Kanji vs Ringotan
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kanji
Instantly translate Japanese characters from photos using advanced AI. Get readings, translations, and detailed information offline. Features adjustable text detection and sensitivity for optimal accuracy.
- Real-time character recognition
- Offline functionality
- 90%+ accuracy for 2000+ Kanji
- Adjustable text detection modes
- Detailed Kanji information (readings, radicals, stroke order)
- Multiple result predictions
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Kanji Reader uses the latest in convolutional neural networks technology to create an image processing application which converts photos of individual Japanese characters, providing their readings, translations, and other information. Simply aim the camera at a character, and watch the results display live. No internet connection is required. Recognizes with 90+% accuracy over 2000 Kanji. Toggle between white and black text detection modes. Adjust camera sensitivity to pick up fainter text, or reduce sensitivity in high contrast environments. View more results returned by the model, up to 10, ordered by likelihood. View detailed information about each Kanji, such as the "On" and "Kun" readings, radical, and stroke order.
Ringotan
Master Japanese Kanji by practicing writing. This app uses advanced input detection and spaced repetition to help you learn quickly and effectively. Focuses on the physical act of writing characters, not just recognition.
- Learn Kanji by writing
- Advanced input detection
- Spaced repetition system (SRS)
- Focus on writing, not just reading
- Frequent updates with new features
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Learn Kanji by actually writing it! Ringotan is the first app built from the ground up to teach you how to WRITE Japanese Kanji, not just read them. By combining advanced input detection with industry-standard SRS (spaced repetition) algorithms, Ringotan ensures you learn as fully and quickly as possible. ----------------- Ringotan is free for a limited time. We update frequently, so be sure to check back for new features!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ringotan at 96% against Kanji's 0%. Ringotan also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.8) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). Kanji's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Ringotan holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ringotan has 574 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Kanji's written reviews are positive against 96% of Ringotan's.
Kanji ships an update every 3 weeks, Ringotan every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Kanji | Ringotan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (6 ratings) | 4.9 (574 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 95.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 574 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 206 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tyler Walker | Daniel Pflughoeft |
Customer experience
Kanji
Ringotan
Bugs and requests
Kanji
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Ringotan
Reported bugs
2 issues- Occasional issues with stroke order recognition
- Some kanji pronunciations not accurately represented
Requested features
5 requests- Add dark mode option
- Allow users to create and save custom kanji lists
- Provide more detailed keyword hints before writing
- Implement device sync to continue progress across platforms
- Add notification system to remind users of upcoming reviews
In-app purchases
Kanji
No in-app purchases
Ringotan
No in-app purchases
