Comparison

Proper Strokes vs MemoryForge

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

Head to head
About

Proper Strokes

Features
Read full description

Forgotten how to write characters after years of typing? Proper Strokes pairs deliberate handwriting practice with spaced reviews to keep your Traditional Chinese muscle memory alive. Write one stroke at a timeβ€”quick cursive swipes won’t registerβ€”so every session reinforces the real form. Built from a stroke-level input engine, Proper Strokes rewards careful writing with instant guidance and a review schedule that respects your time. You choose the phrases, the app handles the review timing, and the progress bar only fills when each stroke lands in place. How Proper Strokes supports your practice: - Stroke-by-stroke feedback that reveals form issues before you move on. - Personal phrase library with optional Zhuyin hints so you practice the words that matter. - Spaced review planner that surfaces due characters right when you need them. - Explore Mode drawn from a 3,000-character library for guided discovery beyond your list. - Privacy-first design: no accounts, no ads. No internet requiredβ€”your handwriting data stays on your device. Write with Apple Pencil, a stylus, or your fingerβ€”whatever helps you focus on each stroke. Terms of Service: https://properstrokes.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://properstrokes.com/privacy.html

About

MemoryForge

Features
Read full description

MemoryForge turns any subject into lasting knowledge β€” powered by proven spaced repetition science and AI that builds your cards for you. **Build cards faster. Remember longer.** Create memory cards from a topic with AI, then review and save them when they are ready. Turn notes, worksheets, and study material into memory cards with Photo to Card. Review on the train, at home, or anywhere β€” your core decks and reviews stay available offline. Use Child Mode from the Parent Dashboard to suppress ads, tracking, and purchase screens while checking recent on-device study activity. **Study Smarter with SM-2 Spaced Repetition** MemoryForge uses the battle-tested SM-2 algorithm to schedule exactly which cards you need to review each day. Rate each card Again, Hard, Good, or Easy β€” the algorithm adapts in real time. Cards you know well disappear for days or weeks; cards you struggle with return sooner. You learn faster and forget less. **AI Card Generation** Type a topic β€” "Organic Chemistry", "JLPT N3 Vocabulary", "AWS Certifications" β€” set a quantity, and let MemoryForge generate a full deck in seconds. Powered by GPT-4o or DeepSeek, the AI produces front/back pairs with optional study notes, ready to review immediately. **Offline-First. Always Ready.** Every core feature works without a network connection. Your decks, reviews, and statistics are stored locally on your device. Open the app and start reviewing β€” no login required. **Two Review Modes** Reveal Mode: Tap to slide the answer into view for a clean, distraction-free experience. Flip Mode: Classic 3D card-flip animation for the tactile learners. **Text-to-Speech (TTS)** Tap the speaker icon to hear any card read aloud. Perfect for language learning β€” train your ear while you train your memory. **Streak & Statistics** Stay motivated with a daily study streak. Track progress through weekly activity charts, grade distribution, total reviews, accuracy rate, and longest streak. **Card Library & Flexible Import** Browse curated card packs or import your own cards via JSON. Duplicate detection keeps your decks clean. **Privacy First** No account required. Your data stays on your device. API keys are stored in the iOS Keychain β€” never on a remote server. --- MemoryForge is free to use β€” no account required. A subscription unlocks expanded AI card generation, photo recognition, AI Distractors, and an ad-free experience. Whether you are studying for the bar exam, learning Japanese, memorizing medical terminology, or mastering a new programming language β€” MemoryForge forges knowledge that lasts. Download MemoryForge free today and make every study session count. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Proper Strokes4 screens
MemoryForge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Proper Strokes at none against MemoryForge's shown. MemoryForge's advantage is iOS requirement (18.2 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Proper Strokes sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and MemoryForge sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Proper Strokes ships an update every 3 weeks, MemoryForge fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Proper Strokes versus MemoryForge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProper StrokesMemoryForge
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.2 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size48 MB26 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperHsing LiuChen Chun Chang

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Proper Strokes

One-time3
  • Big Support$0.99
  • Great Support$2.99
  • Tremendous Support$9.99
4 purchases

MemoryForge

Subscriptions2
  • MemoryForge Premium$2.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • ai pack 50$2.99
  • remove ad$9.99

Questions

Is Proper Strokes free?
Proper Strokes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MemoryForge free?
MemoryForge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Proper Strokes or MemoryForge have ads?
MemoryForge shows ads; Proper Strokes does not.
Which is updated more often, Proper Strokes or MemoryForge?
Proper Strokes ships an update every 3 weeks, and MemoryForge fortnightly. Most recently, Proper Strokes was updated on September 20, 2026 and MemoryForge on September 14, 2026.

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