Comparison

Bubuling Nihongo vs Rakulingo

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

Head to head
About

Bubuling Nihongo

This app helps you learn Japanese vocabulary through curated paths and interactive quizzes. It offers features like word lookups, handwriting input, and progress tracking to make studying efficient and engaging.

Highlights
  • Curated vocabulary study paths
  • Instant word lookups
  • Multiple quiz modes
  • Handwriting input for kanji
  • Progress tracking
  • Study reminders
  • Cross-device progress sync
Features
Read full description

Bubuling makes Japanese vocabulary study clear, fast, and consistent. Build your wordbook with curated learning paths, look up words instantly, and practice with quiz modes that keep you engaged every day. What you can do in Bubuling: - Study curated vocabulary, including JLPT-focused sets and beginner-friendly lists - Search by kanji, kana, romaji, or meaning - Learn each word with readings, examples, related words, and conjugation support - Use handwriting input to find kanji when you can’t type it - Practice with multiple quiz modes: spelling, meaning, listening, and conjugation - Save words to My Words and track your learning progress - Sync your progress across devices when signed in - Get study reminders so you stay on pace Bubuling Pro: - Unlimited bookmarks in My Words - Access to current and future Pro features - Monthly, yearly, and lifetime purchase options available as in-app purchases Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Rakulingo

Read full description

Your AI companion for understanding Japanese. Instantly understand any Japanese you meet. Watching anime, reading manga, playing a game, studying a textbook, or walking through Tokyo - Rakulingo explains it on the spot, in your language. STORIES Read short stories that begin in English and slowly turn Japanese. Every sentence is narrated, every word can be tapped, and each chapter teaches a few words you will meet again in the next one. A gentle way into real Japanese - no flashcards, just a story you want to finish. YOUR JAPANESE COMPANION, EVERYWHERE Rakulingo works with whatever you are doing. Studying a textbook? Get a deeper explanation. Watching Netflix? Understand every line. Reading manga? Decode every panel. Gaming on the couch? Snap a photo of the TV and understand the dialogue. Walking in Tokyo? Read every sign. One app, endless possibilities. CAPTURE JAPANESE FROM ANYWHERE • Screenshot subtitles, text, or anything on screen • Record audio from videos, podcasts, or conversations • Photograph books, signs, menus, or handwriting • Point your camera at a TV or console screen while you play • Browse Japanese websites with instant help • Open your own PDFs, ebooks, and videos JLPT N5 PRACTICE Practice every N5 question type, one question at a time — kanji readings, vocabulary, grammar, reading passages, and the full listening section. Listening questions come with real recorded audio and scene pictures: the practice material that is hardest to find on your own. Every answer gets a plain explanation of why it is right and why the others are not. Unofficial material written with AI assistance and reviewed; not affiliated with the JLPT organizers. GAME ROOM Play your own Japanese games and learn as you play. Bring a legal backup of a game you own — Hana sees the screen and explains it live: press Explain and the text breaks down word by word, with translations and readings one tap away. Works with a controller too. SPECIALIZED AI ASSISTANTS • Sentence Explainer - a complete breakdown of grammar, particles, and vocabulary • Translator - instant translation in both directions • Furigana - reading guides for any kanji • Japanese Teacher - ask anything, anytime • Speaking Buddy - practice conversations with an AI that answers naturally and suggests how to keep the conversation going • Web Browser - read Japanese sites with live help, screenshots, audio capture, and copy-paste • Reader - understand your own PDFs, ebooks, images, videos, and audio OFFLINE DICTIONARY Tap any word in a reply or a story to look it up. Once downloaded, it works without internet. PERFECT FOR EVERY LEARNER • Beginners - understand from day one, with explanations in your language • Students - add instant, detailed explanations to your studies • Immersion learners - turn entertainment into practice • Advanced learners - tackle native content with nuanced support • Travelers - get around Japan with confidence • Casual users - quick translations whenever you need them WORKS IN YOUR LANGUAGE Explanations in 15 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Dutch, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Turkish, and Thai. WHY RAKULINGO? Dictionaries translate; Rakulingo explains. Textbooks teach in isolation; Rakulingo works with real content. Classes end; Rakulingo is always with you. It is your personal Japanese expert in your pocket, ready for whatever Japanese you run into. FREE TO START Try every assistant with free credits and read the first story chapters for free. Subscribe when you want unlimited use. Understanding Japanese does not have to be hard. With Rakulingo, you are never alone on your Japanese journey. Download now and turn every encounter with Japanese into a chance to learn. By using Rakulingo, you agree to the Apple Standard Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Bubuling Nihongo3 screens
Rakulingo4 screens

Verdict

The call

Bubuling Nihongo and Rakulingo are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Bubuling Nihongo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Rakulingo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bubuling Nihongo ships an update fortnightly, Rakulingo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Bubuling Nihongo versus Rakulingo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBubuling NihongoRakulingo
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size165 MB160 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCodingmiao PTE. LTD.Antonio Scandaroli

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Bubuling Nihongo

Subscriptions2
  • Pro (1 Month)$0.991 Month
  • Pro (1 Year)7 Days trial$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro (Lifetime)$69.99
3 purchases

Rakulingo

Subscriptions3
  • Access to premium AI$3.997 Days
  • Access to premium AI$9.991 Month
  • Access to premium AI3 Days trial$95.991 Year

Questions

Is Bubuling Nihongo free?
Bubuling Nihongo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rakulingo free?
Rakulingo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Bubuling Nihongo or Rakulingo have ads?
Neither Bubuling Nihongo nor Rakulingo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bubuling Nihongo or Rakulingo?
Bubuling Nihongo ships an update fortnightly, and Rakulingo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bubuling Nihongo was updated on September 22, 2026 and Rakulingo on October 4, 2026.

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