# Kaku vs Immersion Reader

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Kaku | Immersion Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.0 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/immersion-reader/id6443721334/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **27** |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 61.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 170 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dittman Shum](https://appshunter.io/developer/1492526802) | [Mathew Chan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441199099) |

## What reviewers say

### Kaku

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kaku-japanese-study-notebook/id1515101339)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual Subscription | $4.99 | per year |
| Modest Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $99.00 | one-time |


### Immersion Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/immersion-reader/id6443721334)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Immersion Reader Premium | $4.99 | one-time |


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