| Canto SchoolOur practical-course pick | Free browser course; optional US$7.99 / month native Full CourseNative subscription price: US App Store; local prices vary | Free browser lessons with English, Jyutping, recordings and active practice. Optional native app for phone study, Build, flashcards and review. | English instruction. No live tutor, handwriting course or automatic tone grading. |
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| Pimsleur CantoneseApps & courses | Regional checkout priceOfficial Cantonese page advertises $14.95 Audio / $19.95 Premium monthly, but the retrieved offer did not identify the dollar currency. Confirm your region; do not read these as verified US prices. | A beginner who likes guided listening and speaking during a commute or walk, and can regularly make time for audio recall. | The core lesson is roughly 30 minutes, which is a different commitment from a short phone exercise. |
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| Drops CantoneseApps & courses | Free timer; paid PremiumWeb snapshot shows $11 monthly and $150 one-time; the exact annual charge and dollar currency were not reliably established. Confirm local checkout and current offer. | A visual learner who enjoys quick vocabulary practice, or a learner adding vocabulary games alongside a broader Cantonese course. | Primarily a vocabulary companion, rather than our choice for a full explanatory conversation course. |
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| Ling CantoneseApps & courses | US$16.99 / monthOfficial USD help table: US$89.99 for 12 months upfront, or US$219.99 lifetime. Region and promotions can vary. | A beginner who wants a familiar app lesson path, games, dialogue practice and access to multiple languages; less suitable if automatic speaking lessons or writing lessons are essential. | Do not assume generic Ling speaking or writing features apply to Cantonese: its language table marks both unavailable. |
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| LingQ CantoneseApps & courses | US$14.99 / monthPremium USD web snapshot: US$119.99 for 12 months or US$215.76 for 24 months, paid upfront. Premium Plus is a separate tier. | A self-directed reader/listener, especially someone moving toward authentic media who wants vocabulary tracking and imported content. | The learner needs to select and manage input; a prescribed beginner reply sequence is not its main focus. |
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| Mango Languages CantoneseApps & courses | US$13.99 / month; eligible library access can be freeIndividual USD support price: US$119.99 yearly upfront. Check regional checkout. Library/school access depends on participating institutions. | A learner who likes structured conversation and cultural context, especially one eligible for full library or school access. | Free institutional access depends on eligibility. |
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| Glossika CantoneseApps & courses | Basic US$19.99 / monthOne-language Basic; annual equivalent displayed US$16.58/month, annual lump sum not verified. Pro US$39.99/month covers multiple languages. | A learner who enjoys repeated full-sentence listening and speaking, with a basic language foundation or tolerance for learning patterns through exposure. | Repeated sentences are its central routine; it may not suit someone seeking varied short lesson activities. |
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| uTalk CantoneseApps & courses | Regional single-language plansCantonese page displays $6.99/month, $24.99/six months or $39.99/year; dollar currency was not explicit. These are not the separate all-language plans. | A traveler or beginner who wants phrase games, recorded Hong Kong voices and offline practice. | The main documented format is topic-based phrase and memory practice. |
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| Clozemaster CantoneseApps & courses | Pro US$12.99 / month or US$79.99 / yearOfficial blog and US App Store show those offers; other IAP price variants are also listed. Yearly payment is upfront. | A learner beyond the first basics who wants substantial sentence-based vocabulary practice, especially one already comfortable reading Cantonese characters. | Its developer positions it beyond the first basics; character-heavy examples can add difficulty for a new English-speaking learner. |
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| DuolingoApps & courses | No verified English-to-Cantonese courseDo not buy a generic Super/Max plan expecting it to create an English-medium Cantonese course. | The Cantonese course is relevant to a learner who already understands Mandarin and wants to study through it. | The Chinese course for English speakers teaches Mandarin, not Cantonese. |
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| CantoneseClass101Apps & courses | Basic US$8; Premium US$25; PLUS US$47 / monthStandard 1-month USD prices. Standard 12-month totals: US$60 / US$180 / US$316. Standard 24-month totals: US$96 / US$240 / US$549, prepaid. Promotions vary. | Learners who enjoy explanatory audio lessons and want a sizable Cantonese library, with optional asynchronous teacher feedback. | Basic, Premium and PLUS include different study tools. |
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| italki Cantonese tutorsTutors & conversation | Teacher-set price per lessonPublisher listings describe pay-per-class and optional packages/credits. Current Cantonese rates were not verified; compare lesson duration and package conditions on the tutor profile. | Learners seeking human conversation, tailored correction and a teacher who can adapt to family, work or travel goals; confirm Cantonese experience on the chosen profile. | Price, curriculum and correction skill depend on the teacher. |
