Kyujitai vs KotenOCR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kyujitai
Easily convert Japanese text between Shinjitai and Kyūjitai character sets. This utility leverages an open-source Python library for accurate conversions.
- Shinjitai to Kyūjitai conversion
- Kyūjitai to Shinjitai conversion
- Based on open-source library
- Supports iPhone, iPad, iPod
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Kyujitai allows you to convert a Japanese text from Shinjitai (新字体) to Kyūjitai (舊字體), and vice versa. Kyujitai is based on the open source kyujipy Python library: https://github.com/cjkvsoft/kyujipy
KotenOCR
This application uses AI to convert classical Japanese cursive script (kuzushiji) into digital text. Simply take a photo of the script, and the app will automatically recognize and convert it. All processing is done on-device, supporting over 7,000 characters and optimized for historical documents.
- Photo to text conversion
- AI-powered kuzushiji recognition
- On-device processing
- Copy and share text
- Supports 7,000+ characters
- Optimized for historical documents
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An OCR app that reads classical Japanese cursive script (kuzushiji) using AI. Features: - Just take a photo to convert kuzushiji to text - Powered by the National Diet Library's AI model (NDL Koten OCR-Lite) - All processing runs on-device (no internet connection required) - Copy and share recognized text How to Use: 1. Capture a page with the camera or select from your photo library 2. AI automatically detects text regions and recognizes kuzushiji 3. Tap results to review, copy and use Supports over 7,000 kanji, hiragana, and katakana characters. Optimized for Edo-period woodblock prints and manuscripts. Licenses: - OCR Model: NDL Koten OCR-Lite (National Diet Library, CC-BY-4.0) - Inference Engine: ONNX Runtime (Microsoft, MIT License) Source code: https://github.com/nakamura196/koten-ocr-ios
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Kyujitai at 80% against KotenOCR's 0%. Kyujitai also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). KotenOCR's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 months). 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
Both are free to download. KotenOCR sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Kyujitai asks for nothing beyond the download.
Kyujitai ships an update every 3 months, KotenOCR daily. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kyujitai | KotenOCR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 3.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 247 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Emmanuel Ternon | Satoru Nakamura |
Customer experience
Kyujitai
KotenOCR
In-app purchases
Kyujitai
No in-app purchases
KotenOCR
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
- Large Tip$6.99
