7 Best HSK Practice Apps & Websites (2026 Review)
By Biz Han
7 Best HSK Practice Apps & Websites (2026 Review)
Not all HSK practice apps are equal. Some are gamified beginner courses that barely touch exam content. Others are powerful test prep tools used by thousands of serious candidates. This review ranks and compares the 7 best options in 2026.
Quick answer: BizHan is the best overall for HSK practice (178 tests, AI Tutor, all levels). But the right choice depends on your level and goals -- read the full breakdown below.
Try BizHan Free -- 178 HSK Practice Tests
What to Look For in an HSK Practice App
Before choosing an app, decide what you actually need. Here are the 5 criteria that matter for HSK preparation:
- Test coverage: Does it have full practice tests at your HSK level? How many? Are they in real exam format?
- Answer explanations: When you get a question wrong, does the app explain why? Basic "correct/incorrect" feedback is not enough for serious prep.
- Vocabulary tools: Can you build a personal word list and review it efficiently?
- Level range: Does it cover your level (especially HSK 4-6, which many apps ignore)?
- Integration: Do you need a separate dictionary, flashcard app, and test site -- or is everything in one place?
1. BizHan -- Best Overall HSK Practice Platform
bizhan.ai | Score: 5/5 | Free tier available
Pros
- 178 practice tests covering all HSK levels (1-6) -- the largest collection available
- Real HSK exam format -- tests simulate actual exam conditions
- AI Tutor: ask why an answer is correct, get detailed explanations
- Built-in Chinese-English dictionary (bizhan.ai/translate)
- Vocabulary notebook -- save words from tests, review later (bizhan.ai/notebook)
- Works on any device via browser -- no app download needed
- Free tier available
Cons
- Not a beginner course -- you need basic Chinese before it's useful
- Web-only (no dedicated mobile app yet)
- Less gamification than HelloChinese or ChineseSkill
| Factor | BizHan |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | 178 (HSK 1-6) |
| AI explanations | Yes |
| Dictionary | Built-in |
| Vocabulary notebook | Yes |
| Level coverage | HSK 1-6 |
| Overall score | 5/5 |
Best for: Anyone preparing for HSK 1-6. Especially valuable for HSK 4, 5, and 6 candidates.
2. HelloChinese -- Best for Absolute Beginners
hellochinese.com | Score: 4/5 | Free (Premium $60/year)
Pros
- Structured course from absolute zero -- best beginner app for Chinese
- Strong gamification (streaks, points, levels)
- Speech recognition for pronunciation practice
- Stroke order writing practice
- iOS and Android apps
Cons
- Content stops around HSK 3-4 level
- No full HSK practice tests -- only short quizzes
- No AI tutor or detailed explanations
- No built-in dictionary
| Factor | HelloChinese |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | ~20 short quizzes |
| AI explanations | No |
| Dictionary | No (need separate app) |
| Vocabulary notebook | Basic word lists |
| Level coverage | HSK 1-4 |
| Overall score | 4/5 |
Best for: Complete beginners who need a structured introduction to Chinese before they're ready for HSK practice tests.
3. HSKOnline -- Best Free Test Resource
hskonline.com | Score: 4/5 | Free
Pros
- Free practice tests for all HSK levels
- Official-style test interface
- No registration required for basic tests
- Large question bank
Cons
- No AI tutor or detailed answer explanations
- No dictionary or vocabulary tools
- Interface is dated
- No personalized tracking
| Factor | HSKOnline |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | Large free library |
| AI explanations | No |
| Dictionary | No |
| Vocabulary notebook | No |
| Level coverage | HSK 1-6 |
| Overall score | 4/5 |
Best for: Budget learners who want free HSK tests and don't need AI feedback or vocabulary tools. Good supplement to BizHan.
4. Pleco -- Best Chinese Dictionary & Flashcards
pleco.com | Score: 4/5 | Free (add-ons paid)
Pros
- Best Chinese dictionary app available -- comprehensive definitions, examples, stroke diagrams
- Excellent flashcard system with spaced repetition
- OCR reader -- point camera at characters to look them up
- Document reader for reading Chinese texts
- Extensive add-on library
Cons
- Not an HSK practice test platform
- Can be expensive with all paid add-ons
- Learning curve for full feature set
- Mobile-only (iOS and Android)
| Factor | Pleco |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | No |
| AI explanations | No |
| Dictionary | Best in class |
| Vocabulary notebook | Advanced flashcards |
| Level coverage | All levels (dictionary-based) |
| Overall score | 4/5 |
Best for: Learners who need a powerful dictionary and custom flashcard system. Pairs well with BizHan for test prep + vocabulary.
