Comparison

KanaFlow vs Rakulingo

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

Head to head
About

KanaFlow

Master Japanese kana with interactive exercises. Practice standard, dakuten, handakuten, and yōon characters. Track your progress with multiple training modes and customize your learning experience with themes and sound options.

Highlights
  • Practice standard, dakuten, handakuten, yōon
  • Translate, Identify, and Match exercises
  • Progress tracking
  • Customizable themes
  • Optional sound effects and vibration
Features
Read full description

KanaFlow is the perfect app for practicing written Japanese for beginners! Choose from different character variants, including standard, dakuten, handakuten, and yōon, to match your learning needs. Test yourself with three types of exercises—Translate, Identify, and Match—to reinforce your memory and track your progress. Enjoy customizable themes, including light, dark, and automatic appearance modes, as well as optional sound effects and vibration to enhance your learning experience. Whether you're just starting out or brushing up on your skills, KanaFlow is here to support you in learning the essentials of Japanese writing!

About

Rakulingo

Read full description

Your AI companion for understanding Japanese. Instantly understand any Japanese you meet. Watching anime, reading manga, playing a game, studying a textbook, or walking through Tokyo - Rakulingo explains it on the spot, in your language. STORIES Read short stories that begin in English and slowly turn Japanese. Every sentence is narrated, every word can be tapped, and each chapter teaches a few words you will meet again in the next one. A gentle way into real Japanese - no flashcards, just a story you want to finish. YOUR JAPANESE COMPANION, EVERYWHERE Rakulingo works with whatever you are doing. Studying a textbook? Get a deeper explanation. Watching Netflix? Understand every line. Reading manga? Decode every panel. Gaming on the couch? Snap a photo of the TV and understand the dialogue. Walking in Tokyo? Read every sign. One app, endless possibilities. CAPTURE JAPANESE FROM ANYWHERE • Screenshot subtitles, text, or anything on screen • Record audio from videos, podcasts, or conversations • Photograph books, signs, menus, or handwriting • Point your camera at a TV or console screen while you play • Browse Japanese websites with instant help • Open your own PDFs, ebooks, and videos JLPT N5 PRACTICE Practice every N5 question type, one question at a time — kanji readings, vocabulary, grammar, reading passages, and the full listening section. Listening questions come with real recorded audio and scene pictures: the practice material that is hardest to find on your own. Every answer gets a plain explanation of why it is right and why the others are not. Unofficial material written with AI assistance and reviewed; not affiliated with the JLPT organizers. GAME ROOM Play your own Japanese games and learn as you play. Bring a legal backup of a game you own — Hana sees the screen and explains it live: press Explain and the text breaks down word by word, with translations and readings one tap away. Works with a controller too. SPECIALIZED AI ASSISTANTS • Sentence Explainer - a complete breakdown of grammar, particles, and vocabulary • Translator - instant translation in both directions • Furigana - reading guides for any kanji • Japanese Teacher - ask anything, anytime • Speaking Buddy - practice conversations with an AI that answers naturally and suggests how to keep the conversation going • Web Browser - read Japanese sites with live help, screenshots, audio capture, and copy-paste • Reader - understand your own PDFs, ebooks, images, videos, and audio OFFLINE DICTIONARY Tap any word in a reply or a story to look it up. Once downloaded, it works without internet. PERFECT FOR EVERY LEARNER • Beginners - understand from day one, with explanations in your language • Students - add instant, detailed explanations to your studies • Immersion learners - turn entertainment into practice • Advanced learners - tackle native content with nuanced support • Travelers - get around Japan with confidence • Casual users - quick translations whenever you need them WORKS IN YOUR LANGUAGE Explanations in 15 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Dutch, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Turkish, and Thai. WHY RAKULINGO? Dictionaries translate; Rakulingo explains. Textbooks teach in isolation; Rakulingo works with real content. Classes end; Rakulingo is always with you. It is your personal Japanese expert in your pocket, ready for whatever Japanese you run into. FREE TO START Try every assistant with free credits and read the first story chapters for free. Subscribe when you want unlimited use. Understanding Japanese does not have to be hard. With Rakulingo, you are never alone on your Japanese journey. Download now and turn every encounter with Japanese into a chance to learn. By using Rakulingo, you agree to the Apple Standard Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

KanaFlow4 screens
Rakulingo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KanaFlow at none against Rakulingo's 3. KanaFlow also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.5). On price, ads 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. Rakulingo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. KanaFlow asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KanaFlow ships an update every 6 days, Rakulingo every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 4, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
KanaFlow versus Rakulingo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKanaFlowRakulingo
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB160 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAlejandro MuratallaAntonio Scandaroli

In-app purchases

None

KanaFlow

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Rakulingo

Subscriptions3
  • Access to premium AI$3.997 Days
  • Access to premium AI$9.991 Month
  • Access to premium AI3 Days trial$95.991 Year

Questions

Is KanaFlow free?
KanaFlow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rakulingo free?
Rakulingo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do KanaFlow or Rakulingo have ads?
Neither KanaFlow nor Rakulingo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KanaFlow or Rakulingo?
KanaFlow ships an update every 6 days, and Rakulingo every 2 weeks. Most recently, KanaFlow was updated on October 4, 2026 and Rakulingo on October 4, 2026.

Other comparisons