# Learn Chinese Essentials vs Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Learn Chinese Essentials at none against Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin's 1. Learn Chinese Essentials also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 19 months). Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 4.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Learn Chinese Essentials asks for nothing beyond the download.

Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

Learn Chinese Essentials ships an update every 5 months, Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Learn Chinese Essentials | Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chinese-essentials/id309485455/reviews) | **[4.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chinese-fast-mandarin/id6504408739/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **4** |
| Positive reviews | 43.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 19 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 83 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Renkara Media Group, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284945276) | [Shital Gorasiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1737199158) |

## What reviewers say

### Learn Chinese Essentials

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chinese-essentials/id309485455)

Master new Chinese words quickly and permanently with this language learning app. It offers native speaker audio for pronunciation, spaced repetition for memorization, and various study modes, including hands-free options. Sync your progress across devices with a cloud account.

**Highlights:** Native speaker audio for pronunciation, Spaced repetition for memorization, Searchable dictionary, Flashcards and quizzes, Hands-free study mode, Cloud sync for progress

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for beginners
- 💡 Customizable lists for exams
- 🚀 Effective for learning vocab
- 👍 Intuitive and fun to use
- 👍 Excellent flashcard capability

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Missing critical verbs
- 🐛 Not easy to navigate
- 🐛 Not particularly useful
- 🐛 Some mistakes in content
- 🐛 Counter-intuitive and hard to use

**Reported bugs**

- Paid version missing critical verbs
- App crashes frequently
- App does not load
- App messed up sound, required restore
- Not working with GPS since update

**Requested features**

- Add verbs to vocabulary
- Include sentence examples
- Teach how to write characters
- Add Cantonese language option
- Add pictures or video for memorization


### Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chinese-fast-mandarin/id6504408739)

Master Chinese from scratch with this self-paced app. Build vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and develop reading and writing skills through interactive lessons and quizzes. Suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced.

**Highlights:** Self-paced learning, Beginner to advanced vocabulary, Interactive quizzes, Visual learning with images, Topic-based categories, Pronunciation practice

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Purchase | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Learn Chinese Essentials free?

Learn Chinese Essentials is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin free?

Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Learn Chinese Essentials or Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin?

Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin is rated higher. Learn Chinese Essentials averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.

### Do Learn Chinese Essentials or Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin have ads?

Neither Learn Chinese Essentials nor Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Learn Chinese Essentials or Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin?

Learn Chinese Essentials ships an update every 5 months, and Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin every 19 months. Most recently, Learn Chinese Essentials was updated on October 12, 2026 and Learn Chinese Fast Mandarin on October 24, 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.*