Anki

Free + paid optionsFlashcards & SRSapps.ankiweb.net

Best for: Long-term review of vocab and kanji

Overview

Open-source spaced repetition flashcard program and the most widely used SRS tool among Japanese learners. Use shared decks or build your own, with audio, images and custom card layouts. On Android it's called AnkiDroid (free); on iPhone, AnkiMobile (one-time purchase). All sync through free AnkiWeb.

Strengths

  • Highly customisable
  • Huge library of shared decks
  • Syncs across devices

Drawbacks

  • Steep learning curve for setup

Alternatives to Anki

See all 6 →

Kanji Study

Daily kanji practice on your phone
BeginnerIntermediate
Free + paid options

Android app for learning kanji, with stroke-order writing practice, flashcards, multiple-choice quizzes and spaced repetition, plus kanji and word search. The beginner kanji, radicals and kana are free with no ads; a one-time purchase unlocks the remaining kanji and custom study sets.

Android
Visit ↗

Kaishi 1.5k

Your first 1,500 words, right after kana
Beginner
Free

Free Anki deck of the 1,500 most useful beginner words. Each card shows the word inside an example sentence with it highlighted, plus the reading, meaning, and audio for both word and sentence; pitch accent can be switched on. Download it from AnkiWeb or GitHub.

Kanji Dojo

Kanji writing practice on your phone
BeginnerIntermediate
Free

Free, open-source app for practising kana and kanji writing and reading, with stroke-order practice, flashcards and spaced repetition. Study by JLPT level, school grade or WaniKani level.

AndroidiOS
Visit ↗