Comparison

h2Re vs iago

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

Head to head
About

h2Re

This app enhances a physical book on rendering fundamentals by linking trigger images to over 10 hours of online video tutorials. It uses augmented reality tracking to connect printed material with digital educational content, keeping the information current.

Highlights
  • Augmented Reality tracking
  • Links to online video tutorials
  • Enhances book learning experience
  • Over 10 hours of video content
  • Connects print to digital content
  • Keeps information current
Read full description

This is the companion app for the new Design Studio Press book: How to Render. The second hit title in the Design Studio Press' "h2" series, building on fundamentals introduced in How to Draw, How to Render deals with the fundamentals of light, shadow and reflectivity. Enhancing the learning experience, this app has been created to allow readers to use trigger images on pages to link directly to online tutorials via their tablets and phones. Using advanced video techniques, this app connects the printed matter to online digital educational content as never before, and insures that the book remains as current as the rapidly advancing techniques presented in How to Render. Over 10 hours of video content have been created to accompany the book. A physical copy of How to Render is required to get the most out of the h2Re app. Access to your camera is required to allow the app's Augmented Reality tracking to work. Additionally, an internet connection is required to view the video content. You can get your copy of the How to Render book by visiting: http://designstudiopress.com For downloadable examples of the Trackers and for a demo video, please visit: http://scottrobertsonworkshops.com/h2re/trackers/ For our Privacy Policy, please visit: https://designstudiopress.com/policies/privacy-policy/

About

iago

Embark on an adventure through Japan to learn conversational Japanese. This visual novel game uses real-world scenarios and dynamic conversations to teach grammar and phrases. Get pronunciation feedback and practice essential Japanese scripts.

Highlights
  • Visual novel stories with characters
  • Dynamic, personalized conversations
  • Curriculum design from various situations
  • Pronunciation feedback
  • Hiragana & Katakana practice
  • Contextual grammar learning
Read full description

Iago is the first immersive Japanese Language Visual Novel game! Join Iako-chan and her parrot Iago on an adventure through Japan, learning the conversational phrases & grammar through real-world situations & scenarios! Key Features: - Fully visual stories featuring Iako-chan, Iago, and the rest of the crew - Dynamic conversations catered to you speaking naturally - Design your own Japanese curriculum from a vast array of situations - Receive pronunciation feedback as you practice speaking out loud - Practice and drill Hiragana & Katakana - Build grammar skills implicitly by learning phrases in context - Study at your own pace with flexibility Why You'll Love It: - It's just as fun as a video game! - Unique speak-first approach gets you conversing quickly - Audio recorded by native Japanese speakers - Covers casual, day-to-day language not found in textbooks - More affordable than private tutoring Join Iako-chan and learn and start your personalized Japanese learning journey today! Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://getiago.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

h2Re4 screens
iago4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: iago at 4.8 against h2Re's 3.9. iago also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 20 months) and ratings volume (2K vs 9). h2Re's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. iago sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. h2Re asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iago holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iago has 2K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of h2Re's written reviews are positive against 72% of iago's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

h2Re ships an update every 20 months, iago every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
h2Re versus iago: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterh2Reiago
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (9 ratings)4.8 (2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews72.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings92K — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB191 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDesign Studio PressIago Education

Customer experience

h2Re

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

iago

All ratings1,988 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews170 reviews
Positive72.4%
Neutral10.0%
Negative17.6%

Bugs and requests

h2Re

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

iago

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes when trying to use the microphone
  • Error message about invalid attempt to destructure non-iterable
  • Music volume interferes with ability to hear the voice actor
  • Inability to delete account or turn off automatic subscription

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to review vocabulary and grammar learned in previous lessons
  • Provide slower audio playback option for better comprehension
  • Implement a way to delete or restart recordings during practice
  • Improve UI/UX to ensure all content is visible on the screen

In-app purchases

None

h2Re

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

iago

Subscriptions10
  • 1 Month7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly$11.991 Month
  • Monthly14 Days trial$11.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Monthly7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • 3 Months7 Days trial$23.903 Months
  • 3 Months14 Days trial$29.903 Months
  • 3 Months7 Days trial$29.903 Months
  • 12 Months7 Days trial$75.901 Year
  • 12 Months14 Days trial$94.901 Year
  • 12 Months7 Days trial$94.901 Year

Questions

Is h2Re free?
h2Re is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iago free?
iago is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, h2Re or iago?
iago is rated higher. h2Re averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while iago averages 4.8 from 2K ratings.
Do h2Re or iago have ads?
Neither h2Re nor iago shows ads.
Which is updated more often, h2Re or iago?
h2Re ships an update every 20 months, and iago every 2 weeks. Most recently, h2Re was updated on November 1, 2026 and iago on November 4, 2026.

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