Comparison

Basic Kanji Plus vs Jareads

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

Head to head
About

Basic Kanji Plus

Master Japanese kanji and vocabulary with this comprehensive learning tool. It features animated stroke orders, pronunciation audio, and personalized study methods based on best-selling textbooks. Efficiently learn and review thousands of words and characters.

Highlights
  • 1167 Kanji and 8000 Vocabulary
  • Animated Kanji stroke order
  • Vocabulary pronunciation audio
  • Personalized study modes
  • English translations and example sentences
  • Offline learning capability
Features
Read full description

Includes 1167 Kanji and approximately 8000 words from Beginner to Intermediate and Advanced Levels. Animation of Kanji stroke order and text sound of vocabulary included. This is an app based on best-selling Kanji textbooks for Japanese Learners (New Edition) BASIC KANJI BOOK VOL. 1&2 (Bonjinsha Co., Ltd., 2016/2017) INTERMEDIATE KANJI BOOK VOL. 1&2 (Bonjinsha Co., Ltd., 2017) Advantages Readings and stroke order of kanji can be seen with a recording of its pronunciation. Perfect for learners from countries using kanji that may be strong in writing but weak in listening. Includes feature that shows only words that you have not memorized allowing for a more efficient approach to learning. In addition to textbook vocabulary, approximately 1500 frequently used words were newly added from Vocabulary Database for Reading Japanese (VDRJ) Ver. 1.1 (Approximately 750 words using beginner level kanji, and another 750 using intermediate and advanced level kanji) Study Methods and Features Study: Learn vocabulary by looking at the kanji and listening to the pronunciation. You can choose to study “All words” or “Unlearned words”. You can study by looking at the hiragana notation, kanji notation, and text sound. All vocabulary include English translation, example sentences with their English translation and text sound. Kanji information can be seen when learning vocabulary. Check: You can verify that you have learned the vocabulary. You can check and remove memorized vocabulary. Hiragana to kanji notation, kanji to hiragana notation, text sound to kanji notation, and kanji notation to text sound can be checked. List: Approximately 8000 words can be listed. You can see all vocabulary in lesson order and alphabetical order. You can review vocabulary in the lesson order and look up vocabulary in the alphabetical order. Kanji Information can also be viewed in the List section. * Ads: Any advertisements that may interfere with learning are not displayed. *Supported OS: OS10.3.1 or higher is required to install this app. *Depending on model of phone and environment, this app may not operate properly. *  *  * 「Basic Kanji Plus」は日本語学習者向け漢字教科書に準拠した漢字とその漢字を使った語彙を確認できる日本語学習のためのアプリです。 初級から中上級レベルの漢字1167字とその漢字を使った語彙約8000語を収録しています。教科書掲載語彙に加え、Vocabulary Database for Reading Japanese (VDRJ) Ver. 1.1から使用頻度の高い語彙約1500を新たに収録しました。(初級漢字を使った初級語彙約750語、中上級語彙約750語) 〈特長〉 ◆漢字の読みを文字や音声で確認できます。 ◆漢字の筆順をアニメーションで見ることができます。 ◆覚えていない語彙だけを選んで学べる機能付きなので、効率的に学習ができます。 ◆自分の学習状況を読み、漢字、音声ごとに視覚的に確認することができます。 ◆収録語すべてを教科書の課ごとや50音順に確認できるリスト付き。 ◆使用にネット接続を必要としないため、どこでも学習できます。(インストール時のみネット接続が必要) 〈学習方法と機能〉 Study:漢字と語彙を覚える。 ・読み、漢字、音声の3つの機能でいろいろな側面から学べます。 ・「すべての言葉」または「覚えていない言葉」を選んで学習できます。 ・全語彙で例文とその英訳を確認したり、音声を聞くことができます。 ・漢字の音読み、訓読み、筆順や意味のイラストなど詳細情報も確認できます。 Check:漢字と語彙を確認する。 ・1)読み(ひらがな)を見て漢字を確認、2)漢字を見て読み(ひらがな)を確認、3)音声を聞いて漢字を確認、4)漢字を見て音声を確認の4つの方法で覚えているかの確認ができます。 ・Checkで覚えられていないことが分かったら、Studyでその言葉だけをもう一度、復習することができます。 *本アプリには広告は一切表示されません。 *本アプリをご利用いただくにはOS10.3.1以降が必要です。また、機種あるいはその環境によっては、正常に動作しない場合があります。

About

Jareads

Master Japanese with engaging articles, news, and interactive flashcards. Features include furigana support, JLPT explanations, and a kanji matching game. Learn vocabulary and grammar through real-world examples tailored to your skill level.

