Comparison

DuoNiu Write vs XiaoKao

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

Head to head
About

DuoNiu Write

Features
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DuoNiu Write is an iOS app focused on Chinese character writing and stroke-order practice. One character per page—trace along the strokes and get instant scoring and spoken encouragement when you lift your finger. Great for students’ daily practice and for parents learning characters with their children. [Core Practice] • Enter any characters, or start from a school-curriculum poem • Automatic stroke-order demo, tianzi-grid tracing, instant scoring after each stroke • Multiple fonts including regular script, running script, and clerical script; adjustable ink color • Scores saved each time so you can track progress • Add family members’ names for quick practice of common characters [School Poetry] • Browse primary-school curriculum poems by grade • Practice writing, dictation, and recitation modes • Dictation gives line-by-line hints; view the full handwritten work when done • Recitation highlights lines in sync for easier follow-along • Save handwritten works to Photos [Peace of Mind] • No account required; no personally identifiable information collected • Practice history, scores, and settings stay on your device • Missing stroke data is downloaded only with your consent, then cached locally DuoNiu Write brings stroke order, scoring, classical poetry, and recitation together to make practice more fun and structured. Contact us via About in the app with suggestions or feedback.

About

XiaoKao

Features
Read full description

XiaoKao is a complete study companion for the HSK exam (HSK 1 through 6) — built for learners who want real exam readiness, not just flashcards. STUDY THE FULL HSK CURRICULUM • Structured lessons for every level, HSK 1 to HSK 6 • Vocabulary with pinyin, audio pronunciation, and example sentences • Grammar points explained level by level PRACTICE THAT ACTUALLY PREPARES YOU • Full-length mock exams that mirror the real HSK format • Skill drills: listening, reading, and vocabulary recall • Stroke-order writing practice for every character (draw and get instant feedback) • Dictation practice — listen and type/write what you hear • Tone practice to fix the mistakes that matter most for speaking • Sentence writing and translation drills • Speaking practice with audio recording, so you can compare your pronunciation TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • A mistake notebook that automatically collects the words and questions you get wrong, so review time is never wasted • Progress stats by level and by skill • A daily coach that tells you what to study next LEARN IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE Explanations, grammar notes, and the interface are available in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Indonesian, Malay, Thai, and Khmer. WORKS OFFLINE Download a level once and keep studying without an internet connection. XiaoKao is free to use, with an optional Premium subscription that unlocks the full mock exam bank, the daily coach, unlimited mistake notebook, advanced progress analytics, and an ad-free experience. Subscriptions renew automatically; manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Questions or feedback? We read every email: sapoinc.support@gmail.com XiaoKao is an independent study app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Hanban / Chinese Testing International, the organization that administers the HSK examination. "HSK" is used only to describe the exam this app helps you prepare for. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DuoNiu Write4 screens
XiaoKao4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: DuoNiu Write at none against XiaoKao's shown. XiaoKao's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. DuoNiu Write sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and XiaoKao sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DuoNiu Write ships an update weekly, XiaoKao every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
DuoNiu Write versus XiaoKao: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDuoNiu WriteXiaoKao
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB71 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer娟妹 曹VU TRONG KHIEM

In-app purchases

2 purchases

DuoNiu Write

One-time2
  • Unlimited Poem Practice$0.99
  • Unlock All Poetry$0.99
10 purchases

XiaoKao

Subscriptions6
  • 3-Month Plan - Win-back 30%$6.993 Months
  • 3-Month Plan - 20% Off$7.993 Months
  • 6-Month Plan - Win-back 30%$10.496 Months
Show 3 more
  • 6-Month Plan - 20% Off$11.996 Months
  • 1-Year Plan - Win-back 30%$13.991 Year
  • 1-Year Plan - 20% Off$15.991 Year
One-time4
  • XiaoKao Premium Lifetime (30% Off)$20.99
  • XiaoKao Premium Lifetime (20% Off)$23.99
  • XiaoKao Premium Lifetime (10% Off)$26.99
Show 1 more
  • XiaoKao Premium Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is DuoNiu Write free?
DuoNiu Write is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XiaoKao free?
XiaoKao is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DuoNiu Write or XiaoKao have ads?
XiaoKao shows ads; DuoNiu Write does not.
Which is updated more often, DuoNiu Write or XiaoKao?
DuoNiu Write ships an update weekly, and XiaoKao every 4 days. Most recently, DuoNiu Write was updated on October 13, 2026 and XiaoKao on October 28, 2026.

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