Ringotan review
A focused mobile app for building Japanese character-writing skills.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Ringotan is a mobile app for learning to write Japanese characters, aimed at learners who want structured practice with kana and kanji. It includes hiragana and katakana lessons alongside approximately 3,500 kanji, including Jōyō and Jinmeiyō kanji. Written-answer input detection, spaced-repetition review, and progress tracking by kanji keep the focus on practicing and reviewing character writing rather than covering every aspect of Japanese study.
Its scope is a strength for learners who want writing practice: lessons range from beginner to advanced kanji content, and the app supports popular textbooks. Spaced review helps prompt practice, while input detection checks written answers. Ringotan is available on iOS and Android, with a mobile-only deployment. It does not include speaking practice, so learners seeking conversation work or a broader language-learning experience should pair it with another resource or choose a more balanced app.
Ringotan is freemium and has a free plan, but the published statements about the free version differ. The official website says people who download the app now keep the full version for free, while the App Store describes it as free for a limited time. That makes the current free offer worth checking on the relevant platform before relying on it. Documentation is the listed support channel. Choose Ringotan if writing Japanese characters is your priority; look elsewhere if you need speaking practice, desktop access, or a single app covering a wider range of language skills.
Ringotan pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Covers hiragana, katakana, and approximately 3,500 kanji
- Uses spaced repetition and written-answer input detection
- Tracks kanji progress and supports popular textbooks
- Where it doesn't
- Focuses on writing rather than speaking practice
- Available on mobile only, for iOS and Android
- Free-version terms differ between the website and App Store
Ringotan fact sheet, pricing and score →
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