Comparison

Bow Note vs JLPT Speak

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

Head to head
About

Bow Note

Learn the proper etiquette for visiting Japanese shrines. This app explains the angles and usage of different bows, and even measures your bow angle using your device's gyroscope. Enhance your cultural understanding and make your shrine visits more meaningful.

Highlights
  • Shrine bowing etiquette explanation
  • Bow angle measurement
  • Standard Japanese usage guide
  • Cultural insights for Japan visitors
  • O-mikuji fortune telling
Features
Read full description

Great for visiting shrines! You can even get o-mikuji! Recommended for the following people! ・Those who are scheduled to, or would like to visit Japan ・Those who would like to visit shrines ・Those who have an interest in Japanese culture There are a number of angles to the bows used when visiting shrines, (though they are not the kind that the gods will punish you for not following) and it will make your visit more smooth to know them beforehand, as well as surprise Japanese people when you know them better than they do. This app also has the ability to measure the angle of your bow(*), making it quite handy. (*You will need a gyroscope in your device.) It also has an explanation mode, which tells you the standard Japanese usage of each bow. ========Credit======== Music & Sound effects: MusMus Sound effects: Digital Gene

About

JLPT Speak

Master JLPT vocabulary through active speaking practice. This app offers pronunciation feedback, spaced repetition, and personalized study sessions to enhance retention and recognition. Track your progress, set daily goals, and create custom word lists for effective Japanese language learning.

Highlights
  • Pronunciation checking for spoken Japanese readings
  • Spaced repetition system for vocabulary review
  • Daily goal tracking and progress monitoring
  • Customizable word lists
  • Audio playback for pronunciation refinement
  • Adjustable session sizes and study settings
Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese faster. Master Japanese vocabulary by speaking aloud, with pronunciation checks spaced repetition, daily goals, and custom word lists. Improve your retention and recognition by speaking your way through the most common words required to pass Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). JLPT Speak checks your pronunciation, repeats each word after each attempt, and tracks your score over time, serving up the words you need to focus on more often. Study at your own pace with small test sessions, daily goals, and a spaced repetition system (SRS) that tests more difficult words more frequently, while better-known words are shown less often. Start with JLPT N5 vocabulary and keep your progress organized as you learn. Features: - Speak Japanese readings aloud and JLPT Speak will automatically check your reading - Learn JLPT vocabulary with spaced repetition so more difficult words will be shown more often - Review due words separately from new lessons - Hear pronunciation playback while you study - Create custom lists of targeted words - Auto play through vocabulary lists when you're unable to speak aloud - Use hints when you need support - Track daily progress, streaks, mistakes, and memorized words - Adjust session size, daily goals, voices, and study settings - Practice single words or lists outside of test sessions to reinforce or prepare for your reviews - Choose from a variety of app theme colors and SRS naming variants - Japanese localization JLPT Speak is made for learners who want vocabulary review to feel more natural, active, and memorable. This is an independent study app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by JLPT organizers or the Japan Foundation.

Screenshots

Bow Note4 screens
JLPT Speak4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bow Note at none against JLPT Speak's 3. Bow Note also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). JLPT Speak's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 14 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. JLPT Speak sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Bow Note asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Bow Note against 5.0 for JLPT Speak. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bow Note ships an update every 14 months, JLPT Speak every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Bow Note versus JLPT Speak: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBow NoteJLPT Speak
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlus Inc. (Japan)Andy Scearce

Customer experience

Bow Note

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

JLPT Speak

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bow Note

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

JLPT Speak

One-time3
  • JLPT N5 (Full Deck)$1.99
  • JLPT N4 (Full Deck)$1.99
  • JLPT N3 (Full Deck)$1.99

Questions

Is Bow Note free?
Bow Note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JLPT Speak free?
JLPT Speak is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bow Note or JLPT Speak?
Bow Note and JLPT Speak are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Bow Note or JLPT Speak have ads?
Bow Note shows ads; JLPT Speak does not.
Which is updated more often, Bow Note or JLPT Speak?
Bow Note ships an update every 14 months, and JLPT Speak every 6 days. Most recently, Bow Note was updated on September 27, 2026 and JLPT Speak on September 26, 2026.

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