# KataGuide vs Nihongo Master Dictionary

The clearest difference is price: Nihongo Master Dictionary at Free against KataGuide's $54.99. Nihongo Master Dictionary also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 50%). KataGuide's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Nihongo Master Dictionary is free to download; KataGuide costs $54.99 up front. Nihongo Master Dictionary sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KataGuide asks for nothing beyond the download.

KataGuide holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of KataGuide's written reviews are positive against 67% of Nihongo Master Dictionary's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

KataGuide ships an update every 19 months, Nihongo Master Dictionary every 21 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KataGuide | Nihongo Master Dictionary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $54.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kataguide/id1214569483/reviews)** | [4.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nihongo-master-dictionary/id1672167556/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 19 months** | Every 21 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 1 MB | 242 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Seeger](https://appshunter.io/developer/1185367971) | [Nihongo Master](https://appshunter.io/developer/1672167558) |

## What reviewers say

### KataGuide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kataguide/id1214569483)

Master traditional Okinawan karate kata with this comprehensive guide. Featuring remastered instructional footage with slow-motion options, it covers basic, intermediate, advanced, and black belt kata, plus weapons and kumite.

**Highlights:** Remastered instructional footage, Slow and super slow motion playback, Pinch to zoom and reposition, Covers all kata levels, Includes weapons kata, Features prearranged kumite

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Nihongo Master Dictionary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nihongo-master-dictionary/id1672167556)

This Japanese dictionary app helps users quickly find words and kanji with example sentences and JLPT levels. Create custom study lists and use flashcards to build vocabulary. It also offers popular study lists for common situations like travel and work.

**Highlights:** Word and kanji lookup, Example sentences, Related kanji information, JLPT level indicators, Custom study lists, Flashcard vocabulary builder, Popular situational study lists

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KataGuide free?

KataGuide costs $54.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Nihongo Master Dictionary free?

Nihongo Master Dictionary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, KataGuide or Nihongo Master Dictionary?

KataGuide is rated higher. KataGuide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Nihongo Master Dictionary averages 4.4 from 5 ratings.

### Do KataGuide or Nihongo Master Dictionary have ads?

Nihongo Master Dictionary shows ads; KataGuide does not.

### Which is updated more often, KataGuide or Nihongo Master Dictionary?

KataGuide ships an update every 19 months, and Nihongo Master Dictionary every 21 months. Most recently, KataGuide was updated on September 23, 2026 and Nihongo Master Dictionary on October 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*