34 Best Apps for Learning Japanese in 2024 [Free & Paid]

Want to get scholarships for studying in Japan? Perhaps, you prepare for JLPT, like watching anime or J-movie without subtitles, or cultural aspects intrigue you.

Whatever your reasons for learning Japanese, you can be sure there’s an app to help you.

Of all the choices, learning Japanese through mobile apps is getting popular. Thanks to the growth of the digital era and easy access to smartphones, hundreds are available at your fingertips.

But which one to pick can be hard and requires lots of time to shortlist.

Despite many promising apps, not all work for everyone or all learning styles. As a result, finding the right app to remain motivated and consistent during your Japanese studies is vital.

I’ve tested over 50 Japanese-learning apps, so you don’t have to guess what they’re like and need to worry.

This is a curated list of top Japanese apps that are your go-to. So, here are 34 of the best apps for learning Japanese.

But before…

Why learn the Japanese language through apps?

As innovation, skill, and connectivity become increasingly vital in today’s world, being multilingual can enable you to live a quality life.

With so many benefits of learning Japanese, why not pick this language?

While most children learn a second language during school, it’s never too late to learn something new.

The number of adult language learners is significant. Still, most of them do not have time to attend regular classes. But even with a smaller time investment, you can lay a good foundation for Japanese study.

The Japanese language has been piquing the interest of people around the world.

Because it is so different from the rest of the world’s languages, people find mysteries about Japanese. We also consider it one of the most challenging languages to learn.

Some market players have rightly identified the need to meet both ends of balancing time and still learning a tricky language. So, they have smartly devised apps, software, and web SaaS for learning Japanese.

Do apps really help you learn Japanese?

Using an app means you control your pace based on your time and learning pattern.

On a busy or off-day, you do not have an obligation to attend a class and end up not actually learning anything productively. The choice of when and how much to study is in your hands.

Most apps have small sessions that you can fit into your schedule easily. Besides, their lesson plans will give you a choice to start with basics ranging from greetings to idioms based on your needs.

It also benefits you to keep yourself engaged productively in the short periods you may get between schedules.

Images, sound, and video may help make a method more successful and compelling. Most mobile app suppliers use visualization. And it may help memorize language or introductory statements.

Applications would likely provide you with a crossword puzzle, MCQ, or a game to speed up your vocabulary review. Or even role-playing to immerse yourself in scenarios and dialogue.

It also includes speaking and listening exercises, which are more fruitful than learning to talk alone.

It is available to anybody with a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. You do not need to enroll in a trainer or a language school.

The app cost is also far less than the cost of genuine language classes taken online or at a language school.

Can you learn Japanese with an app?

The short answer is NO.

The best way to learn any language, including difficult Japanese, is through a teacher. You can do this face-to-face, either offline in the classroom or online.

Apps can, at best, supplement primary learning sources, such as classes through a tutor or language school.

I found a combination of teachers, resources like books and audio, and apps to give the best results. But, of course, this differs from one person to another.

Learning a language requires you to speak it, more so with the natives or those who know it. That way, you understand where and how to use the proper terminology.

And how the colloquial uses differ from the textbook version of the language that most apps and even textbooks teach.

Mobile apps are pretty impersonal compared to face-to-face lessons online or in language institutes. You can only “communicate” with a laptop or smartphone, but you can’t converse with it.

Also, unlike a live class or actual interactions, there is no feedback for making a mistake with a term or use of the language. So, apps can only be an option rather than the roadmap to learning a language fluently.

Besides, no single app can provide you with everything you need to learn Japanese. Of course, you can learn many things from an app, but that won’t be enough to become fluent in Japanese.

That said, it is still worth exploring this option, provided you know which app to choose. Its features have significant advantages to help you learn the language effectively.

34 Top Apps for Studying Japanese

Japanese is one of the most popular and taught languages across the world. It attracts learners from far and wide.

That is why it offers many options and has a wealth of resources. Because of this, you can easily find learning apps and study materials to help you learn Japanese.

With so many Japanese language smartphone apps available, finding the right one can be challenging.

