Comparison

HeInput vs Pinyin Academy

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

Head to head
About

HeInput

Learn and type Chinese characters and words with this app. It offers a step-by-step approach with practice modes for writing, typing, and phrases. Suitable for all learners of Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Highlights
  • Learn Chinese characters and words
  • System input method integration
  • Step-by-step self-training
  • Phrase coding and article practice
  • Supports Simplified and Traditional Chinese
  • Code prompt and Pinyin search
Features
Read full description

HeInput (Chinese Study and Input) (汉字字形学习与输入) HeChinese Series: 1. HeCharacter (On AppStore); 2. HeInput (This Application); 3. HeBook1 (On AppStore);  4. HeBook2 (On AppStore); 5. HeBook3 (Soon).  This is the best way to learn and type (Input) Chinese characters and words. After installation, take steps of Settings-->General-->Keyboard-->Add New Keyboard...-->Select THIRD-PARTY KEYBOARDS: iHeInput, this will set HeInput as iOS 8 system input method. Then you can use HeInput system input method to do study and practice of this application. This application provide a easy and fast way to learn Chinese writing and typing. If you feel difficult to start with, you may need try HeCharacter (on AppStore) first. More study material and software are available on www.HeZi.net. HeInput uses step-by-step easy going approach for self-training, it provides thoughtful instructions, explanation, prompts, and card and text practice modes. Phrase coding practice and article type practice are the last part of the self-training procedure. HeInput as a study method can help to learn Chinese words quickly and effectively. Intended teenagers can master HeInput in 3 hours, and then can analysis, decompose and type all Chinese words. HeInput application is suitable for all Chinese learners and users. HeInput application is adapted to both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, HeInput is widely used for study and typing Chinese. HeInput input method can type 21,003 words(only 3,500 words are daily used), 180,000 Phrases, has rich features such as code prompt, PinYin prompt, search words and code by PinYin, linked typing, adding personal phrases, etc. HeInput also using 26 numbers(formed with 1-6 six digitals) to encode 26 English characters, HeInput application provide training and function for English typing.

About

Pinyin Academy

Master Chinese Pinyin and basic characters with interactive lessons, games, and pronunciation practice. This app offers systematic learning for all levels, covering sounds, writing, vocabulary, and phonetic recognition. Ideal for children, students, and language enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Pinyin letter learning with audio
  • Handwriting practice with stroke guides
  • Pronunciation training and comparison
  • Interactive Pinyin card matching games
  • Word blending drills
  • Character recognition and matching
  • Educational mini-games
Features
Read full description

Learn Pinyin and Master Chinese Easily This tool helps learners of all ages master Chinese Pinyin and basic characters through systematic lessons, interactive exercises, and games. It covers pronunciation, writing, vocabulary, and phonetic recognition for all levels. Perfect for children, students, parents, and language enthusiasts. Key Features Pinyin Letter Learning: Covers all sounds with native audio and visual aids. Pinyin Handwriting Practice: Tracing and free-writing exercises with stroke-order guides. Pronunciation Training: Listen, record, and compare for accurate speech. Pinyin Card Matching: Fun games to reinforce letter-sound associations. Word Blending Drills: Practice reading single and multi-syllable words. Character Recognition & Matching: Learn characters with their Pinyin and meanings. Pinyin Wall Charts: Visual aids for mastering phonetic structures. Polyphonic Character Practice: Focus on multi-pronunciation characters. Pinyin Dictionary Tool: Quick search for Pinyin and characters with definitions. Educational Mini-Games: Fun games to boost retention and motivation. Who It’s For Children learning Pinyin Elementary students improving phonics Beginners in Chinese Parents, teachers, and tutors Bilingual children or overseas learners Pre-HSK learners Start your Chinese learning journey today – step-by-step and fun!

Screenshots

HeInput4 screens
Pinyin Academy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HeInput at 78% against Pinyin Academy's 32%. HeInput also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and ads (none vs shown). Pinyin Academy's advantage is ratings volume (142 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. HeInput sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Pinyin Academy sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HeInput holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pinyin Academy has 142 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of HeInput's written reviews are positive against 32% of Pinyin Academy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HeInput ships an update every 2 months, Pinyin Academy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
HeInput versus Pinyin Academy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHeInputPinyin Academy
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.4 (142 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better32.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2142 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGuilin Ouyang运杰 高

Customer experience

HeInput

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

Pinyin Academy

All ratings142 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral9.2%
Negative9.2%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive32.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative48.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

HeInput

One-time3
  • Word and Phrase Coding$1.99
  • Extended HeCharacter Table$1.99
  • Speed Typing$1.99
10 purchases

Pinyin Academy

One-time10
  • Unlock Grade 6-2$0.99
  • Unlock Characters$1.99
  • Unlock Grade 3$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Unlock Grade 2$1.99
  • Unlock Grade 1$1.99
  • Unlock Grade 4$1.99
  • Unlock Grade 5$1.99
  • Unlock Grade 6$1.99
  • remove ads$5.99
  • Unlock All 12 Books$6.99

Questions

Is HeInput free?
HeInput is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pinyin Academy free?
Pinyin Academy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HeInput or Pinyin Academy?
HeInput is rated higher. HeInput averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Pinyin Academy averages 4.4 from 142 ratings.
Do HeInput or Pinyin Academy have ads?
Pinyin Academy shows ads; HeInput does not.
Which is updated more often, HeInput or Pinyin Academy?
HeInput ships an update every 2 months, and Pinyin Academy every 3 weeks. Most recently, HeInput was updated on October 6, 2026 and Pinyin Academy on October 21, 2026.

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