Comparison

Hanzi vs JTC

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

Head to head
About

Hanzi

Learn to write and type Chinese characters with animated stroke order guides. This free version offers 80 basic characters and phrases, with a full version planned for HSK levels 1-6.

Highlights
  • Animated stroke order guides
  • Learn to write basic characters
  • Practice typing Chinese text
  • Includes common phrases
  • Free version with 80 characters
Features
Read full description

Learn Chinese writing from the very beginning, starting with simple but useful characters that later combine to make more complex characters. Just follow the animated stroke order! I wrote this app for my kids to learn how to read, write and type text messages to their grandparents in China. This free version includes 80 characters. After mastering these, you will be able to write phrases like: • "Hello" - 你好 • "I don't understand" - 我不懂 • "I have to go to class!" - 我要去上课了 • "Please give me a cup of water" - 请给我一杯水 • "This is my daughter" - 这是我的女儿 You will need to enable the iPhone Chinese keyboard in the Settings app: General -> Keyboard -> Add New Keyboard ... -> Chinese (Simplified) -> Handwriting While not a pre-requisite for this app, if you are taking a listening and speaking course in Mandarin Chinese, you can also follow the pinyin (pronounciation) shown alongside each character. Stay tuned for the full version with all HSK Levels 1 to 6 characters as well as many more phrases and features.

About

JTC

Learn Mandarin Chinese with interactive lessons, pronunciation practice, and engaging content. Build vocabulary, master grammar, and track your progress with personalized statistics. Explore Chinese culture through comics and cartoons.

Highlights
  • Interactive lessons with guide
  • Pronunciation practice with feedback
  • Themed vocabulary and personal vocabulary list
  • Pinyin chart with audio and feedback
  • Comics and cartoons for learning
  • Vocabulary games and progress tracking
  • Personalized learning statistics
Features
Read full description

JTC - Journey to Chinese Make your dream come true and learn Chinese in a new, easy and effective way using the numerous functions of our app! Our learning system is made in accordance with many years of our teachers experience! Our guide Sun Wu Kong will lead you within interactive lessons which will help you to gain a base for speaking Chinese and creating sentences by yourself! Moreover, you have a chance to practice your pronunciation in every step of learning process! So what is inside? - 1300+ words in themed vocabulary; - interactive PINYIN CHART where you can not only hear how to pronounce syllables but also to get a feedback about your pronunciation accuracy. Keep practicing and get your pronunciation to a next level; - colorful COMICS with a story of our guide which you can get after each successfully finished lesson are made in accordance with traditional Chinese “Manhua”. Travel the unique world of China from your phone screen; - CARTOONS with an explanation of theoretical material and grammar; - themed vocabulary where you can form your PERSONAL VOCABULARY; - different GAMES for words practicing and different levels of language competence; - upgrade your RANK according to your learning progress; ⁃ PERSONAL PROFILE with learning statistics; ⁃ 24/7 SUPPORT via email; If you have any suggestions about material improving feel free to contact us via email. Learning Chinese has never been easier! PLEASE NOTE: This price is for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. You will need a membership in order to access all courses and features. Monthly subscription for 5,99$ Six months subscription for 19,99$ Annual subscription for 26,99$ More information about subscription: - The above prices are for U.S. customers. Pricing in other countries may vary, and changes may be converted to your local currency depending on your country of residence. - payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Your iTunes Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase Instagram: @jtc_chinese Facebook: @JourneyToChinese Terms of Use: http://educar.study/terms-of-service/ Privacy Policy: http://educar.study/privacy-and-policy/

Screenshots

Hanzi3 screens
JTC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: JTC at 4.7 against Hanzi's 2.5. JTC also leads on review sentiment (96% vs 67%) and ratings volume (80 vs 2). Hanzi's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support 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. JTC sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Hanzi asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JTC holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JTC has 80 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Hanzi's written reviews are positive against 96% of JTC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hanzi ships an update every 2 days, JTC every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Hanzi versus JTC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHanziJTC
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.5 (2 ratings)4.7 (80 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews96.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings280 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB207 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard GomesKotyk Anton

Customer experience

Hanzi

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

JTC

All ratings79 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral5.1%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive96.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.9%

In-app purchases

None

Hanzi

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

JTC

Subscriptions7
  • 1 Week Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • 1 Month3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Full Access Subscription3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • One year3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • 6 Month3 Days trial$19.996 Months
  • Full Access Subscriptions3 Days trial$19.996 Months
  • Full Access Subscriptions3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Hanzi free?
Hanzi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JTC free?
JTC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hanzi or JTC?
JTC is rated higher. Hanzi averages 2.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while JTC averages 4.7 from 80 ratings.
Do Hanzi or JTC have ads?
JTC shows ads; Hanzi does not.
Which is updated more often, Hanzi or JTC?
Hanzi ships an update every 2 days, and JTC every 6 weeks. Most recently, Hanzi was updated on November 2, 2026 and JTC on November 3, 2026.

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