You’ll undoubtedly find your favorite Japanese learning app on this list of the best apps.

Also, there are many specialized apps to assist you in learning Japanese. There are free, freemium, and only paid options on this list. Let’s take a closer look!

1. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese

One of the best apps for studying Japanese vocabulary and grammar is Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese.

You can learn everything about Japanese grammar with this app, a mobile version of the renowned online grammar guide. Advanced students can also review more tough lessons or what they’ve already mastered.

The program offers extensive lessons to help you learn and master the language. It starts with the Japanese writing system and progresses to entire Japanese grammar, unique expressions, and advanced topics.

This is not a complete Japanese course; it is only a grammar guide. While it won’t teach you the language on its own, it’s a handy reference tool if you’re studying Japanese elsewhere.

Pricing: Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese is 100% free.

2. Duolingo — Most famous Japanese learning App

If you have thought about language learning out loud, Duolingo would have been the first name you hear.

This is the most well-known language app to dive into learning Japanese and learn beginner’s level. You can do this by just spending a few minutes from your busy schedule and on the move.

It has perfected the gamified teaching technique with 100s of modules and lessons. From writing systems and pronunciation to vocabulary and sentence structure, you have many tiny-sized studies to understand the basics of Japanese.

It is suited for studying Japanese words, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji through flash card-style quizzes and MCQs. Still, there is not much that it provides in its grammatical courses.

Pricing: Duolingo is 100% free but works on the freemium model. With the Plus plan, you’ll have access to unlimited mistakes, offline lessons and track your progress. It costs $6.99/month, but it’s not worth it.

You can check my full Duolingo review.

3. JapanesePod 101 — Study through Audios and Videos

JapanesePod101 by Innovative Language is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic apps for learning Japanese. Content is abundant for Japanese learners.

It teaches grammar, pronunciation, and reading through podcast-styled audio sessions. Plus, vocabulary through flashcards.

Real-life Japanese discussions with native speakers are featured in each course. The hosts will next deconstruct the conversation’s syntax and vocabulary (including any slang, if applicable).

Audio transcripts and cultural information are also supplied, so you may read along or study afterward.

Pricing: Besides a free plan, you have basic, premium, and premium+. The main difference between the two premium options is that 1-on-1 learning is through a teacher. The price ranges from $8 to $47. And if you go for a longer duration, like 6, 12, or 24 months, you can save 20% to 60%.

4. LingoDeer — Online language app for Japanese

Available on Android, iOS, and Web, they meticulously designed Japanese courses on LingoDeer to include vocabulary lessons, ample explanations of grammatical topics, and contextual conversations.

This resource for beginners to advanced students teaches Japanese language and grammar in a step-by-step format that builds on what you already know.

While the heart of LingoDeer is based on traveling through units of lessons, the app also includes flashcards, tales, phrasebooks, and other learning tools. The HD audio and engaging stories are extra perks.

An extension of LingoDeer is LingoDeer+. Using interactive games, you learn grammar rules and unknown terms. Detailed answers also enhanced LingoDeer+.

Pricing: It has a generous free plan with Katakana, Hiragana, and 1000s of common phrases. If you want more, try premium, which has all lessons for N5-N3 grammar and vocabulary. It costs $14.99/Mo, $39.99/3 months, and $79.99/year. You can also buy a lifetime membership for $159.99.

5. HelloTalk — A language exchange app

In contrast to other language learning apps, HelloTalk, a China-based app, specializes in language exchange. With 150 languages and 30 million members, it is the most widespread language interaction app.

HelloTalk functions similarly to social networking sites: You create a profile and select the language you’re learning and your level.

After that, you may look for native Japanese speakers from around the world! You can practice Japanese by talking to them, who will correct your mistakes, give advice, and help you with your pronunciation.

Many tools are available, like a search for learners, corrections, translation, transliteration, and text-to-voice. They all contribute to your learning success.

HelloTalk is worth your time but doesn’t teach you a language. You’re also at the mercy of others.

Pricing: The free plan is ok for most learners. For more features, upgrade to VIP, which I don’t recommend. It is $6.99/month, $45.99/year, and $175/lifetime. Costs vary based on location and offer discounts all the time.

