Comparison

Bunpo vs Umi

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

Head to head
About

Bunpo

Master multiple languages with this comprehensive learning app. It offers detailed grammar explanations, vocabulary building, and smart review systems to help you progress from beginner to advanced levels. Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese with interactive exercises and personalized study plans.

Highlights
  • Learn 6 languages
  • Master grammar with detailed explanations
  • Build vocabulary and kanji knowledge
  • Spaced repetition for smart review
  • Interactive quizzes and example sentences
  • Offline learning for Spanish, French, German, Chinese
Features
Read full description

Learn languages with Bunpo! Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, English and more! Master speaking, grammar, and vocabulary from beginner to advanced, trusted by over 5 million learners worldwide. From your first Hiragana あ to JLPT N1, from "annyeong" to a real Korean conversation, or any of our 8+ languages, Bunpo takes you from day one to fluency. ========= Why Bunpo works for language learning - Speak from day one: Start speaking from your very first lesson with advanced speech recognition technology. - 8+ languages, one app: Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, and English, and switch between them anytime without juggling multiple apps. - Grammar that makes sense: Detailed explanations in plain English, plus exercises that make it stick. - Smart review: A personalized study plan powered by spaced repetition (SRS) so you remember more, faster. - From the alphabet to advanced: Start with your very first character and build all the way to advanced grammar, whatever language you choose. Whether you're learning for travel, a higher grade, JLPT, a career boost, or just to feel confident in a new conversation, Bunpo's got your back. ========= Japanese Course - Master the Japanese alphabets (Hiragana & Katakana) so you can read menus, train signs, and even your favorite manga without guessing. - Learn Japanese grammar for every JLPT level (N5 to N1) with clear, no-nonsense explanations because "This is a pen" will only get you so far. - Build real-world Japanese vocabulary and kanji knowledge you can actually use in daily conversations, not just in textbooks. - Practice with 1,800+ Japanese example sentences and 8,000+ interactive quizzes designed to make new grammar and vocab stick. - Search any topic instantly in the Japanese grammar dictionary, perfect for "What does that mean again?" moments. - Review smarter, not harder, with a spaced repetition system (SRS) that reminds you before you forget. ========= Korean Course - Master the Korean alphabet (Hangul) with a guided chart, listening, and writing practice. - Build Korean vocabulary you'll actually use in everyday conversations. - Practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking so every skill grows together. ========= Spanish Course - Learn Spanish offline - Master Spanish grammar from A1 to B1 level - Spanish verb conjugation - Perfect your Spanish pronunciation ========= French Course - Learn French offline - Master French grammar from A1 to A2 level - French verb conjugation - Perfect your French pronunciation ========= German Course - Learn German offline - Master German grammar from A1 to C1 level - German verb conjugation - Perfect your German pronunciation ========= Chinese Course - Learn Chinese offline - Master Chinese vocabulary and phrases - Listen, speak, and write Chinese ========= Subscription pricing and terms Bunpo offers an auto-renewing monthly subscription and an auto-renewing yearly subscription to provide you with unlimited access to the Bunpo courses while you maintain an active subscription. These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary, and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. Bunpo also offers a Forever subscription, which is paid for by a one-off upfront payment with unlimited access to the Bunpo courses forever. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: https://bunpo.app/privacy.html Any feedback? Feel free to contact us at: iphone@bunpo.app

About

Umi

Master a new language through engaging TV clips, from beginner to fluent in a year. This app offers a fun, scientifically backed immersion method with vocabulary, listening, and reading practice. Learn from native speakers in real-life contexts without textbooks or lectures.

