Comparison

Kanji Study vs Polyo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Kanji Study

This app teaches Japanese kanji by focusing on vocabulary words. It offers writing practice with stroke detection and spaced repetition reviews for effective memorization. Learn kanji readings naturally through over 5,000 JLPT-aligned words.

Highlights
  • Vocabulary-first kanji learning
  • Writing lessons with stroke detection
  • Spaced repetition reviews
  • Full JLPT N5-N1 coverage
  • Audio pronunciation
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Most kanji apps show you a character and its readings and expect you to memorize them cold. Kanji Study takes a different approach: you learn kanji through the vocabulary words they appear in. By studying real JLPT words, over 5,000 of them across N5 to N1, you absorb kanji readings naturally, one word at a time, the way they actually appear in Japanese. What makes it different: Vocabulary-first learning: master readings through words, not rote memorization Writing lessons with stroke detection: learn correct stroke order and get instant feedback Spaced repetition reviews: English → Japanese and Japanese → English, including writing quizzes Full JLPT coverage: structured levels from N5 through N1 Audio pronunciation: hear every word read aloud Works offline: no internet connection required Ideal for JLPT test prep, Japanese language students, or anyone preparing to live or work in Japan.

About

Polyo

This app helps you monitor your progress in learning multiple languages. Log study hours, categorize activities, and track your growth to stay consistent and accountable on your learning journey.

Highlights
  • Track language study across multiple languages
  • Log study hours
  • Categorize learning activities
  • Monitor language learning growth
  • Promotes consistency and accountability
Features
Read full description

Polyo helps you track your language study across multiple languages and skills. Log your hours. Categorize your activities. Monitor your growth. Whether you're learning Spanish, French, Korean, or more, Polyo gives you a simple way to stay consistent and accountable. Built for learners who care about long-term progress.

Screenshots

Kanji Study4 screens
Polyo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Polyo at none against Kanji Study's 8. Polyo also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Kanji Study's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (7.3K vs 6). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Kanji Study sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Polyo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Polyo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kanji Study has 7.3K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Kanji Study's written reviews are positive against 100% of Polyo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kanji Study ships an update every 2 days, Polyo monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Kanji Study versus Polyo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKanji StudyPolyo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (7.3K ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7.3K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.516.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size140 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLuli Languages LLCKaleb McKelvey

Customer experience

Kanji Study

All ratings7,261 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews860 reviews
Positive67.4%
Neutral12.2%
Negative20.3%

Polyo

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Kanji Study

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Certain kanji not recognized correctly
  • App crashing or freezing, especially during long review sessions
  • Progress not syncing across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to customize review sessions (select specific kanji, JLPT levels, etc.)
  • Add both on and kun readings for kanji
  • Implement sentence practice and vocabulary exercises
  • Add support for more languages (e.g. Russian)

Polyo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Kanji Study

One-time6
  • Level 1$9.99
  • Level 2$12.99
  • Level 3$14.99
Show 3 more
  • Level 4$14.99
  • Level 5$14.99
  • All Levels3 variants$29.99
None

Polyo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kanji Study free?
Kanji Study is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Polyo free?
Polyo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kanji Study or Polyo?
Polyo is rated higher. Kanji Study averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.3K ratings, while Polyo averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Kanji Study or Polyo have ads?
Neither Kanji Study nor Polyo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kanji Study or Polyo?
Kanji Study ships an update every 2 days, and Polyo monthly. Most recently, Kanji Study was updated on October 30, 2026 and Polyo on October 28, 2026.

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