Essential Apps for Expat Setup in Korea
Short answer
Setting up long-term life as a foreign resident.
Living in Korea long-term means going beyond tourist apps — mobile banking, money transfer, housing and shopping all become part of daily life once you have an ARC and a Korean number.
Set up banking and payments first; almost everything else (housing apps, delivery, marketplaces) gets easier once those work.
Banking & Money
Toss
토스
Banking & Money
Korea's money super-app for residents
Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree
KakaoBank
카카오뱅크
Banking & Money
Mobile bank app for Korea-based residents
Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree
Wise
Banking & Money
International transfers before and after your Korea move
English OKFree app + transfer fees
Housing
Shopping
Coupang
쿠팡
Shopping
Korea's default online shopping app for fast delivery
Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree + optional membership
Kurly
컬리
Shopping
Premium groceries and early-morning delivery
Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree + delivery fees
Naver
네이버
Lifestyle
Korea's search, reviews, bookings and local discovery hub
Some EnglishFree
Payments
Frequently asked
Which apps make expat life in Korea easier?
Mobile banking (KakaoBank, Toss), Wise for international transfers, Zigbang and Dabang for housing, and Coupang for everything you'd otherwise carry home.
What do I need before these apps work?
Most require an Alien Registration Card (ARC) and a Korean phone number for verification. Once you have both, banking, payments and shopping apps open up.