Ringotan vs Kana Reading Trainer
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!
Kana Reading Trainer
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Build real Japanese reading speed with focused kana practice. Many learners memorize the hiragana and katakana charts but still struggle to read actual Japanese words quickly. Kana Reading Trainer helps bridge that gap. Instead of memorizing individual characters, you train your brain to recognize kana patterns and read words naturally. The app includes drills, quizzes, and speed exercises designed to improve reading fluency. Practice Hiragana and Katakana Reading Train with structured exercises that gradually increase reading speed and accuracy. Learn to recognize kana instantly without needing to mentally translate each character. Flash Reading Mode Practice reading kana words quickly. Words appear one after another, training your brain to recognize kana patterns instead of slowly decoding characters. This builds natural reading speed. Kana Word Drills Practice reading common Japanese words written in kana. Examples include: さくら ねこ みず コーヒー テレビ Each word includes pronunciation and optional audio support. Speed Challenge Test how fast you can read kana. Measure your reading speed and track improvement over time. Try to beat your previous score. Mixed Kana Practice Many learners struggle when hiragana and katakana appear together. This mode trains you to recognize both scripts in the same exercise. Kana Quiz Mode Multiple choice quizzes help reinforce recognition. Choose the correct reading for kana words and strengthen your recall. Perfect for Beginners Kana Reading Trainer is ideal for learners who: • already learned the hiragana and katakana charts • want to read faster • are preparing for JLPT N5 or N4 • struggle with kana reading speed Continue Learning with Yomikai Once you can read kana comfortably, the next step is reading real Japanese. Yomikai helps you practice with graded reading stories, audio narration, and vocabulary support. Visit: https://yomikai.com More Japanese Learning Apps Hiragana Practice – Learn Kana https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hiragana-practice-learn-kana/id6759808213 Katakana Practice – Learn Kana https://apps.apple.com/us/app/katakana-practice-learn-kana/id6759991781 Japanese Verb Conjugator https://apps.apple.com/us/app/japanese-verb-conjugator/id6759823197 JapanMate AI – Travel Assistant https://apps.apple.com/us/app/japanmate-ai/id6758231759 Features • Kana reading drills • Flash reading exercises • Speed challenge mode • Hiragana and katakana practice • Reading quizzes • Audio pronunciation • Offline functionality No accounts required. No tracking. Works completely offline. Start reading Japa
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: Ringotan at 3 against Kana Reading Trainer's —. Ringotan also leads on iOS requirement (12.2 vs 15.1). On price and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | Ringotan | Kana Reading Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (573 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 573 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | — |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 206 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel Pflughoeft | IAN PATRICK MAHONEY |
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
Kana Reading Trainer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Ringotan
No in-app purchases
Kana Reading Trainer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Ringotan free?
Is Kana Reading Trainer free?
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