# Japanese Study Step 1 vs Influent Language Learning

The clearest difference is ads: Influent Language Learning at none against Japanese Study Step 1's shown. Influent Language Learning also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 33%) and ratings volume (76 vs 2). Japanese Study Step 1's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Japanese Study Step 1 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Influent Language Learning sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Japanese Study Step 1 against 4.4 for Influent Language Learning. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Influent Language Learning has 76 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of Japanese Study Step 1's written reviews are positive against 57% of Influent Language Learning's.

Japanese Study Step 1 ships an update every 3 months, Influent Language Learning every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Japanese Study Step 1 | Influent Language Learning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-study-step-1/id592661606/reviews)** | [4.4 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/influent-language-learning/id1556742708/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **76** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **56.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 184 MB | 402 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SOFTHEAVEN](https://appshunter.io/developer/588713602) | [Robert Howland](https://appshunter.io/developer/1556742710) |

## What reviewers say

### Japanese Study Step 1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-study-step-1/id592661606)

This app offers an engaging way to learn elementary Japanese through writing. It utilizes a unique writing recognition system to teach hiragana and katakana, followed by dictation and game-based learning.

**Highlights:** Writing recognition system, Learn hiragana and katakana, Dictation exercises, Game-based learning, Phonics instruction, Character voiceovers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ADS | $1.99 | one-time |


### Influent Language Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/influent-language-learning/id1556742708)

Learn new vocabulary and improve pronunciation through an interactive 3D environment. Discover the names of countless objects by tapping them, with additional details available on a second tap. Open drawers and cabinets to find even more items to learn, all while listening to native audio pronunciations.

**Highlights:** Interactive 3D environment, Object identification via tapping, Native audio pronunciations, Vocabulary acquisition, Pronunciation practice, Explorable interiors

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| French | Free | one-time |
| Italian | Free | one-time |
| Korean | Free | one-time |
| Hindi | $2.99 | one-time |
| Finnish | $2.99 | one-time |
| Welsh | $2.99 | one-time |
| Swedish | $2.99 | one-time |
| Polish | $2.99 | one-time |
| Latin | $2.99 | one-time |
| Portuguese | $2.99 | one-time |
| Brazilian | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dutch | $2.99 | one-time |
| Japanese | $2.99 | one-time |
| Spanish | $2.99 | one-time |
| German | $2.99 | one-time |
| English | $2.99 | one-time |
| Mandarin Chinese | $2.99 | one-time |
| Norwegian | $2.99 | one-time |
| Russian | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Great for learning everyday vocabulary
- 🎮 Gamified learning approach
- 👍 Intuitive UI
- 🏠 Immersive 3D environment
- 🗣️ Native pronunciation audio

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Most languages require payment
- 🐛 Tutorial bugs and freezes
- 📱 UI too small for mobile screens
- ❌ Some words not in vocab list for challenges
- 🎧 Sound only works through headphones

**Reported bugs**

- Tutorial freezes or breaks
- Unable to add languages
- App crashes or stops responding
- Lost progress
- Game freezes during vocabulary menu

**Requested features**

- Add more environments (airport, school, city, forest, cafe)
- Expand the game world beyond the house
- Add cloud saves
- Allow PC DLC to be used in app
- Add English language for free


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Japanese Study Step 1 free?

Japanese Study Step 1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Influent Language Learning free?

Influent Language Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Japanese Study Step 1 or Influent Language Learning?

Japanese Study Step 1 is rated higher. Japanese Study Step 1 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Influent Language Learning averages 4.4 from 76 ratings.

### Do Japanese Study Step 1 or Influent Language Learning have ads?

Japanese Study Step 1 shows ads; Influent Language Learning does not.

### Which is updated more often, Japanese Study Step 1 or Influent Language Learning?

Japanese Study Step 1 ships an update every 3 months, and Influent Language Learning every 6 months. Most recently, Japanese Study Step 1 was updated on September 13, 2026 and Influent Language Learning on September 23, 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.*