Overview
IELTS Writing Checker is a specialized web-based tool designed to score and improve IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 responses. It evaluates essays based on the four official IELTS criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each review provides an estimated overall score, criterion scores, specific evaluations, and actionable next steps. Paid plans unlock sentence-level annotations, correction suggestions, and rewrites, with up to 50 reviews per month. The tool claims high accuracy, with an average error of 0.49 points compared to official scores, outperforming general AI tools like ChatGPT.
Toku Reader is an iOS app that transforms native Japanese and Chinese content—articles, novels, podcasts, and YouTube videos—into an interactive reading experience. Users can tap any word to see its reading, meaning, and dictionary, without leaving the page. For audio and video, it provides synced, word-tappable transcripts, allowing users to slow down, replay, or shadow lines. The app runs its own JP/CN engine on-device with offline dictionaries, ensuring fast, private, and account-free usage.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IELTS Writing Checker | Toku Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Score and improve IELTS Writing | Reading and listening tool for JP/CN |
| Target Language | English (IELTS) | Japanese and Chinese |
| Core Functionality | Essay scoring with criterion feedback | Tap-to-read with dictionary and transcripts |
| Input Types | Text and images for Task 1 | Text, web, PDFs, EPUBs, video, podcasts, camera |
| Feedback Mechanism | Detailed writing feedback | Instant word lookups |
| Offline Capability | No | Yes, fully offline |
| Platform | Web-based | iOS (iPhone) |
| Free Tier | 3 score previews/month | 50 word lookups/day |
| Pricing Model | Subscription (Monthly/Yearly) | Free with in-app purchase for unlimited lookups |
| Accuracy | High (0.49 avg error) | Focus on reading accuracy |
| Additional Features | None | SRS, Anki import, WaniKani integration |
| User Experience | Simple, fast (20 sec) | Polished, beautiful, haptic feedback |
Pricing
IELTS Writing Checker offers a free plan with 3 score previews per month. Paid plans (Monthly or Yearly) provide 50 complete reviews per month, including sentence-level annotations, correction suggestions, and rewrites. The Yearly plan includes a 3-day free trial. Pricing details are not explicitly listed, but both paid plans have the same features; the difference is billing cycle.
Toku Reader is free to download and use. The free plan includes 50 word lookups per day, with unlimited lookups available via in-app purchase. There is no subscription; users can upgrade anytime for unlimited lookups. All core features (reading, watching, listening) are free and unmetered.
Pros and Cons
IELTS Writing Checker
Pros:
- Specialized for IELTS Writing, using official criteria for accurate scoring.
- Provides detailed, actionable feedback with specific next steps.
- High accuracy compared to general AI tools (average error 0.49 points).
- Supports both Academic and General Training, including Task 1 visuals.
- Fast feedback (about 20 seconds) and saves results for revision.
Cons:
- Limited free tier (only 3 previews per month).
- Paid plans required for full feedback and higher review limits.
- No offline capability; requires internet connection.
- Only for English writing; not for other languages or skills.
Toku Reader
Pros:
- Comprehensive reading and listening tool for Japanese and Chinese.
- Fully offline with on-device processing, ensuring privacy.
- No account required; free tier offers 50 lookups per day.
- Supports multiple input types: text, web, video, podcasts, and camera.
- Includes SRS review, Anki import, and WaniKani integration for vocabulary learning.
Cons:
- Only available on iPhone (iOS).
- Limited to Japanese and Chinese; not for other languages.
- No writing feedback or scoring; focuses solely on reading comprehension.
- Unlimited lookups require in-app purchase; free tier has daily limit.
Verdict
Choose IELTS Writing Checker if you are preparing for the IELTS exam and need accurate, criterion-based feedback on your writing. Choose Toku Reader if you are learning Japanese or Chinese and want a versatile, offline reading and listening tool with instant word lookups. Both are excellent in their niches, so the decision depends on your specific language learning goals.