Whether it’s for personal travel, business or family connections, you’ve decided you want to learn to speak Japanese online. So, how do you know who offers the best Japanese learning software? Have no fear, we have done our research and tested over 50 apps. The following are our top 10 picks for the best Japanese language-learning programs (and one bonus, for luck).
Contents
- 1. JapanesePod101
- 2. Olly Richard's Japanese Uncovered
- 3. Pimsleur Japanese
- 4. Anki
- 5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese for iPhone
- 6. Lang-8’s HiNative-Language Learning
- 7. Duolingo Japanese
- 8. WaniKani
- 9. LingoDeer Japanese
- 10. Memrise
- 11. Rocket Japanese
- The Best Japanese Learning Software: Final Thoughts
1. JapanesePod101
JapanesePod101 offers over 10,000 hours of videos and podcast lessons to teach you to speak Japanese. You will find grammar lessons, cultural lessons, and the latest Japanese news and events.
There are four subscription levels from $4 to $47 per month. There is also a free subscription which offers a lot of material. You can also find coupon codes to discount the monthly cost.
Pros
- Tons of learning content
- Useful Learning Tools
- Grammar and culture lessons
- English is phased out in advanced lessons
Cons
- Lacking in speaking practice
- Quite expensive
- Better methods out there for learning Kanji
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2. Olly Richard's Japanese Uncovered
This is a new addition to our list in 2021, as we hadn’t tried this course until recently. Japanese Uncovered is a beginner Japanese course (intermediate also available) created by Olly Richards, a polyglot who believes in the power of story to learn a language.
Our editors recommend this as one of the most entertaining and effective structured courses for learning beginner Japanese.
Pros
- Comprensive course covering everything from speaking to grammar
- Ties everything together through an enjoyable story
- Gradually increases in difficulty
Cons
- Lack of additional learning tools (like flashcards and voice-recording tools)
- Lessons can be drawn out
- Expensive
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3. Pimsleur Japanese
Pimsleur Japanese uses four key principles put together by Dr. Paul Pimsleur with the belief that you learn a foreign language best when you learn it like you did your native language—by listening and repeating. These principles include focusing only on core vocabulary words, optimally-timed repetition, the principle of anticipation and organic learning (as mentioned).
Pimsleur is $14.95 each month you choose to use it. You can upgrade to Premium features for $19.95 per month. These features will include more, but not extensive, emphasis on writing and grammar.
Pros
- All lessons are 30 minutes or less
- Audio-only lessons can be accessed anywhere
- All vocabulary taught is useful
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Lacking grammar explanations
- One of the most expensive programs
- Lessons can be boring
- No writing or reading lessons
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4. Anki
Anki is an app available for smartphones and desktops. It consists of spaced-repetition flashcards designed to help you memorize kanji and Japanese vocabulary. Spaced repetition introduces new words at varying intervals that are optimized for memorization. After each flashcard, you determine whether it was easy, medium or difficult. You will see your difficult cards more often until they become easy.
Anki is a free download for Android devices and $24.99 for iOS devices. With the ability to import your own cards from textbooks and even JLPT lists, it is well worth the money.
Pros
- Anki’s algorhythm enhances memorization
- Useful learning tool
- Can make your own flashcards
Cons
- Not a complete language program
- Does not offer grammar explanations
- Difficult to write characters
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5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese for iPhone
Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese is a book based on the principle that Japanese simply cannot be taught in English. It has been converted into a mobile app for easy access and covers grammar in-depth along with vocabulary with kanji and hiragana and katakana with content that his relevant and interesting.
You can purchase the book or use the desktop version or app for free or donation if you choose.
Pros
- The most comprehensive covering of Japanese grammar
- Variety of tools, books, videos to assist in learning
- Listening, speaking, writing and reading practice
- Now available in iOS and Android
Cons
- Not much audio/video content
- Some type mistakes
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6. Lang-8’s HiNative-Language Learning
Lang-8 is unlike most other language-learning programs in that is is basically a social blogging sight in which you post and comment with others speaking Japanese. Native speakers proofread and correct your text for you. An absolute beginner might have trouble jumping right in, but it is a great way to get authentic, native dialogue going and possibly even make friends. Lang-8 is easy to use and you can sort blog entries by language or topic.
