Comparison

Honki JLPT vs Kanji Pad

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

Head to head
About

Honki JLPT

Prepare for the JLPT with this comprehensive study tool. Practice vocabulary, Kanji, and grammar through flashcards, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and sorting questions. Features native speaker audio and a recording function to perfect pronunciation and listening skills.

Highlights
  • Vocabulary and Kanji practice
  • Grammar exercises
  • Flashcards with native language translation
  • Native speaker audio
  • Pronunciation recording
  • Spaced repetition learning
Features
Read full description

Honki JLPT is a practial app for people to prepare for JLPT, practicing words, Kanjis and grammars. It contains a lot of words and Kanjis appropriate for JLPT as well as words and expressions commonly used. With 100% sound of a native and recording function, you can learn new words with proper pronunciation, improve listening skills and also check your own pronunciation. [Main functions of the app] 1. Basic knowledge of words and Kanjis: In each unit, you can check the audio, characters and meanings. (N4 words have illustrations) 2. Flashcards: With Japanese in front and mother language in the back, you can flip the flashcards to check your knowledge and focus on practicing over and over the ones not memorized yet. 3. Grammars: You can practice fill-in-the blank and sorting questions. 4. Forgetting curve: Each part of the practice questions in the Units are suggested to and set up to repeat and obtain badges 4 times. The times to obtain badges are automatically set up based on the "forgetting curve" for you to study effectively and efficiently. [Recommended for] - Those who want to challenge JLPT (N2, N3, N4) - Those who want to learn and practice words and Kanjis - Those who want to repeat and practice a lot of grammar questions - Those who are serious in learning Japanese - Those who want to use spare time wisely and learn efficiently - Those who want to practice a lot of words, Kanjis and grammar questions in general to prepare for tests [Contents of N2, N3, and N4] - N4: words, Kanjis, grammars - N3: words, Kanjis, grammars - N2: words, Kanjis (grammars coming soon)

About

Kanji Pad

Master Japanese kanji through interactive writing practice. Track your progress with kanji organized by grade levels. Customize your learning pace with adjustable group sizes and repetition cycles for a smooth, stress-free experience.

Highlights
  • Interactive kanji writing practice
  • Kanji organized by grade levels
  • Customizable group sizes and repetition
  • Progress tracking
  • Stress-free learning experience
Features
Read full description

The fastest way to remember a kanji is to write it. Kanji Pad teaches you all 2,136 jōyō kanji stroke by stroke — you draw each character on screen, and the app checks every stroke you make. WRITE, DON'T JUST FLIP CARDS Trace each new kanji with guided strokes, then reproduce it from memory. Kanji Pad scores your strokes as you draw, so muscle memory does the work that flashcards can't. STRUCTURED THE WAY JAPANESE IS ACTUALLY LEARNED • JLPT levels from N5 to N1 — study exactly what your next exam requires • Japanese school grades 1–6 and secondary school • Your own custom sets — group kanji any way you like SEE YOUR PROGRESS EVERY DAY The Today dashboard shows your streak, your JLPT progress level by level, and a 12-week activity map. Pick up right where you left off with one tap. FIND ANY KANJI — EVEN ONE YOU CAN'T READ Search by English meaning, by on/kun reading in kana, or simply draw the character and let Kanji Pad recognize it. Perfect for looking up kanji you spot in the wild. LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT EACH CHARACTER • On and kun readings with native speech synthesis • Meanings and Heisig keywords • Real example words, sorted by how frequently they're used in Japanese • Swipe between kanji to keep exploring MAKE IT YOURS • Choose your session size and repetition pace • Four authentic Japanese typefaces: kaishō, kyōkasho, minchō and gothic • Haptic feedback while you write NO STRINGS ATTACHED Works fully offline. No account, no sign-up. Your progress stays on your device. Whether you're starting with your first N5 characters or closing the gap to N1, Kanji Pad turns daily writing practice into a habit that sticks.

Screenshots

Honki JLPT4 screens
Kanji Pad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Honki JLPT at 5.0 against Kanji Pad's 4.2. Honki JLPT also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 86%) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 18.0). Kanji Pad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support 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. Honki JLPT sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Kanji Pad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Honki JLPT holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Honki JLPT's written reviews are positive against 86% of Kanji Pad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Honki JLPT ships an update every 2 months, Kanji Pad every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Honki JLPT versus Kanji Pad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHonki JLPTKanji Pad
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.2 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings29 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB90 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJapan ICT Learning Co., Ltd.Vitaliy Golubenko

Customer experience

Honki JLPT

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Kanji Pad

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Honki JLPT

One-time5
  • 1 month usage$6.99
  • 3 month usage$14.99
  • 6 month usage$24.99
Show 2 more
  • 1 year usage$39.99
  • Unlimited usage$99.99
None

Kanji Pad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Honki JLPT free?
Honki JLPT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Kanji Pad free?
Kanji Pad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Honki JLPT or Kanji Pad?
Honki JLPT is rated higher. Honki JLPT averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Kanji Pad averages 4.2 from 9 ratings.
Do Honki JLPT or Kanji Pad have ads?
Honki JLPT shows ads; Kanji Pad does not.
Which is updated more often, Honki JLPT or Kanji Pad?
Honki JLPT ships an update every 2 months, and Kanji Pad every 4 days. Most recently, Honki JLPT was updated on October 29, 2026 and Kanji Pad on October 27, 2026.

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