Mondly Korean App
The Best Alternative to Duolingo
Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online Version (PC and Mac)
Suitable for: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Learners, Students, Travel
Content: Korean vocabulary trainer (5000 words), playful exercises, grammar
Prices: Free (initial lessons), USD 9.99 (1 month and 1 language), USD 47.99 (12 months and access to all 41 languages)
Discount offer: USD 99 (Lifetime Access to all 41 Languages)
Overall Value: 
The Mondly App lets you learn the Korean language in a playful way with a series of interactive exercises.
This Korean learning program contains:
- Korean vocabulary trainer with 5000 words
- 50 topics and categories to choose from
- 2100 Korean lessons, including grammar
- Conversation trainer for common situations (speech recognition)
- There is even a virtual reality version of this learning app
Mondly has around 45 million users worldwide. This language course has the advantage of having 41 source languages and 41 target languages.
Summary: Mondly is very similar to the Babbel and Duolingo apps and even better in terms of quality. The cost-benefit ratio for the lifetime access to all 41 languages is unbeatable.
Link:
Mondly Korean App and Online Course
Korean Basic Course
From 17 Minute Languages
Systems: Online Access (PC, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS)
Suitable for: Beginners and Advanced Learners, Students, Professionals
Content: 1300 words (basic course), 5200 words (complete course), grammar, verb conjugations, exercises
Prices: USD 29,95 (Basic Course), USD 97 (Complete Course)
Overall Value:
The Korean Basic Course contains a vocabulary trainer for the basic Korean vocabulary (1300 words), as well as lessons and various exercises. This includes Korean grammar and conjugations.
All words, phrases and sentences are spoken by native speakers.
This basic course corresponds to the official language levels A1 and A2 (explanation of CEFR language levels).
The Complete Course contains:
- Basic course for beginners (basic vocabulary with 1300 words)
- Intermediate course (1800 more words)
- Advanced course for experts (2100 words)
- Additional specialized vocabulary
- Covers the official CEFR language levels A1 to C2
There are 17 different languages you can use to learn Korean with this app.
Summary: Much cheaper and even better than the famous Rosetta Stone. There is a free demo version available and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Link: Korean Basic Course and Complete Course
Rocket Languages: Korean
Learn Korean Without Subscriptions
Systems: Android and iOS Apps, PC and Mac
Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, advanced learners, students, business
Content: Exercises with native speaker audio and speech recognition, writing, grammar, culture
Prices: Free (initial lessons), USD 89 (basic course), USD 249 (full course)
Overall Value: 
Rocket Languages offers a complete Korean language course for download, without monthly subscriptions.
It covers the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels (A1-C2).
This Korean learning software and app features:
- 6000 Korean words and characters in the lessons and exercises
- Complete grammar explanations and exercises
- Pronunciation and conversation trainer
- Korean native speaker audio and speech recognition
- Explanations of cultural differences via audio and video
You can use the Rocket Languages Korean course completely offline on the computer
and on your smartphone after the download.
Summary: Excellent premium Korean course on par with Rosetta Stone but without a subscription. You pay only once and own the software. There is also a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Link: Rocket Languages Korean Learning Software
Rosetta Stone: Korean
Most Famous Language Learning App
Systems: PC, Mac, Android, iOS Apps
Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, experts, professionals, business
Content: Korean lessons with native speaker audio and speech recognition
Prices:
USD 36 (3 months)
USD 145 (12 months)
USD 299 (Lifetime access)
USD 349 (Lifetime access for 24 languages)
Overall Value:
How does Korean learning with Rosetta Stone work?
Rosetta Stone has a different approach to language learning than many other online courses or language apps such as Duolingo, Memrise and others.
The idea behind Rosetta Stone is to learn a language like you did as a child - by using pictures in combination with listening, speaking, and reading.
Each Rosetta Stone lesson includes the following exercises:
- Pronounce the words or phrases correctly (speech recognition)
-
When reading or hearing a word, click on the correct picture
-
When looking at a picture, click on the correct word
-
Type in a spoken word correctly (Korean keyboard is displayed on the screen), etc.
A possible disadvantage of Rosetta Stone is that there are no grammar explanations or translations of the Korean vocabulary.
Instead, you are supposed to learn the grammar and the meaning of words from the context or recognize the meaning from the pictures.
Rosetta Stone Apps and Online Version:
The Rosetta Stone Korean learning software can be used online with a subscription for 3 or 12 months or with a Lifetime Access.
In addition to the online version, there are now also Rosetta Stone apps for iPhones and Android smartphones.
Summary: Time-tested method, but the lack of grammar explanations and translations may make Rosetta Stone not suitable for everyone.
