Terms of Service

By accessing or using Snap Pinyin at www.snappinyin.com or via the Snap Pinyin iOS app (“the Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the Service.

Snap Pinyin is available as a web application and an iOS app. It allows users to translate Chinese text and view pinyin pronunciation above each character. Users can take photos of Chinese text, upload images, or paste text directly. The Service uses optical character recognition (OCR), automated translation, and pinyin generation to provide results.

You may use Snap Pinyin for a limited number of translations without creating an account. Unauthenticated usage is subject to rate limiting (maximum 20 translation requests per hour per IP address). Unauthenticated users do not have access to translation history, flashcard export, or starter credits.

To access additional features and credits, you may sign in using a Google account or Apple account. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate information
• Not share your account with others
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised access

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.

5.1 Starter Credits

New users who create an account receive 88 starter credits as a one-time bonus. Starter credits do not reset and do not expire. Once starter credits are exhausted, the user moves to the standard free tier.

5.2 Free Plan

After starter credits are used, free users receive 3 translations per week. Credits reset every Monday. Free users do not have access to translation history or flashcard export features.

5.3 Pro Plan

Pro users receive 888 translations per month for $5 USD/month (billed monthly) or $2.50 USD/month (billed yearly at $30 USD/year). Pro features include translation history and Anki flashcard export. Pro users who exhaust their monthly translations may purchase additional translation packs. Pricing in the iOS app may vary slightly due to App Store pricing tiers.

5.4 Translation Packs

Pro users may purchase packs of 188 bonus translations for $3 USD. Bonus translations do not expire and carry over until used.

5.5 Translation Limits

Each translation is limited to 1,000 characters. For image translations, text extracted via OCR is truncated to 1,000 characters. Each translation consumes one credit regardless of input method or text length.

On the web, payments are processed by Stripe. In the iOS app, payments are processed by Apple through in-app purchases. By subscribing to a paid plan, you agree to:

• Pay the applicable fees as described on the pricing page
• Authorise recurring charges for subscription plans
• Provide valid payment information

6.1 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time. On the web, use the Manage Subscription link in the app. For iOS subscriptions, manage your subscription through your Apple ID settings (Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions). Upon cancellation:

• Your Pro benefits remain active until the end of your current billing period
• After the billing period ends, your account reverts to the Free plan
• Unused bonus translations are retained and can be used on the Free plan

6.2 Refunds

For web purchases, we do not offer refunds for partial billing periods. For iOS in-app purchases, refunds are handled by Apple according to their refund policy. If you experience a technical issue that prevents you from using the Service, contact us at nate@snappinyin.com and we will work to resolve it.

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any illegal purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Service or its systems
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to access the Service beyond normal use
• Circumvent rate limits, credit limits, or other usage restrictions
• Resell, redistribute, or commercially exploit the Service without permission
• Upload content that is obscene, offensive, or violates the rights of others
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service

8.1 Our Content

The Snap Pinyin name, logo, design, and code are owned by Snap Pinyin. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any part of the Service without permission.

8.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of any text or images you submit for translation. By using the Service, you grant us a limited licence to process your content solely for the purpose of providing the translation service.

8.3 Translation Output

Translations, pinyin, and definitions generated by the Service are provided for personal and educational use. The accuracy of translations is not guaranteed.

Snap Pinyin uses automated technology (OCR, machine translation, and dictionary lookup) to provide translations and pinyin. While we strive for accuracy:

• Translations may contain errors. Machine translation is not perfect and may produce inaccurate or misleading results.
• Pinyin may be incorrect for rare characters or context-dependent pronunciations.
• OCR may misread characters, especially from handwritten text, unusual fonts, or low-quality images.

The Service is provided for educational and informational purposes. Do not rely on Snap Pinyin for critical translations such as legal documents, medical information, or official communications.

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law, Snap Pinyin shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Loss of data or translation history
• Inaccurate translations or pinyin
• Service interruptions or downtime
• Unauthorised access to your account

Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid to Snap Pinyin in the 12 months preceding the claim.

We aim to keep Snap Pinyin available at all times but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may:

• Perform maintenance that temporarily affects availability
• Modify or discontinue features with reasonable notice
• Suspend the Service in the event of security concerns

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice in the app. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

These terms are governed by the laws of Australia. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be resolved in the courts of Australia.