NMJL Online vs Mahjong Trainer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NMJL Online
Experience the official online version of the National Mah Jongg League's tabletop game. Play against others or AI, customize your game with themes and tile sets, and access a detailed tutorial. Requires the physical annual card and an online game membership to play online.
- Online multiplayer matches
- Play against AI opponents
- Interactive tutorial for new players
- Customizable themes and tile sets
- AI can take over for dropped players
- Optional voice and sound effects
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Play Official NMJL Mah Jongg versus other players online or polish your skills against seven different AI players. Includes a detailed interactive tutorial for new players. Each year since 1937, the National Mah Jongg League has mailed out cards containing their "Official Standard Hands and Rules" for the year. In the spring, members eagerly await the arrival of the new card, which brings fresh challenges for players. Now, the National Mah Jongg League has created NMJL Online(tm), its very own official online version of the tabletop game. Anyone with the official annual card plus an online game membership can play NMJL Online. Select from several colorful visual themes and four beautiful tile sets. Optional male and female voices and sound effects help players keep up the pace. If three friends aren’t available to play, meet new friends in the lobby or select from a wide range of AI players to add to your game. In addition, if a player drops out or loses their Internet connection, AI players can take over and keep the game moving until the original player is able to re-join. Downloading the app is free. Those without a membership can still play through the tutorial. In order to play the online game, however, you must purchase the physical card and online game membership from the National Mah Jongg League. An Internet connection is also required. This app includes auto-renewing subscription options and is offered under the terms of the standard Apple End-User License Agreement, which may be viewed here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/. Additional details of our Terms of Service may be viewed here: https://faqs.nmjlonline.com/legal/NMJL-Online_Terms-of-Service.html
Mahjong Trainer
Learn American Mahjong through structured lessons and focused practice. Build confidence with guided units covering tiles, rules, and table reading, all at your own pace. Track your progress and improve your skills without the pressure of a full game.
- Guided lessons on tiles, rules, and table play
- Focused practice for Charleston decisions and tile recognition
- Visual guides for table situations
- Progress tracking for skill development
- Offline access to core content
- Daily reminders for practice
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Learn American Mahjong one clear step at a time. Mahjong Trainer turns unfamiliar tiles, rules, Charleston decisions, jokers, exposures, and table reading into guided lessons and focused practice. Whether you are brand-new or returning to the table, build confidence at your own pace - without the pressure of a full game. LEARN WITH STRUCTURE • Follow guided units covering tiles, groups, rules, and table play • Explore 17 visual lesson topics with practical takeaways • Begin with the fundamentals or follow a path shaped by your experience • Build knowledge through short, approachable activities PRACTICE WHAT MATTERS • Complete a focused Lesson of the Day • Strengthen tile recognition • Practice Charleston decisions • Review jokers, exposures, and calls • Learn to read the table • Try timed and score-based challenges • Understand answers with clear explanations EXPLORE TABLE SITUATIONS Study visual guides for setup and dealing, the Charleston, calls and exposures, jokers, table reading, and game endings. Use the built-in glossary to review common American Mahjong terms whenever you need a refresher. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Track XP, levels, streaks, practice accuracy, completed sessions, and skill development. Review your weekly activity and see how your tile fluency, hand building, rules knowledge, and table awareness improve over time. PRACTICE ON YOUR SCHEDULE Set an optional daily reminder and return for a few calm minutes of focused learning. Lessons, practice, and progress are designed for both iPhone and iPad. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT No account is required. Your learning progress and preferences are stored locally on your device. Core lessons and practice remain available offline. Free lessons and practice are available without subscribing. Optional subscription plans are offered through the App Store, with trial availability determined by Apple. Mahjong Trainer is an independent educational tool. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Mah Jongg League and does not reproduce an official card. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Additional Terms: https://mahjong.tappa.fun/terms-ios.html Privacy Policy: https://mahjong.tappa.fun/privacy-ios.html Support: https://mahjong.tappa.fun/support.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Mahjong Trainer at 4.6 against NMJL Online's 1.8. Mahjong Trainer also leads on ratings volume (290 vs 4) and chart position (#108 vs unranked). NMJL Online's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. NMJL Online sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Mahjong Trainer sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Mahjong Trainer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mahjong Trainer has 290 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | NMJL Online | Mahjong Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (4 ratings) | 4.6 (290 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 22.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 290 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #108 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 118 MB | 75 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Quicksilver Software, Inc. | Learn & Practice Studios |
In-app purchases
NMJL Online
- Online Subscription (Monthly)$4.991 Month
- Online Subscription (Quarterly)$12.993 Months
- Online Subscription (Yearly)$49.991 Year
- 1-Mo Subscription, NonRenewing$4.99
- 3-Mo Subscription, NonRenewing$12.99
- 1-Yr Subscription, NonRenewing$49.99
Mahjong Trainer
- Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$7.997 Days
- Mahjong Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Mahjong Trainer Month Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Month
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- Promo Paywall Subscription3 Days trial$24.991 Year
- App Abandon Subscription$24.991 Year
- Mahjong Trainer: Annual Promo$29.991 Year
- Mahjong Annual Subscription$59.991 Year
- Mahjong Trainer Annual Subscription$89.991 Year
Questions
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