NiNow vs Shuolio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NiNow
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NiNow– We learn how you learn Welcome to the first AI-Native language learning app for English speakers learning Mandarin Chinese! Are you stagnating, not sure where to start, or tired of the same cheesy content in other apps? So were we, that's why we created NiNow. NiNow is built around conversations, and builds and tracks your knowledge along the way. We tailor the experience to your needs and interests, whether it's landing a job, connecting with family, or just challenging yourself. Learning Chinese is particularly hard for English speakers, and the hurdles that come with understanding tones, reading an entirely different character system, and speaking effectively can make it feel like giving up is the only option. We're here to fix that, and bring the world together a little more. You'll meet Coco, your always-ready AI tutor who can help you with more than just rote vocabulary study. She understands your level, goals, and learning style and constantly adapts to your needs! Learning a language is about more than just memorizing words– it's about connecting to new people and cultures. Whatever your goals are for learning Chinese, Coco will guide you on the fastest path. She can help you navigate learning vocabulary, cultural nuances, trending slang, and anything else you need to learn to reach your goals. Not everyone has a chance to be immersed in the Chinese language, and finding materials that are suitable for your level, engaging, and tailored toward your needs has not been possible before. Our team of expert educators has built an entirely new experience around how people learn fastest, get over hurdles, and stay consistent in their improvement of learning Chinese based on years of practical experience. Terms of use can be found at: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Shuolio
Practice speaking Mandarin Chinese with an AI tutor through realistic conversations. Choose from everyday scenarios and get instant feedback, with pinyin and characters displayed for all spoken content. Ideal for building speaking confidence at your own pace.
- AI conversation tutor
- Realistic dialogue scenarios
- Pinyin and character display
- HSK level alignment
- Practice anytime, anywhere
- Build speaking confidence
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Shuolio helps you practice speaking Mandarin Chinese through realistic conversations with an AI tutor. REAL CONVERSATION PRACTICE Unlike flashcard apps or grammar drills, Shuolio lets you actually speak. Choose a scenario, tap to talk, and have a natural back-and-forth conversation in Mandarin. EVERYDAY SCENARIOS Practice situations you'll actually encounter: • Ordering at a restaurant • Shopping at a market • Making plans with friends • Asking for directions • And more scenarios added regularly BUILT FOR LEARNERS • Exercises aligned with HSK levels • See pinyin and characters for everything spoken • Go at your own pace - no pressure, no judgment • Practice anytime, anywhere HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick a conversation scenario 2. Tap the microphone and speak in Mandarin 3. Get a natural response from your AI conversation partner 4. Keep the conversation going Perfect for HSK 1-2 learners who want to build real speaking confidence before their next trip, class, or conversation with native speakers. Free to start. Premium features coming soon.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shuolio at none against NiNow's 4. Shuolio also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. NiNow sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $29.00 per month. Shuolio asks for nothing beyond the download.
NiNow ships an update every 2 weeks, Shuolio every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NiNow | Shuolio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 147 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Ninow Inc. | Colin Sanders |
In-app purchases
NiNow
- Explorer- Monthly$29.001 Month
- Fluent- Monthly$49.001 Month
- Explorer- Annual$299.001 Year
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- Fluent- Annual$499.001 Year
Shuolio
No in-app purchases









