Comparison

Skritter vs Chinese Character Reader

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

Head to head
About

Skritter

Master Mandarin characters through interactive writing practice. Learn meanings, readings, and tones with curated decks for all levels, from beginner to advanced.

Highlights
  • Interactive character writing practice
  • Learn character meaning, reading, and tone
  • Topic-based and difficulty-level decks
  • HSK 1-9 study decks
  • Stroke order guidance
  • Review mode
Features
Read full description

Remember every Chinese character you learn. Most apps ask you to recognize characters. Skritter asks you to write them, because writing is one of the fastest ways to make a character stick. When you write a character, you recall every part of it, so the next time you see it, you really know it. Self-studying or taking classes? Learn Mandarin with HSK, TOCFL and textbook vocab, in simplified or traditional characters. WRITE TO REMEMBER Recall each character stroke by stroke, with instant feedback on your handwriting and stroke order. Prefer to focus on readings and meanings? You can turn writing off any time. SPACED REPETITION THAT FITS YOUR DAY Our spaced repetition system (SRS) brings each word back just before you forget it, so you practice what is slipping and skip what you know. Daily reminders keep the habit going, and a few minutes a day adds up to thousands of characters over time. HSK, TOCFL AND YOUR TEXTBOOK - HSK 3.0 levels 1 to 3, with more levels added as they are released - Every HSK 2.0 level - TOCFL decks - Most popular Chinese textbook series, chapter by chapter, so you can study this week's words tonight 700+ DECKS AND GUIDED COURSES - The Skritter Character Course: learn how characters work and master 150 high-use characters - 100 Common Radicals: see how characters are built - Chinese Stroke Order: eight simple rules for balanced, readable handwriting - Hundreds more topics, with new video lessons added regularly - Or build your own word list in seconds. YOUR SCRIPT, YOUR WAY Study traditional or simplified characters, or both, with pinyin or zhuyin (bopomofo). THREE WRITING MODES Start with guided strokes and hints, move to freehand, then write whole characters from memory and grade yourself. SKRITTER PREMIUM - Personalized SRS reviews - Instant handwriting and stroke order feedback - HSK, TOCFL, textbook lists and 700+ official decks - Example sentences, tone practice and tips from expert teachers - Web, mobile and offline support - One subscription covers both Skritter Chinese and Skritter Japanese Privacy Policy: https://skritter.com/legal Terms of Use: https://docs.skritter.com/article/133-terms-of-use

About

Chinese Character Reader

This app uses AI to instantly read Chinese characters aloud from scanned images. Convert books into audiobooks with a single tap, making learning and comprehension effortless. Simply take a picture, tap the detected text, and hear it spoken.

Highlights
  • AI-powered text detection
  • One-click text-to-speech
  • Book to audiobook conversion
  • Supports English and Chinese
  • Image scanning for reading
Features
Read full description

Use AI technology to detect the word to speech with 1 click Convert your book to audio book just 1 click SCAN Steps 1. Take a picture 2. Click the detected words/paragraph to speak Support English and Chinese

Screenshots

Skritter4 screens
Chinese Character Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chinese Character Reader at none against Skritter's 10. Chinese Character Reader also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Skritter's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (827 vs 2). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. Skritter sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Chinese Character Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chinese Character Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Skritter has 827 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Skritter ships an update every 5 weeks, Chinese Character Reader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Skritter versus Chinese Character Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSkritterChinese Character Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (827 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings827 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInkren, Inc.Tsz Poon

Customer experience

Skritter

All ratings825 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews381 reviews
Positive82.9%
Neutral5.5%
Negative11.5%

Chinese Character Reader

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Skritter

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues and unauthorized charges
  • App freezing and crashing
  • Syncing problems across devices
  • Inconsistent character recognition

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow creating custom decks and word lists
  • Add Cantonese support
  • Improve landscape mode on iPad
  • Provide more detailed performance tracking
  • Add ability to focus on specific problem characters

Chinese Character Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Skritter

Subscriptions8
  • Skritter Premium (1 month)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Skritter Premium (1 month)7 Days trial2 variants$14.991 Month
  • Skritter Premium (1 month)14 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Skritter Premium (6 month)7 Days trial$59.996 Months
  • Skritter Premium (6 month)7 Days trial$69.996 Months
  • Skritter Premium (1 year)7 Days trial2 variants$99.991 Year
  • Skritter Premium (1 year)14 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Skritter Premium (1 year)7 Days trial$119.991 Year
None

Chinese Character Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Skritter free?
Skritter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chinese Character Reader free?
Chinese Character Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Skritter or Chinese Character Reader?
Chinese Character Reader is rated higher. Skritter averages 4.7 out of 5 from 827 ratings, while Chinese Character Reader averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Skritter or Chinese Character Reader have ads?
Chinese Character Reader shows ads; Skritter does not.
Which is updated more often, Skritter or Chinese Character Reader?
Skritter ships an update every 5 weeks, and Chinese Character Reader every 2 months. Most recently, Skritter was updated on November 12, 2026 and Chinese Character Reader on November 3, 2026.

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