Comparison

Ringotan vs Kanji Sumo

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

Head to head
About

Ringotan

Master Japanese Kanji by practicing writing. This app uses advanced input detection and spaced repetition to help you learn quickly and effectively. Focuses on the physical act of writing characters, not just recognition.

Highlights
  • Learn Kanji by writing
  • Advanced input detection
  • Spaced repetition system (SRS)
  • Focus on writing, not just reading
  • Frequent updates with new features
Features
Read full description

Learn Kanji by actually writing it! Ringotan is the first app built from the ground up to teach you how to WRITE Japanese Kanji, not just read them. By combining advanced input detection with industry-standard SRS (spaced repetition) algorithms, Ringotan ensures you learn as fully and quickly as possible. ----------------- Ringotan is free for a limited time. We update frequently, so be sure to check back for new features!

About

Kanji Sumo

Master Japanese writing systems with a user-friendly flashcard app. Explore over 2000 cards across 7 decks, covering Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. Swipe through cards to learn meanings, pronunciations, and example words.

Highlights
  • Learn Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana
  • Over 2000 flashcards
  • 7 organized decks
  • Swipe-based learning
  • Meaning and pronunciation details
  • Example words with meanings
Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese with Kanji Sumo — a beautifully designed flashcard app with nearly 5,000 ready-made cards across 41 decks. Explore Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, then build your vocabulary with words and expressions for everyday life. Choose a deck, swipe right if you know the card, and swipe left if you need more practice. It’s that simple. Learn characters and words in context: - Kanji cards include meanings, on’yomi and kun’yomi readings, and example words with their meanings and pronunciations. - Vocabulary cards include Japanese words, kana readings, English meanings, and example sentences. - Listen to Japanese pronunciation and choose kana or romaji readings. Study at your level with Kanji decks from JLPT N5 to N1, plus N5 and N4 vocabulary, verbs, and adjectives. Explore themed decks covering travel, shopping, food, health, home, work, feelings, nature, hobbies, technology, dating, and Japanese culture. Practise convenience-store conversations with the Konbini deck, discover Japanese words used in English, or explore anime, manga, and onomatopoeia. Short practice sessions focus on the cards you find most challenging, helping you build confidence one swipe at a time. Additional decks and bundles are available through in-app purchases.

Screenshots

Ringotan2 screens
Kanji Sumo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ringotan at none against Kanji Sumo's 23. Ringotan also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 26.6). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. Kanji Sumo sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. Ringotan asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ringotan ships an update every 3 days, Kanji Sumo every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Ringotan versus Kanji Sumo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRingotanKanji Sumo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (567 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews95.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings567 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS12.2 — better26.6
Further details — not scored
Size206 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniel PflughoeftConslt Ltd

Customer experience

Ringotan

All ratings567 ratings
Positive98.9%
Neutral0.4%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews92 reviews
Positive95.7%
Neutral2.2%
Negative2.2%

Kanji Sumo

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Ringotan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional issues with stroke order recognition
  • Some kanji pronunciations not accurately represented

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Allow users to create and save custom kanji lists
  • Provide more detailed keyword hints before writing
  • Implement device sync to continue progress across platforms
  • Add notification system to remind users of upcoming reviews

Kanji Sumo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Ringotan

No in-app purchases

23 purchases

Kanji Sumo

One-time23
  • Feelings & Personality$0.99
  • Work & Office$0.99
  • Nature, Weather & Seasons$0.99
Show 20 more
  • Japanese Culture & Traditions$0.99
  • Hobbies, Sports & Leisure$0.99
  • Technology & Communication$0.99
  • Dating & Relationships$0.99
  • Vocabulary for the Konbini$0.99
  • Verbs$0.99
  • Adjectives$0.99
  • Pronouns$0.99
  • Basic kanji$0.99
  • Dates$0.99
  • Anime & Manga$0.99
  • Time$0.99
  • Basic nouns$0.99
  • Basic katakana words$0.99
  • Onomatopoeia$1.99
  • Intermediate kanji$1.99
  • Vocabulary$1.99
  • Proficient kanji$2.99
  • Kanji$3.99
  • Complete content$4.99

Questions

Is Ringotan free?
Ringotan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kanji Sumo free?
Kanji Sumo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Ringotan or Kanji Sumo have ads?
Neither Ringotan nor Kanji Sumo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ringotan or Kanji Sumo?
Ringotan ships an update every 3 days, and Kanji Sumo every 10 days. Most recently, Ringotan was updated on October 14, 2026 and Kanji Sumo on October 22, 2026.

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