# Bow Note vs JLPT Speak

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 5 days vs every 14 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. JLPT Speak sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Bow Note asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

Bow Note ships an update every 14 months, JLPT Speak every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bow Note | JLPT Speak |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bow-note/id1469363894/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jlpt-speak/id6765824150/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 60 MB | 137 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Plus Inc. (Japan)](https://appshunter.io/developer/445792061) | [Andy Scearce](https://appshunter.io/developer/1048878025) |

## What reviewers say

### Bow Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bow-note/id1469363894)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### JLPT Speak

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jlpt-speak/id6765824150)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| JLPT N5 (Full Deck) | $1.99 | one-time |
| JLPT N4 (Full Deck) | $1.99 | one-time |
| JLPT N3 (Full Deck) | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 5 days. Most recently, Bow Note was updated on October 13, 2026 and JLPT Speak on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*