Japanese is said to be one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn, which is why it's a good idea to use a quality app to keep you motivated.
We'll introduce some of the best apps for studying Japanese, including flashcard apps, apps specific to kanji, and more.
1. Quizlet
Quizlet is primarily a flashcard app that's great for reviewing Japanese vocabulary and kanji. Unlike some of the other apps on our list, there's no Japanese content; you'll need to add terms yourself.
However, you can search for Japanese study sets that others have created. Quizlet has common Japanese textbooks like Genki, Nakama, and Soumatome, all with user-created study sets available for you to use for free.
That said, creating your own study sets in Quizlet can be a great way to personalize your Japanese learning. Quizlet is best used alongside a Japanese textbook or in conjunction with another app on our list.
Quizlet's basic features are free to use. However, if you're interested in its paid features, you can try Quizlet Plus free for seven days. After the trial ends, the app is available for $35.99/year or $7.99/month.
Download: Quizlet for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free trial available)
2. Duolingo
Duolingo makes language learning feel like a game and is perfect for new Japanese learners. When studying Japanese with the Duolingo app, you can learn hiragana, katakana, kanji, vocabulary, and grammar. It's easily the most user-friendly app on our list, with eye-catching graphics, cute animations, and fun characters to keep you motivated.
Duolingo is one of many apps that have embraced gamification for productivity, time management, and of course, language learning. By offering rewards for login streaks and daily quests, Duolingo is making the most of the world's love for games. If you're intimidated by the idea of learning Japanese, Duolingo's fun interface will make you feel at ease.
The app is free to download and use, but if you want to eliminate ads and gain access to other perks, you can try Super Duolingo for $6.99/month.
Download: Duolingo for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
3. AnkiMobile/AnkiDroid
AnkiMobile for iPhone and AnkiDroid for Android devices are companion apps to Anki, a free, open-source computer program. Anki is an "intelligent" flashcard application and is beloved by serious learners in the Japanese learning community.
Anki is similar to Quizlet, but the former uses a sophisticated algorithm to periodically remind you to study certain flashcards just when your brain is in danger of forgetting them.
At a one-time fee of $24.99, AnkiMobile for iPhone isn't a cheap app, but every purchase helps support the free versions of Anki. AnkiDroid for Android is free because it was created by a different team of developers who used Anki's open-source code.
Anki and its companion apps can be used to study anything, not just Japanese. If you're on the fence about whether to splurge for the app, try the free Anki computer program to see if you like it.
Download: AnkiMobile for iOS ($24.99) | AnkiDroid for Android (Free)
4. italki
Listening and speaking are very important for practical Japanese, especially if you plan to visit or live in Japan. If you're looking to practice your Japanese speaking and listening skills with a native speaker, italki might be just the app for you. You can choose from over 1000 different Japanese teachers, schedule a lesson, then meet with your instructor via Zoom.
The app itself is free to use, but you'll need to pay per lesson (or purchase a slightly discounted lesson pack) after you find a Japanese teacher. Though you'll have your Japanese lessons outside in Zoom, you can use the italki app to find a teacher, book lessons, and even study through quizzes and podcasts that Japanese speakers have created.
Many Japanese teachers on the italki app actually live in Japan and have coordinated their schedules to match those of Japanese learners living overseas. Consider giving italki a try for your Japanese speaking and listening comprehension; feel free to ask your instructor for a textbook recommendation to help you study reading and writing.
Download: italki for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Memrise
Memrise is like if TikTok and Duolingo had a baby. In addition to various learning elements like flashcards and multiple choice questions, you can watch short, TikTok-style videos made by native Japanese speakers to learn grammar, vocabulary, and more.
You can also practice communicating in Japanese with an AI bot in the Memrise app. There are different scenarios you can choose from, including ordering coffee, greeting a hotel receptionist, and introducing yourself to a new coworker.
Memrise is free to download and use, but if you want to unlock all its features, you'll need a subscription that costs $8.99/month, $44.99/year (with the 50% off discounted rate), or $119.99 for a lifetime.
Download: Memrise for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
6. Tsurukame
Learning Japanese kanji can feel like an impossible task, but WaniKani, a web-based program by Tofugu, is the perfect way to learn kanji from the ground up. Since WaniKani itself doesn't have an app, free third-party apps like Tsurukame have been popping up to help learners stay on target even when they aren't near a computer.
Tsurukame is only available for iOS and iPadOS, but we'll discuss a compatible app for Android shortly.
With WaniKani, you'll learn kanji radicals and eventually kanji itself based on mnemonics (different techniques that help you memorize things easily). Tsurukame enables you to review your WaniKani lessons when you're away from a computer or even offline.
It can be hard to track what you need to study when learning a new language, but Tsurukame uses spaced repetition to optimize your learning.
Download: Tsurukame for iOS (Free)
7. Flaming Durtles (Android Only)
Flaming Durtles is the Android version of a free third-party companion app for WaniKani. Once you connect your WaniKani account to Flaming Durtles, you can study kanji right on your phone. Like Tsurukame, Flaming Durtles also offers offline support. Once you're back online, your progress will sync with your WaniKani account.
Neither Tsurukame nor Flaming Durtles is affiliated with or endorsed by WaniKani. However, WaniKani has a dedicated section on its community board for discussions about third-party apps using WaniKani's API.
Download: Flaming Durtles for Android (Free)
Learning Japanese Made Easier With These Apps
You don't need to be enrolled in a Japanese course to start (or continue) learning Japanese. With a tried and trusted flashcard app like Quizlet or Anki, you can make reviewing vocabulary a breeze. Duolingo is perfect for new Japanese learners who want to feel like they're playing a game, and Memrise will make you feel like you're watching Japanese TikToks.
On the other hand, italki is great for hiring a native Japanese speaker to talk with over Zoom, and both Tsurukame and Flaming Durtles are ideal for serious learners who want to study Japanese kanji.
In addition to all the different Japanese apps available, you can also use AI like ChatGPT to help you learn Japanese quickly and efficiently.