Here is my complete HelloTalk review.

6. FluentU – Japanese immersion via Videos

In FluentU, real-world videos combine with interactive subtitles to create an immersive learning experience. As a result, it helps you improve your target language, including Japanese.

Japanese music videos, advertisements, movie trailers, news, and more. The videos feature Japanese subtitles and English translations.

After seeing each video, you’ll be able to take a quiz to practice and make personalized flashcards. It emphasizes vocabulary learning in context and experiential learning.

The FluentU video app is available for iOS, Android, and the web and delivers videos in nine languages. The content is for all levels; you can even use audio dialogues or download them for offline listening.

Pricing: You can select $29.99/month or $239.99/year. Before purchasing the paid plan, you can take a 14-day free trial.

7. LingQ — interactive Japanese language app

It is also worth considering LingQ as a Japanese learning app. With this program, you will listen to audio and read the text in Japanese.

LingQ allows you to learn Japanese by listening to, watching, and reading the information you are interested in. This strategy enables you to know in context while also assisting you in remembering what you’ve learned.

For future study, you can mark terms you don’t know yet as you advance through lessons. We can save these to your flashcard deck for later review.

You may select various hobbies and subjects, which LingQ will turn into interactive courses. After you’ve chosen your ability level, you may browse their library of podcasts, stories, and other content.

Pricing: The free LingQ includes basic lessons and features. Premium and Premium Plus are the two types of paid membership. The cost ranges from $7.99 to $39.99 for one month, based on the selected plan and period.

8. Renshuu — Nihongo learning Tool

The Renshuu app is quite fascinating. You can measure your progress by looking at detailed explanations of grammar, phrases, words, kanji, and other topics.

Renshuu’s primary advantage is its variety. For instance, you may change the settings on your flashcards or do a crossword problem to keep things interesting.

This Japanese app offers dozens of practical learning lists, but you may create your own if you prefer. You can even play various games, including crossword puzzles!

Pricing: The free version of Renshuu is complete. They also have a Pro subscription plan like a 1-month for $6.99, 1-year for $49.99, and a lifetime for $109.99.

9. Obenkyo — Learn Japanese characters

Obenkyo has easy and organized courses that will take you through all the foundations of Japanese. You have everything from Hiragana and Katakana to vocabulary and particles.

It covers Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana to students of various levels, from the beginner Japanese proficiency test.

Obenkyo uses multiple-choice quizzes and handwriting exams to assess your writing abilities. It also boasts powerful handwriting and drawing recognition system that not only corrects your form but also evaluates the order of your strokes.

Pricing: Obenkyo is 100% free, though it shows ads.

10. Takoboto — Japanese language dictionary

Using Takoboto, you can discover the Japanese language through a Japanese/English and vice-verse dictionary. They have various categories based on topics, difficulty, and JLPT levels.

Takoboto’s offline capability lets you search for Japanese terms anytime and wherever you choose. It includes nearly 200,000 entries, all of which are translated into English.

You may use kana, kanji, romaji, the English alphabet, or even your voice to search for words. There are additional examples of phrases, sentences, and conjugated forms.

You may check up not just single words but also phrases and grammar rules.

Pricing: Besides the free version, they have a paid option. It costs USD 3.90/month, USD 29/year, and USD 99/lifetime for a one-time fee.

11. Imiwa? – A free Japanese dictionary

Imiwa? is a robust dictionary with over 170,000 Japanese entries and related English translations. It allows you to search using kanji, kana, or romaji.

Many of these entries have French, German, and Russian translations. The app also suggests conjugations and lets you quickly transition between neutral and polite versions.

You can access all kinds of sentences and understand the context. You can also track your recent activities and build your own vocabulary lists.

That is the crucial element of Imiwa? Yet, it has extensive kanji information and practice. Currently, it only supports iPhone & iPad support.

Pricing: Imiwa? is a 100% free Japanese dictionary Apple app.

12. Busuu — All-in-one Japanese language app

Busuu’s Japanese lessons are organized, complete, and efficient. This makes it one of the most user-friendly apps for learning Japanese.

