Comparison

Korean Study Step 1 vs Bunpo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Korean Study Step 1

This app teaches elementary Korean language through interactive writing exercises. It uses a unique writing recognition system to help users learn phonics and dictation, making learning engaging for young children.

Highlights
  • Elementary Korean alphabet learning
  • Korean language dictation
  • Writing recognition system
  • Phonics and letter learning
  • Character voiceovers
  • Interactive writing exercises
Features
Read full description

■ Korean language study STEP 1 with "Writing Princess" (For iPhone & iPad.) ■ Elementary Korean language education APP by enjoyable learning with writing. ■ Korean language dictation learning is possible by writing with this APP. ■ Free Version contains advertisement. 'Writing Princess STEP 1' is an innovative APP through which people can learn Korean language as if mother teach English words to young child by writing those words on the notebook. Not only visual factor(figures) and auditory factor(sounds) of traditional APPs, but writing recognition system which is developed by ourselves in this APP make it possible for people to study without notebook or pens. Now, why don't you, young boys and girls, enjoy writing and study with 'Writing Princess STEP 1'? ■ Korean language education APP which can do dictation! ■ Maximizing the effectiveness of learning Korean language by using the concept that mother teach Korean words to young child by writing those words on the notebook! ■ Patent for writing recognition system! ■ Appeared on TV program, MBC Power Magazine! ■ Appeared on TV program, KBS 9 NEWS! ■ Characteristics of Writing Princess STEP 1 1. First stage - Phonics - Learning elementary Korean alphabet! - Korean language can be learned by writing initial sound (기역~히읗), a neutral vowel (아~예), letter (가~하), as the order of making each alphabet. 2. Second stage - Dictation - Learning Korean by listening & writing memorized alphabet. - Korean language can be learned by writing and listening pronunciation of "Writing Princess" 3. "Writing Princess & Writing King" Characters' awesome voice - Voice actors' awesome voice that can be heard only in 'Writing Princess STEP 1' APP. ■ 'English Study STEP I with Writing Princess' is also released for studying English. ■ "Korean study STEP II with Wiriting Princess" is also being developed for student. ■ Please leave your opinions, and it will be considered carefully for further development. ■ e-mail - ceosoftheaven@gmail.com ■ Produced by - Softheaven Inc.

About

Bunpo

Master multiple languages with this comprehensive learning app. It offers detailed grammar explanations, vocabulary building, and smart review systems to help you progress from beginner to advanced levels. Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese with interactive exercises and personalized study plans.

Highlights
  • Learn 6 languages
  • Master grammar with detailed explanations
  • Build vocabulary and kanji knowledge
  • Spaced repetition for smart review
  • Interactive quizzes and example sentences
  • Offline learning for Spanish, French, German, Chinese
Features
Read full description

Learn languages with Bunpo! Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, English and more! Master speaking, grammar, and vocabulary from beginner to advanced, trusted by over 5 million learners worldwide. From your first Hiragana あ to JLPT N1, from "annyeong" to a real Korean conversation, or any of our 8+ languages, Bunpo takes you from day one to fluency. ========= Why Bunpo works for language learning - Speak from day one: Start speaking from your very first lesson with advanced speech recognition technology. - 8+ languages, one app: Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, and English, and switch between them anytime without juggling multiple apps. - Grammar that makes sense: Detailed explanations in plain English, plus exercises that make it stick. - Smart review: A personalized study plan powered by spaced repetition (SRS) so you remember more, faster. - From the alphabet to advanced: Start with your very first character and build all the way to advanced grammar, whatever language you choose. Whether you're learning for travel, a higher grade, JLPT, a career boost, or just to feel confident in a new conversation, Bunpo's got your back. ========= Japanese Course - Master the Japanese alphabets (Hiragana & Katakana) so you can read menus, train signs, and even your favorite manga without guessing. - Learn Japanese grammar for every JLPT level (N5 to N1) with clear, no-nonsense explanations because "This is a pen" will only get you so far. - Build real-world Japanese vocabulary and kanji knowledge you can actually use in daily conversations, not just in textbooks. - Practice with 1,800+ Japanese example sentences and 8,000+ interactive quizzes designed to make new grammar and vocab stick. - Search any topic instantly in the Japanese grammar dictionary, perfect for "What does that mean again?" moments. - Review smarter, not harder, with a spaced repetition system (SRS) that reminds you before you forget. ========= Korean Course - Master the Korean alphabet (Hangul) with a guided chart, listening, and writing practice. - Build Korean vocabulary you'll actually use in everyday conversations. - Practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking so every skill grows together. ========= Spanish Course - Learn Spanish offline - Master Spanish grammar from A1 to B1 level - Spanish verb conjugation - Perfect your Spanish pronunciation ========= French Course - Learn French offline - Master French grammar from A1 to A2 level - French verb conjugation - Perfect your French pronunciation ========= German Course - Learn German offline - Master German grammar from A1 to C1 level - German verb conjugation - Perfect your German pronunciation ========= Chinese Course - Learn Chinese offline - Master Chinese vocabulary and phrases - Listen, speak, and write Chinese ========= Subscription pricing and terms Bunpo offers an auto-renewing monthly subscription and an auto-renewing yearly subscription to provide you with unlimited access to the Bunpo courses while you maintain an active subscription. These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary, and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. Bunpo also offers a Forever subscription, which is paid for by a one-off upfront payment with unlimited access to the Bunpo courses forever. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: https://bunpo.app/privacy.html Any feedback? Feel free to contact us at: iphone@bunpo.app

Screenshots

Korean Study Step 14 screens
Bunpo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bunpo at 4.9 against Korean Study Step 1's 3.0. Bunpo also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). Korean Study Step 1's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Korean Study Step 1 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Bunpo sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bunpo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bunpo has 18K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Korean Study Step 1's written reviews are positive against 73% of Bunpo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Korean Study Step 1 ships an update every 3 months, Bunpo every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Korean Study Step 1 versus Bunpo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKorean Study Step 1Bunpo
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings)4.9 (18K ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.8% of reviews72.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings418K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size327 MB189 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSOFTHEAVENBunpo Language Learning

Customer experience

Korean Study Step 1

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive44.8%
Neutral27.6%
Negative27.6%

Bunpo

All ratings18,012 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.7%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews1,129 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral9.3%
Negative18.2%

Bugs and requests

Korean Study Step 1

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Bunpo

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Korean Study Step 1

One-time1
  • Remove ADS$1.99
9 purchases

Bunpo

Subscriptions7
  • Bunpo Plus Monthly2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Bunpo Platinum Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Bunpo Platinum Monthly$19.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Bunpo Plus Yearly$29.991 Year
  • Bunpo Plus Yearly$39.991 Year
  • Bunpo Platinum Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Bunpo Platinum Yearly$79.991 Year
One-time2
  • Bunpo Plus Lifetime$39.99
  • Bunpo Plus Lifetime$44.99

Questions

Is Korean Study Step 1 free?
Korean Study Step 1 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, Korean Study Step 1 or Bunpo?
Bunpo is rated higher. Korean Study Step 1 averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Bunpo averages 4.9 from 18K ratings.
Do Korean Study Step 1 or Bunpo have ads?
Korean Study Step 1 shows ads; Bunpo does not.
Which is updated more often, Korean Study Step 1 or Bunpo?
Korean Study Step 1 ships an update every 3 months, and Bunpo every 9 days. Most recently, Korean Study Step 1 was updated on July 6, 2026 and Bunpo on September 26, 2026.

Other comparisons