Comparison

Kaku vs Immersion Reader

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

Head to head
About

Kaku

This app aids in learning Japanese with tools for translation, word lookup, and conjugation. It offers features like sentence translation, audio playback with text highlighting, and synced notes across devices. Ideal for beginners and intermediate learners seeking a comprehensive Japanese study aid.

Highlights
  • Live feedback sentence translator
  • Word lookup via Jisho.org
  • Verb, noun, and adjective conjugation
  • Audio playback with text highlighting
  • Synced notes across devices
  • Auto-translate clipboard
Features
Read full description

Kaku is a Japanese notebook designed for beginner-to-intermediate learners. Instead of jumping back and forth between a notes app, a dictionary, and a translator, you write in Japanese and all tools appear right where you're working: - Instant dictionary - highlight any word and matching entries appear above the keyboard, with readings, word types, and real example sentences. Powered by an offline dictionary, lookups are instant and work anywhere. - Write with training wheels - stuck on a word? Highlight the English word and insert the Japanese one in one tap, including the conjugated form you need. - Translate your notes - check your sentence structure by translating a whole note into your native language. 20 languages supported. - Read Aloud - Kaku reads your note out loud, highlighting each word as it's spoken, so you can shadow along. Choose from the best Japanese voices on your device. - Scan text with your camera - turn textbook pages, signs, and handwritten notes into editable text using built-in OCR. - Made for focus - a clean, paper-inspired design, folders to organize your study notes, and adjustable text size for comfortable reading. - Private by design - your notes live on your device. Kaku feels at home on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Immersion Reader

Easily look up Japanese words while reading ebooks with a single tap. Import custom dictionaries and export saved vocabulary for spaced repetition learning. Offers customizable themes for a comfortable reading experience.

Highlights
  • One-tap word lookup in Japanese ebooks
  • Import Yomichan and frequency dictionaries
  • Export vocabulary to Anki
  • Light and dark mode themes
  • Lookup neighboring words
Features
Read full description

Look up Japanese words as you read! Features - One tap to look up words in Japanese Ebooks. Tabs to help you look up neighboring words - Import Yomichan dictionaries and frequency dictionaries - Export saved vocabulary to Anki via Anki Dojo - Light mode, dark mode, and other themes for the dictionary

Screenshots

Kaku4 screens
Immersion Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Immersion Reader at none against Kaku's shown. Immersion Reader also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Kaku's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 62%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Kaku sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Immersion Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kaku ships an update monthly, Immersion Reader every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Kaku versus Immersion Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKakuImmersion Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better61.5% of reviews
Number of ratings—27 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDittman ShumMathew Chan

Customer experience

Kaku

Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Immersion Reader

All ratings26 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative19.2%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative30.8%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Kaku

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Weekly Subscription$0.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium Annual Subscription$4.991 Year
One-time4
  • Modest Tip$0.99
  • No Ads$0.99
  • Premium Lifetime$14.99
Show 1 more
  • Generous Tip$99.00
1 purchases

Immersion Reader

One-time1
  • Immersion Reader Premium$4.99

Questions

Is Kaku free?
Kaku is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Immersion Reader free?
Immersion Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kaku or Immersion Reader have ads?
Kaku shows ads; Immersion Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Kaku or Immersion Reader?
Kaku ships an update monthly, and Immersion Reader every 6 days. Most recently, Kaku was updated on October 24, 2026 and Immersion Reader on October 24, 2026.

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