Highlights
  • Learn languages from 0 to fluency
  • Watch TV clips for learning
  • Vocabulary, listening, and reading practice
  • Immersion method
  • Learn from native speakers
  • 24 free lessons
Features
Read full description

Learn a language from 0 to fluency in 1 year, by watching TV clips! 24 lessons for free! Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German or English! Vocabulary, listening, and reading all in one app... and it's fun! A revolutionary scientifically backed method; natural exposure with short videos is the best way to gain REAL comprehension. No textbooks. No boring lectures. Learn from native speakers! Understand how people talk in real life situations. Start learning today with the revolutionary immersion method, and actually achieve fluency! Privacy: https://www.umiapp.co/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Bunpo4 screens
Umi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Bunpo at none against Umi's shown. Bunpo also leads on review sentiment (73% vs 54%) and ratings volume (18K vs 2.4K). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Bunpo sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Umi sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Bunpo against 4.8 for Umi. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bunpo has 18K ratings behind it against 2.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Bunpo's written reviews are positive against 54% of Umi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bunpo ships an update every 9 days, Umi every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bunpo versus Umi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBunpoUmi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (18K ratings) — better4.8 (2.4K ratings)
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews — better53.6% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better2.4K
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size189 MB79 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperBunpo Language LearningImmersely Inc.

Customer experience

Bunpo

All ratings18,012 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.7%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews1,129 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral9.3%
Negative18.2%

Umi

All ratings2,362 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews278 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral15.1%
Negative31.3%

User reviews

Bunpo

From 18K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helpful for learning Japanese
  • 👍 Well-designed and organized
  • 👍 Explains grammar and usage well
  • 👍 Customizable to learning needs
  • 👍 Effective spaced repetition

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Too much content locked behind paywall
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes reported
  • 🐛 Issues with keyboard and text display
  • 🐛 Inconsistencies in question answers
  • 🔒 Lack of offline access to paid content

Umi

From 2.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Engaging and immersive learning experience
  • 👍 Helpful for improving listening and comprehension
  • 💡 Unique approach using real-world media clips
  • 🤩 Fun and enjoyable way to learn vocabulary

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inaccurate translations and subtitles
  • 🐛 Inconsistent clip quality and content
  • 💰 Paywall limits free access to full features
  • 🤔 Lack of structured learning progression

Bugs and requests

Bunpo

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes during lesson reviews
  • Incorrect answers marked as wrong
  • Text and keyboard issues on smaller screens
  • Audio playback problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add landscape mode support for tablets
  • Improve review options to revisit specific grammar points
  • Expand vocabulary lessons and practice
  • Add more languages beyond Japanese

Umi

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and loading issues
  • Inability to delete account or access full free version
  • Inconsistent performance and playback problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more language options like Mandarin and Russian
  • Improve spaced repetition and word review system
  • Provide more detailed grammar and conjugation explanations
  • Add a search function to find specific vocabulary

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Bunpo

Subscriptions7
  • Bunpo Plus Monthly2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Bunpo Platinum Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Bunpo Platinum Monthly$19.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Bunpo Plus Yearly$29.991 Year
  • Bunpo Plus Yearly$39.991 Year
  • Bunpo Platinum Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Bunpo Platinum Yearly$79.991 Year
One-time2
  • Bunpo Plus Lifetime$39.99
  • Bunpo Plus Lifetime$44.99
15 purchases

Umi

Subscriptions14
  • Umi Plus + Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Umi Plus - Monthly3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Umi Premium - Monthly3 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 11 more
  • Umi Pro - Monthly3 Days trial$17.991 Month
  • Umi Professional - Monthly3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Umi Plus - 6 months3 Days trial$34.996 Months
  • Umi Plus + 6 Months$34.996 Months
  • Umi Premium - 6 Months$39.996 Months
  • Umi Plus + Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Umi Plus - Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Umi Pro - 6 months$59.996 Months
  • Umi Premium - Annual3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Umi Pro - Annual3 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Umi Professional - Annual3 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time1
  • Umi - Plus$149.99

Questions

Is Bunpo free?
Bunpo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Umi free?
Umi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bunpo or Umi?
Bunpo is rated higher. Bunpo averages 4.9 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Umi averages 4.8 from 2.4K ratings.
Do Bunpo or Umi have ads?
Umi shows ads; Bunpo does not.
Which is updated more often, Bunpo or Umi?
Bunpo ships an update every 9 days, and Umi every 10 days. Most recently, Bunpo was updated on September 24, 2026 and Umi on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons