Comparison

Learn Japanese vs Setsumei

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

Head to head
About

Learn Japanese

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Learn Japanese with a focused study system built for real progress. Learn Japan Study Cards helps you build vocabulary step by step with clear study flows, smart review, and clean flashcards. The app is designed for learners who want to remember words long term, not just memorize once and forget. What you can do: Study mode with spaced review Use Again, Hard, Good, and Easy ratings to schedule the next review and strengthen memory over time. Flashcards for extra practice Practice freely anytime with flashcards outside your main study schedule. 500 built in Japanese words Start with a curated vocabulary set across everyday topics like people, places, food, time, verbs, adjectives, nature, animals, and practical katakana words. Subjects and organized learning Browse words by subject so you can focus on what matters most to you. Pronunciation support Play Japanese pronunciation for each word to improve listening and speaking confidence. Favorites and My Vocab Save important words, track what you know, and keep your learning focused. Daily pace controls Set a study pace that fits your life, from very light learning to more intensive sessions. Smart reminders Get gentle local reminders when you have been away, so you stay consistent. Built for serious learners and beginners alike, Learn Japan Study Cards helps you study a little every day and keep improving. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Setsumei

This app breaks down Japanese sentences into understandable grammar lessons. It highlights grammar points, provides pronunciations, and offers plain-English explanations. Users can save and review grammar points in context, with an offline sentence library available.

Highlights
  • Grammar highlighting in sentences
  • Word pronunciations and dictionary forms
  • Plain-English explanations and examples
  • Offline Japanese-English sentence library
  • Save and review grammar points
  • JLPT level estimation
Features
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Understand the grammar inside real Japanese sentences. Setsumei turns Japanese text into a clear, approachable grammar lesson. Type or paste a sentence, choose an example, or search the included Japanese–English sentence library. Setsumei highlights the grammar it recognizes and keeps the original sentence, readings, and explanations together. SETSUMEI PREMIUM Setsumei is free to try. A one-time purchase of Setsumei Premium unlocks: • Unlimited sentence analysis • The full N1–N5 grammar library • Unlimited spaced review • Unlimited saved sentences and grammar points No subscription. LEARN IN CONTEXT • See grammar patterns highlighted directly in the sentence • Read word pronunciations and dictionary forms • Explore plain-English meanings, formations, nuances, and examples • Use estimated JLPT levels as a study guide • Search a large offline Japanese–English sentence library BUILD YOUR GRAMMAR LIBRARY • Save useful grammar points with their sentence context • Add personal notes • Browse grammar by communicative purpose • Mark grammar as Saved or Mastered • Revisit sentence history and saved sentences • Copy and share lessons REVIEW WHAT YOU SAVE • Practice grammar in the sentence context where you found it • Recall what each pattern contributes before revealing the explanation • Use Again, Hard, and Good to space difficult points sooner and remembered points farther apart • Keep review progress on device PRIVATE BY DESIGN Grammar detection, word analysis, and contextual classification run on your device using bundled resources. Setsumei requires no account and includes no ads, third-party analytics, or paid AI service. Grammar recognition and explanations are continually being improved. JLPT levels are estimates because the current JLPT does not publish official grammar lists.

Screenshots

Learn Japanese4 screens
Setsumei4 screens

Verdict

The call

Learn Japanese and Setsumei are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Learn Japanese sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Setsumei sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Learn Japanese versus Setsumei: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLearn JapaneseSetsumei
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.618.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB164 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvi ShanyIgor Kulman

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Learn Japanese

Subscriptions2
  • Learn Japan Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Learn Japan Pro Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Learn Japan Pro Lifetime$29.99
1 purchases

Setsumei

One-time1
  • Setsumei Premium$14.99

Questions

Is Learn Japanese free?
Learn Japanese is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Setsumei free?
Setsumei is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Learn Japanese or Setsumei have ads?
Neither Learn Japanese nor Setsumei shows ads.

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