Best Kanji Reference App

0+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated July 2026

Finding the right kanji reference app can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 0+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Compare top Kanji Reference App (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Learn Japanese Kanji: BenkyōLearn Japanese Kanji: BenkyōFree4.7★ (3.5K)NoYesSep 2026
2Kanji LookupKanji LookupFree4.7★ (3K)YesYesSep 2026
3Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!Free4.7★ (7.1K)NoYesSep 2026
4Japanese!! Learn Kana & KanjiJapanese!! Learn Kana & KanjiFree4.8★ (22K)NoYesSep 2026
5iKanji - Learn Japanese KanjiiKanji - Learn Japanese Kanji$4.994.8★ (142)NoYesAug 2026
6imiwa?imiwa?Free4.5★ (258)NoYesSep 2026
7JapaneseJapaneseFree4.8★ (3.6K)NoNoSep 2026
8Kanji Teacher - Learn JapaneseKanji Teacher - Learn JapaneseFree4.7★ (299)NoNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Kanji Reference App

Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō#1

Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō by App to Learn Pte. Ltd.

JLPT, Vocab & SRS Flashcards
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.7😊(3.5K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 1
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 2
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 3
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 4
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 5
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 6

Master Japanese kanji and vocabulary with AI-powered drills and spaced repetition. Track your progress, practice writing, and review efficiently with customizable quizzes. Works offline for convenient study anytime, anywhere.

What We Love

  • 👍 Comprehensive kanji and vocabulary coverage
  • 🚀 Effective spaced repetition system (SRS)
  • 💡 Customizable quizzes and flashcards
  • 👍 Clean and user-friendly interface
  • 👍 Helpful for learning kana, kanji, and vocabulary
  • 👍 Great value for free version
  • 👍 Visually appealing design

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent or poor audio pronunciation
  • 🐛 Issues with handwriting recognition
  • 🔒 Subscription-based model with limited free access
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
  • 🐛 Confusing layout and navigation at times
Kanji Lookup#2

Kanji Lookup by telethon k.k.

Strong Contender
🔍 Reference
4.7😊(3K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Kanji Lookup screenshot 1
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Kanji Lookup screenshot 4
Kanji Lookup screenshot 5

Quickly find the meaning and pronunciation of unknown Kanji characters by drawing them. This app focuses on fast, easy lookup without complex methods, offering definitions and relevant word examples. It also supports keyboard and pasteboard searches.

What We Love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Accurate kanji recognition
  • 💡 Comprehensive kanji information
  • 👍 Helpful for learning Japanese
  • 👍 Useful for travel to Japan

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional recognition issues
  • 💰 Ads can be intrusive
  • 🐛 Camera function not reliable
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!#3

Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! by Luli Languages LLC

Learn via vocab, JLPT N5–N1
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.7😊(7.1K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 1
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 2
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 3
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Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 5

This app teaches Japanese kanji by focusing on vocabulary words. It offers writing practice with stroke detection and spaced repetition reviews for effective memorization. Learn kanji readings naturally through over 5,000 JLPT-aligned words.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great app for learning kanji
  • 👍 Effective review system
  • 💡 Organized by JLPT levels
  • 👍 Affordable one-time purchase
  • 👍 Helps with writing practice and muscle memory

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Sensitive kanji recognition, sometimes doesn't accept correct strokes
  • 🐛 Review sessions can get very long and tedious
  • 🐛 Inconsistent kanji definitions and translations
  • 🐛 Lack of syncing progress across devices

More Kanji Reference App apps to explore

FAQ about Kanji Reference App

What is the best kanji reference app for iPhone?
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō tops our kanji reference app ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 3.5K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 18 of the top kanji reference app we rank are free to download, including Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō and Kanji Lookup.
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
This app helps users learn Japanese kanji and vocabulary effectively. It utilizes AI-powered spaced repetition system (SRS) quizzes to optimize memory retention. Users can also practice writing kanji, track their progress, and access a comprehensive database of Japanese characters and words.
Key features include a large database of over 10,000 Kanji and 8,000 vocabulary entries, AI-driven FLEX SRS quizzes, customizable SMART and CUSTOM quizzes, handwriting recognition for practicing kanji drawing, stroke order guides, and detailed progress tracking with charts and statistics. The app also works fully offline.