Comparison

Nihongo Learn vs KotoBird

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

Head to head
About

Nihongo Learn

Master Japanese with interactive lessons covering kana, kanji, vocabulary, and grammar. Practice with AI conversation partners, mock exams, and spaced repetition. Offers guided paths from beginner to advanced levels.

Highlights
  • Interactive kana and kanji learning
  • 2,000+ kanji with stroke order
  • JLPT N5-N1 vocabulary and grammar
  • AI conversation practice
  • Spaced repetition system (SRS)
  • JLPT mock exams
  • Progress tracking and analytics
Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese the smart way — from your first hiragana to JLPT N1 mastery. Nihongo Learn is a comprehensive Japanese study app with 30+ interactive modes designed for every stage of your journey. Whether you're memorizing kana, drilling kanji stroke order, or preparing for the JLPT, everything you need is in one place. WRITING SYSTEMS • Hiragana & Katakana with stroke-by-stroke animation • 2,000+ Kanji with readings, meanings, and stroke order • Handwriting practice with trace and recall modes • Radical breakdown for systematic kanji learning VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR • N5 through N1 vocabulary with audio pronunciation • Complete grammar explanations for all JLPT levels • Example sentences with furigana and translations • Conjugation drills for every verb form QUIZZES & PRACTICE • Multiple choice, typing, matching, and speed drills • SRS spaced repetition to remember what you learn • Smart drills that target your weak points • JLPT mock exams to test your readiness IMMERSIVE LEARNING • AI conversation partners for real-world dialogue practice • Graded reading passages with tap-to-translate • Listening comprehension at every level • Pitch accent training for natural pronunciation • Cultural context lessons on politeness and etiquette STAY MOTIVATED • Guided lesson paths from beginner to advanced • Daily tasks and study streaks • Detailed analytics tracking your progress • Customizable avatars, themes, and collectible rewards • Study calendar to visualize your consistency FREE TO START Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, N5-N4 content, all quiz types, conjugation drills, reading passages, and pitch accent training are completely free. PREMIUM Upgrade for AI conversation partners, full analytics, N3-N1 content, unlimited SRS cards, the immersion reader, and advanced listening practice. That's about 1,500 characters — well within the 4,000 character limit. Adjust any section as you see fit. Privacy Policy: https://digitalisapps.com/nihongo-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://digitalisapps.com/nihongo-tos/

About

KotoBird

Features
Read full description

Listen and answer! Kotoba Bird is a fun quiz app to learn Japanese words through listening. Hear a word and choose the correct answer from 3 options! [This version categories] ・Hiragana (A to N) ・Greetings [Full version "ことバード" includes all categories!] ・Hiragana・Greetings・Numbers・Food・Transport・Places・Katakana・Anime [Features] ・Learn words by ear ・No internet needed, fully offline ・Simple enough for anyone ・Perfect for learners of Japanese

Screenshots

Nihongo Learn4 screens
KotoBird4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KotoBird at none against Nihongo Learn's 2. KotoBird also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). 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. Nihongo Learn sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. KotoBird asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Nihongo Learn versus KotoBird: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNihongo LearnKotoBird
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB15 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperStephen DudleyYoichiro Mitsui

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Nihongo Learn

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
None

KotoBird

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

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