Korean apps for foreigners

Korea runs on its own apps. Compare 36 practical apps for maps, taxis, translation, food, payments, shopping, housing and daily life — including what works in English and what needs a Korean number or card.

Have Korean numberHave Korean card

YOUR STACK · 11 APPS

Messaging & Social

Korea's national messaging app — everyone here uses it

네이버 지도

Maps & Navigation

Korea's most accurate maps — where Google Maps falls short

Naver's Korean-optimized translator — better than Google for Korean

Tourist prepaid card and app for paying like a local

English OKFree app + card/top-up costs

Taxi & Ride-hailing

Korea's default taxi app — hail a cab without speaking Korean

Some EnglishFree + metered fare

Polished translation for longer Korean-English text

English OKFree + paid plans

나마네카드

Custom prepaid card with app top-ups and transit balance

English OKFree app + card/top-up costs

Shuttle Delivery

Foreigner-friendly food delivery in English

English OKFree + delivery fee

Taxi & Ride-hailing

Familiar taxi app, but coverage is thinner than Kakao T

English OKFree + fare

Maps & Navigation

Kakao's map app — clean interface with solid transit directions

Some EnglishFree

Fast food delivery — if you can clear the Korean sign-up

Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree + delivery fee

Some popular Korean apps are ranked lower because they usually need Korean phone verification or Korean payment setup.

Food delivery remains one of the hardest categories for short-term visitors; keep an English-first backup where available.

Maps

Korea's most accurate maps — where Google Maps falls short

Kakao's map app — clean interface with solid transit directions

Taxi

Korea's default taxi app — hail a cab without speaking Korean

Familiar taxi app, but coverage is thinner than Kakao T

Translation

Naver's Korean-optimized translator — better than Google for Korean

Polished translation for longer Korean-English text

Google Translate

Familiar translation you already know — decent for Korean in a pinch

Payments

Tourist prepaid card and app for paying like a local

Custom prepaid card with app top-ups and transit balance

Load and manage your T-money transit card from your phone

Food delivery

Shuttle Delivery

Foreigner-friendly food delivery in English

Fast food delivery — if you can clear the Korean sign-up

Korea's largest food delivery app — for residents with a Korean number

Messaging

Korea's national messaging app — everyone here uses it

All 36 apps

Google Translate

Naver Dictionary

Shuttle Delivery

Browse by need

Maps & Navigation

Google Maps can't route inside Korea — here's what locals use instead.

Transport & Transit

Subways, buses, trains and transit cards for getting around Korea.

Taxi & Ride-hailing

Hail a cab in English without explaining your destination in Korean.

Read menus and signs and talk to people who don't speak English.

Order food to your door or table — and which apps actually take foreign cards.

Tap-to-pay, transit fares and splitting bills the Korean way.

Same-day delivery and online shopping in Korea.

Messaging & Social

How Korea actually communicates — you'll need this on day one.

Banking & Money

Mobile banks and remittance for foreigners living in Korea.

Secondhand & Local

Buy, sell and find things locally.

Finding a place to live in Korea.

Everyday apps that make life in Korea easier.

Browse by situation

Tourist Essentials

The handful of apps to install before you land in Korea.

See the apps →

Navigate Korea's subways, buses and taxis like a local.

See the apps →

Get food delivered or order at the table — even without Korean.

See the apps →

Paying for Things

Transit fares, tap-to-pay and splitting the bill.

See the apps →

Online and same-day shopping in Korea.

See the apps →

Breaking the Language Barrier

Translate menus and signs and chat across languages.

See the apps →

Settling in as an international student in Korea.

See the apps →

Setting up long-term life as a foreign resident.

See the apps →