Ringotan vs Kanji Sumo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Learn Kanji by writing
- Advanced input detection
- Spaced repetition system (SRS)
- Focus on writing, not just reading
- Frequent updates with new features
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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!
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.
- Learn Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana
- Over 2000 flashcards
- 7 organized decks
- Swipe-based learning
- Meaning and pronunciation details
- Example words with meanings
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Kanji Sumo sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. Ringotan asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Ringotan | Kanji Sumo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (567 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 567 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 26.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 206 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel Pflughoeft | Conslt Ltd |
Customer experience
Ringotan
Kanji Sumo
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
Ringotan
No in-app purchases
Kanji Sumo
- Feelings & Personality$0.99
- Work & Office$0.99
- Nature, Weather & Seasons$0.99
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- 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?
Is Kanji Sumo free?
Do Ringotan or Kanji Sumo have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ringotan or Kanji Sumo?
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