This includes lessons on reading and writing Hiragana and Katakana and teaches new words, grammar rules, and sentence formation. It begins with the basics and continues to more advanced levels.

Busuu’s Japanese classes are systematized and tailored to your specific needs. It’s worth checking out the function of the conversation. It offers interactive lessons to help you improve your speaking and listening skills.

The effective AI-based grammar review, social community, exciting lessons, and well-customized Japanese course are worth trying.

Pricing: Bussu’s free plan has only a few features and lessons. For an annual payment, there are two subscriptions — €5.83/month (premium) and €6.66/month (premium plus). The cost will go up and down if you go monthly or biannually.

Here is my full Busuu review.

13. Waygo — Japanese Translator app

It becomes your go-to app as you learn to read and write Japanese. It instantly translates from Japanese to English.

First, take a picture of any characters like food items and traffic signs you don’t recognize on your phone. And then use the app to look up the English equivalent.

You can then listen to the pronunciation and learn the word or alphabet. Are you planning a vacation in Japan? Then, it will come in handy for translating menus, signage, and anything else you could see while there.

Pricing: Waygo is a 100% app on Android and iOS.

14. Pimsleur — Learning through audios

Pimsleur is not like any other Japanese language learning app. Instead, it is a time-tested technique and practical approach to teaching you the language of your choice through audio.

The audios and other tools help you in speaking and listening parts, the two most critical language abilities. You hear unfamiliar words, phrases, and sentences at growing intervals. And they recall again and again for longer than the last time.

The Japanese course’s 30-minute audio helps you think and speak in Japanese. The method also gives many possibilities to listen and practice by repeating sentences and answering questions vocally.

Learners start with basic day-to-day salutations, words, and sentences. Then, it gradually progresses to the intermediate and lower advanced speaking and listening section. It also has Kana and Kanji reading tasks.

Pricing: Two options are available: audio-only and premium, including audio and some extra features. For $150, you have 30 Japanese lessons, and for $575, you get all 5 levels (150 tracks). There is also a monthly option of $14.95. The cost is a little complex and pricey, but totally worth it!

Here is my complete Pimsleur review.

15. Pocket Colony — Learn Japanese through games

Pocket Colony is more like a game where you build little avatars known as “Pockatars” who dwell in virtual worlds.

It is trendy in Japan. In the virtual world, you go on adventures, play games, dress the characters, and even create your own house. You can learn tons of Kanji and how it sounds in a real-life setting.

It’s a terrific method to immerse yourself in the language without feeling locked in a classroom. The Japanese interface will also help you improve your reading abilities.

Pricing: The Pocket Colony app is free to download, play, and use.

16. iTalki — 1-to-1 Online Japanese teaching website

iTalki is clearly one of the most known websites to teach language online. It is a great place to learn Japanese with thousands of 1-to-1 Japanese teachers and tutors.

You can learn Japanese anywhere and any time, and you can save a lot of time and money.

As an incentive, the fees are reasonable. Hence, finding many educators within your budget is much easier. Even so, there are still high-charging experienced teachers out there.

There are various Japanese classes to choose from. It includes JLPT preparation, conversational, and tailored to your specific needs. You can also interact with learners worldwide on the website.

Pricing: Unlike other online tutoring apps, iTalki does not have a set price. Trainers can charge hourly fees per their profile, expertise, and assignments. Typically, it runs between $8 and $30 per hour.

17. Anki — A flashcard to practice Japanese words

Anki is an open-source and free flashcard software with many features to help you learn Japanese on any device with Anki installed.

Anki allows you to categorize your vocabulary lists, grammar, and even kanji into various flashcard decks. It ranges from standard flip-and-reveal to filling in the gaps with the proper answer.

Thousands of high-quality and flexible Japanese flashcard decks are available in the app. In addition, you can download any user-created decks to take your Japanese to a higher level.

It uses a Spaced Repetition System to estimate your knowledge of a word. This process ensures that our mind etches vocabulary words permanently into our mind.

