My "Ultimate" Language App Tier List Pt. 1 📱
Personal Insights and Recommendations With Ranking Language Learning Apps
After reading the ultimate language app tier list, Victoria came up with a brilliant suggestion to have language learners create their own tier lists for language learning apps. As someone constantly on the lookout for the perfect language study app, I thought it would be helpful to share my own experiences from the last two years or so. Why that period? It’s because that’s when I began exploring intermediate-level material a bit more seriously. However, isn’t a comprehensive list; it merely includes the apps that particularly came to mind while writing this.
A+🔝-level Apps: Anki, Nihongo 📱
⭐ Anki
Anki is a versatile application that enables users to craft their own flashcards, acquire flashcards shared by friends, or import decks from the internet. Its customization options are extensive; users have the ability to modify flashcards and adjust the spaced repetition algorithms to suit their learning pace. Additionally, the program’s functionality can be extended through a variety of community-created add-ons, allowing for a personalized experience tailored to individual preferences and study needs.
Available across multiple platforms, it’s open-source application can be downloaded for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, in addition to Android and iOS mobile devices. While Anki is free for use on all platforms, iOS users have to purchase it for $24.99, which contributes to sustaining the app's development.
Do you use Anki? How do you integrate it to your language learning routine? Are there any decks or add-ons you would recommend?
My Experience: If you fail to study consistently using Anki, you'll be faced with an overwhelming backlog of overdue flashcards that might seem impossible to overcome. Despite this, Anki flashcards are highly effective for embedding vocabulary and simple grammar rules into your long-term memory and have significantly contributed to my language learning progress.
My Anki Alternative: ⭐ Nihongo Dictionary App
Nihongo is a comprehensive language learning app featuring an extensive dictionary with over 180,000 words, 165,000 example sentences, and 6000 kanji entries. Each word is categorized by its frequency of use as common, uncommon, or rare, and users have the option to add personal notes to any dictionary entry. The app aids in distinguishing transitive from intransitive word pairs and includes kanji stroke order animations for visual learners. Pro users can enjoy additional benefits such as audio pronunciations and the photo lookup feature, which utilizes Google’s cloud OCR for high-accuracy text recognition in Japanese. Unfortunately, it is only available on MacOS and iOS. Additionally while it is free to download, the prices to purchase the pro features are as follows: $4.99 (monthly), $38.99 (yearly), and $129.99 (lifetime access).
Do you use similar apps in your target language? Have you spent money on any high-cost apps that you consider to be a valuable investment?
My Experience: Nihongo's flashcard system offers several advantages over Anki's vocabulary decks. One key benefit is that if you miss a day of study, your pending reviews do not pile up. The ability to easily add pictures to the words you encounter in the real world is very handy, and I am fond of their OCR feature. If there’s a kanji I can’t read, all I need to do is upload a photo. Additionally, finding several example sentences for the words you add in your deck is straightforward process.
A-level Apps: 📚 Bunpro, 📖 Satori Reader, 🗞 Todai Easy Japanese
⭐ Bunpro
Bunpro is a software that uses spaced repetition to assist in learning Japanese grammar and vocabulary. You can use it as a standalone grammar tool or alongside popular textbooks like Genki, Tobira and Minna no Nihongo. While it is primarily a web-based application, there are tester versions of mobile apps available for iOS and Android. However, please note that these versions may not be fully functional. While free to download there are premium subscriptions consist at $5 (monthly), $50 (yearly), and $150 (lifetime access).
Do you use SRS with you grammar studies? What have been the most effective way for you to retain the grammar points you’ve learned?
My Experience: Bunpro is an effective tool for studying Japanese grammar. It organizes grammar concepts according to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels, facilitating learning to a degree that enables comprehension in authentic texts. The program offers varied review exercises that challenge users to try out different verb conjugations and insert the correct particles, ensuring each grammar point is applied correctly within sentences. This approach provides immediate correction of common errors, aiding learners in their language acquisition. The only drawback for me is that it takes a huge chunk out of my limited daily study time. I haven’t found a decent alternative grammar app for this yet. 😫
⭐ Satori Reader
Satori Reader provides a range of 32 graded reading series, catering to different levels of difficulty. The inclusion of translations and explanatory notes in every sentence's annotations enriches your understanding of the Japanese language and the meaning of the text. There are three options available to view words: kanji, kana, or kanji with furigana, giving you the freedom to customize your experience. There is a free option with select stories, and the pro version is premium subscriptions consist at $9 (monthly) or $89 (yearly).
Do you like to shadow in your target language? Sites like Satori Reader provide the perfect shadowing opportunity.
My experience: If you're new to reading, Satori Reader a great starting point. It combines engaging stories with high-quality voice acting, making the listening experience enjoyable. The narration is clear, providing a helpful bridge from knowing basic vocabulary and phrases to engaging with authentic native material.
Thanks to the thorough explanations provided, it can also be used as a valuable tool for learning grammar. The material helps you become familiar with Japanese sentence structures and introduces new vocabulary while building on what you've already learned. As the content covers different difficulty levels, it can be used continuously as one advances. Given the slow series update, I wish there was an option for a lifetime subscription instead of having to make regular payments so I can pop in anytime I please without feeling like I’ve wasted money.
My Short Read Alternative: ⭐ Todai Easy Japanese
Todai Easy Japanese compiles news articles from various sources and topics, providing learners with extensive resources to enhance their reading experience. In addition to the articles, the pro version on the platform includes a dictionary, grammar guides, speaking and translation practice tools, and even JLPT preparation tests. With the free version, there are 10 articles available daily. The pro subscriptions are as follows: $29.99 (quarterly), $38.99 (yearly), and $51.99 (lifetime access). There are also English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese and Korean Todai apps.
Do you read news articles in your target language?
My experience: A couple of years back, I purchased a lifetime subscription for under $20 during a promotional event, and it's been great for casually reading the news. It provides a less expensive, though slightly less engaging, short reading option compared to Satori Reader.
Recently, they've added brief quizzes at the end of each article, which appear to be created by AI. The quality of these reading comprehension questions is rather dubious but I answer them anyway. Considering the cost, it's a valuable application to own.
Thanks for taking the time to check out my A-tier language learning app tier list. While it was mostly Japanese-focused, I hope my experiences and insights have given you some ideas on which kind of apps might suit your own learning styles.
Stay tuned for part 2 coming out next week, where I’ll write about apps with multiple language features, giving you even more options to consider for your language learning toolkit.
Until next time, happy studying!
Thanks for the list! I am using shirabe jisho for vocabulary (love the example sentences).
Great list of apps! I'll be coming back to this list when I get back to Japanese 😊