# Japanese Dictionary + vs Bunpo

The clearest difference is ads: Bunpo at none against Japanese Dictionary +'s shown. Bunpo also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (72% vs 48%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Japanese Dictionary + sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Bunpo sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Bunpo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bunpo has 18K ratings behind it against 223, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Japanese Dictionary +'s written reviews are positive against 72% of Bunpo's.

Japanese Dictionary + ships an update every 2 months, Bunpo every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Japanese Dictionary + | Bunpo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (223 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-dictionary-plus/id504762414/reviews) | **[4.9 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bunpo-language-learning/id1279720052/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 223 | **18K** |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | **72.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 54 MB | 247 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iThinkdiff](https://appshunter.io/developer/377715733) | [Bunpo Language Learning](https://appshunter.io/developer/1279720051) |

## What reviewers say

### Japanese Dictionary +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-dictionary-plus/id504762414)

This app offers a comprehensive bilingual dictionary for English and Japanese, with translation capabilities for words and phrases. It supports offline use for over 350,000 entries, including pronunciation and text scanning from images. Gamified learning tools and vocabulary builders are included to aid language acquisition.

**Highlights:** Bilingual English-Japanese dictionary, Offline translation for words and phrases, Image text scanning, Pronunciation and vocabulary games, Flashcards and Word of the Day, Phrasebook for common phrases

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pronunciation | $0.99 | one-time |
| Online Translator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Flash Card | $0.99 | one-time |
| Phrase Book | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pro Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Full Version | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Helpful for learning Japanese
- 💡 Word of the day feature
- ✅ Good dictionary overall
- ✈️ Handy while traveling
- 🔊 Pronunciation audio works well

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Data loss of saved words
- 📉 Limited saving capacity
- ⚠️ Inaccurate translations
- 🚫 No Romanji input/dictionary
- 😵 Camera scan feature not working

**Reported bugs**

- App erases saved words without warning
- App stops functioning after purchase
- App frequently forgets purchase
- Camera scan feature does not work
- OCR is only for English

**Requested features**

- Add Romanji input/dictionary
- Enable scanning Japanese characters (especially Kanji)
- Add keyboard option
- Make pricing for audio pronunciation clearer (one-time vs. per word)
- Improve saving capacity for words


### Bunpo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bunpo-language-learning/id1279720052)

Master speaking, grammar, and vocabulary in over 10 languages with advanced speech recognition and personalized study plans. Progress from beginner to advanced levels with clear explanations and interactive exercises. Learn anytime, anywhere, with features like offline access for some languages.

**Highlights:** Speech recognition for speaking practice, 10+ languages in one app, Detailed grammar explanations, Personalized spaced repetition reviews, Offline access for select languages, JLPT level grammar for Japanese

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bunpo Plus Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Bunpo Platinum Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Bunpo Plus Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Bunpo Plus Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Bunpo Platinum Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Bunpo Platinum Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| Bunpo Plus Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| Bunpo Plus Lifetime | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helpful for learning Japanese
- 👍 Well-designed and organized
- 👍 Explains grammar and usage well
- 👍 Customizable to learning needs
- 👍 Effective spaced repetition

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Too much content locked behind paywall
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes reported
- 🐛 Issues with keyboard and text display
- 🐛 Inconsistencies in question answers
- 🔒 Lack of offline access to paid content

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes during lesson reviews
- Incorrect answers marked as wrong
- Text and keyboard issues on smaller screens
- Audio playback problems

**Requested features**

- Add landscape mode support for tablets
- Improve review options to revisit specific grammar points
- Expand vocabulary lessons and practice
- Add more languages beyond Japanese


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Japanese Dictionary + free?

Japanese Dictionary + is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Bunpo free?

Bunpo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Japanese Dictionary + or Bunpo?

Bunpo is rated higher. Japanese Dictionary + averages 4.6 out of 5 from 223 ratings, while Bunpo averages 4.9 from 18K ratings.

### Do Japanese Dictionary + or Bunpo have ads?

Japanese Dictionary + shows ads; Bunpo does not.

### Which is updated more often, Japanese Dictionary + or Bunpo?

Japanese Dictionary + ships an update every 2 months, and Bunpo every 9 days. Most recently, Japanese Dictionary + was updated on November 4, 2026 and Bunpo on November 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*