Pricing: You can use Ankit desktop, AnkiWeb, and Ankimobile android flashcards for free, but iOS is paid and costs $25.

18. Memrise — A comprehensive flashcards app

Memrise is an innovative and widespread language learning platform that delivers courses in diverse languages, including Japanese. It is an ideal app for elementary-level and casual learners.

The UI is incredibly user-friendly. All users can access the app’s essential functions and science-based learning tools.

While there are no grammar lessons, you have 100s of courses and 1000s of words, phrases, and native audio and video clips. All this ensures you have enough on your plate to explore deep into all about Japanese language.

Memrise app tracks the time you study and how often you answer correctly or incorrectly. Then, it uses an SRS (spaced repetition system) to ask questions to help you practice and keep all you have studied.

Pricing: Memrise offers most features for free. Try Pro if you want extra bonuses like removing ads, access to everything, and a huge video library of native speakers. It costs $8.49/month, $29.99/annual, and $119.99 for lifetime use. Does it really pay off? Since free is enough, I believe not.

Check out my complete Memrise review.

19. Kanji Senpai for vocabulary and Kanji

You can learn Japanese words and Kanji with the Kanji Senpai app. This covers the reading, writing, and listening parts of the language.

Kanji Senpai includes characters that will appear on all levels of the JLPT from N5 to N1 and NAT examination Q1 to Q5. Further, it provides a variety of strategies to understand them.

Because of the app’s SRS technique, the characters will reappear at a later stage of the course. This guarantees that you don’t forget what you’ve learned.

You can create daily objectives and track how much and how often you study with the app’s fascinating statistics. It also checks the stroke for its rightness. Currently, it is only available on Android and not Apple.

Pricing: The vocabulary list is free, but audio packs are required to get some extra features. It costs a few US dollars.

20. Mondly — Learn Japanese Online

With Mondly, you can learn how to read and write Japanese in a fun way.

It teaches hundreds of small lessons through gamification. Greetings, everyday phrases, and complex sentences are all included.

Japanese, a character-based language, requires a lot of attention and interest. Thankfully, Mondly enables learners to practice without being bored.

Pricing: Mondly has a free plan with limited lessons. One language costs $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Sometimes, they offer lifetime memberships for the entire 41 languages for $50 to $100.

21. Speechling — App to learn to speak Japanese

With Speechling, users can improve their grammar, word choice, and accent with the help of native speakers. Natural conversation fluency is the app’s primary goal.

Before recording your own repeat of a word or phrase, you can listen to the native speaker articulate it.

Speechling encourages you to take your Japanese listening and speaking ability to the next level. You can track your improvement. And practice and even get certified trainers’ free feedback on your pronunciation.

Pricing: You can access the entire curriculum and other features for free. Buy Speechling Unlimited for $19.99/1 month for 1-on-1 tutoring, language switching, audio journals, and offline study materials.

22. Lingopie — Video Language Learning

Do you want to watch movies to learn Japanese?

And why not! After all, what is a better way to learn Japanese than watching entertaining cinemas, dramas, anime, and documentaries?

This is possible thanks to Lingopie. The website contains many entertaining videos to help you learn how to speak the authentic Japanese language.

You have videos for various interests and difficulty levels in many groups. For example, binge-worthy shows, top 10, new releases, about food, short films, beginners friendly, drama, anime, Japanese culture and art, etc.

The first step is to create a user account and choose a movie or TV show from among the thousands available. Then, you watch and learn Japanese with dual subtitles. Clicking on an unfamiliar word will also feed instant translations.

Finally, you can turn these collected vocabularies into a game with various language learning tools, flashcards, and word plays. Plus, viewing videos can help you improve your speaking and listening skills.

Pricing: The cost is $12/month. An annual subscription costs $67, which translates into $5.6 per month. Although Lingopie does not offer a free plan, you can always try their 7-day full access free trial.

Check out my full review of Lingopie.

23. Language Drops — Visual Japanese Studies

Language Drops has a visual and interactive UI to teach you over 2000 Japanese words.

