Comparison

StepJLPT vs Manana Japanese

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

Head to head
About

StepJLPT

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Master JLPT from N5 to N1 with StepJLPT! StepJLPT is the ultimate Japanese self-study app designed to help you pass the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) efficiently. From beginner N5 essentials to advanced N1 mastery, practice Kanji, Vocabulary, and Grammar step-by-step with structured learning and engaging quizzes. Key Features: Comprehensive Level Coverage: Complete study sets tailored for JLPT N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1. Kanji & Vocabulary Cards: Master essential readings (Onyomi, Kunyomi), meanings, and example sentences with interactive flashcards. Grammar Mastery: Clear explanations and usage patterns to understand core sentence structures. Practice Games & Quizzes: Reinforce your memory with Speed Quiz, Card Matching, and Survival challenges. Progress Tracking & Bookmarks: Monitor your study habits, review difficult words, and keep your prep on track. Start your journey to Japanese fluency today with StepJLPT!

About

Manana Japanese

Master Japanese vocabulary and kanji with spaced repetition and mock exams. Learn words, practice kanji stroke order, and take simulated JLPT tests. Includes daily news articles and grammar lessons for comprehensive language acquisition.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition for vocabulary review
  • Kanji details with stroke order animation
  • JLPT mock exams with instant scoring
  • Daily news articles in Japanese
  • Grammar, basics, and quizzes
  • Import Anki decks and create custom lists
  • Offline study mode
Features
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Learned JLPT words, only to forget them a few days later? Manana keeps track of what to learn today and when to review it. Just open the app and pick up where you left off. - Words, one small step at a time Not sure where to start? Leave the order to Manana. Over 9,000 JLPT words from N5 to N1 are split into steps of 20, so all you do is move on to the next one. Every word comes with an example sentence and audio, plus multiple meanings, verb conjugations, synonyms, and antonyms, all on one screen. - Reviews that show up right before you forget FSRS-6, the review algorithm also adopted by Anki, adjusts each word's review interval based on your study history. When words are due, you'll get a reminder, and today's cards will be waiting when you open the app. - From words to kanji, and back to words No more looking up unfamiliar kanji somewhere else. Tap a kanji in any word to see its details. Stroke-order animation, on'yomi and kun'yomi, radicals and components, look-alike kanji, and memory tips are all there. Follow the kanji to other words that use it, and watch the kanji you know grow naturally. - Build real test skills with JLPT mock exams Don't waste time grading and hunting for explanations. Submit, and your score and explanations are ready instantly. Take mock exams for every level from N5 to N1, listening audio included, just like the real test. Check your score by section to find weak spots, then retry only the questions you missed. - Japanese beyond the textbook: Daily Wrap Get the day's top stories from Japan and Korea, written as Japanese articles. Follow what's happening in Japan with the expressions people there actually use, or read familiar Korean news in Japanese. Every sentence has furigana, a translation, and audio, and each article shows how many N5–N1 words it contains. - Grammar, basics, and quizzes in one place N5–N1 grammar, hiragana basics, Speed Quiz, and handwriting practice on flashcards. Practice pronunciation and rhythm with shadowing: listen, then say it right after. - Study your way Already have Anki decks? No need to rebuild them. Import your .apkg files and review them in Manana. Create your own word lists from Excel, and gather tricky words in Bookmark folders. Stuck on a sentence? Break it down with the Sentence Helper. - See your progress add up Review status, your Study Report, study streaks, and mock exam score trends, all at a glance. Little by little, every day, your record grows into something to be proud of. - Anytime, anywhere, without interruption Keep studying words and kanji even without an internet connection. Sign in to keep your progress when you switch phones or use multiple devices, and study comfortably at night with dark mode. - Made by someone who got tired of making flashcards I spent a year in Japan studying Japanese with a flashcard app. I loved learning that way, but I had to build every word list myself, and the words I learned slowly faded because I never knew when to review them. "I wish there were an app where all I had to do was memorize." That one thought is how Manana began. I'm still improving it with feedback from users like you. If anything feels inconvenient, please let me know anytime. - Start for free With no ads, you can study the full N5 course and the first 3 steps of each level from N4 to N1 for free, and take one mock exam per level. Premium unlocks every step and every mock exam, unlimited reviews, and access to past news. Turn your first card today, and Manana will remember when you should see it again. Terms of Use / EULA: https://en.mananasystem.com/terms/

Screenshots

StepJLPT4 screens
Manana Japanese4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Manana Japanese at none against StepJLPT's shown. Manana Japanese also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. StepJLPT sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Manana Japanese sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StepJLPT ships an update every 4 weeks, Manana Japanese every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
StepJLPT versus Manana Japanese: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepJLPTManana Japanese
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 days β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetizationβ€”Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size82 MB240 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerheesung jinJOOHEON LEE

In-app purchases

6 purchases

StepJLPT

One-time6
  • κ΄‘κ³  제거$1.99
  • N4 λ§ˆμŠ€ν„° 팩$2.99
  • N3 λ§ˆμŠ€ν„° 팩$4.99
Show 3 more
  • N1 λ§ˆμŠ€ν„° 팩$5.99
  • N2 λ§ˆμŠ€ν„° 팩$5.99
  • 전체 패슀ꢌ 및 κ΄‘κ³ μ œκ±°$14.99
2 purchases

Manana Japanese

Subscriptions2
  • Manana Premium (Monthly)$3.491 Month
  • Manana Premium (Annual)$17.991 Year

Questions

Is StepJLPT free?
StepJLPT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Manana Japanese free?
Manana Japanese is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do StepJLPT or Manana Japanese have ads?
StepJLPT shows ads; Manana Japanese does not.
Which is updated more often, StepJLPT or Manana Japanese?
StepJLPT ships an update every 4 weeks, and Manana Japanese every 4 days. Most recently, StepJLPT was updated on October 31, 2026 and Manana Japanese on November 5, 2026.

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