OC Some of the Chinese iOS apps I use daily

大家好, 歡迎 /m/chinese!

I am not Chinese expert, but I have been learning for many years and just wanted to post a short list of the apps I frequently use. This list isn't exhaustive, and I'm happy to add things to it as well if anyone has any suggestions. Also I use 繁體字 (Traditional Characters) so everything here should support traditional characters in addition to simplified. Links are all to the Apple Appstore, but I think all(?) of them are on Android as well.

Pleco - If you have one Chinese app it should be Pleco. Even the free version is an amazing ad-free dictionary, and it's well worth some of the upgrades - in particular the flashcard integration for SRS (Spaced Repetition System) practice. Tons of addons and other dictionaries that can be downloaded or bought as well.

Dot Chinese - This is a lesser known one and I honestly can't believe this one is still free. I can't find much other info about it, but I think it's probably in beta and will eventually be monetized simply because I have never seen a free Chinese-reading resource that is this comprehensive. It takes you through a skill-tree progression based on your HSK level, but constantly updates the material with graded reader-style articles usually based on current events. The app is super responsive, and easy to use as well. If I had one complaint it would be that I want to hear slightly more audio input when doing exercises, but that really is a small complaint.

Speechling - Flashcard app with tons of sentences featuring full speaker audio. Has a neat little trick where it asks you to record yourself and repeat the sentence so you can hear it alongside the native speaker. Great for practicing if you suck at tones (like me). You can send that recorded audio to Speechling tutors who will correct you, but that's a premium feature beyond I think 10 free sentences a month or so. As is, it's a great free resource but I haven't used any of the premium features.

Readibu - Chinese web content reader that features an awesome popup dictionary and distraction-free reading experience. Has flashcard integration as well, if you don't want to spring for Pleco flashcards. Pop in the link to a web novel or article and read it anytime on your phone! Paid version allows full sentence translations, but honestly I think it's a better learning experience not to rely too much on full sentence translation. And if you need to, sentences can be copied and pasted into any translation app.

Google Translate and DeepL Translate - I try to de-Google everything I can but also admit that sometimes you just need something that works and Google Translate is definitely the most versatile translation app out there. I've been loving DeepL, and in addition to being I think a better translator than Google it is significantly more privacy focused (although I don't know if that's true for free accounts). What keeps me from switching over completely to DeepL is that it only supports traditional input but not output, ie you can translate traditional Chinese into English but not the other way around. So while I use both depending on the need, I understand if you just want a one-stop shop and stick to Google (although if you use simplified characters you'll have nor problem either way!)

That's all for now! Feel free to add more or let me know if you have a different experience with any of these tools in the comments.