Hyakunin Isshu vs Slowdial
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Hyakunin Isshu
This app provides an audio player for the Hyakunin-Isshu, a collection of 100 Japanese poems. It's designed for practicing Competitive Karuta, a sport based on these poems. Users can also view poem text in Japanese, Romaji, or English for learning purposes.
- Audio recitation of 100 poems
- Random or shuffled poem order
- Display poem text in Japanese, Romaji, or English
- Poem descriptions on tap
- Swipe navigation for poems
- Training tool for Competitive Karuta
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Hyakunin-Isshu audio player for Competitive Karuta (a.k.a. Kyogi Karuta) "Hyakunin-Isshu", which means 100 poems by 100 poets, is a set of Japanese classic poetry. "Kyogi Karuta" is a Japanese sport which uses the set. ----- This software recites each poem randomly or in shuffled order. You can use it for training or playing Kyogi Karuta. Also it can display poem text in Japanese, Romaji or English, which is suited for learning Hyakunin-Isshu. ----- Usage: * Press the middle of the poem text to show the description. * Swipe left/right to navigate to previous/next poem.
Slowdial
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Slowdial shows time as an amount: a colored disc that shrinks as time passes. Children (and grown-ups) can see "how much is left" without reading a clock. NO ADS, EVER. Slowdial never shows an ad β not before the timer, not after it. It is safe to hand to a child or to put in front of a class. THE TIME YOU PICK FILLS THE WHOLE CIRCLE Pick 5 minutes or 45 β the disc starts full either way. Prefer the classic 60-minute dial? Switch with one tap. ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN TOO β FREE The disc keeps shrinking on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, without opening the app. Use it as a laundry timer β watch the washer and dryer count down on your Lock Screen. When time is up you get a sound and a vibration, even with the screen locked. FREE β’ Full-screen shrinking disc β’ Presets from 1 minute to 1 hour, Wash 52 min and Dry 60 min, or any time you like β’ Whole-circle or 60-minute dial β’ End sound and vibration β’ Lock Screen and Dynamic Island disc SLOWDIAL PRO β one-time purchase, no subscription β’ Classroom mode: just the disc, full screen. Taps don't stop it. Hide the numbers. Pick the color. β’ Sequences: "Clean up 5 min β Wash hands 3 min β Snack", with a picture and a word for each step β’ Intervals: get ready, then work and rest for up to 20 rounds (a Tabata sample is included). Each interval session can be saved to Apple Health as a workout if you turn it on. β’ Controls (iOS 18 or later): start your favorite timer from Control Center, the Lock Screen or the Action Button β’ Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets PRIVATE BY DESIGN β’ No account. Your timers stay on your iPhone. β’ Only anonymous usage counts are sent (which parts of the app are used) β never your timer names. You can turn this off in Settings.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hyakunin Isshu at none against Slowdial's 1. Slowdial's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Slowdial sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Hyakunin Isshu asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hyakunin Isshu ships an update every 2 months, Slowdial weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hyakunin Isshu | Slowdial |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | β |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | β |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 β better | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Haruhiro Yoshimoto | Minari Taniguchi |
In-app purchases
Hyakunin Isshu
No in-app purchases
Slowdial
- Slowdial Pro$7.99
Questions
Is Hyakunin Isshu free?
Is Slowdial free?
Do Hyakunin Isshu or Slowdial have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hyakunin Isshu or Slowdial?
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