Learning Korean has become more popular than ever. With the global rise of K-pop, K-dramas, Korean skincare, and Korean culture, people worldwide are more eager to dive into the Korean language. If you’re one of those curious minds looking to start or continue your Korean language journey, you’re in luck. In 2025, there are more high-quality, free resources to learn Korean online than ever before.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, these resources provide interactive, engaging, and effective ways to study Korean without spending a dime. Let’s explore the 10 best websites and platforms to learn Korean online for free in 2025.
1. Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK)
Talk To Me In Korean continues to dominate the scene as one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly Korean learning platforms out there. Designed by native Korean teachers, this website offers hundreds of free lessons, audio tracks, and practice materials.
What makes TTMIK stand out is its structured curriculum. The lessons start from absolute beginner (Level 1) and go all the way to advanced levels. Each lesson includes explanations in English, grammar breakdowns, and real-life examples. Plus, their YouTube channel complements the website with visual content to help reinforce what you’ve learned.
2. How to Study Korean
If you’re someone who prefers deep-dive explanations with a textbook-style approach, How to Study Korean is your go-to resource. Created by an English speaker who learned Korean from scratch, this site provides thorough lessons on grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and usage.
What’s particularly impressive about this site is its clarity. Each unit includes multiple lessons that build logically on each other. You’ll also find downloadable worksheets and quizzes at the end of each lesson to test your understanding. It’s perfect for self-motivated learners who want a solid foundation in the language.
3. Duolingo
Duolingo remains one of the most popular language learning apps globally, and its Korean course has improved significantly over the years. It’s designed to be fun, gamified, and highly engaging, which makes it ideal for casual learners or those just starting out.
The Korean course includes vocabulary, sentence-building, and pronunciation practice. While it doesn’t dive deep into grammar rules, it’s a great way to build daily habits and reinforce what you’ve learned elsewhere. Plus, the mobile app makes it easy to study Korean on the go.
4. Coursera (Yonsei University Korean Courses)
Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s top universities, offers free Korean language courses on Coursera. Titled “First Step Korean,” this course is taught by a real professor and is structured like a formal language class.
What makes it special is that it focuses on speaking, reading, and writing in a balanced way. You’ll also gain insight into Korean culture as you learn. While you can pay for a certificate, accessing the course materials is completely free. It’s a great option for learners who want a classroom feel without the cost.
5. YouTube (KoreanClass101)
If you’re a visual learner, KoreanClass101 on YouTube is an outstanding free resource. With thousands of videos ranging from grammar lessons to situational dialogues, it offers something for every level of learner.
New videos are uploaded frequently, and topics are diverse. You’ll find lessons on Korean slang, phrases used in K-dramas, travel Korean, and much more. Plus, many videos include subtitles, making it easier to follow along. It’s a flexible and dynamic way to immerse yourself in the language whenever you have a few minutes to spare.
6. Memrise
Memrise offers a unique way to learn Korean by focusing heavily on vocabulary acquisition and pronunciation. It uses spaced repetition and video clips of native speakers to help you remember and pronounce words correctly.
In 2025, their free plan still includes a solid set of beginner Korean lessons. You’ll learn how to recognize Korean words and use them in simple sentences. While grammar isn’t the main focus, it’s an excellent companion resource to help reinforce vocabulary and listening skills.
7. Seemile Korean App
Seemile is an underrated gem for beginners wanting to learn Korean for free. Available as a mobile app, Seemile uses animation, visuals, and storytelling to teach grammar and vocabulary in a very intuitive way.
What sets it apart is its use of entertaining animations to explain sentence patterns. It’s especially helpful for visual learners or younger audiences. The app’s basic lessons are free, and they’re surprisingly comprehensive. For those looking to enjoy learning without it feeling like study, this is a great pick.
8. Anki Korean Flashcard Decks
If you’re serious about mastering Korean vocabulary, Anki is a tool you shouldn’t ignore. Anki is a flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help you memorize words and grammar effectively.
There are several high-quality Korean decks available for free, many created by advanced learners or native speakers. These decks often include audio, example sentences, and hangul/English pairings. You can download pre-made decks or make your own as you progress. Anki is a powerful tool when paired with other resources like TTMIK or How to Study Korean.
9. LingQ Korean Library
LingQ offers a unique reading and listening experience for language learners. While its premium features are paid, there is still a wealth of free content you can access in 2025.
The Korean section of LingQ includes lessons based on real Korean stories, dialogues, and articles. You can click on any word to see its meaning, add it to your vocabulary list, and track your progress. It’s an excellent way to build your reading comprehension skills and learn vocabulary in context.
10. Naver Dictionary & Papago
While not traditional “courses,” Naver Korean Dictionary and Papago Translator are essential tools for every Korean learner. Naver is South Korea’s version of Google and offers one of the most accurate bilingual dictionaries for English-Korean.
Naver Dictionary includes example sentences, pronunciation audio, idiomatic usage, and even grammar notes. Meanwhile, Papago (also by Naver) provides one of the best Korean translation services and can translate entire sentences with relatively high accuracy. Both are invaluable for learners who want to check meanings, verify grammar, or explore more advanced usage of words and phrases.
Bottom line
With so many high-quality resources available, there’s truly no excuse not to start learning Korean today, especially when you don’t need to spend a penny. Each of the platforms mentioned above offers something unique, whether it’s grammar structure, vocabulary repetition, cultural context, or interactive content.
The key is to mix and match the tools based on your learning style. For example, combine Talk To Me In Korean for structured grammar lessons with Anki or Memrise for vocabulary retention. Add a bit of fun and immersion by watching YouTube videos from KoreanClass101, and reinforce what you’ve learned by using Naver Dictionary and Papago when reading or writing.
By using a balanced mix of these free resources consistently, you’ll not only improve your Korean skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for Korean culture, communication, and creativity.
