Comparison

Pinyin Trainer for Educators vs Speak Chinese

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

Head to head
About

Pinyin Trainer for Educators

Master Mandarin Chinese phonetics and tones with this comprehensive trainer. Features nearly 2,000 audio recordings, interactive exercises, and a built-in guide to the Pinyin system. Ideal for beginners and advanced learners seeking to improve listening skills and avoid pronunciation errors.

Highlights
  • Master Chinese tones and Pinyin initials
  • Nearly 2,000 audio recordings
  • Interactive tone sketching mode
  • Integrated Chinese-English dictionary
  • Complete Pinyin reading guide
Features
Read full description

Master the sounds of Mandarin Chinese with ease! *** NOTE: This version is discounted for educational institutions and is fully featured. You can also try a free version of Pinyin Trainer and upgrade at leisure: tap our company name to find the free version! *** No matter if you're a beginner or a long-time student of Chinese, its tonal nature can catch you out and even cause some serious embarrassment... Pinyin Trainer will help you master those tones using Pinyin, the standard romanization system for Mandarin Chinese. With almost 2,000 individual audio recordings and a variety of question-and-answer methods, it'll keep you on your toes and improve your Chinese listening skills like nothing else. Plus, it's got a complete guide to reading Chinese with the Pinyin system built right in. Features: - Score by tapping the words that you hear - Train both Chinese tones and Pinyin "initials" sounds, to help you distinguish between commonly-confused words - Integrates with our Chinese-English dictionary to provide potential definitions for Pinyin words - In tone sketching mode, answer tone questions by drawing Pinyin tones with your fingers! - Almost 2,000 high quality original audio recordings - Free guide to reading Pinyin, with a complete index of one-syllable Chinese sounds

About

Speak Chinese

Master Mandarin Chinese with an AI-powered tutor and comprehensive learning tools. Improve speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills with interactive lessons, audiobooks, and HSK exam preparation. Learn vocabulary and characters efficiently for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • AI speaking tutor with pronunciation feedback
  • 1,000+ bilingual audiobooks
  • HSK exam preparation and mock tests
  • Spaced repetition vocabulary learning
  • Character learning with visual mnemonics
  • Offline study mode
Features
Read full description

Featured on Top Education Charts – The definitive all-in-one Mandarin Chinese learning solution powered by advanced AI technology. Master Mandarin Chinese smarter, faster, and more enjoyably. Whether you’re a total beginner starting from zero or a student preparing for advanced HSK certifications, Speak Chinese provides a fully personalized, guided path to improve your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Why learners choose Speak Chinese: Real-Life AI Tutor & Pronunciation Scoring • Interactive Roleplay: Simulate everyday conversations, travel scenarios, and workplace dialogue. • Instant Feedback: The AI analyzes your speech, tracks tone accuracy, and delivers real-time fluency scores to help you speak like a native. Full HSK Test Mode & Smart Explanations • Exam Simulation: Practice with mock tests meticulously designed around official HSK levels. • AI-Driven Review: Get instant, in-depth breakdowns for every question so you understand the exact grammar rules behind your scores. Learn Characters via Visual Mnemonics • Creative Illustrations: Remember difficult Chinese characters through vivid visual cues and structural associations. • Radical Breakdowns: Master writing structures with detailed radical analysis and real-time stroke-order animations. Custom Flashcards + Spaced Repetition • Save Vocabulary on the Fly: Build personalized word banks directly from your daily lessons. • Scientific Review: Retain vocabulary long-term with our optimized spaced-repetition flashcard algorithm. Immersive Media & Integrated Dictionary • Graded Reading: Explore an embedded library of books, audiobooks, and video articles. • One-Tap Lookup: Tap any word to instantly view pinyin, English translations, stroke orders, and core grammar tips without leaving the page. The ultimate all-in-one solution that replaces the frustration of juggling between "Pleco + flashcards + vocabulary apps." Perfect for: • Expats and travelers who need practical conversational Mandarin fast. • Students preparing thoroughly for HSK 1–6 examinations. • Busy individuals looking for efficient, hands-free audio practice. Download Speak Chinese today and take your first definitive step toward complete Mandarin fluency!

Screenshots

Pinyin Trainer for Educators3 screens
Speak Chinese4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Speak Chinese at Free against Pinyin Trainer for Educators's $2.99. Speak Chinese also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 34 months). Pinyin Trainer for Educators's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment 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

Speak Chinese is free to download; Pinyin Trainer for Educators costs $2.99 up front. Speak Chinese sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Pinyin Trainer for Educators asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Speak Chinese holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Speak Chinese has 285 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Pinyin Trainer for Educators's written reviews are positive against 78% of Speak Chinese's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pinyin Trainer for Educators ships an update every 34 months, Speak Chinese every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Pinyin Trainer for Educators versus Speak Chinese: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPinyin Trainer for EducatorsSpeak Chinese
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)4.5 (285 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews77.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4285 — better
Update frequencyEvery 34 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB91 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developertrainchinese B.V.Quan Pham Minh

Customer experience

Pinyin Trainer for Educators

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Speak Chinese

All ratings285 ratings
Positive86.0%
Neutral6.0%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive77.5%
Neutral8.8%
Negative13.8%

In-app purchases

None

Pinyin Trainer for Educators

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Speak Chinese

Subscriptions10
  • PlusAI+ 1 Month$14.991 Month
  • Plus+ 3 Months$24.993 Months
  • PlusAI+ 3 Months$29.993 Months
Show 7 more
  • Plus+ 6 Months$45.996 Months
  • PlusAI+ 6 Months$49.996 Months
  • PlusAI+ 1 Year1 Year trial3 variants$59.991 Year
  • PlusAI+ 1 Year$59.991 Year
  • Plus+ 1 Year$59.991 Year
  • PlusAI+ 1 Year2 variants$69.991 Year
  • PlusAI+ 1 Year1 Year trial3 variants$69.991 Year

Questions

Is Pinyin Trainer for Educators free?
Pinyin Trainer for Educators costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Speak Chinese free?
Speak Chinese is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pinyin Trainer for Educators or Speak Chinese?
Speak Chinese is rated higher. Pinyin Trainer for Educators averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Speak Chinese averages 4.5 from 285 ratings.
Do Pinyin Trainer for Educators or Speak Chinese have ads?
Speak Chinese shows ads; Pinyin Trainer for Educators does not.
Which is updated more often, Pinyin Trainer for Educators or Speak Chinese?
Pinyin Trainer for Educators ships an update every 34 months, and Speak Chinese every 10 days. Most recently, Pinyin Trainer for Educators was updated on October 8, 2026 and Speak Chinese on October 30, 2026.

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