Best Mahjong Scoring Apps 2026
Keeping score in mahjong can be a headache. Between calculating faan, tracking payments, and settling up at the end, it’s no wonder players have turned to apps for help. But with several options available, which mahjong scoring app is actually worth downloading in 2026?
Why Use a Scoring App?
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s talk about why you’d want one in the first place. It’s faster, since there’s no more pausing the game to count faan on your fingers. It’s more accurate, eliminating scoring disputes and calculation errors. Payment tracking automatically calculates who owes what, and a running history keeps a record of your games and winning streaks.
The Options
TileBuddy
Platform: iOS Price: Free Focus: Hong Kong Mahjong
TileBuddy is purpose-built for Hong Kong Mahjong and it shows. The app features an intuitive faan calculator, AI-powered tile scanning using the Gemini API, and a clean interface that doesn’t require a manual to figure out.
What sets it apart:
- AI tile scanning: just point your camera at your hand
- Supports Classic, New 6, and New 18 hand sets
- Built-in payment calculator with automatic settlement
- Session tracking across multiple rounds
- Completely free with no paywalls
Verdict: If you play Hong Kong Mahjong, TileBuddy is built for exactly that. It’s focused, fast, and does what you need without bloat.
Generic Scorecard Apps
Some players use general scorecard or note-taking apps. While flexible, they require you to do all the faan counting and payment math yourself, which defeats the purpose.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TileBuddy | Generic scorecard apps |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Mahjong | Yes | Manual |
| AI Tile Scanning | Yes | No |
| Classic Hands | Yes | Manual |
| New 6 Hands | Yes | Manual |
| New 18 Hands | Yes | Manual |
| Payment Calculator | Yes | No |
| Session Tracking | Yes | Manual |
| Price | Free | Varies |
| Offline Support | Yes | Yes |
What to Look for in a Scoring App
When choosing a mahjong scoring app, consider these factors:
Accuracy
The app must correctly identify and score hands according to your house rules. This is non-negotiable. A scoring app that gets it wrong is worse than no app at all.
Speed
You shouldn’t spend more time fiddling with the app than you would counting faan manually. Look for apps with quick input methods, or better yet, AI scanning.
Rule Set Support
Make sure the app supports the hand sets your group plays with. If you play with New 18 hands, an app that only covers Classic is going to leave you short.
Payment Tracking
The whole point is to make end-of-game settlement painless. A good app should calculate who pays whom and how much, automatically.
Price and Ads
Nobody wants to watch an ad between every round. Look for apps that are either free without intrusive ads or worth a small upfront cost.
Our Recommendation
For Hong Kong Mahjong players, TileBuddy combines AI tile scanning with Classic, New 6 and New 18 hand set coverage and automatic payment calculation, and it’s completely free.
Instead of manually inputting each tile, you can simply snap a photo of your winning hand and let the app identify your tiles and calculate your faan instantly. It’s fast and accurate to use.
FAQ
Do I really need a scoring app for mahjong?
If you play casually once in a while and everyone at the table is comfortable with scoring, maybe not. But if you play regularly, have newer players at the table, or just want to avoid arguments about faan counts, a scoring app saves a ton of time and frustration.
Can scoring apps handle house rules?
It depends on the app. TileBuddy supports Classic, New 6, and New 18 hand sets, plus options like minimum faan requirements and chicken hand rules, which covers most house rule variations in Hong Kong Mahjong.
Is AI tile scanning actually accurate?
TileBuddy’s AI scanning, powered by the Gemini API, is highly accurate under normal lighting conditions. It works best when tiles are laid out clearly on a flat surface. You can always manually adjust if the AI misreads a tile.
Is TileBuddy available on Android?
TileBuddy is currently iOS-only.
Ready to upgrade your mahjong game nights? Download TileBuddy for free on the App Store.