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| Preply Cantonese tutorsTutors & conversation | Tutor-specific; observed US$22–45 per 50 minutesThose were examples, not a guaranteed range. Plans renew every 28 days with a minimum four 50-minute lessons; the trial is charged separately. | Learners who want recurring personal instruction and a tutor familiar with their goals. | The bill is for a recurring tutor plan, not a single app-style month. |
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| Anki / AnkiWeb / AnkiDroid / AnkiMobileFlashcards & dictionaries | Free desktop/AnkiWeb/AnkiDroid; US$24.99 iOS onceOfficial AnkiMobile is US$24.99 in the US or HK$188 in Hong Kong. Not a subscription; shared decks or third-party extras may have separate terms. | Learners who want control over their review cards and are willing to create or vet a deck. | You need to create or select accurate Cantonese content. |
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| PlecoFlashcards & dictionaries | Free base app; optional one-time add-onsAndroid publisher prices include US$29.99 Basic and US$59.99 Professional bundles. They are Chinese reference tools, not Cantonese course packages; individual add-ons differ. | Fast lookup, character/reference work and learner-managed vocabulary study alongside a course. | Enable Cantonese settings; a general Chinese entry is not automatically a colloquial Cantonese example. |
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| CantoDict / Cantonese SheikFlashcards & dictionaries | Free public lookupVolunteer-maintained web resource; no course subscription required for the inspected searches. | Checking a colloquial word or example while reading or building a deck. | Audio is not guaranteed for every entry. |
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| words.hk / CantoWordsFlashcards & dictionaries | Free public lookupwords.hk links CantoWords as its English interface. | Learners wanting Cantonese-specific meanings and example context; English speakers should use the linked English interface. | Coverage of English and audio should be checked per entry. |
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| Jyut DictionaryFlashcards & dictionaries | Public lookup and desktop downloadsNo payment was requested on the inspected page; current optional paid terms were not verified. | Cross-checking dictionary sources and pronunciations in a desktop workflow. | Combining dictionaries is not a single authored Cantonese course. |
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| jyutping.org English pronunciation guideFree listening & reading | Free pronunciation referencePublic English pronunciation guide with sound examples. | Learning how Jyutping maps Cantonese sounds before or alongside a course. | A sound reference does not replace an everyday conversation course. |
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| FSI Cantonese Basic CourseFree listening & reading | Free archived text and audioOriginal 1970 government-authored course; current free access is through independent archive hosts. | Self-directed learners comfortable using a substantial older text/audio course and practicing systematically. | The course is historical: check present-day context, usage and notation. |
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| Cantonese with BrittanyFree listening & reading | Free public videos; optional paid extrasNo normalized current membership or lesson price was verified; check the creator’s actual paid product if buying. | Heritage learners and learners motivated by diaspora stories, everyday topics and cultural connection. | Public videos and paid creator extras are separate offers. |
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| Dope Chinese with GloriaFree listening & reading | Free public posts/videos; optional paid lessons/materialsNo normalized current membership or lesson price was verified; check the creator’s actual paid product if buying. | Learners who like creator explanations and everyday Cantonese examples, selecting Cantonese-specific material. | Select Cantonese material: the creator also teaches Mandarin. |
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| Comprehensible CantoneseFree listening & reading | Free public videos; optional paid extrasNo normalized current membership or lesson price was verified; check the creator’s actual paid product if buying. | Learners seeking lots of level-selected Cantonese listening/input. | Choose the appropriate level; listening and individual correction are different tasks. |
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| HelloTalkTutors & conversation | Free exchange; optional paid VIP featuresCurrent paid amount varies by country/storefront; check term length and renewal before buying. | Meeting real speakers, exchanging voice notes and practicing language in a social context. | You need a willing, suitable partner; no prescribed course progression. |
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| TandemTutors & conversation | Free exchange; optional paid ProCurrent paid amount varies by country/storefront; check term length and renewal before buying. | Finding peers for repeated reciprocal conversation and cultural exchange. | You need a willing, suitable partner; no prescribed course progression. |
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| Teach Yourself Complete CantoneseApps & courses | US$49.99 / £44.99 book editionOne-time publisher price for ISBN9781473600829, before delivery/import costs. Both checked publisher stores showed awaiting stock. | Learners wanting an organized physical reference and systematic self-study exercises with companion audio. | You manage your own review schedule; current stock and edition matter. |
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