Comparison

PinYin Browser Pro vs Zishu

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

Head to head
About

PinYin Browser Pro

Features
Read full description

Want to easily read Chinese and learn pronunciation while browsing the web? This software is designed for Chinese learners. It automatically marks pinyin on web pages to bring you a smooth Chinese learning experience. Main functions: - Automatic pinyin annotation: Automatically add pinyin to all Chinese content to help you quickly master pronunciation and easily read Chinese web pages. - Support for simplified and traditional Chinese: Supports automatic pinyin annotation for simplified or traditional Chinese - One-click activation: Simple operation, open the extension and you can enjoy pinyin-assisted reading in the browser at any time. - Improve reading confidence: Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this software provides you with pinyin support to make Chinese reading more fluent and free. Applicable scenarios: - Chinese beginners: Users who have just started learning Chinese can directly understand and learn Chinese character pronunciation through pinyin support. - Advanced learners: Users with a foundation can use pinyin annotation to consolidate pronunciation and improve reading speed and comprehension. Let this software be your best assistant to explore the Chinese world and make learning Chinese more intuitive and easier!

About

Zishu

Master Chinese characters with authentic stroke order and real-time validation. Progress through HSK levels with a smart learning system, practice modes, and pronunciation support. Track your progress and customize your learning experience.

Highlights
  • Authentic stroke order learning
  • Real-time writing validation
  • Smart three-stage learning system
  • HSK 1-6 character coverage
  • Guided and handwriting practice modes
  • Progress tracking and statistics
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Learn to write Chinese characters, stroke by stroke. Zishu is a personal Chinese handwriting tutor that works completely offline. Draw every character stroke by stroke on screen and get instant validation against authentic stroke order data, with a brush that feels like real ink. CALLIGRAPHY INK BRUSH A simulated brush whose width and angle follow the speed and direction of your hand, with a tapered entry and a pressed finish. Classic and invisible stroke styles are also available. STROKE DETECTION THAT UNDERSTANDS HANDWRITING Automatically detects whether each stroke is right as you write. Connected strokes can be written in one motion, like 了 in a single flow or the cover of 学. If you prefer, you can turn off automatic grading and judge your own writing for a true handwriting experience. DAILY REVIEW WITH SPACED REPETITION Every character you practice is scheduled on expanding intervals (1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60 days). Miss one and it comes back sooner. A Daily Review card shows exactly what is due today, and practice automatically features the characters you struggle with. AUTOMATIC GRADING Each character is graded from your strokes. Confirm or override with a tap, or turn on auto-advance and just keep writing. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO STUDY - HSK 1 to 6, radicals, and frequency sets - Custom sets from any text, organized in folders, plus review sets built from your mistakes - Radical meanings shown when you complete a character - Built-in dictionary with pinyin and definitions, and your own notes - Native Mandarin pronunciation - Streaks, goals with a daily pace, and detailed progress SIMPLIFIED OR TRADITIONAL Pick the characters you're learning when you first open the app, and switch anytime in Settings. Every set converts, and your progress is kept. MADE FOR IPHONE AND IPAD A comfortable, adjustable writing area on iPad. Interface in English and Chinese. 100% OFFLINE AND PRIVATE No account, no ads, no tracking. All your data stays on your device, with built-in backup export and import. Zishu is free and made by one student developer. If it helps you, there is a tip jar in the menu. Nothing is locked behind it.

Screenshots

PinYin Browser Pro2 screens
Zishu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Zishu at Free against PinYin Browser Pro's $12.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Zishu is free to download; PinYin Browser Pro costs $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PinYin Browser Pro versus Zishu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPinYin Browser ProZishu
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating—4.7 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—10 — better
Update frequency—Every 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShanghai Dazhuo Information Technology Co., Ltd.Ben Morrison

In-app purchases

None

PinYin Browser Pro

No in-app purchases

None

Zishu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PinYin Browser Pro free?
PinYin Browser Pro costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zishu free?
Zishu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PinYin Browser Pro or Zishu have ads?
Neither PinYin Browser Pro nor Zishu shows ads.

Other comparisons