So you want to learn Korean…
But you’re stuck between these two long-time, well-known programs: KoreanClass101 vs Pimsleur Korean. Ah, which to pick…? This guide compares each one for ya.
| KoreanClass101 | Better all-around system: more tools, shorter lessons (3–20 min), stronger grammar/reading support, more variety, and much cheaper overall. |
| Pimsleur Korean | Pure hands-free audio learning. Great for commuters. Lessons are 30 min each, no reading or writing component, more expensive, and fewer tools. |
So… both teach Korean in a similar way – audio lessons.
However, there are some key differences which may have you prefer one over the other. I’ll get into the similarities and differences in this quick guide.
What’s the Same
First, here’s a surface level view of how these programs are similar.
Both rely on audio (mostly – KoreanClass101 has video too.)
Both have you listen to someone teach you Korean…
| Feature | KoreanClass101 | Pimsleur Korean |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-based learning | Yes (and not only audio) | Yes |
| Focus on speaking | Yes (speaking tools included) | Yes (speaking tools included) |
| Learn through conversations | Yes | Kind of |
| Native speaker audio | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Short daily lessons | Yes, 3–20 mins | 30 minutes minimum |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Can study while walking/driving | Yes | Yes |
Doesn’t say too much, right?
“Dang you Linguajunkie, I just wanted an answer…!”
Well, hold on there. The answer’s coming up but I don’t want to immediately suggest one blindly only for you to go…
“Dang you Linguajunkie, I trusted you…!”
Given the surface level view, you may think this is a toss up.
But the teaching approach is quite different, and that’s where you should decide which fits you best.
What’s Different (Important)
Teaching Style – How Each Teaches
This may be the most important part. Because the teaching style is everything and you’d want the one that’s most “palatable” or approachable. Otherwise, you’d have no problem reading a dictionary.
In both cases, you press play and listen along… but here’s what happens.
- You learn through everyday Korean conversations
- Two hosts — a bilingual co-host + native Korean speaker — break down a dialogue together
- Lessons run 3 to 15 minutes; easy to finish one in a single sitting
- Conversational, warm tone — feels like an actual podcast
- Grammar, vocab, and cultural notes woven in naturally
- Video lessons available alongside audio
- 30 minutes per lesson
- A narrator introduces phrases, then drills you on them repeatedly
- Spaced repetition / question-recall-response technique
- Audio only — no video, no reading, no writing
- Effective at building conversational reflexes, but monotonous for many
My verdict? Koreanclass101 is better for most people.
The teaching style and lesson length is simply easier to consume. At 3-15 minutes, you can finish a lesson and master a whole dialogue in just a few spare minutes. Pimsleur requires a bit more attention and more patience to sit through. But you’ll probably remember the phrases they drill you with. So, which do you want?
Pricing
KoreanClass101 starts off from a free plan and also has paid plans at $4–$23/month depending. All paid plans include access to the full lesson library. Basic, Premium, and Premium PLUS plans all have their differences, but all give you full lesson access.
Pimsleur Korean has two ways to buy. You can do a subscription at $20/month, or you can buy individual levels outright at $150 per level (30 lessons). That also means the full program runs around $574 at non-sale price… and is quite pricey.
What You Get
Another key difference is package… and everything inside.
What do you get with each one?
Personally for me, I don’t care if a program has every tiny little thing…. which I have to figure out and tinker with. I just want it to work right out the box. Language’s hard enough, I don’t want to figure out how to use the program as well. But that’s me.
Other people will prefer a large variety of tools.
| Feature | KoreanClass101 | Pimsleur Korean |
|---|---|---|
| Lessons | Audio + video (1,600+) | Audio lessons only |
| Lesson transcripts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grammar explanations | Strong | Light |
| Quizzes / games | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hangul / reading support | Stronger (dedicated pathway) | None |
| Writing practice | ✓ | ✗ |
| Flashcards (spaced repetition) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Teacher / tutor access | ✓ (Premium PLUS) | ✗ |
| Line-by-line audio | ✓ | Limited |
| Pronunciation tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weekly new lessons + PDF freebies | ✓ | ✗ |
| Structured learning pathways | ✓ | ✓ (limited depth) |
KoreanClass101 takes the cake here but this comes with my comment that I talked about.
Will you use everything? Do you need everything?
For me, the most important bits are the lessons, the testing, the line-by-line, flashcards and the guided learning via pathways. The rest… well, it depends.
Pimsleur’s offering is a bit simpler here.
Free to Try & Use
For people that are ready to invest… this difference ain’t no big deal.
But for those who want to “try” and then buy… this may or may matter.
KoreanClass101 is easier to try. You get a free 7-day Premium trial the moment you sign up for a free account for the first time.
Pimsleur also has a 7-day free trial, but you’ll usually need to enter payment details to start. If you don’t cancel before it ends, your subscription renews automatically.
| Program | Free Trial |
|---|---|
| KoreanClass101 | 7-day Premium trial with no credit card required. |
| Pimsleur Korean | 7-day free trial, but you usually need to enter payment details. If you don’t cancel before the trial ends, billing begins automatically. |
Final Verdict?
So, which one should you pick?
Pick KoreanClass101 if you want the best all-around program at a lower price.
Pick Pimsleur if you only want audio and need to learn hands-free.
For most people, KoreanClass101 is the better choice.
The lessons are short (3–20 minutes), easy to follow, and you get a ton of tools to help you learn… like flashcards, quizzes, writing practice, and more.
It’s also much cheaper. You can try it free without a credit card, which makes it low-risk.
Pimsleur is good too… but their positioning is… you can learn Korean through listening… while driving, walking, or doing chores. But you can do just the same with KoreanClass101… with their audio lessons.
With Pimsleur, lessons are 30 minutes long, it’s much longer to sit through, and it costs a lot more.
Either way, both programs will teach you Korean.
The question is… which one will you actually stick with?
I don’t know.