With just five to ten minutes a day, Drops helps you will learn Japanese through their beautifully decorated, enjoyable, and lively lessons. It follows the Pareto principle, focusing on 20% to get an 80% result.

Language Drops app allows you to select the words you want to focus on and personalize your learning experience. It also offers quick correction and instant feedback.

Pricing: It costs $13.00/month, $69.99/year, and a lifetime membership for $159.99. You can also avail free demo for 7 days before paying.

24. HiNative — Q&A Japanese language forum

Students can ask questions and receive answers from native speakers using HiNative’s question-and-answer platform. You can ask for any query related to Japan and the language of the Japanese subgroup on this app.

It is possible to gain profound wisdom in natural conversational practices and fluency by learning a complex language like Japanese from local speakers. But things aren’t always organized and book-based.

Pricing: The primary features are free for everyone. You can pick either 1 month for $5.68/month or 1 year for $59.63, which equals $4.96/month.

25. Beelinguapp — Japanese through audios

Using Beelinguapp, you can read and listen to audiobooks and music in two languages while viewing text on the screen. As you read, the Japanese language appears next to the English text.

You don’t have to memorize vocabulary with Beelinguapp. Instead, read short stories, novels, popular kids’ books, and other works in your native tongue and Japanese.

This reading app can cross-reference easily and confirm you understand the text. This is one of the best Japanese reading apps available.

Pricing: For free, you can listen, read, and practice words with flashcards and a glossary. $5-$7 is for a month. Annual and lifetime are reasonable.

26. Rosetta Stone — One-stop Japanese learning app

Language learning apps such as Rosetta Stone are popular. It uses its old conversational approach to help you practice speaking the language.

Through bite-sized lessons, they cover a range of vocabulary, grammar, and other aspects of the language. It inspires you to immerse yourself in real-life situations.

In addition to practicing listening and characters, Rosetta Stone, for the Japanese language, gives instant feedback to sweeten pronunciation.

Pricing: Subscriptions are required for Rosetta Stone. For 3 months, the price is $35.97, and for 6 months, it is $95.88. So if you want to have all languages for life, it costs $179.

27. LinGo Play — Learn by flashcards and Games

Language learning through games is the focus of LinGo Play. You can study grammar and vocabulary studies from novice to advanced with interactive flashcards.

The app introduces thousands of new Japanese words and phrases. In the end, you can make hundreds of sentences in diverse scenarios. The leaderboards also allow you to track your headway.

Pricing: LinGo Play has several offers. E.g., a free trial of 7 days, a paid trial of 1 month, a monthly subscription, and a half-yearly subscription.

28. uTalk — Learn Japanese through Visuals

Another app for learning Japanese is uTalk. Thousands of words and phrases covering many topics are available to help you learn Japanese or use them in everyday life.

You can also practice speaking and compare your pronunciation with native speakers. You can also play intuitive games in the uTalk app to enhance your learning experience.

Pricing: uTalk is inexpensive. The cost is $5 for 1 month, $18 for 6 months, and $25 for 1 year. The charges also differ from one country to another!

29. Learn Japanese — Beginners app and Translator

Learn Japanese Phrases app has thousands of well-known words and terms for beginner learners. They divided the vocabulary into several parts, like eating, holiday, movies, etc.

You do not need to guess how it sounds as it allows you to hear the exact pronunciation. You can also make it slow to listen to it more slowly.

Audios have Japanese native speakers to get a real learning experience and even articulate and compare how accurate you are.

Pricing: While Learn Japanese app is free, there is an In-App purchase at $4.99 for the full version.

30. Ameba — Immersion-based Japanese learning

A known Japanese blogging site is the Ameba. This app allows you to stay up to date on your favorite J-pop, celebrity, fashion idols, and video games.

The entire interface of Ameba is in Japanese. Therefore, you can improve your language skills by exploring everything in Japanese. Further, since you aren’t a native, you can ask others to help you correct your mistakes. All this can help if you are looking for opportunities to teach English in Japan.

You can read, write, listen, interact, share, discuss, make friends, and learn — everything in Japanese. You will also learn various dialects and informal Japanese.

