Free Chinese learning has never been more complete - the catch is that the best pieces are scattered across apps, sites and archives. Here is the no-cost stack that covers the whole skill set.
Sounds and tones
LinZi's sound tables cover every pinyin and zhuyin syllable with native audio in both accents, plus minimal-pair drills - no account needed. That is the entire phonetics curriculum, free.
Dictionary
The LinZi web dictionary searches 50,000 entries by either script, pinyin, zhuyin or English - with stroke order, examples and audio on every page, like 学习. MDBG stays a solid backup reference.
Vocabulary and characters
The LinZi free tier covers 600 words from the HSK curriculum with FSRS scheduling - enough to build the daily-review habit that matters. Anki is the other free engine if you want to assemble decks yourself.
Reading
Graded reading is where free usually runs out - LinZi's story library publishes the leveled corpus on the site itself: 1,760 stories from L1 primers to literary pieces, the graded reading guide explains how to use them.
Listening and speaking
Free listening: slow podcasts (see the podcast guide) and YouTube comprehensible-input channels. Free speaking is the one gap - tutors cost money - but language exchange apps (HelloTalk, Tandem) fill it once you have HSK 2-3 vocabulary to say something with.
Common questions
Can I learn Chinese completely free?
Yes for everything except live conversation practice - which language exchange covers. The tools that matter (dictionary, SRS, graded reading, sound drills) all have genuinely free tiers.
Is Duolingo enough to learn Chinese?
It is a fine daily-habit hook but light on characters, tones and real reading - most learners outgrow it around HSK 2. Pair it with a dictionary + SRS + graded stories.
What is the best free Chinese learning app?
For a complete path: LinZi (dictionary + decks + stories + drills in one free tier). For pure lookup: Pleco. For guided lessons: HelloChinese free tier.