Chinese Learning Apps, Compared
These are our comparisons of Hanzi Express with the other apps people use to learn Chinese characters. I built Hanzi Express, so read them with that in mind. Each one still says what the other app does well and who should pick it instead.
Is There a Chinese Version of WaniKani?
WaniKani only teaches Japanese. This one covers what to use for Chinese if you liked its level-by-level, components-first order.
Read the comparison →Anki for Learning Chinese: Does It Actually Work? (An Honest Take)
Should you build your own Chinese deck or use a course that sets the order for you? Read this if you're deciding whether Anki's freedom is worth the setup time.
Read the comparison →Looking for a HanziHero Alternative? An Honest Comparison (From a Competitor)
HanziHero is built the WaniKani way, teaching components and pinyin parts before full characters. This one covers where each app is stronger, what it costs, and who should pick which.
Read the comparison →Looking for a Skritter Alternative? An Honest Comparison (From Someone Who Built One)
Skritter is built for writing characters from memory. This one covers what it costs, whether there's a free version, and what to use if you want to read first.
Read the comparison →Is Duolingo Good for Learning Chinese? An Honest Answer From 500 Days In
Can a 500-day streak get you reading Chinese? This one says what Duolingo is good for as a beginner and where you'll need something else for characters.
Read the comparison →The Best Chinese Learning Apps in 2026: An Honest Comparison (From Someone Who Built One)
Which app does which job? Seven apps side by side (Pleco, Duolingo, HelloChinese, Anki, Skritter, Du Chinese and Hanzi Express), plus the combinations that work well together.
Read the comparison →How we compare
We built one of the apps on this list, so we're not neutral. What we can be is specific. Each comparison names what the other app does well, where Hanzi Express is stronger, and which learners each one suits. We teach simplified characters today, with traditional characters coming soon.