JishoTu vs Mebae
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JishoTu
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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
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.
- Learn Hiragana and Katakana
- Spaced repetition system
- Animated stroke order
- Pronunciation audio
- Progress tracking charts
- Multiple difficulty levels
- iCloud sync
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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
Verdict
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
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.
JishoTu ships an update every 6 months, Mebae weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JishoTu | Mebae |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 360 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 建平 刘 | Agustin Jaimes |
In-app purchases
JishoTu
- Monthly Pass$1.991 Month
- Yearly PASS$9.991 Year
- Lifetime PASS$9.99
Mebae
- Mebae Pro$4.99






