Bamlu vs NihongoCue
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bamlu
Learn Mandarin through short, engaging video clips. Tap any word to instantly see its pronunciation and meaning, then save it for later review. Track your progress and build a daily learning habit with personalized practice.
- Short Mandarin video clips
- Tap-to-learn vocabulary
- Saved word review
- HSK-oriented placement
- Daily habit tracking
- Cross-device sync
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Learn Mandarin in short, focused sessions with BAMLU and its friendly red fox. WATCH AND LISTEN Practice with compact Mandarin clips designed around useful everyday language. Follow Hanzi, pinyin, and English meaning while you listen. TAP ANY WORD Open a word directly from a caption to see its pronunciation and meaning. Save useful vocabulary without interrupting the lesson. REVIEW WHAT YOU SAVE Return to saved words, mark what you know, and review vocabulary in context. FIND YOUR LEVEL Start with a short HSK-oriented placement experience. BAMLU uses broad learning bands to personalize practice; it is not an official HSK examination or certification. BUILD A DAILY HABIT Choose a daily goal, follow your streak, track learning time, and see your progress throughout the year. SYNC ACROSS DEVICES Sign in with Apple or email to keep your saved words, streak and settings on every device. Accounts are optional. SEARCH YOUR LIBRARY Search Mandarin or English, then filter clips by level, topic, and format. BAMLU PRO A BAMLU Pro subscription unlocks the complete learning experience. Monthly and annual plans are available. The annual plan may include a seven-day introductory trial for eligible customers. Prices and availability are shown in the app before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://zolvastudios.com/bamlu/terms Privacy Policy: https://zolvastudios.com/bamlu/privacy
NihongoCue
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Learn Japanese throughout your day with NihongoCue. NihongoCue combines structured JLPT study with an iOS Lock Screen widget, helping Kanji and vocabulary stay visible even when you are away from the app. Choose your level from N5 through N1, set a manageable daily target, and follow a personalized learning plan built around Kanji, vocabulary, quizzes, and spaced review. Learn in context Explore more than 2,200 Kanji and 8,300 vocabulary entries across JLPT N5–N1. Kanji lessons include: - Contextual readings and meanings - On’yomi and Kun’yomi readings - Natural example sentences - Furigana and English translations - Stroke information and writing animations - Helpful mnemonics - Japanese pronunciation Learn from your Lock Screen Keep Japanese present throughout your day with the NihongoCue Lock Screen widget. Choose: - Kanji or vocabulary - A specific JLPT level or mixed levels - How frequently the content changes - Reference mode to show the answer - Recall mode to test yourself before revealing it Tap supported widget content to continue learning inside the app. Practice at your own pace Create focused sessions using: - Kanji flashcards - Vocabulary flashcards - Mixed practice - Custom quizzes - Adjustable session lengths - Difficulty ratings that help prioritize future reviews Save useful Kanji and vocabulary to build your own review collection. Follow a clear daily plan NihongoCue organizes due and difficult items into a focused daily learning plan. Choose how many cards you want to study and continue practicing after reaching your target. See your progress Track: - Daily learning progress - Current and longest streaks - Recent study activity - Kanji and vocabulary mastery - Quiz performance - Items that need more attention Premium access NihongoCue Premium unlocks the complete JLPT N5–N1 learning library, quizzes, flashcards, Japanese audio, stroke-order practice, bookmarks, progress tools, notifications, and Lock Screen learning. Eligible annual subscriptions may include a 7-day free trial. The exact price, trial availability, renewal period, and billing terms are displayed before purchase. Subscriptions can be managed or cancelled through your Apple ID settings. Make Japanese part of the moments already in your day—with NihongoCue. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://nihongocue.pythonanywhere.com/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: NihongoCue at none against Bamlu's shown. NihongoCue also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Bamlu's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Bamlu sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and NihongoCue sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Bamlu ships an update every 2 days, NihongoCue weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bamlu | NihongoCue |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 196 MB | 109 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ALBERT STEEN FELDT | Bijen Duwal |
In-app purchases
Bamlu
- BAMLU Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
- BAMLU Pro Annual$29.991 Year
- BAMLU Pro Annual$44.991 Year
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- BAMLU Pro Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- BAMLU Pro Annual$59.991 Year
- 30 minutes with your teacher$4.99
- 60 minutes with your teacher$9.99
- 120 minutes with your teacher$14.99
NihongoCue
- NihongoCue Monthly Premium$3.991 Month
- NihongoCue Annual Premium7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- NihongoCue Lifetime Premium$147.99









