Kaitaku
Kaitaku: A focused iPhone course with free N5 study and a one-time upgrade for N4 and future levels. Ranked #55 of 63 in Japanese Learning Apps by our editors (3.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for JLPT beginners seeking low-cost structured study.
At a glance
- Editor score3.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forJLPT beginners seeking low-cost structured study
- Free planYes
- Paid from$9.99 one-time
- Study focusBalanced
- Facts checked22 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- A complete JLPT N5 path is free and works offline.
- Handwriting practice scores strokes; FSRS schedules review sessions.
- Includes a 22,610-word dictionary and fourteen reference pages.
Where it doesn't
- Available only on iPhone.
- Speaking practice is not included.
- Paid access currently centers on N4, with later levels dependent on release.
Our verdict on Kaitaku
Starting from kana, Kaitaku guides learners through vocabulary, kanji, particles and verb forms on a structured path toward JLPT N5. It is aimed at beginners who want organized study rather than a broad language-learning toolkit. The complete N5 course is free, and the app works offline without an account or ads. Its balanced mix of reading and writing practice makes it a fit for learners who want a curriculum and review routine in one place.
Writing practice is a notable part of the course: guided exercises provide stroke-by-stroke scoring. FSRS schedules spaced-repetition reviews, while a 22,610-word Japanese dictionary and fourteen reference pages provide lookup support. Together, these features support independent study, but speaking practice is not part of the offering. Learners whose priority is spoken conversation should consider an app with speaking exercises instead.
The paid option, Everything past N5, is a $9.99 one-time purchase for the N4 course, future levels as they ship, and Family Sharing. The N5 path remains free, so beginners can start without paying and decide later whether the next level suits them. Kaitaku is currently described as iPhone-only, and its website says it is taking beta invites before its App Store launch. Choose it for low-cost, offline N5 study with handwriting and review tools; look elsewhere if you need Android access or speaking practice.
Your product? Our editors can test Kaitaku in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Kaitaku pricing
All 2 Kaitaku plans and prices →
Kaitaku fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $9.99 one-time |
| Study focus | Balanced |
| Speaking practice | No |
| Writing practice | Yes |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Platforms | iOS |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS |
| Support | |
| Built for | Solo (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | kaitaku.app |
| Facts checked | 22 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to Kaitaku
- DuolingoA broad free Japanese course with placement, personalized review, stories, and mobile access.9.4
- IRODORI Japanese Online CourseA free, self-paced Japanese course focused on everyday life and work in Japan.9.3
- Marugoto Japanese Online CourseInteractive Japanese self-study with tutor-supported courses, live lessons, and assignment correction.9.2
See all Kaitaku alternatives →
Used Kaitaku? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Kaitaku for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Kaitaku is listed in our Japanese Learning Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/kaitaku/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/kaitaku.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update