Comparison

4Tones vs Merry Mandarin

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

Head to head
About

4Tones

Features
Read full description

Perfectionnez votre prononciation du mandarin avec 4Tones 4Tones est l'application idéale pour apprendre et pratiquer les 4 tons du mandarin. Grâce à l'analyse vocale en temps réel, visualisez instantanément votre prononciation et comparez-la à celle d'un locuteur natif. FONCTIONNALITÉS - Analyse vocale en temps réel de votre prononciation - Visualisation claire de la courbe tonale (modèle natif + votre voix) - Feedback précis syllabe par syllabe avec des conseils personnalisés - Modèles audio en voix masculine et féminine - Interface en français, anglais et espagnol - Mode clair et mode sombre PROGRESSION PÉDAGOGIQUE - Les 4 tons de base (mā, má, mǎ, mà) - Mots et expressions courantes (nǐhǎo, zàijiàn, xièxie...) - Pratique du sandhi tonal RESPECTE VOTRE VIE PRIVÉE - Aucune donnée collectée - Aucune connexion internet requise pour l'analyse - Tout le traitement se fait sur votre appareil - Pas de compte à créer, pas de publicité POUR QUI ? - Débutants en mandarin qui veulent bien commencer - Apprenants intermédiaires qui cherchent à corriger leur accent - Enseignants qui souhaitent outiller leurs élèves - Voyageurs en préparation d'un séjour en Chine Développée par un enseignant certifié de chinois, 4Tones vous aide à franchir le plus grand obstacle de la langue mandarine : la prononciation tonale. Bonne pratique ! 加油 (jiāyóu) !

About

Merry Mandarin

This app offers a comprehensive approach to mastering Mandarin Chinese, focusing on deep linguistic understanding rather than superficial memorization. It provides advanced tools for vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, writing, and real-world application, suitable for dedicated learners.

Highlights
  • Interconnected dictionary with radical breakdown
  • Spaced repetition system (FSRS)
  • Offline text scanner (Smart Scan)
  • Live speech transcription
  • On-device pronunciation grading
  • Interactive handwriting practice
  • Graded reading stories with native audio
  • HSK 1-6 courses and classroom features
Features
Read full description

Master Mandarin Chinese with a serious app built for dedicated language learners. Merry Mandarin is the ultimate tool to learn Chinese, moving you past basic parroting and into true fluency. Every word in our comprehensive Chinese dictionary comes with the exact detail, context, and nuance you usually only get from advanced language classes. Paired with scientific spaced repetition, you will finally remember the Chinese vocabulary you study. Most language apps treat you like a casual gamer, chasing quick streaks instead of real fluency. Merry Mandarin makes a different promise: we give you the depth, context, and rigorous tools you actually need to move from an absolute beginner to a genuinely advanced speaker. No limits, no shortcuts—just true linguistic understanding. Understand the Language, Don't Just Parrot It! At the heart of your study is a deeply interconnected dictionary that goes far beyond flat definitions. Whether you learn simplified or traditional script, pinyin or zhuyin, you can break any character down to its foundational radicals and see exactly when to use a word over its synonyms. Every phrase or example sentence can be instantly saved to your personal study decks. We power these decks with a modern spaced repetition algorithm (FSRS), tracking your memory retention and scheduling reviews precisely when you need them so you never forget what you've learned. Bring Your Chinese into the Real World! To help you bridge the gap between study and daily life, the app includes powerful, privacy-first utilities. Smart Scan uses offline text recognition to instantly decode characters from menus, signs, or screenshots—just tap any word to study it. If you are listening to a podcast or a live conversation, our Live Transcriber turns real-world speech into flowing, interactive text you can read and look up in real time. Perfect Your Reading, Speaking, and Writing! Fluency requires practice across all skills. You can refine your tone accuracy with private, on-device pronunciation grading, master your stroke order with interactive handwriting practice, or immerse yourself in graded stories tailored precisely to your current reading level. Every story includes high-quality native audio so you can listen along without losing your place. Follow a Guided Path or Study with a Tutor! For those who want structure, our HSK 1 to 6 courses offer complete modules packed with native-audio dialogues, shadowing exercises, and comprehension drills. If you work with a professional tutor or language school, our built-in Classroom features are entirely free. Your teacher can easily assign custom vocabulary decks and track your progress directly in the app. Your progress syncs automatically across all your devices, so you can pick up exactly where you left off. Stop memorizing. Start understanding. Terms of Use: https://www.merrymandarin.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://www.merrymandarin.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

4Tones4 screens
Merry Mandarin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 4Tones at none against Merry Mandarin's 3. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Merry Mandarin sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. 4Tones asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
4Tones versus Merry Mandarin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter4TonesMerry Mandarin
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB155 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJean COLUMEAUMerry Mandarin Management Consulting Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

4Tones

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Merry Mandarin

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$116.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$294.99

Questions

Is 4Tones free?
4Tones is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Merry Mandarin free?
Merry Mandarin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do 4Tones or Merry Mandarin have ads?
Neither 4Tones nor Merry Mandarin shows ads.

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