Du Chinese and maayot are both apps for learning Chinese by reading short texts at your level. They are built differently, so the better one depends on what you want from your 10 minutes a day. We make maayot, so we are biased. To keep this fair, the Du Chinese details come from its own website (checked October 2026), and we say where it is the better choice.
Last updated: October 2026.
The short answer
- Choose Du Chinese if you want to focus only on reading and have a big library to browse and pick your own stories, with grammar explanations.
- Choose maayot if you want one new story a day chosen for your level, with a quiz and a writing prompt, and, on the Pro plan, a teacher who corrects your writing and speaking.
- Many learners use both: Du Chinese for choice, maayot for a daily habit.
maayot vs Du Chinese at a glance
| maayot | Du Chinese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A daily Chinese learning app focused on reading, writing and speaking at your level | Browsing a large library of readings |
| How you read | One new story every day, written for your level | You pick from 3,000+ readings sorted by level |
| Levels | HSK 1 to 6+ | Beginner to advanced |
| Word help | Tap any word for pinyin, meaning, usage and native audio | Instant word lookup, translations and grammar tips |
| Audio | Professional native recording for every story | Audio by native speakers |
| Practice after reading | Quiz, new characters and a writing prompt | Reading and listening practice |
| Teacher feedback | Pro plan: a certified teacher corrects your writing and speaking | Not offered |
| Free option | A new story every Sunday, plus a 5-day free trial of paid plans | A selection of free lessons |
| Paid price | Standard about US$15 a month or US$120 a year. Pro from US$50 a month | About US$15 a month or US$120 a year |
| Where | iPhone, Android and web | iPhone, Android and web |
Prices checked in October 2026 and shown in US dollars. They change, and maayot prices vary by country, so check each app before you subscribe.
Free to start · Only 5 minutes a day
Try the daily story habit: 5 minutes, at your level
Each story is written for your level, so you understand it from day one. Stuck on a word? Tap it for pinyin, meaning, examples and native audio.
Where Du Chinese is better
- Choice. With thousands of readings, you can pick topics you care about. maayot gives you one story a day and does not let you browse a large library.
- Grammar tips. Du Chinese explains grammar inside the reading.
- Track record. It has been around for years and has over a million downloads.
Where maayot is better
- A habit with no decisions. One story a day at your level means you open the app and read, instead of choosing.
- More than reading. Each story comes with a quiz, new characters and a writing prompt.
- Feedback from a real teacher. On the Pro plan, a certified Chinese teacher corrects your writing and speaking every day. This is the main difference between the two apps.
Which should you choose?
- Complete beginner (HSK 1 to 2): either works. Pick maayot if you want a daily routine, Du Chinese if you want to browse.
- Intermediate (HSK 3 to 5): maayot if you want to start writing and get corrections, Du Chinese if you want to read widely.
- Advanced (HSK 6+): Du Chinese for variety, maayot for teacher feedback on your writing.
FAQ
Is maayot better than Du Chinese?
Neither is better for everyone. Du Chinese is better for browsing a large library. maayot is better for a daily habit and for writing and speaking feedback.
Is Du Chinese free?
Du Chinese is free to download and has a selection of free lessons. A premium subscription unlocks all of them.
Is maayot free?
Yes. The free plan gives you a new story every Sunday. Paid plans start with a 5-day free trial.
Can I use both apps?
Yes. Many learners read a daily maayot story and use Du Chinese when they want to choose their own topic.
Read real Chinese in 5 minutes a day
Tell us your level (or take a quick test) and get a short story written for it every day. Native audio, tap-to-translate and a 1-minute quiz.
Related: Best apps to learn to read Chinese · Chinese graded readers
