Comparison

HeInput vs Chinese Writer by trainchinese

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

Chinese Writer by trainchinese

Master Chinese writing through an engaging game where characters fall from the sky. Tap and draw correctly to score points, or lose a life. Review learned characters with stroke order diagrams and personalized testing.

Highlights
  • Interactive character drawing game
  • Stroke order diagrams
  • Personalized review of difficult characters
  • HSK standard character packs
  • Customizable character packs
  • Audio recordings for pronunciation
Features
Read full description

Learn to write thousands of Chinese characters — it's educational, fun, and addictive! The characters fall from the top of the screen — touch them and draw them correctly to score points. But don't let them reach the bottom, or else — boom! Three mistakes and the game is over, but the learning continues: you can review everything you've seen, with stroke order diagrams, and practise at your own pace. The characters you made the most mistakes on are highlighted at the top of the list. » It's much more than a game! - trainchinese Chinese Writer can test you on over 5,000 simplified and traditional Chinese characters, and offers stroke order diagrams, English explanations, and high quality audio recordings for every pronunciation of every character. - The app remembers which characters you struggled to write and prioritises them in following games. » It's for everyone! - Characters are grouped into packs by difficulty level according to the official HSK standard. Hundreds are included in this free download. - Create your own packs by searching for characters by Pinyin. You can even combine Pinyin, English and Chinese characters in a single search to get maximum results, and add them all to your custom pack with a single swipe. - Your children can play. Your grandparents can too. Everyone can now enjoy the fun of learning this beautiful writing system. - Whatever your level, you'll make progress with trainchinese Chinese Writer. Beginners can start with simpler characters at a slower pace, while experienced students will be blazing through HSK 4 characters at full speed! » It's connected! - Create your own character packs and share them with your friends by email. - Proud of your score? Share it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook. - Already a trainchinese user? Download the characters you're learning in trainchinese Chinese Writer for free! Learn to write Chinese characters with trainchinese Chinese Writer. It's educational, fun — and addictive! » We'd love to hear your feedback about Chinese Writer. Contact us any time at cs@trainchinese.com!

Screenshots

HeInput4 screens
Chinese Writer by trainchinese4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HeInput at 5.0 against Chinese Writer by trainchinese's 4.6. HeInput also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). Chinese Writer by trainchinese's advantage is ratings volume (385 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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 Chinese Writer by trainchinese 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chinese Writer by trainchinese has 385 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of HeInput's written reviews are positive against 83% of Chinese Writer by trainchinese's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HeInput ships an update every 2 months, Chinese Writer by trainchinese monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HeInput versus Chinese Writer by trainchinese: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHeInputChinese Writer by trainchinese
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.6 (385 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews82.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2385 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB216 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGuilin Ouyangtrainchinese B.V.

Customer experience

HeInput

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

Chinese Writer by trainchinese

All ratings385 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral4.2%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews269 reviews
Positive82.5%
Neutral7.1%
Negative10.4%

Bugs and requests

HeInput

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Chinese Writer by trainchinese

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to write certain traditional characters
  • Syncing issues between devices
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Cantonese pronunciation option
  • Allow creating custom character packs
  • Implement a mode for learning words/phrases
  • Improve randomization of character selection
  • Add an option to write full words instead of single characters

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

Chinese Writer by trainchinese

One-time10
  • Additional Characters: 1B$0.99
  • Additional Characters: 1C$0.99
  • Additional Characters: 1D$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Additional Characters: 1E$0.99
  • Additional Characters: 1F$0.99
  • Additional Characters: 2B$0.99
  • Additional Characters: 2C$0.99
  • Calligraphic font$3.49
  • All Additional Characters$14.99
  • 1 year subscription$37.99

Questions

Is HeInput free?
HeInput is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chinese Writer by trainchinese free?
Chinese Writer by trainchinese is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HeInput or Chinese Writer by trainchinese?
HeInput is rated higher. HeInput averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Chinese Writer by trainchinese averages 4.6 from 385 ratings.
Do HeInput or Chinese Writer by trainchinese have ads?
Neither HeInput nor Chinese Writer by trainchinese shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HeInput or Chinese Writer by trainchinese?
HeInput ships an update every 2 months, and Chinese Writer by trainchinese monthly. Most recently, HeInput was updated on October 6, 2026 and Chinese Writer by trainchinese on October 16, 2026.

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