Link: Rosetta Stone App and Online Course
Lingodeer Korean App
Includes Grammar and Speech Recognition
Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online-Version (PC and Mac)
Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, students, travel vocabulary
Content: Exercises with native-speaker audio and speech recognition, grammar
Prices: USD 12 (1 month), USD 60 (12 months), USD 99 (unlimited)
Overall Value:
The Lingodeer App is somewhat similar to Duolingo or Babbel, but has a more extensive list of features:
- Korean native-speaker audio for each word and speech recognition to practice the correct pronunciation.
- You can even choose between different speakers.
- 200+ lessons, vocabulary trainer, exercises, quizzes.
- Very good grammar explanations, significantly better than in many other apps such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone.
- Suitable for beginners and intermediate level learners (A1-B1).
- User community (native speakers) can give pronunciation feedback.
- You can download the app and use it offline.
The use of playful exercises and "achievements" ("gamification") is supposed to make Korean learning more interesting and motivating.
Summary: The Lingodeer App impresses with excellent grammar lessons and speech recognition. However, this app has lessons only for beginners and intermediate level learners.
Link: Lingodeer Korean App and Online Course
Memrise Korean App
App with User-Generated Lessons
Systems: Android App, iPhone App, Online-Version (PC and Mac)
Content: Korean lessons and vocabulary trainer with native speaker audio, grammar
Prices: USD 8,99 (1 month), USD 60 (12 months), USD 110 (unlimited)
Overall Value: 
With the Memrise App you can learn over 90 languages.
This includes even very small languages - however, in such cases the language courses are often limited to just a few lessons.
One special feature of the Memrise learning app is the large number of lessons created by users (native speakers).
The quality of these lessons varies greatly though. For example, only the basic forms of verbs are usually taught, without the conjugations. Some languages also do not have an audio recording of the words at all.
Another good idea of the Memrise app are the user-generated tips and mnemonics for each word to help you memorize them.
Summary: User-generated lessons are a good idea. In practice, the quality of the lessons leaves a lot be desired.
Duolingo Korean App
Well-Known Language Learning App
Systems: Android App, iOS App, PC and Mac
Content: Exercises with native-speaker audio
Prices: Free (with ads), USD 12.99 (1 month), USD 60 (12 months)
Overall Value:
The Duolingo App offers beginner language courses for 36 languages, including Korean. Duolingo covers mostly the basics as well as some intermediate level Korean vocabulary.
The major drawback of Duolingo (just like Rosetta Stone) is that there are no grammar explanations.
The vocabulary learning with Duolingo is "gamified", which means it is structured like a game with levels, experience points, achievements, etc.
The interface is relatively similar to the apps from Babbel and Mondly.
Summary: The vocabulary trainer and the exercises of the program are okay. However, it is not possible to learn Korean grammar with this app.
Mango Korean App
Includes Grammar
Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online Version
Content: Korean lessons with native speaker audio, grammar, culture
Prices: USD 7.99 (1 month), USD 80 (1 year),
USD 18 (1 month and 70 languages), USD 180
(1 year and 70 languages)
Overall Value:
The Mango Languages App offers 70 languages, including Korean.
This app also has some grammar lessons and cultural explanations. The explanations in English are all recorded and well done.
However, the number of lessons for learning Korean is quite small, which means that this app is only suitable for absolute beginners.
There are no exercises, except for the repeated vocabulary tests.
You can also record your own pronunciation in the app and compare it with the recording of a native speaker.
Summary: Good quality, but not much vocabulary. Only for absolute Korean beginners.
Lingo Korean App
Playful Korean Learning
Systems: Android and iPhone Apps, Online Version (PC and Mac)
Content: Korean lessons and exercises
Prices: USD 19.99 (1 month), USD 40 (3 months), USD 60 (6 months)
Overall Value: 
The Lingo Play App offers language courses for 70 languages. It offers "gamified learning", which means learning vocabulary in a playful way.
Each Korean lesson offers the following exercises:
-
Presentation of new words with translation and image
-
Decide whether a Korean word matches the image
-
Select one of four pictures that matches a word
-
Type in the Korean word for a picture
-
Correctly type in a spoken Korean word
In the full version this app offers up to 5000 Korean words. The interface of the app is similar to Babbel, Duolingo or Mondly.
There is also a multiplayer mode and competitions where you can test your Korean skills against other people.
Summary: Overpriced Korean course that does offer some good exercises, but is not better than other similar apps.
Pimsleur Korean Course
Most Expensive Software to Learn Korean
Systems: PC and Mac (incl. Mobile App)
Suitabe for: Beginners, advanced, students, travel vocabulary
Content: Korean vocabulary, lessons with native-speaker audio and speech recognition
Price: USD 150 (basic course), USD 300 (complete download)
Overall Value:
The Pimsleur App is very similar to Rosetta Stone in that it does not give grammar explanations, verb conjugation tables, etc.
