# Shadow Chinese vs HCMCOU

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HCMCOU at none against Shadow Chinese's 4. HCMCOU also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.6). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shadow Chinese sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. HCMCOU asks for nothing beyond the download.

Shadow Chinese ships an update every 2 months, HCMCOU every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shadow Chinese | HCMCOU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[2.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hcmcou-elo/id6473704371/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 19 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Kin Fai Lee](https://appshunter.io/developer/531306021) | [HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/1479161594) |

## What reviewers say

### Shadow Chinese

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadow-chinese/id1576096161)

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Membership Plan | $0.99 | per month |
| Lite | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Max | $4.99 | per month |


### HCMCOU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hcmcou-elo/id6473704371)

This virtual classroom app streamlines distance learning for students and teachers. It offers access to course materials, assignments, grades, and facilitates communication and assignment submission. Teachers can manage courses, provide feedback, and grade assignments.

**Highlights:** Access course materials, assignments, and grades, Download lecture notes and watch educational videos, Participate in online discussions, Submit assignments electronically, Communicate with students and teachers, Grade assignments and quizzes

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shadow Chinese free?

Shadow Chinese is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HCMCOU free?

HCMCOU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Shadow Chinese or HCMCOU have ads?

Neither Shadow Chinese nor HCMCOU shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shadow Chinese or HCMCOU?

Shadow Chinese ships an update every 2 months, and HCMCOU every 5 weeks. Most recently, Shadow Chinese was updated on October 14, 2026 and HCMCOU on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*