If you’ve spent any time researching how to learn Chinese, you’ve probably heard both names thrown around. Pleco is the legendary Chinese dictionary that most veterans swear by. Anki is the spaced repetition flashcard system that med students and serious language hackers use to memorize anything. But when it comes to learning Chinese specifically, which one actually delivers better results?
I spent months using both apps extensively, and here’s my honest take.
## What Makes Pleco Special
Pleco started in 2001 as a mobile Chinese dictionary, and it’s evolved into something much bigger. At its core, it’s still an incredible dictionary—you can look up words by writing characters with your finger, typing pinyin, or even scanning text with your camera. The OCR handwriting recognition is genuinely impressive; it rarely struggles even with messy input.
The free version gives you two solid dictionaries and basic search functionality. But the paid add-ons are where things get interesting. You can unlock professional dictionaries from Oxford, Longman, and other major publishers. There’s also a document reader that lets you tap on any word in imported text for instant definitions—perfect for reading Chinese articles.
What really sets Pleco apart for Chinese learners is its built-in flashcard system. You can create cards from dictionary entries, add example sentences, and review them without ever leaving the app. It’s not as sophisticated as dedicated spaced repetition systems, but it works well enough for most learners.
The app runs smoothly offline, which matters a lot if you’re traveling in China or don’t always have reliable internet access.
## Where Anki Dominates
Anki takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of being a Chinese-specific tool, it’s a blank canvas for creating flashcards using spaced repetition. The algorithm behind Anki (called SM-2, with newer versions like FSRS) schedules reviews at optimal intervals to maximize long-term retention with minimum effort.
For Chinese learners, this means you can create cards for vocabulary, characters, sentences, or even grammar patterns. The flexibility is unmatched. Want to memorize HSK vocabulary? Download a pre-made deck. Want to create custom cards from words you encounter in the wild? Add them yourself with audio, images, and example sentences.
The community aspect is huge too. Thousands of shared decks exist specifically for Chinese, from HSK 1-6 vocabulary to sentence mining decks. Some learners have been refining the same decks for years.
The biggest drawback? Anki has a steep learning curve. The interface feels dated, setting up the perfect card template takes time, and the mobile experience on Android is fine, but iOS requires a $25 purchase. Desktop use is free, which is how most serious learners primarily use it.
## Head-to-Head Comparison
**Price**: Pleco’s base app is free, but many useful features and dictionaries cost extra ($5-20 per add-on). Anki is free on desktop/Android and $25 on iOS. For pure value, Anki wins if you’re comfortable on a computer.
**Ease of Use**: Pleco feels polished and intuitive from day one. Anki requires patience before it clicks. For beginners, Pleco is less intimidating.
**Chinese Dictionary Quality**: This isn’t even a contest—Pleco crushes it. Anki has no built-in dictionary at all; you have to manually add vocabulary you look up elsewhere. If you want a powerful dictionary integrated into your workflow, Pleco is non-negotiable.
**Flashcard Effectiveness**: Anki’s spaced repetition algorithm is more sophisticated and customizable. For sheer memorization power, Anki wins, especially for learners with specific vocabulary goals like passing HSK exams.
**Offline Use**: Both work offline, but Pleco’s mobile-first design makes it more convenient for on-the-go dictionary lookups. Anki’s strength is sitting down with a study session.
## When to Choose Pleco
Pleco makes sense if you’re early in your Chinese journey and need a reliable dictionary more than an advanced study system. It’s also better if you want everything in one app without tweaking settings. The handwriting recognition alone justifies the download.
Many experienced learners use Pleco as their primary dictionary while using Anki separately for vocabulary memorization. That’s actually the most common setup among serious Chinese learners.
## When to Choose Anki
Anki is the better choice if you’re preparing for HSK exams, need to memorize large amounts of vocabulary quickly, or want maximum control over your study materials. It’s also better if you learn best through custom flashcards created from sentences you encounter in authentic Chinese content.
If you’re willing to invest 30-60 minutes setting things up correctly, Anki will serve you for years.
## The Verdict
Here’s the thing—these apps aren’t really competitors. They solve different problems. Pleco is your Chinese dictionary and occasional flashcard tool. Anki is your vocabulary memorization powerhouse.
Most intermediate to advanced Chinese learners eventually end up using both. Start with Pleco to build your dictionary habit, then add Anki once you have enough vocabulary to study systematically.
**Choose Pleco if**: You want one app that does everything adequately, prefer not to customize settings, and value a polished mobile experience.
**Choose Anki if**: You have specific vocabulary goals, want the most effective memorization system possible, and don’t mind a learning curve.
Or do what most serious learners do: download both and use them together.
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*Ready to start building your Chinese vocabulary system? Start with Pleco for daily lookups, and set up Anki with a basic HSK deck to begin your spaced repetition journey.*