulary. You learn the language as it is actually spoken, with authentic expressions. A good fit for widening your vocabulary and training your ear on real accents.
Pros
- Videos of real native speakers
- Spaced repetition for better recall
- Teaches the language as it's really spoken
Cons
- Full access requires a subscription
- Less structured grammar than Babbel or Busuu
- More focused on vocabulary than on writing
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn hangul?
Very little: most people read hangul comfortably after two or three days of practice. It was designed in the 15th century precisely to be easy to learn, with letters whose shape mimics the position of the mouth when you pronounce them. It is the first thing to do, because studying Korean transcribed into our alphabet slows progress a lot.
Why is Korean grammar so hard?
Because the sentence order is subject, object and verb at the end, with particles marking the role of each word, something English does not have. On top of that come the formality levels: the same sentence changes depending on who you are talking to. LingoDeer explains this best; Duolingo barely touches it, and that is its weak point in this language.
Do K-pop and dramas help you learn?
As a complement, a lot, especially for the ear and for picking up the colloquial register. With the caveat that drama language tends to be informal and does not always match what you would use with a stranger or at work. It is excellent reinforcement, not a method on its own.
How long does it take to learn Korean?
It is classed in the hardest group of languages for English speakers, alongside Japanese, Chinese and Arabic. The institutes that train diplomats estimate more than two thousand hours for a professional level. To get by on a trip or understand the basics, a few months of consistency is enough.
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