Ello vs Pinu
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ello
This app offers personalized reading and math instruction for children aged 5-9. Utilizing AI, it listens to children read aloud, identifies errors, and adapts lessons to their individual learning pace. It features a vast library of decodable books and covers foundational math concepts.
- AI reading tutor
- Adaptive learning
- 1,200+ decodable books
- Math games
- Daily personalized quests
- Phonics instruction
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Ello is an AI tutor for reading and math, ages 5 to 9 (Kinder to 3rd grade). Your child reads and talks out loud. Ello listens to every word and teaches in the moment. Start free. The Free plan includes daily lessons, and your first week of Ello Unlimited is on us. No credit card. 88% of children read more with Ello.* Named one of TIME's Best Inventions. Rated by Common Sense Media. Featured on Good Morning America. HOW ELLO TEACHES • It listens. When your child stumbles on a word, Ello hears it and helps them sound it out instead of saying the word for them. • It talks back. After a story, Ello asks what happened, listens to the answer, and responds to what your child said. • It explains math. Ello talks through each step out loud, from counting to multiplication, and lets your child find the answer. • It starts at your child's level. Ello places your child in reading and math, and you can change the level anytime in Settings. CREATE A STORY Your child makes up a story. Ello turns it into a real book with pictures, then teaches them to read it. BUILT FOR FAMILIES • Up to 4 children on one account, each with their own level, stars, and books. • A parent dashboard with lessons completed, words read, and stars earned. • Texts that share the funny, sweet things your child says to Ello. • No ads. BUILT BY TEACHERS Thirty-seven teachers and learning researchers built Ello. WHAT PARENTS SAY "My son is shy about attempting to read out loud with me, but he loves reading out loud with Ello!" (App Store review) "It's actually engaging with my son and listening to what he says and correcting and encouraging him." (App Store review) PLANS • Free: daily reading and math lessons, shared by every child on the account. • Ello Unlimited: unlimited learning for every child and full parent reports. Optional subscription, billed monthly or yearly. • Every family gets Ello Unlimited free for their first 7 days. *Survey of Ello families. Questions? support@ello.com
Pinu
This app transforms language learning into a fun, game-like experience. It uses interactive lessons and a supportive companion to help users build speaking confidence through real-world practice and instant feedback.
- Gamified learning journey
- Interactive map-based lessons
- Virtual language buddy
- Real-world speaking practice
- Instant feedback on exercises
- Progressive language expansion
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Meet Pinu — your language buddy. Pinu turns language learning into an engaging, game-inspired journey. Instead of tedious memorization and endless vocabulary lists, you learn by playing, practicing, and building confidence step by step. Whether you’re preparing for a trip, settling into a new place, or simply challenging yourself, Pinu makes learning a new language feel approachable and rewarding. Why Pinu? - Gamified Learning Explore interactive lessons through a map-based journey. Each lesson feels like a small quest, keeping you motivated as you progress. - Your Language Buddy Pinu isn’t just a mascot — he’s there to celebrate your wins and support you along the way. - Real-World Speaking Practice Practice everyday scenarios and build the confidence to speak naturally from day one. - Instant Feedback Get immediate guidance and positive reinforcement after every exercise. - More Languages Ahead Pinu is built to grow with new languages and learning experiences continuously on the way. Start your language journey with Pinu today!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Ello at 4.7 against Pinu's 4.1. Ello also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 52%) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ads, chart position 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
Both are free to download. Pinu sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Ello asks for nothing beyond the download.
Ello holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 245 and 56 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Ello's written reviews are positive against 52% of Pinu's.
Ello ships an update every 2 days, Pinu every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ello | Pinu |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (245 ratings) — better | 4.1 (56 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.9% of reviews — better | 52.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 245 — better | 56 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #60 — better | #82 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 208 MB | 147 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ello Technology, Inc. | LEAF BOAT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
Customer experience
Ello
Pinu
In-app purchases
Ello
No in-app purchases
Pinu
- Pinu - Languages Learning$4.997 Days
- Pinu3 Days trial$15.991 Month
- Pinu$15.991 Month
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- Pinu3 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Pinu$99.991 Year
- Avatar Outfit Set$1.99









