Comparison

Saku Saku Nihongo vs Shisho

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

Head to head
About

Saku Saku Nihongo

Features
Read full description

Welcome to Saku Saku Nihongo, the ultimate free Japanese learning app developed by ASCare. The Saku Saku Nihongo app is specifically designed to work seamlessly with your physical textbook of the same name. Through smart flashcards and practical Kaiwa (conversation) exercises, Saku Saku Nihongo helps you memorize vocabulary faster and communicate confidently. Smart Flashcard System: Visual flashcards (Image, Kanji, Hiragana, Furigana, Meaning, Native Audio, Examples). The Saku Saku Nihongo algorithm self-assesses memory to adjust display frequency. Detailed progress tracking. Kaiwa (Conversation) & Grammar: Listen to and practice native Japanese conversations. Simply scan the QR code in your Saku Saku Nihongo textbook to instantly open the corresponding conversation on your phone. Unlock Full Potential: Enter the secret code printed in your physical textbook to utilize all flashcard topics and conversation lessons on the Saku Saku Nihongo system. Updates & Course Notifications: Stay updated. Use the ""Interested"" button to instantly notify the ASCare team to provide you with detailed consulting on desired courses. Personalized Experience: Quick and secure login. Update your avatar, change app language, and select courses that fit your level. Download Saku Saku Nihongo today and start your journey to mastering Japanese the smart way with ASCare!

About

Shisho

Features
Read full description

Shisho (ๅธซๅŒ ) is your personal AI tutor for learning Japanese and preparing for the JLPT โ€” from N5 all the way to N1. FULL JLPT CURRICULUM Study vocabulary, kanji, and grammar organized into units and lessons across all five JLPT levels. Every word comes with an AI-generated guide showing how it's actually used, in context and by tone. PRACTICE ALL FIVE EXAM SKILLS Speaking โ€” read-aloud pronunciation drills scored on-device using Apple's speech engine Listening & Reading โ€” audio and furigana passages with comprehension checks Writing โ€” kanji tracing and sentence building Conversation โ€” free-form voice chat with an AI partner, plus scripted scenarios AI Sensei โ€” a guided, adaptive lesson that blends every skill and reacts to your answers in real time SPACED-REPETITION REVIEW Flashcard reviews are scheduled with a spaced-repetition system, so you review words right before you'd forget them. STAY MOTIVATED Track your daily streak, XP, and exam readiness on the Today dashboard. Earn achievements, keep your streak alive with streak freezes, and celebrate milestones as you go. STUDY IN YOUR LANGUAGE The app interface and AI explanations are available in English and Bahasa Indonesia โ€” the Japanese you're learning always stays Japanese. Whether you're just starting with hiragana or polishing grammar for N1, Shisho adapts to where you are and helps you get to your next JLPT level.

Screenshots

Saku Saku Nihongo4 screens
Shisho4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Saku Saku Nihongo at 13.0 against Shisho's 17.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Saku Saku Nihongo versus Shisho: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSaku Saku NihongoShisho
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPod โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size71 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperASCareAri Munandar

In-app purchases

None

Saku Saku Nihongo

No in-app purchases

None

Shisho

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

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