Comparison

Kotonoki vs Learn Japanese

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

Head to head
About

Kotonoki

Learn Japanese vocabulary and grammar by watching anime. The app generates lessons based on selected series and episodes, offering kanji, furigana, and romaji support. It features spaced repetition for review and daily vocabulary practice.

Highlights
  • AI-generated Japanese lessons from anime
  • Vocabulary and grammar study
  • Spaced repetition review system
  • Kanji, furigana, and romaji support
  • Daily vocabulary and phrase practice
  • Contextual example sentences
Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese through the anime you love. Choose a series and episode, then Kotonoki builds a focused lesson around its Japanese vocabulary. For learners from JLPT N5 to N1. Choose your level during onboarding, and Kotonoki introduces vocabulary at and just above it. Kanji, furigana, and Hepburn romaji give you the support you need as you build confidence. Start with a ready-made lesson during onboarding and begin studying in your first minute. LESSONS IN CONTEXT Lessons use Japanese subtitles when available and episode synopses when they are not. Each item includes kanji, a kana reading, romaji, a translation, and a contextual example sentence. Tap a word for an AI explanation of the grammar in its example sentence. REVIEW THAT ADAPTS TO YOU Spaced repetition supports review of vocabulary, kana, and kanji. Kanji meanings and readings are tracked separately, so you can review what you need. Study kanji from components to compounds; every kanji in the app includes an example word and an AI mnemonic story. A LITTLE JAPANESE EVERY DAY Add Kana of the Day, Kanji of the Day, and Phrase of the Day to your Home Screen or Lock Screen. Phrase of the Day includes a kana reading. MORE IN KOTONOKI - Choose System, Light, or Dark appearance - Search your library and the anime catalog in one place - Follow lesson-generation progress as words are prepared SUBSCRIPTION Try Kotonoki free for 7 days. A subscription includes 30 new AI lesson generations each month and unlimited access to ready-made lessons. Cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Kotonoki is built by an independent studio. Send feedback directly to the maker. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://kotonoki.addicted.sh/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://kotonoki.addicted.sh/terms.html

About

Learn Japanese

Features
Read full description

Fluency isn't magic — it's coverage. The essential words, the core sentence patterns, genuinely mastered. LingoCore is the systematic way to learn Japanese: structured enough that you know you're learning the right things, engaging enough that you keep going. * VOCABULARY, SYSTEMATICALLY * - Save high-value words from every lesson and let spaced repetition schedule each review at the optimal moment - Drill in four modes: flashcards, multiple-choice, typing and pronunciation — every item verified from multiple angles * GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT, NOT IN TABLES * - Concise grammar notes attached to real sentences, right where the pattern appears - Comprehension and true/false quizzes confirm each lesson actually landed - Dictation and role play turn passive knowledge into active production * REAL CONTENT, SELECTED FOR VALUE * - A feed of authentic Japanese videos, dialogs, news, stories and short talks — everyday language with high practical density - Full transcripts with tap-to-define on every word - Import YouTube videos to extend your material * STRUCTURED SPEAKING PRACTICE * - An AI conversation partner with configurable topics and difficulty, plus concrete feedback after each session - Shadow native audio with on-device pronunciation scoring: 0–100 across accuracy, fluency and completeness, fully offline - Talk Now: anonymous live voice calls with learners worldwide when you're ready to apply the fundamentals * MEASURE, DON'T GUESS * - Daily XP goals and study streaks make consistency visible - Games, duels and a leaderboard when you want to benchmark against other learners - A community feed for questions and study strategies LingoCore is free with ads. Premium removes ads and unlocks unlimited usage. Master the fundamentals. Own the language. Terms of Use: https://lingfast-server.tnpixel.com/legal/lingocore/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Kotonoki4 screens
Learn Japanese4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Learn Japanese at 16.0 against Kotonoki's 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. Kotonoki sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Learn Japanese sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Kotonoki versus Learn Japanese: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKotonokiLearn Japanese
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB104 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperEgor SazanovDinh Thang Tran

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Kotonoki

Subscriptions2
  • Kotonoki Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Kotonoki Yearly$59.991 Year
6 purchases

Learn Japanese

Subscriptions5
  • LingoCore Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • LingoCore Premium Monthly$8.991 Month
  • LingoCore Premium 3 Months$19.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • LingoCore Premium 6 Months$32.996 Months
  • LingoCore Premium Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • LingoCore Premium Lifetime$249.99

Questions

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

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