Comparison

XiaoLearn vs HanziGrid

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

Head to head
About

XiaoLearn

Features
Read full description

XiaoLearn is a complete method for learning Mandarin Chinese, built on the Common European Framework (CEFR), from A1 to C2. A PATH THAT GUIDES YOU β€’ Over 400 progressive lessons: vocabulary, grammar, character writing, listening and reading β€’ A review test at the end of each level, to confirm what you know before moving on β€’ An adaptive placement test, so you start at the right level REMEMBER FOR GOOD β€’ Nearly 3,000 vocabulary cards with native audio, pinyin and examples β€’ Smart spaced repetition: each word comes back just before you would forget it β€’ Create your own cards, and annotate the ones from the catalogue TRAIN YOUR EAR AND YOUR VOICE β€’ Situational audio dialogues: at a restaurant, at a hotel, in a job interview… β€’ Character dictation and pronunciation practice with detailed feedback β€’ Graded readings by level, with comprehension quizzes PROF. XIAO, YOUR AI TUTOR β€’ Ask grammar or vocabulary questions at any time β€’ Hold a conversation in Chinese: Prof. Xiao corrects your mistakes by rephrasing them naturally PROGRESS BY PLAYING β€’ Mini-games, timed challenges and battles against other learners β€’ Leaderboard, daily streaks and an avatar that grows with your progress β€’ HSK exam simulator: timed mock papers in the official format PREPARE FOR THE HSK β€’ HSK 1 to 6 vocabulary built into the path β€’ Mock papers marked like the real exam XiaoLearn is free to use. A Premium subscription (monthly or lifetime) unlocks all lessons, audio content and advanced features. Prices are shown in the app; the monthly subscription renews automatically and can be managed from your App Store account settings. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

HanziGrid

Features
Read full description

HanziGrid makes Chinese finally visible. Every character you learn fills your personal grid. Bao, your panda companion, chooses what to review at the right time and writes stories you can truly read using the characters you know. β€’ A visual grid of 2,663 HSK characters β€’ Spaced reviews tailored to your progress β€’ Fast quizzes for every HSK level β€’ Daily stories written for your real level, with HanziGrid+ β€’ Start instantly with local progress and no required account β€’ Sign in with Apple later if you want to sync Start free as a guest: grid, quizzes and daily reviews. HanziGrid+ lifts the daily caps and unlocks three tailored stories a day. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://hanzigrid.yoloind.com/privacy

Screenshots

XiaoLearn4 screens
HanziGrid3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: XiaoLearn at every 2 days against HanziGrid's every 2 weeks. XiaoLearn also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. XiaoLearn sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.00 per month and HanziGrid sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

XiaoLearn ships an update every 2 days, HanziGrid every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
XiaoLearn versus HanziGrid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXiaoLearnHanziGrid
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days β€” betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 β€” better16.4
Further details β€” not scored
Size82 MB70 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperPerrine QuennehenLORIS ALEXANDRE

In-app purchases

2 purchases

XiaoLearn

Subscriptions1
  • XiaoLearn Premium β€” mensuel$12.001 Month
One-time1
  • AccΓ¨s Γ  vie$89.00
3 purchases

HanziGrid

Subscriptions3
  • HanziGrid+ Monthly3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • HanziGrid+ 3 Months3 Days trial$22.993 Months
  • HanziGrid+ Annual3 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is XiaoLearn free?
XiaoLearn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HanziGrid free?
HanziGrid is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do XiaoLearn or HanziGrid have ads?
Neither XiaoLearn nor HanziGrid shows ads.
Which is updated more often, XiaoLearn or HanziGrid?
XiaoLearn ships an update every 2 days, and HanziGrid every 2 weeks. Most recently, XiaoLearn was updated on October 10, 2026 and HanziGrid on October 5, 2026.

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