Learn Kanji vs Other Japanese Learning Apps: Complete Comparison
Choosing the right Kanji app matters—the wrong one can waste months. Here's how Learn Kanji stacks up against competitors.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Learn Kanji | WaniKani | Kanji Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $9/month | Free (limited) |
| Kanji Covered | JLPT N5-N2 (~1,000 characters) | JLPT N5-N1 (~2,000 characters) | JLPT N5-N3 (~650 characters) |
| Spaced Repetition | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Good |
| Stroke Order | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Example Sentences | ✓ Yes | ✓ Extensive | ✓ Limited |
| Offline Use | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Detailed Breakdown
Learn Kanji: The Balanced Choice
Best for: Structured JLPT learners who want spaced repetition without commitment or cost.
- ✓ Free and no ads
- ✓ Covers N5-N2 efficiently
- ✓ Works offline
- ✗ Fewer example sentences than WaniKani
- ✗ No radical system (faster but less conceptual depth)
WaniKani: The Premium Choice
Best for: Learners who want the deepest, most comprehensive system and don't mind paying.
- ✓ Covers N5-N1 (complete—roughly 2,000 characters, matching the full Jōyō kanji list used in Japanese schools and government publications, which currently totals 2,136 characters)
- ✓ Radical-based system teaches WHY characters look the way they do
- ✓ Extensive example sentences and context
- ✗ $9/month adds up ($108/year)
- ✗ Requires internet connection
- ✗ Slower progression (intentionally spaced out over months)
Kanji Master: The Lightweight Option
Best for: Casual learners who want a basic free app.
- ✓ Free
- ✓ Simple interface
- ✗ No stroke order guidance
- ✗ Limited example sentences
- ✗ Weaker spaced repetition algorithm
Which Should You Choose?
- Budget: $0 → Learn Kanji (free, offline, JLPT-focused)
- Want deepest understanding → WaniKani (radical system, extensive examples)
- Casual learner → Kanji Master (simple but limited)
- Serious JLPT prep → Learn Kanji (efficient path to N2)
The Real Difference: Commitment
The best app is the one you'll use consistently. Learn Kanji removes barriers (cost, internet, complexity), making daily practice easier to sustain. Consistency matters more than any single app's feature list: a 2006 quantitative synthesis of memory research by Cepeda, Pashler, Vul, Wixted, and Rohrer found spaced, regular practice outperformed massed cramming in 259 of 271 studied comparisons (Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380)—so whichever app you pick, showing up daily beats any single feature.
Sources
- Cepeda, N.J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J.T., Rohrer, D. (2006). "Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis." Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380.
- JLPTsensei.com, JLPT N5–N1 Kanji Lists.
- Jōyō kanji list, Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-chō), 2010 revision (2,136 characters).
Ready to master Kanji?