Comparison

Nihongo Learn vs LangReel

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

LangReel

Features
Read full description

Can you name the action in the language you're learning? LangReel helps you practice everyday phrases through short videos and quick quizzes. Watch an action, listen to the phrase, then put your understanding to the test. WATCH, LISTEN, ANSWER Connect everyday actions with useful phrases. Answer quizzes and explore phrase meanings, examples, and word explanations. Listen to pronunciation at your own pace. START AT YOUR LEVEL Follow Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced learning paths, one topic at a time. Check your understanding with Section Tests. SAVE AND PRACTICE AGAIN Save useful phrases for review and track your learning activity. Your progress and saved phrases stay separate for each study language. Sign in to sync your learning progress. CHOOSE YOUR LANGUAGE Study English, Japanese, Korean, French, or Spanish. Read explanations in thirteen languages and use the interface in eight. Hindi, Persian, Urdu, Turkish, and Punjabi explanations are available with English menus. TRY IT WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT Start with a free three-reel Warm Up. No account is needed to try it. Sign in to access the first regular category in each level. LANGREEL PREMIUM A monthly subscription unlocks the remaining categories and level tests. Payment is charged to your Apple Account after confirmation. Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel it in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://langreel.com/privacy-policy.html Support: https://langreel.com/support.html

Screenshots

Nihongo Learn4 screens
LangReel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: LangReel at every 4 days against Nihongo Learn's monthly. LangReel also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and LangReel sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nihongo Learn ships an update monthly, LangReel every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Nihongo Learn versus LangReel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNihongo LearnLangReel
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB54 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperStephen DudleyTatsuro Oya

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Nihongo Learn

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
1 purchases

LangReel

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Nihongo Learn free?
Nihongo Learn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LangReel free?
LangReel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Nihongo Learn or LangReel have ads?
Neither Nihongo Learn nor LangReel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nihongo Learn or LangReel?
Nihongo Learn ships an update monthly, and LangReel every 4 days. Most recently, Nihongo Learn was updated on October 8, 2026 and LangReel on October 3, 2026.

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