Comparison

Speed Translation vs Pinyin Reader

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

Head to head
About

Speed Translation

Features
Read full description

Spitra Translate is a translation app that automatically recognizes and translates text captured with your camera, and even reads it aloud! Supports 21 languages. Download language packs in advance and use offline while traveling. Automatically recognize and collect text from images! Learn with flashcards from your vocabulary list! The key feature is [Non-Hiding Translation], which lets you see the original text and translation at the same time! Useful Situations ・Take a photo of a textbook or text, and just like a [Talking Picture Book], tap any word to have it read aloud automatically! → Learn meaning and pronunciation simultaneously, supporting efficient and practical language learning. ・Create vocabulary lists from spoken words or recognized words. Generate [Flashcards] or [Matching Games] from those lists! → Create original vocabulary lists from your own books or materials, and enjoy learning through games. ・If you have an iPad, you can write with Apple Pencil! → Write annotations on text, practice handwriting, or trace characters for study. ・Take a screenshot and pass the image to Spitra Translate via the share menu. With notifications ON, switch to the app instantly from the notification. → Understand foreign apps without a built-in translation feature by translating their screens. ・Download language packs in advance to use the app even without a network connection. No need to worry about data usage. ・With the free Spitra Vocabulary Generator, start vocabulary games right away even without your own materials! → Export vocabulary lists as TSV files for editing. You can also create custom lists using external AI or Excel and import them. Key Features ・Translate while keeping the original text Displays both the original text and translation from the captured image without overwriting. Check meaning while preserving context. ・Text-to-speech Listen to translation results with a single tap. Playback speed can be adjusted. Use the high-quality voice built into iOS for free, more natural audio. ・PiP Screenshot Translation Capture a screenshot of a video app playing in PiP and import the text into Spitra Translate. → Translate video app screens while creating vocabulary lists. ・Split View Translation (iPad only) Translate by taking screenshots while displaying Spitra Translate and another app side by side. → Ideal for studying with textbooks or other reference materials. ・Offline Translation Download language packs in advance for translation without an internet connection. → Perfect for traveling abroad or in low-connectivity environments. ・Free Vocabulary Generator Automatically generate vocabulary lists from recognized text using AI. → Start learning games immediately without any preparation.

About

Pinyin Reader

This reading tool automatically adds pinyin annotations to Chinese characters on web pages and PDFs. It offers translation, text-to-speech playback, and pronunciation practice to enhance learning efficiency and pronunciation skills.

Highlights
  • Automatic pinyin annotations
  • Integrated web and PDF reader
  • Character definition and pronunciation lookup
  • Sentence-by-sentence text-to-speech
  • Pronunciation assessment and shadowing practice
  • Vocabulary and sentence saving
  • Ad-free reading experience
Features
Read full description

Pinyin Reader - A smart reading tool designed for Chinese language learners. Browse any Chinese web page with automatic pinyin annotations on Chinese characters. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, Pinyin Reader helps improve your reading efficiency and pronunciation skills. Key Features: SMART PINYIN ANNOTATIONS - Built-in browser that automatically adds pinyin to Chinese characters - Color-coded tonal pinyin and toneless display modes - One-tap toggle for pinyin display - Powered by a proprietary self-trained model for superior annotation accuracy HSK LEVEL FILTER - Choose your level, from HSK 1 to HSK 7-9 - Pinyin fades from the words you already know - Names, proper nouns and technical terms keep their pinyin - Works in Reader Mode, the PDF reader and the built-in browser - Applies instantly, covers 6,330 words, fully offline IMMERSIVE READER MODE - Ad-free, distraction-free reading experience - Adjustable font size, font style, and background themes - Tap any character to view definitions and hear standard pronunciation TRANSLATION - Translate page content into 108 target languages - Seamless translation integrated within Reader Mode PDF READER - Open local PDF files with automatic pinyin annotations - Translate PDF content into your target language - Tap characters for pronunciation and dictionary lookup - Outline navigation, text/pinyin search, and theme switching - Pinyin scales with the page as you pinch to zoom, sharp at any level - Never overlaps the text or clips tone marks LISTENING MODE - Sentence-by-sentence text-to-speech playback - Karaoke-style pinyin highlighting synced with audio playback - Adjustable speed (0.4x to 2.0x) for different proficiency levels - Current sentence highlighting for easy follow-along VOICE CUSTOMIZATION - Browse all Chinese speech synthesis voices available on your device - Preview each voice before selecting - Supports system voices and third-party TTS engines SHADOWING PRACTICE - Record your reading after listening to the reference audio - Intelligent scoring system for real-time pronunciation assessment - Continuous improvement of your Mandarin pronunciation COLLECTION & NOTES - Save vocabulary and favorite sentences for review - Add personal notes with color tags - Archive management organized by source page LEARNING GROWTH SYSTEM - Daily learning streak to build consistent habits - Customizable daily goals (5 to 60 minutes) - XP rewards for reading, listening, shadowing, reviewing, and collecting - 3 daily quests at starter, core, and challenge levels - 6 achievement milestones from first session to mastery - Share a redesigned card with streak, stats, vocabulary, and QR code - Optional daily reminders to keep your streak alive BOOKMARKS & HISTORY - Bookmark frequently visited pages - Automatic browsing history grouped by date - Search and batch management support MULTI-LANGUAGE SUPPORT - Interface available in 51 languages - Google and Bing search engine support PRIVACY FIRST - All data stored locally on your device - No registration or login required - No personal data collected Whether you're reading news, novels, or academic articles, Pinyin Reader is your perfect companion for learning Chinese. Download now and start your efficient Chinese reading journey! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Speed Translation4 screens
Pinyin Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Speed Translation at none against Pinyin Reader's 2. Pinyin Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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. Pinyin Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Speed Translation asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Speed Translation ships an update monthly, Pinyin Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Speed Translation versus Pinyin Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpeed TranslationPinyin Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB135 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSato Tomoya粤珠 袁

In-app purchases

None

Speed Translation

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Pinyin Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro Annual$12.991 Year

Questions

Is Speed Translation free?
Speed Translation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pinyin Reader free?
Pinyin Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Speed Translation or Pinyin Reader have ads?
Neither Speed Translation nor Pinyin Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Speed Translation or Pinyin Reader?
Speed Translation ships an update monthly, and Pinyin Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, Speed Translation was updated on October 13, 2026 and Pinyin Reader on October 20, 2026.

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