Comparison

Ello vs Pinu

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • AI reading tutor
  • Adaptive learning
  • 1,200+ decodable books
  • Math games
  • Daily personalized quests
  • Phonics instruction
Currently charting
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Gamified learning journey
  • Interactive map-based lessons
  • Virtual language buddy
  • Real-world speaking practice
  • Instant feedback on exercises
  • Progressive language expansion
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

Ello4 screens
Pinu4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Ello versus Pinu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElloPinu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (245 ratings) — better4.1 (56 ratings)
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews — better52.2% of reviews
Number of ratings245 — better56
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#60 — better#82
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size208 MB147 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEllo Technology, Inc.LEAF BOAT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Customer experience

Ello

All ratings245 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral1.2%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive87.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.1%

Pinu

All ratings56 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral5.4%
Negative19.6%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral13.0%
Negative34.8%

In-app purchases

None

Ello

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Pinu

Subscriptions5
  • Pinu - Languages Learning$4.997 Days
  • Pinu3 Days trial$15.991 Month
  • Pinu$15.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Pinu3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Pinu$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Avatar Outfit Set$1.99

Questions

Is Ello free?
Ello is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pinu free?
Pinu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ello or Pinu?
Ello is rated higher. Ello averages 4.7 out of 5 from 245 ratings, while Pinu averages 4.1 from 56 ratings.
Do Ello or Pinu have ads?
Neither Ello nor Pinu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ello or Pinu?
Ello ships an update every 2 days, and Pinu every 2 weeks. Most recently, Ello was updated on November 8, 2026 and Pinu on November 5, 2026.
Which is more popular, Ello or Pinu?
Ello currently peaks at #60 in the App Store charts, and Pinu at #82. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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