Kotoba Kards vs Nihongo Rush
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kotoba Kards
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Kotoba Kards does things differently. We offer grammar lessons with detailed breakdowns and dynamic examples tailored to your vocabulary knowledge, so you can finally make consistent progress. In-depth grammar lessons -------------------------- Our grammar lessons go beyond simple definitions. We explain subtle differences and common pitfalls that trip up learners, helping you understand how and when to use each grammar point. Lessons cover beginner through advanced topics, with special attention to the areas most learners struggle with. Personalized examples and quizzes -------------------------- Other apps use one-size-fits-all example sentences. We don’t. Kotoba Kards shows example sentences and grammar review questions that match what you’ve already learned. You’ll never get confused by an example that uses words you don’t know. Customizable Study Tracks -------------------------- Choose how you want to learn: - JLPT Track (N5 to N1) for serious test takers - Recommended Track, our fast-track path to unlock more content quickly - Choose Your Own Adventure Track, with topics like Travel, People, Music, Work, and more Adaptive Placement Test -------------------------- Not sure where to start? Take our adaptive placement test. It adjusts in real time to your skill level—getting easier or harder depending on how you're doing. Don't waste time reviewing content you’ve already mastered. Spaced repetition with Levels and Points -------------------------- Our review system uses spaced repetition to help you retain vocabulary and grammar long-term. Each item starts at Level 0 and earns points as you review it correctly. Earn enough points to level up. The higher the level, the less often it comes up for review. Items retire from review at Level 10. Three-part digital notecards -------------------------- Each vocabulary card starts with the kanji (if applicable), followed by the reading, and finally the English meaning. This layered reveal helps reinforce both reading and meaning while practicing kanji recognition. Lighthearted but professional tone -------------------------- We take grammar seriously—but not ourselves. Our lessons use a friendly, sometimes cheeky tone to help you stay engaged while learning complex material. If you're tired of dry, robotic explanations, you’ll find Kotoba Kards refreshingly human. Mascot-powered motivation -------------------------- Meet Kotoka, our friendly kitsune mascot. She may be cute, but Kotoba Kards is all business when it comes to helping you learn. Our level system and thoughtful design help you stay motivated and consistent. Whether you're preparing for the JLPT or just want to read manga without subtitles, Kotoba Kards gives you the tools to level up your Japanese—one note-kard at a time. Read the Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Read our Privacy Policy: https://kotobakards.com/privacy-policy/
Nihongo Rush
Learn Japanese vocabulary and grammar through an engaging arcade-style game. Progress through various districts, master words with spaced repetition, and improve listening skills with spoken audio. Daily challenges and achievements encourage consistent practice.
- Arcade-style learning gameplay
- Spaced repetition for vocabulary retention
- Listening comprehension exercises
- JLPT N5 and N4 level content
- Daily quests and achievements
- Spoken Japanese words and sentences
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Learn Japanese like it's the best arcade game in town. Nihongo Rush turns vocabulary into short runs on the train line from Tokyo to Fukuoka: answer fast, keep the combo alive, catch the EXPRESS, and come back speaking. Hachi, the shiba station master, rides with you. HOW A RUN WORKS Every run is six legs of quick questions with a bonus station between them. Right answers build your combo and multiply your score; wrong ones cost a heart. Catch the EXPRESS at combo 20, grab a golden ticket for x5, choose your train at the fork (LOCAL, RAPID or MYSTERY), and finish with a bonus spin. BONUS STATIONS • MATCH — pair Japanese with English against the clock • LISTEN — no romaji, just your ears • CROSSING — tap the right sign as the words roll by • IZAKAYA — customers order in Japanese, you serve the right dish REAL JAPANESE, SPOKEN ALOUD • Six cities, 48 districts, 325 packs — each one a pattern plus five words • About 1,600 words and 1,500+ example sentences covering JLPT N5 and N4 • Every word and sentence is voiced; LISTEN stations train your ear • Build sentences tile by tile from the words you already know • Romaji on or off; hiragana and katakana packs for beginners LEARNING THAT STICKS Words you got right come back a little later, and later again, until they are learned. Words you struggle with come back sooner. Your Cards collection shows what you have met and what you have mastered, district by district. DAILY RHYTHM Daily quests, achievements and a streak. One run a day adds up; a reminder from Hachi at the time you pick, if you want one. NIHONGO RUSH PRO The whole app is one subscription: monthly, or yearly with a 7-day free trial. No ads, no locked packs, no energy meter. Prices are shown in the app. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase, or after the free trial. The subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings at any time. Terms: https://nihongorush.com/terms Privacy: https://nihongorush.com/privacy Support: support@nihongorush.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kotoba Kards at none against Nihongo Rush's 2. Kotoba Kards also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). Nihongo Rush's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days). On price and iOS requirement 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. Nihongo Rush sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Kotoba Kards asks for nothing beyond the download.
Kotoba Kards ships an update every 10 days, Nihongo Rush every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kotoba Kards | Nihongo Rush |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 3.9 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 255 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kotoba Kards LLC | Egemen Denizeri |
In-app purchases
Kotoba Kards
No in-app purchases
Nihongo Rush
- Monthly$9.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year









