Comparison

Pinyin Reader vs HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader

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

Head to head
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/

About

HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader

Access a library of Mandarin Chinese stories tailored to your HSK proficiency level, from beginner to advanced. Features include tap-to-translate, synchronized audio narration, and integrated vocabulary flashcards with spaced repetition. Read offline and customize your reading experience.

Highlights
  • HSK-leveled multi-chapter stories
  • Tap-to-translate with pinyin and definition
  • Audio narration with word highlighting
  • Vocabulary saving and spaced repetition
  • Offline reading and cross-device sync
  • Customizable text and reading modes
Features
Read full description

Chinese stories you can actually read, matched to your HSK level, with audio on every chapter. HSKStory has 175+ multi-chapter stories spanning HSK 1 to 9, written as fiction rather than textbook dialogue: slice of life, mystery, romance, sci-fi, historical, wuxia. READ AT YOUR LEVEL Every story is validated against the HSK 3.0 vocabulary standard, so the words you meet are words you are ready for. All nine levels are covered, from roughly 300 words at HSK 1 through advanced reading at HSK 7-9. TAP ANY WORD Tap a word for its pinyin, English definition, and HSK level. Smart pinyin mode shows pronunciation hints only for words above the story's level, so you keep reading characters instead of romanization. LISTEN WHILE YOU READ Every chapter has audio narration with word-by-word highlighting that follows along as it plays. Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 2x, or switch narration voices. TURN READING INTO VOCABULARY Save any word straight from the story you found it in. Saved words become flashcards scheduled by FSRS spaced repetition, and every card keeps the sentence you saved it from, so you review words in context instead of on their own. READ OFFLINE Download stories to your device and keep reading without a connection. Reading position, saved words, and review progress sync back when you are online again. BUILT AROUND HOW YOU READ - Simplified or Traditional characters - Adjustable text size and reading font - Tone colors - Page-turn or scroll reading - Resumes exactly where you stopped, across your devices GETTING STARTED Start with 3 stories free. A Reader Plan unlocks the full library and is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Subscriptions are charged to your Apple Account and renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://hskstory.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://hskstory.com/privacy

Screenshots

Pinyin Reader4 screens
HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader at every 4 days against Pinyin Reader's every 2 weeks. HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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 and HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Pinyin Reader against 5.0 for HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pinyin Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Pinyin Reader versus HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPinyin ReaderHSKStory Chinese Graded Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size135 MB36 MB
Age rating17+12+
Developer粤珠 袁Anton Bezliudnyi

Customer experience

Pinyin Reader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pinyin Reader

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

HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader

Subscriptions2
  • HSKStory Monthly$9.991 Month
  • HSKStory Annual7 Days trial$84.001 Year
One-time1
  • HSKStory Lifetime$199.00

Questions

Is Pinyin Reader free?
Pinyin Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader free?
HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pinyin Reader or HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader?
Pinyin Reader and HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Pinyin Reader or HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader have ads?
Neither Pinyin Reader nor HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pinyin Reader or HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader?
Pinyin Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, and HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader every 4 days. Most recently, Pinyin Reader was updated on October 31, 2026 and HSKStory Chinese Graded Reader on November 10, 2026.

Other comparisons