5. DuChinese -- Best for Reading Practice
duchinese.net | Score: 4/5 | Free (Premium ~$10/month)
Pros
- Graded reading content from HSK 1 to HSK 6
- Audio narration for every story
- Tap any character for instant definition
- Vocabulary review integrated into reading
- Clean, enjoyable reading experience
Cons
- Reading practice only -- no full HSK practice tests
- Premium required for most content
- Does not simulate actual HSK exam format
| Factor | DuChinese |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | No |
| AI explanations | No |
| Dictionary | Tap-to-define in reading |
| Vocabulary notebook | Yes (from reading) |
| Level coverage | HSK 1-6 (reading) |
| Overall score | 4/5 |
Best for: HSK 3-6 learners who need to improve reading comprehension. Excellent supplement to practice tests.
6. Anki -- Best Custom Flashcard System
apps.ankiweb.net | Score: 4/5 | Free (iOS app $25)
Pros
- Most powerful spaced repetition algorithm available
- Fully customizable decks -- create any card format
- Large community of shared Chinese/HSK decks
- Desktop, web, and mobile sync
- Free on desktop and Android
Cons
- Steep learning curve -- requires setup and configuration
- No built-in Chinese learning content
- iOS app is $25 (one-time)
- Interface is not beginner-friendly
- Not a test prep platform
| Factor | Anki |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | No |
| AI explanations | No |
| Dictionary | No (add-ons available) |
| Vocabulary notebook | Excellent (SRS flashcards) |
| Level coverage | All levels (custom) |
| Overall score | 4/5 |
Best for: Technically comfortable learners who want maximum control over vocabulary memorization. Works well alongside BizHan and Pleco.
7. ChineseSkill -- Best Duolingo Alternative
chineseskill.com | Score: 3/5 | Free (Premium available)
Pros
- Gamified Chinese lessons similar to Duolingo
- Good for daily review and habit building
- Covers HSK 1-6 vocabulary (via game format)
- Available on iOS and Android
- Tones practice included
Cons
- Very shallow compared to dedicated study tools
- Game format does not match HSK exam format
- No full practice tests or AI explanations
- Ads in free version
- Less polished than HelloChinese
| Factor | ChineseSkill |
|---|---|
| Practice tests | No |
| AI explanations | No |
| Dictionary | No |
| Vocabulary notebook | Basic |
| Level coverage | HSK 1-6 (limited) |
| Overall score | 3/5 |
Best for: Casual learners who want a quick daily review habit. Not recommended as your primary HSK prep tool.
Master Comparison Table -- All 7 Apps
| App | HSK Tests | AI Tutor | Dictionary | Vocab Notebook | Level Range | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BizHan | 178 (all levels) | Yes | Built-in | Yes | HSK 1-6 | 5/5 |
| HelloChinese | ~20 quizzes | No | No | Basic | HSK 1-4 | 4/5 |
| HSKOnline | Large library | No | No | No | HSK 1-6 | 4/5 |
| Pleco | No | No | Best in class | Advanced | All | 4/5 |
| DuChinese | No | No | Tap-to-define | Yes | HSK 1-6 | 4/5 |
| Anki | No | No | No | Excellent SRS | All | 4/5 |
| ChineseSkill | No | No | No | Basic | HSK 1-6 | 3/5 |
Recommended App Stacks by Goal
BizHan (free tier) + HSKOnline + Anki (desktop) = 178 tests + extra tests + vocabulary review. No cost required.
BizHan + Pleco (free base) + DuChinese. Covers tests, dictionary, and reading practice. All excellent free tiers.
BizHan Premium + Pleco + DuChinese Premium + Anki. Everything you need for HSK 4, 5, or 6 success.
HelloChinese (first 3 months) + BizHan (after HSK 1-2 basics). Start learning, then start testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which HSK practice app has the most tests?
BizHan has 178 HSK practice tests across all levels (HSK 1-6) -- the largest collection available online. No other app comes close to this number for dedicated HSK exam practice tests in real format.
Is there a free HSK practice app?
Yes. BizHan offers a free tier with practice tests. HSKOnline is entirely free with a large test library. Anki is free on desktop and Android. HelloChinese and DuChinese have limited free tiers.
What is the best HSK 5 or HSK 6 practice app?
BizHan is the best option for HSK 5 and HSK 6. Most other apps (HelloChinese, ChineseSkill) only reach HSK 3-4 level. BizHan covers all six levels with full practice tests and AI explanations.
Do I need all 7 apps?
No. For most HSK candidates, BizHan alone covers 80% of what you need. Add Pleco for dictionary access and DuChinese for reading practice if you want a more complete setup. You do not need all 7 apps simultaneously.
Can Duolingo prepare me for the HSK exam?
No. Duolingo does not have an HSK Chinese course. ChineseSkill is similar to Duolingo and covers HSK vocabulary, but in a game format that doesn't match the real exam. For HSK exam prep, use a dedicated test platform like BizHan.