Mind Sutra vs Mandala
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mind Sutra
Engage in a meditative Japanese tradition by tracing sutra characters on your smartphone. This app offers a user-friendly interface, automatic character advancement, and pronunciation guides to promote relaxation, focus, and a sense of accomplishment.
- Meditative sutra tracing
- Innovative coloring book interface
- Automatic character advance
- Modern translation of sutra
- Furigana pronunciation guides
- Copying log for progress tracking
- Sample audio recitation
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Restless? Hard to concentrate in a busy world? Discover "Shakyo" (Sutra Copying)—a 1,000-year-old Japanese meditative tracing tradition, now in an innovative app. Our unique interface optimizes the smartphone sutra copying experience. Enjoy great ease of use and focus, with rich features to enhance your practice. 【Why Try Sutra Copying? The Amazing Benefits:】 Deep Relaxation: Quickly feel your mind calm during this peaceful activity. Boost Concentration: Carefully tracing each character helps distractions fade, guiding you to pleasant, focused awareness. Mental Detox: If traditional meditation is challenging, sutra copying focuses mental resources on your fingertips, easing you to a near-thoughtless state. Sense of Accomplishment & Self-Affirmation: Completing the Heart Sutra (approx. 15-30 min/session) brings achievement and inner stability. 【Unique Features of This App:】 Innovative "Coloring Book" Interface: Our unique, user-friendly interface offers a beautiful sutra tracing experience on your phone. Simply trace the on-screen characters with your finger. Like a digital coloring book, anyone can easily create beautiful sutra copies. Stress-Free "Automatic Character Advance": Once you've carefully traced a character, the app automatically moves to the next at the optimal timing. This helps you get into a rhythm and immerse yourself in calming and centering your mind. (Manual advance is an option). No Worries About Mistakes: Since you're tracing a model, you can relax and practice serenely without concern for errors. Deeper Understanding with "Modern Translation": Access a Japanese translation (modern vernacular) of the Heart Sutra anytime. Engage more profoundly by understanding the meaning and teachings within the sutra. Beginner-Friendly with "Full Furigana (Pronunciation Guide)": All Kanji characters for tracing are displayed with "Furigana" (pronunciation guides). Read and trace smoothly without getting stuck on difficult characters or old forms. Motivating "Copying Log": The app automatically records when and how much you've practiced. Seeing your progress at a glance provides accomplishment and motivates you to continue. Learn by Ear with "Sample Audio Recitation": Includes a standard audio recitation of the Heart Sutra. You can check the correct pronunciation as you go. The Heart Sutra, Perfect for Meditation, Made Easy: Features the Heart Sutra (~280 characters). A single session is about 15-30 minutes, ideal for daily meditation and a refreshing mental break. 【Recommended For Those Who:】 Are interested in meditation or mindfulness but aren't sure how to start. Want a quick and easy way to refresh and calm their mind amidst a busy schedule. Are students or professionals looking to improve focus and concentration. May have ADHD tendencies and find sustaining focus/sitting still hard; tactile tracing and short sessions can help ease into focused activity. Want to learn the meaning and correct pronunciation of the Heart Sutra. Often feel stressed or anxious and are seeking inner peace. Are looking for a new, relaxing bedtime routine. 【Easy to Use:】 Open the app and tap "Start" to display the Heart Sutra text and tracing characters. Begin by calming your mind. Focus on the shape and sound of each character as you carefully trace it, one stroke at a time. You can also listen to the audio recitation as you trace. As you continue, you'll naturally feel your mind settle and distractions fade. If you wish to contemplate the meaning, refer to the modern translation. Upon completion, you'll automatically return to the menu, and your session time is logged. Observe your progress and changes in your state of mind. Note: To go at your own pace or if unsure of stroke order, turn off "Automatic Character Advance" in Settings for manual advance. Experience a new way of sutra copying—just by tracing with your finger. Download now and bring a touch of serenity to your everyday life.
Mandala
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Provides mantras and thanks to help beginner to practice visualizing and chanting mantras.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Mandala at Free against Mind Sutra's $5.99. Mandala also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). On ads, in-app purchases, 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
Mandala is free to download; Mind Sutra costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Mind Sutra ships an update every 7 months, Mandala every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mind Sutra | Mandala |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 108 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | QOOQ inc. | Chen-Hai Teng |
In-app purchases
Mind Sutra
No in-app purchases
Mandala
No in-app purchases









