Comparison

JishoTu vs Mebae

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

Head to head
About

JishoTu

Features
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JishoTu is a quick reference tool for learning Japanese. Quick Lookup for Japanese words, Japanese kanji, and Japanese grammar. Additionally, it provides a flashcard function to help users reinforce their memory. Main Features: - Japanese Dictionary: Quick Lookup for Japanese Words, Kanji, and Grammers. - JLPT Grammers Learning: Quick Learning for JLPT Grammers. - Flashcard Function: Users can quickly customize study flashcards for repeated learning to deepen their memory of Japanese. - Multilingual Translation Support. For our privacy policy, please visit: https://jishotu.mboxdev.com/privacy-policy For our service terms, please visit: https://jishotu.mboxdev.com/terms-of-service If you have any problems, please contact us by: lyukenhei@gmail.com

About

Mebae

Learn to read and write Japanese kana with a structured, ad-free approach. Features spaced repetition, stroke order animations, and progress tracking. An optional purchase unlocks advanced handwriting practice and customization.

Highlights
  • Learn Hiragana and Katakana
  • Spaced repetition system
  • Animated stroke order
  • Pronunciation audio
  • Progress tracking charts
  • Multiple difficulty levels
  • iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

Mebae teaches you to read Japanese — hiragana, katakana and the first hundred kanji — with the calm, no-nonsense workflow you'd expect from a native iOS app. What you get on day one, completely free: - The full chart for both syllabaries, color-coded as you practice. - The 103 kanji of JLPT level N5, grouped by stroke count, each with its on and kun readings, its meaning and its animated stroke order. Tap a reading to hear that one — a kanji has no single way of sounding. - Tap any kana to hear its pronunciation and watch the animated stroke order. - 10-question practice rounds that put your weaker characters first, using SM-2 spaced repetition to decide what you owe and when. - Three difficulty levels: two options, four options, or freeform romaji on a custom keyboard. - Streak counter, weekly accuracy chart, and a "most missed this week" list to point you at what to study next. - Full localization in English, Spanish (MX), and Japanese. - iCloud sync — practice on the iPhone, pick up on the iPad. What you do not get, ever: - No ads. - No subscription. - No account to create. - No data collected. A single optional purchase unlocks the Pro features: handwriting practice with stroke guidance for every kana, multi-kana calligraphy sessions that end in a printable genkouyoushi-style PDF report, eight color themes inspired by traditional Japanese dyes, and infinite practice mode. Kanji are free to read, study and quiz; handwriting practice covers the kana. 90% of the app is free. Built solo, native Swift / SwiftUI, no third-party packages. Under 3 MB.

Screenshots

JishoTu4 screens
Mebae4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Mebae at weekly against JishoTu's every 6 months. JishoTu's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. JishoTu sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Mebae sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JishoTu ships an update every 6 months, Mebae weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
JishoTu versus Mebae: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJishoTuMebae
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size360 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer建平 刘Agustin Jaimes

In-app purchases

3 purchases

JishoTu

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pass$1.991 Month
  • Yearly PASS$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime PASS$9.99
1 purchases

Mebae

One-time1
  • Mebae Pro$4.99

Questions

Is JishoTu free?
JishoTu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mebae free?
Mebae is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do JishoTu or Mebae have ads?
Neither JishoTu nor Mebae shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JishoTu or Mebae?
JishoTu ships an update every 6 months, and Mebae weekly. Most recently, JishoTu was updated on October 12, 2026 and Mebae on October 7, 2026.

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