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Learn Japanese - for Beginners vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Learn Japanese - for Beginners's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Learn Japanese - for Beginners
This App
Learn Arabic (Beginners)
Nemesis
Learn Persian (Beginners)
Contender
Learn Hindi (Beginners)
Contender
Learn Catalan (Beginners)
Contender
Kana Town
Contender
EF Campus Connect
Peer
imiwa?
Peer
Advanced English Dictionary HD
Peer
Esperanto-English Dictionary
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperNils BernschneiderBNR LANGUAGES INC.BNR LANGUAGES INC.BNR LANGUAGES INC.BNR LANGUAGES INC.Guillaume BernardSignum International AGPierre-Phi di CostanzoJDMI Kft.FB PUBLISHING LLC
CategoryReferenceEducationEducationEducationEducationEducationEducationReferenceReferenceReference
PlatformiOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOSiOS, AndroidiOSiOS, AndroidiOS
Store Metrics
Rating4.7 / 54.6 / 54.5 / 54.8 / 55.0 / 54.7 / 53.8 / 54.8 / 54.7 / 53.5 / 5
Ratings Count54916938165762265857
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree$3.99Free
Release DateJan 24, 2020Jun 10, 2022Dec 18, 2023Sep 21, 2022Jan 9, 2026Mar 12, 2016May 17, 2022Feb 12, 2019Mar 14, 2012Mar 20, 2020
Last UpdatedMay 20, 2026May 14, 2026May 13, 2026May 14, 2026May 14, 2026Mar 25, 2018May 18, 2026Mar 14, 2021Sep 19, 2024Nov 28, 2021
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentpositivepositive-positive-excellent-excellentpositive-
Score85/10085/100-85/100-90/100-85/10075/100-
Praises
  • Accessible interface design
  • Offline functionality
-
  • Offline accessibility
  • Cost-free model
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  • Typing answers from scratch forces deeper retention compared to multiple choice alternatives
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  • Comprehensive dictionary database with offline access provides reliable utility for Japanese language learners
  • Comprehensive word definitions and etymology details provide significant educational value for language learners
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Complaints
  • Content contribution barrier
  • Lack of cloud-save
-
  • Lack of conversational practice
-
  • Application crashes during practice sessions following the latest update on specific devices
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  • Excessive application storage footprint creates significant device management friction for long-term users
  • Excessive advertisement frequency disrupts the user experience and creates friction during standard dictionary lookups
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Requests-
  • Conversational AI
-
  • Advanced grammar modules
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  • Integrated audio pronunciation for all characters to support auditory learning styles
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  • Integrated flashcard export functionality would facilitate better vocabulary retention through external study platforms
  • Parallel translation features for example sentences would assist non-native speakers in understanding context better
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Apple Intelligence integration provides personalized vocabulary sets [iOS/Market]
  • Community-contribution model reduces acquisition costs by crowdsourcing content [Segment]
  • Offline-first architecture enables usage in low-connectivity travel segments
  • 100% free content model drives high-volume user acquisition
  • Offline-first architecture enables usage in travel environments without connectivity
  • Linear curriculum lowers the barrier to entry for absolute beginners
  • Offline-first architecture enables access in low-connectivity segments
  • 100% free content model removes primary barrier to entry
  • Offline-first architecture enables usage in travel or low-connectivity environments
  • Linear curriculum structure provides a clear, low-friction path for absolute beginners
  • Keyboard-based active recall mechanism drives deeper character retention than multiple-choice rivals
  • SRS-based scheduling reduces user study-planning friction
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  • SKIP lookup method functions as a brand barrier
  • Community-vetted JMdict data provides superior depth for J-learning
  • 4.9-million-word database functions as a primary reference authority
  • Offline-first architecture ensures utility in low-connectivity segments
  • Conceptual thesaurus mapping drives repeat usage
-
Weaknesses
  • Premium tier lacks the gamified social retention loops found in nemesis apps [Metric]
  • Content-contribution model creates a high barrier for casual learners [Segment]
  • Absence of cloud-save functionality causes multi-device churn
  • Lack of AI-driven voice feedback limits pedagogical depth
  • Ad-only monetization limits revenue per user
  • Absence of interactive speaking practice creates high churn risk
  • Ad-only monetization limits revenue per user
  • Lack of AI-driven speaking feedback creates functional gap
  • Zero-revenue model limits R&D budget for AI-driven features
  • Lack of real-time voice recognition scoring prevents practical speaking confidence
  • Technical instability during practice sessions causes forced app closures
  • Lack of social leaderboards limits long-term engagement
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  • Storage footprint exceeds 1GB
  • Recent UI regressions in input fields
  • No native flashcard export
  • Ad-heavy Android experience drives 1★ friction
  • Lack of interactive learning features limits engagement
  • Pronunciation accuracy gaps force users to external competitors
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Pricingfreemiumfreefreefreefreefreefreefreefreemiumfree
MomentumActiveMaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenanceZombieIntenseZombieIntense-
Update Cadence2 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~6d avg2 versions, ~2d avg2 versions, ~2d avg2 versions, ~2d avg2 versions, ~2d avg1 versions, 1 majors/6mo5 versions1 versions5 versions-

Compare Learn Japanese - for Beginners head-to-head

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AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Learn Japanese - for Beginners, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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