Highlights
  • Japanese news articles
  • Furigana support
  • Vocabulary flashcards
  • JLPT comprehension quizzes
  • Kanji matching game
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Want to master Japanese? Look no further than Jareads - the app that makes learning Japanese addictively fun. Jareads takes the pain out of learning Japanese. Our articles and stories range from easy to advanced N5-N1 levels, so you can start reading material that matches your skill level. And with innovative features like furigana support, vocab flashcards, and Explain JLPT, you'll master new grammar and vocabulary through real-world examples. - About Japanese Reading: Stay up-to-date on current events and boost your reading fluency with Jareads' extensive Japanese news feature. Our app curates the latest headlines and stories from leading Japanese media, covering topics like politics, business, culture, and tech. With our smart leveling system, you'll be able to dive into news content that matches your skills - from accessible N5 stories to advanced N1 analyses. Tap any word for an instant translation and vocabulary example. The more news you read, the more vocabulary you'll master in context. - About Explain JLPT: Our innovative Explain JLPT feature takes your Japanese practice to the next level. Every JLPT reading passage on Jareads comes with a comprehension quiz. But we don't just show you correct answers - Explain JLPT walks you through the reasoning behind each question, providing detailed explanations on grammar, vocabulary, and reading strategies. For example, if you get a question wrong about a causative-passive construction, Explain JLPT will break down why that answer choice is incorrect and highlight the points you need to understand. - About Flashcard: Our vast flashcard library draws from our extensive collection of reading articles, allowing you to master new words in context. Cards cover everything from beginner staples for N5 students to advanced vocabulary for N1 JLPT test. With thousands of cards covering diverse topics, you'll be able to strengthen your vocabulary related to your unique interests - whether that's anime, business, cooking or more! - Kanji- Furigana Matching Game: Just like catching Pokemon, you’ll need sharp reflexes and an ever-expanding vocabulary to succeed. As you master more kanji, you can take on more complex matching challenges. Take a break from standard flashcards and make learning kanji exciting again! Tap and match furigana to kanji while the timer ticks down. Can you beat your high score and catch ‘em all? - About multiple languages support: Jareads makes learning Japanese accessible to students from all backgrounds with support for 11+ languages. Learners from the below languages can utilize Jareads seamlessly: English Hindi Indonesian Thai Vietnamese Burmese Chinese Arabic Russian Portuguese Spanish Explore authentic content, strengthen your skills, and achieve proficiency with support every step of the way. Thank you for downloading the app, keep supporting us and please share the app with your friends! Privacy policy: https://app.jareads.com/privacy Terms of use: https://app.jareads.com/eula

Screenshots

Basic Kanji Plus4 screens
Jareads4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Basic Kanji Plus at none against Jareads's 10. Basic Kanji Plus also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Jareads's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 48 months) and ratings volume (20 vs 3). On price, review sentiment, 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. Jareads sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Basic Kanji Plus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Basic Kanji Plus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Jareads has 20 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Basic Kanji Plus ships an update every 48 months, Jareads monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Basic Kanji Plus versus Jareads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBasic Kanji PlusJareads
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.7 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings320 — better
Update frequencyEvery 48 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size626 MB163 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of TsukubaTran Hieu

Customer experience

Basic Kanji Plus

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Jareads

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Basic Kanji Plus

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Jareads

Subscriptions4
  • Jareads Plus Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Jareads Plus Three Months$4.993 Months
  • Jareads Plus Yearly$6.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Jareads Plus Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time6
  • 100 coins for plus member$0.99
  • 100 coins$1.99
  • 1000 coins$2.99
Show 3 more
  • 1000 coins$3.99
  • Jareads Plus One Time Purchase$17.99
  • Jareads Plus Lifetime$17.99

Questions

Is Basic Kanji Plus free?
Basic Kanji Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Jareads free?
Jareads is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Basic Kanji Plus or Jareads?
Basic Kanji Plus is rated higher. Basic Kanji Plus averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Jareads averages 4.7 from 20 ratings.
Do Basic Kanji Plus or Jareads have ads?
Jareads shows ads; Basic Kanji Plus does not.
Which is updated more often, Basic Kanji Plus or Jareads?
Basic Kanji Plus ships an update every 48 months, and Jareads monthly. Most recently, Basic Kanji Plus was updated on October 24, 2026 and Jareads on October 24, 2026.

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