Pricing: Ameba is 100% free on Android and iOS, but some advanced blogging-related features are paid.

31. Easy Japanese News

Easy Japanese News app is one of the best reading apps to learn Japanese. To make reading more accessible, it uses simple Japanese with Furigana.

NHK, CNN, TBS, and Asahi are just some top news sources that this website combines into one app. As an outcome, staying up-to-date on Japanese current events is easier.

The app also helps Japanese learners. For example, search for the meaning with a click, listen to podcasts and watch videos. This helps if you aim to take the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test as you get proper guidance and support.

Pricing: As you’d expect, Easy Japanese News is free to use.

32. Japanese Kanji Tree App

This is probably the best Japanese app to learn Kanji. It also offers some perks, like sound effects, speech, and tools to improve recognition.

By upgrading to Pro, you can create user-defined study lists based on difficulty and JLPT levels. The app also explains and shows Kanji stroke orders, making it simple to understand.

You can also decide the speed. Learning new material or revisiting existing material via reading and writing is also a plus for the Japanese Kanji Tree.

Pricing: It is free to use. But if you want additional features, you can purchase the Pro version for $5.49.

33. JA Sensei for Android

JA Sensei is an all-inclusive Japanese app that covers beginners and intermediate levels. It focuses on all 4 aspects of the language — reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

The app helps you learn hiragana, katakana, kanji, grammar, and words. You can also track and improve your Japanese language skills with intelligent progress tracking.

The content related to the culture and customs of Japan is just the icing on the cake.

Pricing: It is free to use, though it has some optional features through In-app purchases.

34. Renzo — An app for Japanese example sentences

With Renzo, you can search for over 175,000 Japanese terms and 58,000 example sentences. The app has top-notch segments like handwriting recognition, text reader, and conjugation search.

With easy-to-understand flashcards, text-to-speech for learning the pronunciation of unknown words, and mastering JLPT, it has many tools to help you learn Japanese.

When you search for anything, you see relevant and valuable results. It is available on both Google and Apple stores, though the iOS version is more feature-rich.

Pricing: Renzo is 100% Free

Final Words: How to choose the best apps to learn Japanese

Selecting the best Japanese learning app depends on the individual.

Suppose you just want to learn basic conversation to visit Japan. In that case, a basic vocabulary and phrasebook app might be all you need.

What if you want to learn Japanese for careers? Or Perhaps, divide deep into everything Japan?

Then, you need apps that can take you to an advanced level or help you equip for higher level JLPT like N2. Also, apps that enter immersion mode cover all aspects like speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

While I have listed many free, freemium, and paid-only platforms, you can start with a few free ones. Then, check if it is available on your devices, such as Apple Mac, Laptop, Android, or iOS.

Once you like and have a wonderful experience with any app, you may feel you need extra features. Then, you can consider upgrading to a subscription-based of your chosen apps.

And remember, no single app can replace an experienced Japanese tutor or language school. At best, it can supplement and help you achieve your fluency in the Japanese language.

There is an endless list of the best language learning apps to choose from. Yet, the above one is good and has often worked for most. So, pick the one that suits you the most.

Do you have any suggestions on missed-out valuable apps for learning Japanese or questions? Share your thoughts in the comments.

4 Comments

Shannon

November 27, 2022 / 3:21 AM Reply

I read this article to help with a writing class report. I am researching why Japanese Language Learning Apps don’t work to learn Japanese fully. I really enjoyed reading this article and it provided me with some very helpful directions on where to go from here. I am wondering though what the author’s opinion is on apps such as WaniKani and KawaiiNihongo.
- Vikash Gupta
  
  November 29, 2022 / 11:57 AM Reply
  
  I haven’t checked these two apps, but surely look over it going forward.
Yuri

November 4, 2023 / 12:07 PM Reply

Hello Vikash, nice list!

I like Wanikani and Satori Reader a lot. Would you be interested in testing Kaiwakai? It’s a tool to practice speaking using AI. Let me know, would be amazing to have your feedback!
- Vikash Gupta
  
  February 6, 2024 / 9:23 PM Reply
  
  Sure, will check out!

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