What happens if my creature dies?

It will not die just because you are busy for a few days. Vô chi does not use guilt to keep you around. The creature simply sleeps and waits for you to come back.

Does it run on Windows?

Yes. macOS 12+ and Windows 10+ are both supported. A Linux build is in progress.

How does payment work? Is it safe?

Scan a VietQR code in your banking app and transfer as usual. No card details are entered anywhere. Once the bank confirms, sign in with your purchase email to get Pro right away.

Does the creature really sit over fullscreen Chrome?

Yes. The creature stays on top while you watch Netflix, browse Chrome in fullscreen, or present on Zoom.

No. Words and review history live on your device. The app only contacts the server once, to verify your license.

Pro: 14 days. Lifetime: 30 days. Full refund, no questions asked.

Can I drill IELTS or TOEIC vocab?

Yes. The app includes nearly 5,300 words sorted by level, covering most IELTS and TOEIC vocabulary.

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Published: 2026-08-25·6 min read#HSK#Apps#Comparison

Best apps to learn Chinese in 2026 (honest comparison)

A no-hype comparison of the top apps for learning Mandarin: HelloChinese, Pleco, Anki, Du Chinese, and Vô chi. Which one for tones, which for characters, which for retention.

There is no single "best" app for Mandarin. Different jobs, different tools. Here is what each is actually good at, in 2026.

Quick verdict

App	Best at	Weak at
HelloChinese	Beginner grammar drills	Retention past HSK 2
Duolingo	Habit-forming reminders	Chinese specifically — thin content
Pleco	Dictionary and OCR	Not a study tool
Anki + FSRS	Long-term retention	Cold-start UX
Du Chinese	Graded reading	Vocabulary review
Vô chi	FSRS + always-visible pet reminder	Grammar lessons (not the focus)

HelloChinese

Structured lessons for HSK 1–3, good tone drills, native audio. Free tier is enough to reach HSK 2. Past HSK 3, its own reviews thin out — you need SRS elsewhere.

Duolingo (Chinese)

Good for building a daily habit if you have none. Course is shorter and less rigorous than HelloChinese's. Not recommended as the only source.

Pleco

Not a course. The dictionary. Free, works offline, best OCR for signs and menus. Everyone learning Chinese ends up owning it.

Anki (with FSRS enabled)

The gold standard for retention. Community decks cover every HSK level. Ugly UI, steep first hour. Turn on FSRS in Settings (default in 23.10+) — cuts reviews ~40%.

Du Chinese

Graded reading with audio and tap-to-translate. Excellent for post-HSK 2, especially before moving to native content.

Vô chi

Desktop app for macOS and Windows. FSRS by default. What separates it from Anki: a small pet on your desktop that reminds you visually — no push notifications, no streak guilt. HSK 1–3 included; HSK 4–6 unlocks with a one-time 50,000₫ add-on. Offline, no telemetry.

The realistic stack

Learn grammar: HelloChinese
Look up any word: Pleco
Retain vocabulary: Anki or Vô chi (both FSRS)
Read past HSK 2: Du Chinese

You do not need all five. Pick two — one for grammar, one for retention. Change up only when you plateau.

Try Vô chi

Free download for macOS and Windows. HSK 1 deck ships in the app.