Furigana Reader vs TransLex
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Furigana Reader
This app automatically adds furigana (ruby annotations) to Japanese websites, providing instant readings for kanji. It offers a reader mode, dictionary lookup, and customizable display options to enhance your Japanese browsing experience.
- Automatic furigana annotations
- Reader mode for distraction-free articles
- In-page dictionary lookup
- Built-in ad and tracker blocker
- Customizable ruby text appearance
- Romaji support (Hepburn/Wapuro)
- Share and action extensions
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Furigana Reader adds furigana (ruby annotations) to any Japanese website automatically, helping you read kanji you don't know yet. FEATURES - Automatic Furigana: Browse any website and get instant hiragana or romaji readings above kanji - Reader Mode: View articles in a clean, distraction-free layout with furigana - Dictionary Lookup: Tap any annotated word in reader mode to look up its definition - Ad Blocker: Built-in ad and tracker blocking for a cleaner browsing experience - Customizable: Adjust ruby text size, color, and opacity to your preference - Romaji Support: Choose between Hepburn and Wapuro romanization styles - Share Extension: Open pages from Safari or any browser via the share sheet - Action Extension: Quick-open the current page with furigana from Safari's toolbar - Dark Mode: Full support for light and dark appearances HOW IT WORKS Furigana Reader accurately analyzes Japanese text and generates readings in real time. The engine handles complex cases including counters, dates, and special number readings. PERFECT FOR - Japanese language learners at any level - Reading news, blogs, and articles in Japanese - Anyone who encounters unfamiliar kanji while browsing
TransLex
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Got a letter you can't read? TransLex translates it and explains what it actually means. Point your camera at a letter, or upload a PDF, and TransLex gives you the full translation plus a plain-language summary: what the document says, what you need to do, and any deadline you must not miss. TEXTBOOKS, PAPERS AND WHOLE BOOKS Upload a 200-page PDF and get it back in your language, formatted like the original. Studying? Ask for a summary, a plain-language explanation or a key-terms glossary. The free plan translates the first ten pages of any document; Premium translates all of it. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT Most translation apps hand you the words and stop there. TransLex also tells you what to do with them. Choose the kind of document you are holding and the explanation is written for that situation: • Government letters — tax, immigration, licensing, benefits, city and utility notices • School letters — permission forms, fees, what your child needs • Medical and lab results — every term explained in everyday words • Leases and landlord notices — rent, deadlines, notice periods, deposits • Insurance letters and claim decisions — what is covered, what was decided, how to respond • Contracts and agreements — obligations, money, cancellation terms HOW IT WORKS 1. Take a photo of the document or upload a file (PDF, Word, Excel, CSV, images) 2. Choose your language and the type of document 3. Read the translation, the summary, and the list of what to do FEATURES • Camera scan with text extraction — no typing, no copy-paste • Works with PDF, Word, Excel, CSV and photos • Translate into and out of dozens of languages • Your own glossary — keep names and key terms translated the same way every time • Side-by-side bilingual PDF export, so you can hand the document to someone else • Custom instructions — ask for a summary, simpler wording, or a specific tone • Translation history, saved on your device FREE AND PREMIUM Every day you get free translations to use however you like. Need more in one sitting? Watch a short video to unlock another, or subscribe for unlimited translations, all document types and side-by-side PDF export. IMPORTANT TransLex is an AI translation tool for understanding documents. It is not a certified or sworn translation service, and it does not provide legal, medical, immigration or financial advice. For official submissions that require a certified translation, use an accredited translator. Always confirm anything important with the organisation that sent you the document. Questions or feedback: translexapps@gmail.com EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: TransLex at 16.4 against Furigana Reader's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads 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. Furigana Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and TransLex sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Furigana Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, TransLex every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 4, 2026.
| Parameter | Furigana Reader | TransLex |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 57 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Akito | Tal Nir |
In-app purchases
Furigana Reader
- Remove Ads$0.99
TransLex
- Premium Monthly Plan3 Days trial$0.991 Month
- Premium Annual Plan$9.991 Year
Questions
Is Furigana Reader free?
Is TransLex free?
Do Furigana Reader or TransLex have ads?
Which is updated more often, Furigana Reader or TransLex?
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