Comparison

Acupuncture3D vs Shen

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

Head to head
About

Acupuncture3D

Explore a detailed 3D human anatomy model to learn acupuncture points, their locations, functions, and therapeutic indications. Access pronunciation guides, pathology files, and personal note-taking features. Supports multiple nomenclature systems and languages.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D anatomy model
  • Acupuncture point details
  • Channel visualization
  • Chinese pronunciation audio
  • Pathology and syndrome files
  • Personal note-taking
  • Multiple nomenclature systems
Features
Read full description

Acupuncture 3D | Practice and learn acupuncture in 3D # 3D model in real time : Intuitive and interactive control with real time 3D : turn, zoom, move instantly ! We created Acupuncture 3D with a technology used for video games to ensure a 3D fluid, fun and fast presentation of the data. Whether with your fingers on a tablet or moving a computer mouse you have a high degree of interactivity. # Visualizing the points : Browse a 3D representation of the human body, then click on a point to discover : - its name and Chinese character - its translation - its anatomical localization and properties - its functions - its therapeutic indications and more. Learn the points by function using specific menu functions (eg : Xi-cleft points, Tian points, Yuan-source points and more). # Visualize the channel's courses : - 12 Jing Mai - 12 Jing Jin - 12 Jing Luo - 12 Jing Bie - 8 extraordinary vessels / Qi Jing Ba Mai - 6 Stages patterns - Associated organs # Chinese pronunciation : Facilitate the learning of the exact Chinese pronunciation of the names of the points and the 12 main Channels with an authentic Chinese voice audio recording. # Pathology / syndrome files : Discover our many pathology and syndrome files which enable you to connect theory with practice. You will find explanations and advice. This database is updated annually, expanding the content on an ongoing basis. You can also add your personal notes. # Personal notes : You can write your own personal notes relating to each acupuncture point, pathology/syndrome, or channel and save them with the relevant record in your Acupuncture3D for future reference. They will be synchronized with your account in the cloud for your permanent access and protection against computer loss, system breakdown or other local cause. # The choice of nomenclature : You can choose between 3 different systems of nomenclature : - French, ie: 1P ZONGFU - English, ie: LU1 ZONGFU - International, ie: FE1 ZONGFU This will allow you to adapt your software to your personal background and preferences, while also facilitating your understanding of international conventions. # Choice of Language : You now have the free option of one-click selection between French and English. # Search Engine : You can use the Search Engine to immediately locate : - any acupuncture point by name - any Channel by name - any pathology/syndrome record by keyword # Annexes : Two data tables are available: - the 5 phases/elements - a table of the key points Plus 6 new appendices which summarize in tabular form some of the major themes of Chinese medicine, including: "Qi", "Blood", "Nutrition", "Liquids", "Psychology" and The Marvelous Vessels (also known as the Strange Flows or Extraordinary Meridians). # Automatic Updates : We regularly add content to the points, channels and pathology files. This content is automatically updated when your device is connected to the Internet.

About

Shen

Access a comprehensive digital reference for acupuncture, featuring over 1000 pages and 400 charts. Quickly find TCM diagnoses for symptoms and diseases, and utilize intelligent search tools for treatment planning. Includes foundational TCM knowledge for beginners.

Highlights
  • 1000+ page digital atlas
  • 400+ high-quality charts
  • Intelligent Power Search for point combinations
  • Extensive symptom and disease database
  • Foundations of TCM module
  • Cardinal symptoms, causes, and treatment tips
Features
Read full description

Shen-Acupuncture Discover the ancient art of acupuncture with the most comprehensive TCM app. ACUPUNCTURE ATLAS Over 1,000 pages with more than 400 high-quality, detailed acupuncture charts. Every point shown on four anatomical layers: skin, muscles, skeleton, and internal organs with vessels and nerves. POWER SEARCH The intelligent search that finds deep connections normal searches would never discover. TCM DIAGNOSES Over 5,000 symptoms and Western conditions with precise TCM pattern differentiation, cardinal symptoms, causes, treatment tips, and proven point combinations. Now also with Root and Branch diagnosis. FOUNDATIONS OF TCM & TONGUE DIAGNOSIS Complete theoretical foundations and practical tongue diagnosis – all free in the app. FU KE – CHINESE GYNECOLOGY The comprehensive field of Chinese women's health – exclusive to the full version. MYNOTES Save your own notes, patient cases, point combinations, tongue images, and audio recordings. With extended formatting options and secure backups. Disclaimer: One of the aims of the Shen Acupuncture App is to bring Chinese medicine closer to as many people as possible worldwide. For this reason, both the Foundations of TCM and Chinese tongue diagnostics are available free of charge in all world languages. All content has been created to the best of the author's knowledge and belief. However, every user is responsible for handling the content conscientiously and subjecting it to their own examination. If you wish to use TCM on a patient, you do so at your own risk and liability. In order to make a reliable TCM diagnosis, you need an experienced doctor or therapist. Auto Renewable Subscription Terms***** - You will get a yearly subscription for $23.99/year or a monthly subscription for $2.49/month (both come with a 30 days trial). -With the subscription of Shen-Acupuncture, the first month is free. If you cancel your subscription within the first 30 days, you do not have to pay anything. *Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. *Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. *Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. *Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. *Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: http://www.shen-apps.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Acupuncture3D4 screens
Shen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Shen at 4.0 against Acupuncture3D's 3.5. Acupuncture3D's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (75% vs 41%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. Shen sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Acupuncture3D asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shen holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Acupuncture3D's written reviews are positive against 41% of Shen's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Acupuncture3D ships an update every 8 months, Shen every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Acupuncture3D versus Shen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAcupuncture3DShen
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (2 ratings)4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better40.5% of reviews
Number of ratings24 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size445 MB23 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperLien Le NedelecJuergen Bschaden

Customer experience

Acupuncture3D

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Shen

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive40.5%
Neutral10.8%
Negative48.6%

In-app purchases

None

Acupuncture3D

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Shen

Subscriptions2
  • Shen-Acupuncture Monthly1 Month trial$2.491 Month
  • Shen-Acupuncture Yearly1 Month trial$22.491 Year

Questions

Is Acupuncture3D free?
Acupuncture3D is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shen free?
Shen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Acupuncture3D or Shen?
Shen is rated higher. Acupuncture3D averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Shen averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Acupuncture3D or Shen have ads?
Neither Acupuncture3D nor Shen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Acupuncture3D or Shen?
Acupuncture3D ships an update every 8 months, and Shen every 11 months. Most recently, Acupuncture3D was updated on October 24, 2026 and Shen on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons