Comparison

Ringotan vs Kana Reading Trainer

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

Kana Reading Trainer

Read full description

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

Ringotan2 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Ringotan versus Kana Reading Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRingotanKana Reading Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (573 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews95.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings573 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — better—
Requires iOS12.2 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size206 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniel PflughoeftIAN 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

None

Ringotan

No in-app purchases

None

Kana Reading Trainer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ringotan free?
Ringotan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kana Reading Trainer free?
Kana Reading Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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