Novli vs Pleco
Which Chinese learning app should
you use?
TL;DR cheat-sheet
| App | Best for | Stand-out strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Novli | Reading full texts (books, textbooks, screenshots) | Fast in-context lookup and flashcards from real-world text |
| Pleco | Quick, reliable dictionary lookup | Powerful dictionary tools and a large reference library |
Quick verdict
- If you read longer texts and want to tap unknown words in context: Novli.
- If you need the fastest single-word lookup and dictionary depth: Pleco.
- If you study seriously: use both and combine their strengths.
What Novli is best at
Novli is built for reading real Chinese text and speeding up lookup. Snap a photo or load a screenshot, then tap any word in context for translations and pinyin. This makes long reading sessions much faster than copying and pasting individual words.
Novli can also generate high-quality audio for the entire text, which makes it easy to listen and shadow what you are reading. When something is confusing, Novli's Ask AI feature helps you understand the phrase, sentence, or grammar in detail right where you are reading.
When you find a word you want to remember, you can save it as a flashcard instantly. The app builds the card from the exact context you are reading, which makes review more memorable.
What Pleco is best at
Pleco is the go-to dictionary for many Chinese learners. It is optimized for fast, reliable lookup and deep dictionary reference. When you need a quick definition or want to explore dictionary entries in detail, Pleco is hard to beat.
It is especially useful when you are working with individual words or short phrases rather than full pages of text. Pleco also lets you draw characters if you do not know the pinyin, which is incredibly useful for tricky handwriting or signs.
For longer passages, handwriting input can be slow because you draw characters one by one. Pleco does offer a paid OCR add-on, but the workflow is clunky and harder to use than Novli's scan-and-tap approach.
Feature comparison (in practice)
| Use case | Novli | Pleco |
|---|---|---|
| Reading books or textbooks | Best for scanning and tapping words in context | Good for occasional lookups |
| Photo/OCR lookup speed | Fast and easy: scan once, tap any word | Difficult but possible using paid OCR addon |
| Audio for full passages | High-quality text audio | Not supported, but has audio for individual words |
| In-context explanations | Supports in-context translations, and AI explainations for more detail | Not supported |
| Single word lookup | Possible, but optimized for long texts | Excellent and very fast |
| Handwriting lookup (no pinyin) | Not supported | Supported as a paid addon |
| Building flashcards | Fast from real-world text | Great if you are already in Pleco |
The best workflow if you use both
Most serious learners benefit from using both tools together:
- Read with Novli: scan pages or screenshots, tap unknown words, and save flashcards.
- Single word lookup in Pleco: when you need to lookup a single word quickly, use Pleco for an instant definition.
FAQ
Do I need both Novli and Pleco?
Not necessarily. If you mostly study from long texts, Novli may cover most of your needs. If you mostly
do single word lookups, Pleco alone can be enough. Many learners use both.
Will these apps replace a textbook or a course?
They are best as tools in your learning stack. Combine them with structured lessons for faster
progress.
Bottom line
- If you read long Chinese texts often, start with Novli.
- If you need the fastest dictionary lookup, choose Pleco.
- If you want the strongest overall workflow, use both.
Whichever you pick, consistency matters more than the tool. Read regularly, review flashcards, and build a system you can stick with.
Try Novli free
Install Novli on iOS or Android to start learning from real Chinese text today.