Pros
- Native speakers help correct Japanese
- Easy to use interface
- Fun way to study and make friends
- Ideal supplemental learning tool
Cons
- Brand-new users will have trouble jumping in
- No direct language lessons
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7. Duolingo Japanese
Duolingo Japanese is a fun and motivating way to learn Japanese. It is designed to feel like a game complete with level-ups and rewards. On the flip side, you will also find that you lose “lives” and cannot always proceed when you get something wrong. Duolingo is excellent at motivation and introducing hiragana, katakana, kanji and romaji right from the beginning.
It offers little, if any, grammar explanations and introduces new phrases and topics quite fast for beginners. Duolingo is free as an app or desktop version with Premium features for $9.95 per month.
Pros
- Highly motivating and fun
- Useful phrases
- Includes hiragana, katakana, kanji and romaji
Cons
- Little grammar and writing
- Moves quickly for beginners
- Some translations are inaccurate/confusing
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8. WaniKani
WaniKani uses mnemonics to teach you radicals, the building blocks of Kanji. All words come from the official kanji guide put forth by the Japanese Ministry of Education and are useful in everyday communication. It uses spaced repetition flash cards to help you memorize radicals, kanji and vocabulary words.
WaniKani is free to try for the first three lessons and then there is a small monthly charge. It is also highly recommended that you have a good understanding of hiragana and katakana prior to starting this program.
Pros
- Uses mnemonics for memorizing
- Words learned from the Japanese Ministry of Education
- Teaches radicals to learn kanji
- Example sentences for vocabulary
Cons
- Should know hiragana and katakana beforehand
- Not a grammar program
- Cannot go back and retake levels
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9. LingoDeer Japanese
LingoDeer Japanese is another game-like way to learn to speak Japanese. It claims to have you learning to speak Japanese from your very first day. Using a building-block approach, LingoDeer slowly adds to what you’ve learned in previous levels. It uses audio from native Japanese speakers and integrates culture and grammar into each lesson.
LingoDeer costs $11.99 per month, but you can purchase lifetime access for a one-time purchase of $99.99. There are also three-month and yearly subscription levels.
Pros
- Fun and motivating game-like app
- Heavy focus on pronunciation
- Grammar tips and notes within lessons
Cons
- Lack of speaking practice
- Not a well-structured course
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10. Memrise
Memrise uses a three-step approach to learning Japanese based upon how you learned your native language. First, it uses real-life scenarios to keep lessons interesting. Next, you are immersed in video and audio lessons from native speakers. Finally, you practice speaking. Memrise’s smart learning engine automatically adapts to each learner.
Memrise Japanese offers both a free version and a PRO version. The PRO version is $129.99 for a lifetime membership or you can purchase monthly or yearly access. Upgrading to the PRO version will yield you the ability to converse with chatbots, adaptive technology and access to your learning statistics.
Pros
- Great content for beginners
- Customization options
- Interesting content and visually appealing
- Native speakers supply information for lessons
Cons
- No structure to learning format
- Absolute beginners may get confused
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11. Rocket Japanese
Rocket Japanese is an extensive program designed to take you all the way to Japanese fluency. Based mostly upon interactive audio lessons, you will encounter comprehensive explanations of grammar and pronunciation.
Rocket Japanese is different from other programs in that you purchase your lessons instead of monthly subscriptions. There are a total of three lessons designed to take you from absolute beginner to advanced speaker. You have the option of purchasing one, two or all three lessons for a one-time fee—anywhere from $99.95 to $259.90.
Pros
- Extensive language-learning program
- Customized learning
- Quick lessons
- Plenty of speaking activities
Cons
- Sometimes technical difficulties with microphone
- Lengthy, unnecessary explanations
- Confusion when beginning lessons
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The Best Japanese Learning Software: Final Thoughts
Every person has a different learning style and focus in their language study. That said, whether you’re looking for an extensive Japanese course, a kanji learning app, a supplemental app for a more extensive course, we think you will find it in this list!
Our Editorial Team is a group of language learning enthusiasts who are passionate about testing new apps and finding the best ways to learn a language.