# Smart Dictionary AI vs BALCOM Nihongo

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smart Dictionary AI at none against BALCOM Nihongo's 9. Smart Dictionary AI also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). BALCOM Nihongo's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BALCOM Nihongo sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Smart Dictionary AI asks for nothing beyond the download.

Smart Dictionary AI ships an update fortnightly, BALCOM Nihongo every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Dictionary AI | BALCOM Nihongo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Size | 172 MB | 102 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 15.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexey Alexeev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1602366440) | [Horizontal Line Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1781901735) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Dictionary AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-dictionary-ai/id6670267333)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### BALCOM Nihongo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balcom-nihongo/id6738698251)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| N3 Course - Part 2 | Free | one-time |
| N3 Course - Part3 | Free | one-time |
| N3 Course - Part 1 | Free | one-time |
| N5 Course - Part 3 | Free | one-time |
| N5 Course - Part 2 | Free | one-time |
| N5 Course - Part3 | Free | one-time |
| N4 Course - Part 1 | Free | one-time |
| N4 Course - Part 2 | Free | one-time |
| N5 Course - Part 1 | Free | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Dictionary AI free?

Smart Dictionary AI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BALCOM Nihongo free?

BALCOM Nihongo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Smart Dictionary AI or BALCOM Nihongo have ads?

Smart Dictionary AI shows ads; BALCOM Nihongo does not.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Dictionary AI or BALCOM Nihongo?

Smart Dictionary AI ships an update fortnightly, and BALCOM Nihongo every 6 weeks. Most recently, Smart Dictionary AI was updated on October 5, 2026 and BALCOM Nihongo on October 6, 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.*