Instead, the Pimsleur method is supposed to let you learn the Korean language intuitively, just like your native language - by combining pictures, reading and speaking (speech recognition).
This Korean learning course for PCs and Macs also includes a mobile app for Android and iOS systems.
Pimsleur offers 14 course languages you can use to learn Korean as a second language.
Summary: The most expensive Korean course, even though it is unlikely that learning with it is much better than with the cheaper apps.
Drops Korean App
Alternative to Babbel and Duolingo
Systems: Android App, iPhone App, Online Version (PC and Mac)
Content: Korean lessons with native speaker audio, vocabulary trainer
Prices: USD 13.30 (1 month), USD 72 (12 months),
USD 164 (unlimited)
Overall Value:
The Language Drops app is most notable for having 47 target languages and 40 source languages, similar to Mondly.
You can learn about 3000 Korean words and phrases with this app. However, there are hardly any exercises, except for introducing new Korean words and matching these words to pictures.
You can choose from which topics you want to learn new Korean words and at what skill level you want to learn (whether you know the language somewhat).
If you want to try the app for free for two weeks you have to provide your payment information and then cancel it.
The "deal" you get in the app is more than 3 times as expensive as when you click "Get Premium" on the website (USD 38 per month instead of USD 13.30 per month).
Summary: No variety, no grammar and only 3000 words. Does not justify the higher price, even if you get access to all languages.
LingQ Korean App
Innovative Approach to Learn Korean
Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online-Version (PC and Mac)
Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, advanced learners, students, professionals
Content: Video and text lessons, browser extension to import any Korean texts, vocabulary trainer
Price: USD 10 (1 month subscription)
Overall Value:
The LingQ Korean App is basically a translation program that is combined with a personalized vocabulary trainer.
In addition to the lessons and texts that are included in this app, any Korean text can be imported. LingQ has its own browser extension for Firefox, Safari and Chrome to import texts (including ebooks).
You can click on any Korean character in the texts to see a translation and this adds the word to your personal vocabulary trainer.
LingQ also has many videos and podcasts in Korean, the content of which appears as a text next to the video or podcast — so that any word there can be clicked on and saved as well.
Unfortunately, there are no grammar lessons, meaning that this app will not suffice on its own to learn Korean.
Summary: Very interesting way to learn Korean vocabulary on any subject. However, you need other apps for the Korean grammar.
Additional Ways To Learn Korean Online:
Colanguage: Find Skype teachers
Overall Value:
At Colanguage you can arrange face-to-face language lessons online via Skype with language teachers around the world (from $5-10 per hour).
In addition to using apps, it is definitely a good idea to also practice with native speakers in order to learn Korean properly.
Tandem: Find a language exchange partner
Overall Value:
Instead of hiring teachers, you can also find people who are interested in a free language exchange online via Skype.
It is completely free of charge, but you have to act as a language teacher for the other person half of the time.
Overview of the Korean Learning Apps:
| Learning App |
Subscrip-
tion? |
Price |
Systems |
Value |
Mondly
(1 langauge) | Yes
(1 month) | $10 | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | |
Mondly
(41 languages) | Yes
(12 months) | $48 | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | |
Mondly
(41 langauges) | No | $99 | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | |
17 Minutes
(Basics) |
No |
$29 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
17 Minutes
(Complete) | No | $97 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
Rocket
(Basics) |
No |
$89 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
Rocket
(Complete) |
No |
$249 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Rosetta Stone |
No |
$299 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Rosetta Stone | Yes
(3 months) | $36 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Rosetta Stone | Yes
(12 months) | $145 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Lingodeer | No | $99 | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | |
| Lingodeer | Yes
(1 month) | $12 | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | |
| Lingodeer | Yes
(12 months) | $60 | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | |
| LingQ |
Yes
(1 month) |
$10 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Memrise |
No |
$110 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Memrise |
Yes
(1 month) |
$9 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Memrise |
Yes
(12 months) |
$60 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Duolingo |
Yes
(1 month) |
$13 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Duolingo |
Yes
(12 months) |
$60 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Mango |
Yes
(1 month) |
$8 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Mango |
Yes
(12 months) |
$80 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Lingo Play |
Yes
(1 month) |
$20 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Lingo Play |
Yes
(6 months) |
$60 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Drops |
No |
$164 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Drops |
Yes
(1 month) |
$13 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
| Drops |
Yes
(12 months) |
$72 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
Pimsleur
(Basics) |
No |
$150 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
Pimsleur
(Complete) |
No |
$300 |
PC, Mac, Android, iOS |
|
