Comparison

Japanese Basic vs JLPT N5 WORDS

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

Head to head
About

Japanese Basic

Learn basic Japanese vocabulary, characters, and phrases with this beginner-friendly app. It offers offline access, customizable pronunciation, and a red sheet function for effective memorization. Expand your learning with in-app purchases for additional words.

Highlights
  • Basic Japanese vocabulary and phrases
  • Hiragana and Katakana study
  • Offline access
  • Customizable pronunciation and audio speed
  • Red sheet memorization function
  • Verb conjugation guide
  • User vocabulary book
Features
Read full description

This app is for learning Japanese in English. For beginners. The main content is vocabulary and characters, and small quizzes to test your skills are available. Three major features ■Simple and easy to use It is designed to be simple, with no unnecessary content or story elements. This makes it intuitive to use and allows you to quickly find the information you want. ■Available offline This app can be used even without an internet connection. For example, you can use it even if you have just arrived in Japan and do not have an internet connection yet. You can also check the pronunciation. ■Customizable You can choose from two voices for pronunciation: "female" (automatic) and "male" (local native speaker), and you can also change the audio playback speed. In the vocabulary book, you can adjust the display of Japanese to your liking, such as "kanji only," "hiragana only," or "both kanji and hiragana." It also has a red sheet function that is convenient for memorization. [Content details] * 488 basic Japanese vocabulary words Each word includes two example sentences. * 75 phrases From greetings to basic phrases such as "thank you" and "I'm sorry" * Japanese characters You can study "hiragana" and "katakana", as well as pronunciation and stroke order. * Random quiz You can check your vocabulary with multiple choice quizzes. * Verb conjugation This section helps you understand the conjugation of Japanese verbs, which can be particularly confusing. * Search function You can easily find words from the words in the app. Search results are available in both Japanese and English. * Favorites function You can save words you don't remember or are curious about in your favorites list. By compiling them in a list, you can help you overcome words you are weak at. You can also change the order or take multiple choice quizzes only from your favorites list. * User vocabulary book You can make notes of your own unique words in the app. Make notes of words you learn in your daily life. [Upgrade] Many more words can be added by in-app purchases. The added words can also be used in other functions such as multiple choice quizzes and favorites lists. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan, already live there, are studying abroad, or are just interested in Japanese, this app is easy for anyone to use. We hope it will be useful in your Japanese studies. Thank you.

About

JLPT N5 WORDS

Features
Read full description

Start your Japanese journey and conquer the JLPT N5! Designed specifically for beginners taking their very first test. Features include: Expand Core Vocabulary: Learn your first fundamental Japanese words with clear translations. Interactive Grammar Practice: Grasp basic N5 grammar through simple, interactive learning exercises. Write Kanji Perfectly: Trace and practice basic N5 Kanji step-by-step to build muscle memory. Your best and friendliest tool for JLPT N5 success!

Screenshots

Japanese Basic4 screens
JLPT N5 WORDS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Japanese Basic at Free against JLPT N5 WORDS's $4.99. Japanese Basic also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 23 months) and iOS requirement (12.1 vs 27.0). JLPT N5 WORDS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Japanese Basic is free to download; JLPT N5 WORDS costs $4.99 up front. Japanese Basic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. JLPT N5 WORDS asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Japanese Basic ships an update every 3 months, JLPT N5 WORDS every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
Japanese Basic versus JLPT N5 WORDS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJapanese BasicJLPT N5 WORDS
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating3.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 23 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.1 — better27.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSHINGO MATSUOjaemin park

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Japanese Basic

One-time1
  • Japanese Basic -Full Version-$3.99
None

JLPT N5 WORDS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Japanese Basic free?
Japanese Basic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JLPT N5 WORDS free?
JLPT N5 WORDS costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Japanese Basic or JLPT N5 WORDS have ads?
Japanese Basic shows ads; JLPT N5 WORDS does not.
Which is updated more often, Japanese Basic or JLPT N5 WORDS?
Japanese Basic ships an update every 3 months, and JLPT N5 WORDS every 23 months. Most recently, Japanese Basic was updated on October 14, 2026 and JLPT N5 WORDS on October 7, 2026.

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