HelloChinese is a Mandarin app you can download for free, with most of the full course behind paid tiers. The US App Store lists Premium at $11.99 per month, $25.99 for three months and $69.99 for twelve months, as checked on November 4, 2026. Its free tier is not described on the store page, so test it yourself before paying.
What does HelloChinese teach?
HelloChinese teaches Mandarin Chinese through a main course of lessons. Its App Store notes for version 7.6 say Main Course 2.0 gained new upper-intermediate sections, and the latest version listed there, 7.6.7, is dated October 19. The app is aimed at learners who want a guided sequence rather than a list of flashcards.
The domain hellochinese.com showed a domain-for-sale page when we checked, so the prices here come from the App Store listing, which is the official store page for the app. Third-party paywall data also says Premium+ adds graded stories and a separate characters course. We could not confirm that on an official page, so treat it as a secondhand claim.
What is free in HelloChinese?
The App Store page labels the app Free with in-app purchases, and it does not describe what the free tier includes. Reviewers disagree. Some say the core lessons, graded stories and pronunciation practice are free. Another says the free lessons end early in HSK 1. Since the app can change what it offers, the most reliable check is to finish the free lessons and see where the paywall appears.
How much does HelloChinese Premium cost?
| Plan | Billing | Price (US App Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | 1 month | $11.99 |
| Premium | 3 months | $25.99 |
| Premium | 12 months | $69.99 |
| Premium+ | Monthly | From $19.99 |
The twelve-month Premium plan works out to about $5.83 per month, against $11.99 for a single month. Premium+ starts at $19.99 in the same store, and its longer plans cost more. The store notes that these are US prices, so check the listing for your country, because prices differ by market. Subscriptions renew automatically unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the period ends.
Who should use HelloChinese?
HelloChinese suits a beginner who wants a guided path inside a phone app and is willing to pay for the full course. Reports suggest the full main course needs Premium, so a free-only plan may not take you through the whole course. If you already know that you want the full course, a monthly plan lets you test it before you commit to a year.
What are HelloChinese's limits?
- The App Store page does not describe the free tier, and reports about it conflict.
- Prices depend on the country and the store, so the figures here are for the US.
- The Premium+ details come from third-party sources, not from an official page.
- The official website was not reachable when we checked, which means the store listing is the only official source we could use.
How should you test HelloChinese before paying?
Start with the free lessons and time yourself. Note how long a session takes, whether the lessons feel too easy or too fast, and where the paywall first appears. That point shows how much of the course the free tier covers, which the store listing does not say. Then try a second option for the same week, so you have something to compare it with.
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Start Free →What does a realistic first month look like?
A realistic first month is 15 to 20 minutes a day, five or six days a week. Use the first two weeks to learn the tones, the pronunciation basics and the most common characters, and only then judge whether the pace suits you. Paying monthly for that month is a sensible test. The twelve-month plan costs about $5.83 per month, which is cheaper only if you keep going for the full year.
Keep a simple record of what you learn each week, such as the number of characters you can read without help. That record tells you more about the app than any rating, and it makes the decision to upgrade or cancel much easier.
Where do characters fit?
Chinese is written with characters, and no app replaces practicing them by hand or by recognition. The store page does not say how the core course teaches characters. Third-party paywall data mentions a separate characters course in Premium+. If characters are your priority, check how the free lessons present them before you choose a tier.
What should you check in the store before you buy?
- The price and billing period for the plan you want, in your own country.
- Whether auto-renew is on. The store says subscriptions renew unless you turn it off at least 24 hours before the period ends.
- The version notes, which show when the course last changed.
- Your refund rights through your app store account. The store page we read does not describe a refund policy.
Read the most recent version notes before you buy. They show whether the course has changed recently, which matters if you plan to study for months and want the content to keep up.
When is HelloChinese not the right pick?
HelloChinese may not fit if you need a live teacher, if you learn best with grammar explained in your own language, or if you want the full course without paying. Check the language of the explanations in the free lessons, because the store page does not describe them. Because the free tier is unclear on the listing, the lessons you can reach without paying are the only proof you will get. If one of these matters most to you, a tutor or a different course may serve you better.
What are common mistakes with HelloChinese?
- Buying the yearly plan on day one. Test a month first.
- Trusting older price lists. Prices change by country and over time.
- Treating one review as the verdict. Reviewers disagree about the free tier, and the app changes its content.
Where does Metheus fit?
Metheus is our tool, so weigh this with that in mind. HelloChinese teaches the course itself. Metheus works on the Chinese shows and videos you watch on YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ or Viki, adding interactive subtitles, a one-click dictionary and spaced repetition. The free plan includes those features, and it works alongside a course rather than replacing one.
Related posts
- Best Mandarin Chinese apps (2026) compares the main options for Chinese.
- Best language learning apps 2026 puts Chinese apps next to other languages.
- Content immersion vs. tutoring if you are deciding between an app and a teacher.
FAQ
Is HelloChinese free?
The app is free to download and uses in-app purchases. The App Store listing does not describe the free tier in detail, and reports differ on how many lessons are free. Test the free lessons on your own before you pay for Premium.
How much is HelloChinese Premium?
In the US App Store, as checked on November 4, 2026, Premium costs $11.99 per month, $25.99 for three months and $69.99 for twelve months. Prices vary by country, so check the listing for your own store. The yearly plan works out to about $5.83 per month, so it only saves money if you stay subscribed for the whole year.
What is HelloChinese Premium+?
Premium+ is the higher tier, starting at $19.99 in the US store. Secondhand reports say it adds graded stories and a characters course. We could not confirm those features on an official page, so check the app before you buy.
Is HelloChinese good for beginners?
Beginners can start for free, which makes it easy to test. Whether it suits you depends on your budget and how much of the course you want to access. Use the early lessons to judge the teaching style before you pay for Premium.
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