Nihongo Lessons is the household name in lessons, but it's far from the only option. We track 249+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.
This app helps learners of all levels achieve Japanese fluency. It uses a flashcard format to teach vocabulary, grammar, and writing systems, with advanced spaced repetition for effective retention. Content is sourced from real manga for advanced learners.
Learn languages, math, music, and chess through fun, bite-sized lessons. Build vocabulary, grammar, and real-world skills with a science-based methodology. Track progress and stay motivated with a global community.
What We Love
🤩 Fun and entertaining learning experience
🎉 Motivating streak and league features
🎨 Cute and engaging animations
📚 Effective for learning vocabulary and basics
🤖 Useful AI-powered features like voice lessons
Room to Improve
🤖 Issues with voice recognition and pronunciation feedback
🤑 Aggressive monetization tactics and paywall for key features
🤯 Frustrating heart/health system that penalizes mistakes
🤔 Lack of grammar explanations and focus on just memorizing phrases
Nihongo Lessons tops our lessons apps ranking as of September 2026, with a 4.8-star average from 126 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Are there free lessons apps for iPhone?
Yes — 20 of the top lessons apps we rank are free to download, including Nihongo Lessons and Duolingo: Language Lessons.
Does Nihongo Lessons have ads or in-app purchases?
Nihongo Lessons has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of September 2026.
How many lessons apps are on the App Store?
We track 249+ lessons apps on the iOS App Store as of September 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
What does Nihongo Lessons teach?
Nihongo Lessons teaches Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and writing systems. It covers learning the alphabets hiragana and katakana, building vocabulary, and understanding grammar fundamentals. For advanced learners, it offers content derived from real manga to fill knowledge gaps.
How does the app help with learning?
The app utilizes a flashcard format, presenting one new sentence per card that introduces a single new word, grammar point, or concept. It also incorporates Advanced Spaced Repetition (SRS) for long-term retention and features audio spoken by a professional voice actor.