Comparison

Eshiritori vs Onomanabi

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

Head to head
About

Eshiritori

Features
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Eshiritori is a simple shiritori word game for kids. Choose from 9 cards, match the first and last sounds, and keep the chain going. Features - 3x3 card choices for each turn - 60-second timer for quick play - Built-in rules: words ending with "n" end the game, duplicates are not allowed - Automatic history with scores and word chains How to play 1. Tap Start 2. Pick a matching card 3. Check results and history

About

Onomanabi

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Stop translating. Start feeling. Onomanabi teaches Japanese onomatopoeia โ€” the sound and mimetic words (giongo and gitaigo) that carry nuance no dictionary translation captures. The kana themselves move, so you feel the difference before you read the explanation. Built for intermediate-to-advanced learners (JLPT N3โ€“N1) and Japanese teachers alike. WHY ONOMATOPOEIA "Doki-doki." "Zaa-zaa." "Kira-kira." Japanese is full of words whose real meaning lives in a feeling, not a translation. Onomanabi makes that feeling visible. FEEL IT THROUGH MOTION Every word moves in its own way โ€” spinning, bouncing, stretching, trembling โ€” so you feel the difference between "zaa-zaa" and "para-para" instead of just reading about it. USAGE MAPS Each word sits on a map of nearby words, with axes chosen for the subject: soft to hard for textures, negative to positive for feelings. COMPARISON MODE (PREMIUM) Tap a nearby word on the usage map and the comparison opens right below, with a native note on the decisive difference โ€” the nuance dictionaries flatten out. QUIZZES THAT STICK Multiple quiz types (4-choice, typing, comparison) with mistake-prioritized, spaced-repetition review. LEVELS & COLLECTION A guided six-level path and word-collection progress, plus a daily word to keep you coming back. FOR TEACHERS A category- and level-organized reference for a subject most textbooks barely cover. FREE TO START Levels 1โ€“2, part of the dictionary, and usage maps are free โ€” no account needed. Your progress and reviews are saved on your device. The dictionary, quizzes, and reviews work offline. PREMIUM (ONE-TIME, NOT A SUBSCRIPTION) - 1,500+ words - Levels 3โ€“6 - Comparison mode and comparison quizzes - No further payments, ever Japanese nuance isn't something you translate. It's something you feel. Start with today's word.

Screenshots

Eshiritori4 screens
Onomanabi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Eshiritori at none against Onomanabi's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Onomanabi sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Eshiritori asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Eshiritori versus Onomanabi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEshiritoriOnomanabi
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyโ€”Every 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad โ€” better
Requires iOS17.016.4 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size28 MB93 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYOSHIKI OSHIMATakeshi Nogi

In-app purchases

None

Eshiritori

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Onomanabi

One-time2
  • Onomanabi Premium (Welcome)$11.99
  • Onomanabi Premium$14.99

Questions

Is Eshiritori free?
Eshiritori is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Onomanabi free?
Onomanabi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Eshiritori or Onomanabi have ads?
Neither Eshiritori nor Onomanabi shows ads.

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