Kana Origin vs 暗礁词典
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kana Origin
Explore the origins of Japanese kana and their connection to kanji. This app uses a multi-memory learning style, incorporating the forgetting curve and proficiency levels for effective review. It also includes a quick search function, spelling tests, and 3D word models to enhance understanding.
- Kana and kanji origins
- Quick search checklist
- Spaced repetition learning
- Spelling tests
- 3D word models
- Apple Watch compatibility
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This is an app for learning Japanese Kana, but it's more than that. - Origins Starting from the origins, we will take you through the origins of Japanese kana and its relationship with kanji, helping you to better understand and distinguish these kana. - Quick Search The Quick Checklist will help you quickly find the kana, date and number you want to know when you need it. - Learning A learning style that incorporates multiple memory modes for intensive review based on the forgetting curve and proficiency level. And you can learn some useful Japanese words in line with your learning progress. In the latest version, an Apple Watch version has been added, so you can get something out of it anytime, anywhere. - Test Reinforce your memory of unfamiliar kana through spelling. - Words Enhance your memory and understanding of words with vivid 3D models More features are in the works. You can send an email to kevinchou.c@gmail.com to give your feedback.
暗礁词典
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包含中文及英文词典，完全离线，在各地均可查询词语。 超大词库，单词应有尽有 页面简洁，学习不受干扰
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 暗礁词典 at none against Kana Origin's 1. Kana Origin's advantage is ratings volume (377 vs 2) and review sentiment (98% vs 89%). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Kana Origin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 暗礁词典 asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Kana Origin against 5.0 for 暗礁词典. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kana Origin has 377 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 98% of Kana Origin's written reviews are positive against 89% of 暗礁词典's.
Kana Origin ships an update every 2 months, 暗礁词典 monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kana Origin | 暗礁词典 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (377 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 97.8% of reviews — better | 88.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 377 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 77 MB | 74 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 楷雯 周 | 浩源 陈 |
Customer experience
Kana Origin
暗礁词典
Bugs and requests
Kana Origin
Reported bugs
6 issues- Calendar module in notification center not displaying after update
- Eraser button in handwriting area is not working
- Handwriting area does not clear automatically when switching between Hiragana and Katakana
- Pronunciation audio not working
- Bug with 'Lemon' image preventing learning progress
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- Bug with 'me' email word due to image error
Requested features
14 requests- Add word memorization feature
- Increase font size option
- Sync learning progress across devices (iOS/Android)
- Add dedicated learning section for numbers and dates
- Show correct romanization after pronunciation training
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- Allow in-app language switching (e.g., to Chinese)
- Include Katakana in review sessions
- Add Japanese writing practice (tracing/freehand)
- Randomize order within learning groups
- Add feedback window
- Add stroke order for 50 sounds
- Continuous reading of 50 sounds pronunciation
- Add more special training exercises (e.g., guessing place names)
- Make vocabulary list default to kana only, show meaning on tap
暗礁词典
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Kana Origin
- KanaOrigin Pro$1.99
暗礁词典
No in-app purchases
