Chen Tai Chi Forms vs Shaolin Online
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chen Tai Chi Forms
Learn traditional Chen-style Tai Chi forms with step-by-step guidance from Master Chenhan. Progress at your own pace with individual form purchases. Offers low-impact exercise for improved circulation, vitality, and mental alertness.
- Step-by-step form instruction
- Learn Lao Jia Yi Lu (First Form)
- Learn Cannon Fist (Second Form)
- Learn combined 56-movement form
- Low-impact whole-body exercise
- Improve circulation and vitality
- Develop mental alertness
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Stream or download these complete form lessons with Master Chenhan. Learn the first three forms of traditional Chen-style Tai Chi with step by step detail. You choose how quickly you want to progress with the training, with a separate In-App Purchase (IAP) for each form as you’re ready to learn more. Lesson One: "First Form, Lao Jia Yi Lu, is the first form learned in Chen Tai Chi (or "First Road", Yi Lu, 陈氏太极老架一路). Chen-style tai chi can be traced back to the 1400's in an unbroken lineage and has become one of the most popular internal martial arts in the world. In this program, Master Chenhan Yang teaches you the first form, the standard 74-posture "Old Frame" (Lao Jia) Chen style, also known as the "First Road" (Yi Lu). Master Chenhan demonstrates the form multiple times, guiding you with step-by-step instructions and explaining the purpose of each movement. The postures of traditional Chen-style tai chi still possess their martial arts roots, but they are often practiced slowly as a form of gentle whole-body moving meditation. • Learn the form step by step, and understand the purpose of each movement. • Enjoy low-impact whole-body exercise, good for all fitness levels. • Master the popular 74-posture First Form for demonstrations and tournaments. Tai chi will increase your circulation, resulting in improved vitality and longevity, and it will develop your mind's alertness, awareness, and concentration. Most importantly, as you practice, pay attention to the feeling within the movements, so you may appreciate the profound essence of tai chi chuan. Lesson Two: Cannon Fist, Pao Chui, is the second form learned in Chen Tai Chi (or "Second Road", Lao Jia Er Lu, 炮捶 俗称二路). Chen-style tai chi can be traced back to the 1400s in an unbroken lineage and has become one of the most popular internal martial arts in the world. In this program, Master Chenhan Yang teaches you the standard 43-posture "Old Frame" (Lao Jia) second form of traditional Chen style, known as Cannon Fist (Pao Chui). Master Chenhan demonstrates the form multiple times, guiding you with step-by-step instructions and explaining the purpose of each movement. The postures of traditional Chen-style tai chi still possess their martial arts roots, but they are often practiced slowly as a form of gentle whole-body moving meditation. • Master the powerful Cannon Fist 43-posture form for demonstrations and tournaments. Lesson Three: Combine forms 1 & 2 with the standard Chen-style 56-movement form, with step-by-step instructions explaining the purpose of each movement. Chen tai chi is one of the most popular tai chi styles in the world, and it is practiced by millions of people every day. The movements still possess their martial arts roots but are often practiced slowly as a form of gentle whole-body exercise. • Popular 56-form for demonstrations and tournaments Tai chi relaxes the mind and body deeply, a key to maintaining and improving health. Your natural healing abilities are most effective when you are calm and centered. Regular practice can benefit your strength, flexibility, bone density, and muscle mass. The low-impact exercise has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and insomnia and promote the healing of chronic conditions. Tai chi is an excellent way to relieve stress, lower your blood pressure, and develop a positive attitude toward life. Thank you for downloading our free app! We are striving to make the best possible video apps available. Sincerely, The team at YMAA Publication Center, Inc. (Yang’s Martial Arts Association) CONTACT: apps@ymaa.com VISIT: www.YMAA.com WATCH: www.YouTube.com/ymaa
Shaolin Online
This platform offers official online training from the Shaolin Temple Europe. Learn Shaolin Kung Fu, Qi Gong, and other traditional arts. Discover ancient methods to transform your life.
- Official Shaolin Temple Europe training
- Learn Shaolin Kung Fu
- Learn Qi Gong
- Discover Shaolin Arts
- Ancient self-mastery methods
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Shaolin Online is the official online training platform from the Shaolin Temple Europe 歐洲少林寺. Learn more about Shaolin Kung Fu, Qi Gong and other Shaolin Arts. Discover ancient methods that inherit the knowledge to change your life. Start your journey!
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Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Shaolin Online at 155 against Chen Tai Chi Forms's 1. Shaolin Online also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 14 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Chen Tai Chi Forms sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Shaolin Online sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Chen Tai Chi Forms holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shaolin Online has 155 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Chen Tai Chi Forms ships an update every 14 months, Shaolin Online every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chen Tai Chi Forms | Shaolin Online |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.8 (155 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 87.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 155 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 5 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 53 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | YMAA Publication Center, Inc. | Shaolin Temple Europe GmbH |
Customer experience
Chen Tai Chi Forms
Shaolin Online
In-app purchases
Chen Tai Chi Forms
- Unlock Section 1$9.99
- Unlock Section 2$9.99
- Unlock Section 3$9.99
Shaolin Online
- All Livesessions 2021Free
- SELF-MASSAGEFree
- SELF MASTERY$499.99
Questions
Is Chen Tai Chi Forms free?
Is Shaolin Online free?
Which has better reviews, Chen Tai Chi Forms or Shaolin Online?
Do Chen Tai Chi Forms or Shaolin Online have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chen Tai Chi Forms or Shaolin Online?
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