Comparison

MalaMode vs Monlam Translate

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MalaMode

This app provides a distraction-free environment for meditation and counting practices. It offers a customizable timer with various chime bells and a full-screen counter for focused sessions. Syncing across devices and extended timer functionality are available through one-time in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Meditation timer with chime bells
  • Automatic session logging
  • Full-screen distraction-free counter
  • Customizable counter increments
  • Mala Mode for 108-bead rounds
  • Apple Watch companion app
  • Cross-device syncing via in-app purchase
Features
Read full description

Elevate Your Practice with MalaMode: Premium Meditation Timer & Counter MalaMode is your dedicated companion for focused practice. Our ad-free, distraction-free environment honors your spiritual space while providing powerful modern tools. ◆ Meditation Timer - Our Most Loved Feature • A collection of beautiful chime bells for start, end and interval cues • Automatic session logging and accumulated time tracking • Save custom presets for your favorite rituals ◆ Meditation Counter • Full-screen tap surface for counting without distraction • Customizable increments with sound/vibration feedback • Mala Mode for traditional 108-bead rounds • Target Mode for daily progress towards a goal • Personalize each counter with your own name and background photo • Editable history with email sharing ◆ Apple Watch Companion "MalaWatch" (Beta) • Remotely display and increment counters from your wrist • Effortlessly switch counters with the digital crown • Ideal for walking meditation and circumambulations • Recommend launching Malamode on phone before using MalaWatch. ◆ In-App Purchases - One-Time Purchase • Premium Service: Sync multiple named counters across all your devices • Timer Upgrade: Unlimited timer length (free version: 30 min) • Bundle Upgrade: Combine both upgrades - best value Embraced by all traditions, MalaMode brings modern convenience to your mindful practice without distractions.

About

Monlam Translate

This AI-powered translation tool offers instant text, voice, and image translation between Tibetan and multiple other languages. It facilitates live conversations with a split-screen mode and provides authentic Tibetan text-to-speech in various dialects. Save your translation history and enjoy a bilingual interface.

Highlights
  • Instant text translation
  • Voice and speech-to-text
  • Live conversation mode
  • Camera and image translation
  • Tibetan text-to-speech
  • Translation history
  • Bilingual interface
Features
Read full description

Monlam Translate is an AI-powered translation app built by the Monlam Tibetan IT Research Center to bridge communication between Tibetan and the world. Whether you are studying, traveling, or having a live conversation, Monlam Translate delivers fast, accurate translations across text, voice, and images. KEY FEATURES • Instant Text Translation Translate effortlessly between Tibetan, English, Hindi, Chinese, French, Japanese, and more with high accuracy powered by Monlam AI. • Voice & Speech-to-Text Translation Speak naturally in Tibetan or English and watch your words transcribe and translate in real time. • Live Face-to-Face Conversation Mode Have natural bilingual conversations with a split-screen view and optional hands-free auto-turn mode—perfect for real-time dialogue. • Camera & Image Translation (OCR) Point your camera at printed text, signs, books, or documents—or upload a photo from your gallery—to extract and translate text instantly. • Authentic Tibetan Text-to-Speech (TTS) Listen to clear, natural pronunciations in multiple Tibetan dialects—including Utsang, Kham, and Amdo—with your choice of male or female voices. • Translation History Sign in with Apple or Google to automatically save and revisit your recent translations anytime. • Bilingual Interface Use the app comfortably in either Tibetan or English, with full support for Light and Dark modes.

Screenshots

MalaMode4 screens
Monlam Translate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MalaMode at 88% against Monlam Translate's 38%. MalaMode also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and device support (4 vs 2). Monlam Translate's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MalaMode sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Monlam Translate asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MalaMode holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of MalaMode's written reviews are positive against 38% of Monlam Translate's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MalaMode ships an update every 4 weeks, Monlam Translate every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MalaMode versus Monlam Translate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMalaModeMonlam Translate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (10 ratings) — better3.8 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better37.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1013 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChester WoodLobsang Monlam16922404891

Customer experience

MalaMode

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

Monlam Translate

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

MalaMode

One-time3
  • Premium Service$1.99
  • Timer$1.99
  • Bundle$2.99
None

Monlam Translate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MalaMode free?
MalaMode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Monlam Translate free?
Monlam Translate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MalaMode or Monlam Translate?
MalaMode is rated higher. MalaMode averages 4.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Monlam Translate averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.
Do MalaMode or Monlam Translate have ads?
Neither MalaMode nor Monlam Translate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MalaMode or Monlam Translate?
MalaMode ships an update every 4 weeks, and Monlam Translate every 2 weeks. Most recently, MalaMode was updated on November 2, 2026 and Monlam Translate on November 8, 2026.

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