Comparison

Shaded Learning vs Memory Kanji

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

Head to head
About

Shaded Learning

Master Japanese vocabulary and grammar using spaced repetition and advanced language models. The app intelligently parses your answers, reinforcing incorrect words and strategically using correct ones to build new sentences for faster learning.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition system
  • Language model integration
  • Intelligent answer parsing
  • Vocabulary acquisition
  • Grammar learning
  • Sentence building
Features
Read full description

Shaded learns where language breaks down for you. Practice real sentences in Japanese, Spanish, and English. Get feedback tied to the exact words, patterns, and skills you missed. Then keep moving through lessons built around what you're ready to use next. NOT FLASHCARDS. NOT A FIXED COURSE. NOT A CHATBOT. Shaded is a guided learning system that watches how you answer, finds the weak spots underneath, and turns them into your next useful practice step. • No deck maintenance — review comes from your live mistakes and due skills, not from cards you build, tag, and prune yourself. • No one-size-fits-all path — two learners practicing the same language see different prompts, because their weak spots are different. • No ungrounded chat drift — AI practice is paired with dictionary anchors, reviewed material, and source-backed examples. IT LEARNS THE PIECES, NOT JUST THE SENTENCE Every sentence you practice is broken into its real units — words, particles, patterns — and each is tracked on its own: • Grounded, not guessed: checked against real dictionaries and sources, not an AI's hunch. • One meaning, many forms: 食べる, 食べます, and 食べた are one thing to learn, not three cards. • Known by skill: reading a word isn't saying it. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are tracked separately. MODES THAT SHARE ONE LEARNER MODEL • Flow — focused practice built from recent misses, due review, and your level. • Passage — read and listen to longer material chosen for what you're ready for. • Goals & concepts — see what's due, what changed, and what to do next. • Voyage — your progress as a route you can watch advance. Daily study moves the ship. BUILT FOR REAL LANGUAGE PAIRS English speakers learning Japanese (kana, particles, readings, and sentence patterns, with scaffolding that eases off as things stick) or Spanish (verbs, agreement, and listening in real sentences) — and Japanese or Spanish speakers learning English, with explanations in your language where they help. SYNCED WITH THE WEB Start on your phone; continue at shaded.app in any browser. The weaknesses Shaded finds on your commute become the focused session you finish at your desk. Built for the messy middle — the stretch between knowing a rule and using it naturally. Shaded keeps learning from what happens when you try to use the language. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Memory Kanji

This app turns learning Japanese kanji into a fun memory card game. Match kanji with their readings and translations to improve recall and retention. It adapts to your study path and complements any learning method.

Highlights
  • Kanji matching memory game
  • Customizable kanji selection
  • JLPT N5, N4, N3 levels included
  • Offline functionality
  • Progress tracking with scoring
  • Multiple difficulty modes
Features
Read full description

Enhance your kanji learning with Memory Kanji! Based on the classic memory card game, this app transforms learning Japanese characters into an engaging experience: match each kanji with its correct reading and translation to earn points. An effective method to fix kanji in your long-term memory while having fun. Perfectly adapts to your study path The custom mode lets you select exactly the kanji you're studying as you encounter them in your textbook or Japanese course. Memory Kanji evolves along with your learning, providing targeted and always relevant support for your study goals. Effectively complements any study method Whether you're self-taught or attending a structured course, Memory Kanji is the ideal complementary tool to consolidate your knowledge. The app currently includes the complete libraries of JLPT levels N5, N4, and N3, perfect to use in parallel with any textbook or school program to achieve better results in less time. Key features Available in English, Italian, French, and German Over 600 kanji organized according to JLPT levels (N5, N4, and N3) Create your personal kanji library based on your study path Detailed kanji library with meanings and on'yomi and kun'yomi readings Search tool to quickly find a kanji by its reading or meaning Intuitive and attractive interface Variable difficulty modes (12 or 16 cards) Scoring system to track your progress Works completely offline Memory Kanji is the perfect ally for those who want to master Japanese kanji: an effective complementary tool that makes learning faster, more fun, and more lasting. Download Memory Kanji now and transform the study of Japanese characters into an exciting game!

Screenshots

Shaded Learning4 screens
Memory Kanji4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Shaded Learning at Free against Memory Kanji's $3.99. Shaded Learning also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.2). Memory Kanji's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Shaded Learning is free to download; Memory Kanji costs $3.99 up front. Shaded Learning sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Memory Kanji asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shaded Learning versus Memory Kanji: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShaded LearningMemory Kanji
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size283 MB6 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperShadedAntonio Cetrangolo

Customer experience

Shaded Learning

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Memory Kanji

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Shaded Learning

Subscriptions1
  • Shaded Monthly$3.991 Month
None

Memory Kanji

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shaded Learning free?
Shaded Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Memory Kanji free?
Memory Kanji costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Shaded Learning or Memory Kanji have ads?
Shaded Learning shows ads; Memory Kanji does not.

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