Comparison

PatternForge vs JapanWords

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

Head to head
About

PatternForge

This app uses spaced repetition to help you master chess tactics. Solve puzzles adapted to your skill level, review them on a schedule, and import your own games to turn mistakes into training opportunities. Create custom puzzle sets to focus on specific patterns and improve your game.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition training
  • Adaptive puzzle difficulty
  • Game import from Chess.com/Lichess
  • Custom puzzle sets
  • Theme-based training
  • Progress tracking
Read full description

PatternForge is a chess tactics trainer built around spaced repetition — so patterns actually stick instead of fading after one session. HOW IT WORKS 1. Train — Solve puzzles adapted to your level. Missed puzzles come back until you learn them. 2. Review — Patterns repeat on a schedule so you build automatic recognition. 3. Import — Pull your games from Chess.com or Lichess and turn your real mistakes into training. 4. Build — Create custom puzzle sets from PGNs, studies, or the full puzzle pool. FEATURES · Spaced repetition training · Adaptive puzzle difficulty (Glicko rating) · Game import from Chess.com and Lichess · Custom puzzle sets from PGNs and studies · Woodpecker method cycling · Theme-based training (forks, pins, skewers, and more) · Progress tracking and stats · Lichess puzzle database TRAINING MODES · Standard — Daily training with new and review puzzles · Woodpecker — Cycle through a set with increasing speed Stop grinding random puzzles. Start building real pattern recognition. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://patternforge.app/privacy

About

JapanWords

Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese vocabulary the calm, focused way, one beautiful card at a time. JapanWords helps you build a real Japanese vocabulary with elegant illustrated flashcards, smart spaced repetition, and short quizzes that keep you moving forward. No clutter, no noise. Just you and the words. WHY JAPANWORDS • Illustrated flashcards: kanji, furigana and romaji on the front; the meaning and an illustration on the back. • Spaced repetition: words come back for review right before you forget them. • Section quizzes: each section ends with a 20-question quiz. Score 20/20 to unlock the next. • Kanji Puzzle: kanji are made of pieces. Drag the pieces together, build the kanji and learn the story behind it. • JLPT order: vocabulary follows JLPT levels, starting from N5. • Meanings in your language: Turkish, English, German and Spanish. • Streaks, reminders and a Home Screen widget to build a daily habit. • Light and dark mode. Works offline, no account required. FREE AND PREMIUM Flashcards, quizzes and review are free and supported by ads. The first 3 Kanji Puzzles are free. JapanWords Premium unlocks all Kanji Puzzles and removes all ads. JapanWords Premium (optional subscription) • Auto-renewable yearly subscription, 12.99 USD per year (or the equivalent in your local currency). • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. • The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Manage or cancel anytime in Settings > Apple Account > Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://japaneseflashcards.online/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://japaneseflashcards.online/terms.html

Screenshots

PatternForge4 screens
JapanWords4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PatternForge at none against JapanWords's shown. PatternForge also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 days). On price, in-app purchases, device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PatternForge sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and JapanWords sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $12.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PatternForge ships an update every 2 days, JapanWords every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PatternForge versus JapanWords: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatternForgeJapanWords
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZYAGA LLCcagri uzun

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PatternForge

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
1 purchases

JapanWords

Subscriptions1
  • Japanese Flipcard Pro$12.991 Year

Questions

Is PatternForge free?
PatternForge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JapanWords free?
JapanWords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PatternForge or JapanWords have ads?
JapanWords shows ads; PatternForge does not.
Which is updated more often, PatternForge or JapanWords?
PatternForge ships an update every 2 days, and JapanWords every 5 days. Most recently, PatternForge was updated on November 9, 2026 and JapanWords on November 6, 2026.

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