# Simeji vs JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha)

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) at none against Simeji's 19. JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Simeji's advantage is ratings volume (1.2K vs 2). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simeji sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) asks for nothing beyond the download.

JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simeji has 1.2K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Simeji ships an update every 2 weeks, JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simeji | JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simeji/id899997582/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jpdbreader-plus-plus-alpha/id6738365000/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 64.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 193 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Baidu Japan Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/382165332) | [Franklin Fanelli](https://appshunter.io/developer/1495259800) |

## What reviewers say

### Simeji

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simeji/id899997582)

This keyboard app offers a customizable Japanese input experience with a vast library of emoticons, emoji, and stickers. It features a cloud-based dictionary for up-to-date slang and phrases, along with options to personalize your keyboard's appearance. Advanced users can enjoy VIP features like OCR and unlimited theme customization.

**Highlights:** Skinnable keyboard with custom wallpapers and themes, Extensive emoticon and emoji library with rankings, Cloud-based dictionary with 2M entries, Preset and user-shared phrases, Popular Simeji stickers, VIP exclusive themes and custom parts, OCR function for text conversion

**Features:** Safari Extension, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 月間会員 | $1.99 | per month |
| Simeji月間 VIP | $2.99 | per month |
| Simeji 月間VIP | $2.99 | per month |
| Simeji VIP Lv1 1ヶ月コース（初月半額） | $2.99 | per month |
| 月額会員 | $3.49 | per month |
| プレミアムサービス | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| Simeji VIP | $15.99 | per year |
| 年間会員 | $21.99 | per year |
| Simeji VIP年間会員 | $30.99 | per year |
| Simeji VIP Lv2 年間コース | $199.99 | per year |
| ガーリーうさぎ | $1.99 | one-time |
| クールブルー | $1.99 | one-time |
| ゆめかわユニコーン | $1.99 | one-time |
| ユリ | $1.99 | one-time |
| クラシックピアノ | $1.99 | one-time |
| きらきらジュエリー　シルバー | $1.99 | one-time |
| 白薔薇切り絵 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 有料 まふまふきせかえ | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 No ads for keyboard
- 👍 More keyboards than Facemoji
- 👍 Easy to switch between English and Japanese
- 👍 Includes kaomojis and GIFs
- 👍 Cute/better-looking keyboards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🌐 Only available in Japanese
- 🤖 Uses AI that is destroying artists' careers

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard keeps asking for full access
- Saved emojis/emoticons disappear
- Intrusive popup ads

**Requested features**

- Add English language support
- Improve QWERTY keyboard layout
- Add auto-capitalization feature
- Introduce simplified and traditional Chinese keyboards


### JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jpdbreader-plus-plus-alpha/id6738365000)

This Safari extension allows users to parse Japanese text on websites, access a dictionary, and identify unknown words. It also enables adding and reviewing flashcards, with unique 2D review modes for vocabulary learning at your own pace. Requires a JPDB.io account.

**Highlights:** Parse Japanese text on websites, Access Japanese dictionary, Identify unknown words, Add and review flashcards, 2D SRS vocabulary review, Learn words at your own pace

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simeji free?

Simeji is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) free?

JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Simeji or JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha)?

JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) is rated higher. Simeji averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Simeji or JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) have ads?

Simeji shows ads; JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simeji or JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha)?

Simeji ships an update every 2 weeks, and JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) fortnightly. Most recently, Simeji was updated on October 2, 2026 and JPDBreader+α (Plus Alpha) on September 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*