Comparison

Coban vs Nihon Go

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

Head to head
About

Coban

Master Japanese grammar, kanji, and vocabulary from beginner to advanced levels. Learn in context with example sentences and audio, and reinforce your knowledge with review tools. Study offline and prepare for JLPT exams with comprehensive content.

Highlights
  • Structured lessons from N5 to N1
  • 7,500+ vocabulary words
  • 2,100+ kanji
  • 490+ grammar points
  • 12,000+ audio recordings
  • Offline study mode
  • SRS review system
Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese from hiragana to JLPT N1 with structured lessons for vocabulary, kanji, grammar, listening, reading, and review — all in one app. Coban is designed for learners who want to understand Japanese, not simply memorize it. Learn grammar and vocabulary in context, recognize patterns, and build the skills you need to understand and use Japanese naturally. — STUDY FROM N5 TO N1 Follow a structured learning path from beginner Japanese to advanced JLPT content. • 7,500+ vocabulary words • 2,100+ kanji • 490+ grammar points • 2,500+ example sentences • JLPT N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1 content — LEARN WITH AUDIO More than 12,000 audio recordings help you connect written Japanese with natural pronunciation. Listen to vocabulary and example sentences, practice shadowing, and strengthen your listening comprehension as you study. — REVIEW WHAT YOU LEARN Use quizzes and SRS review to reinforce vocabulary, kanji, and grammar and focus your study on what you need to remember. — STUDY JAPANESE OFFLINE Coban’s learning content is stored on your device, so you can continue studying even without an internet connection. — BUILT FOR REAL JAPANESE Coban goes beyond JLPT test preparation. Lessons are designed to help you see how Japanese works in context so you can apply what you learn to reading, listening, conversation, and everyday communication. Whether you are just starting Japanese or working toward JLPT N1, Coban gives you a complete Japanese study library you can keep using as your skills grow.

About

Nihon Go

Features
Read full description

このアプリは、AIと実際の会話を体験しながら、日本語力を楽しく向上させることができます。 Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Coban4 screens
Nihon Go4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Nihon Go at none against Coban's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Coban sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Nihon Go sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Coban ships an update weekly, Nihon Go every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Coban versus Nihon Go: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCobanNihon Go
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (621 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings621 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size705 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAkira NOGUCHIOne Terrace Co., Ltd

Bugs and requests

Coban

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Drag and drop feature not working
  • Crashes after completing quizzes
  • Vocabulary lessons causing the app to freeze

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand to higher JLPT levels (N3, N2, N1)
  • Add a placement test to determine user's level
  • Improve vocabulary practice and review options
  • Offer an ad-free version for a one-time purchase

Nihon Go

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Coban

Subscriptions3
  • Premium User$6.991 Month
  • Premium User$39.906 Months
  • Premium User$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Upgrade$59.99
  • Lifetime Access$99.99
1 purchases

Nihon Go

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Premium Plan$5.991 Month

Questions

Is Coban free?
Coban is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nihon Go free?
Nihon Go is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Coban or Nihon Go have ads?
Coban shows ads; Nihon Go does not.
Which is updated more often, Coban or Nihon Go?
Coban ships an update weekly, and Nihon Go every 6 days. Most recently, Coban was updated on November 7, 2026 and Nihon Go on October 30, 2026.

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