RoboKana
RoboKana: A focused iOS app for practicing Japanese writing, with audio and offline study. Ranked #59 of 63 in Japanese Learning Apps by our editors (3.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for iOS learners practicing kana, kanji, and handwriting.
At a glance
- Editor score3.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best foriOS learners practicing kana, kanji, and handwriting
- Free planYes
- Study focusWriting
- Facts checked22 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Checks handwriting stroke order and direction
- Pairs kanji readings, meanings, radicals, and compounds with native audio
- Offers custom practice, progress tracking, iCloud sync, and offline learning
Where it doesn't
- Available only on iOS
- The free tier has limited content
- Kanji coverage centers on JLPT N5, N4, and N3
Our verdict on RoboKana
RoboKana is an iPhone and iPad app for learners who want to build Japanese reading and writing skills through character practice. It covers hiragana and katakana, including dakuten and handakuten, as well as 668 kanji across JLPT N5, N4, and N3 and more than 2,200 words. Handwriting exercises check stroke order and direction, and learners can write with a finger or Apple Pencil. Native-recorded pronunciation audio and reading and matching exercises add practice beyond copying characters, making the app a fit for individual learners focused on written Japanese.
Its scope goes beyond a fixed sequence of drills: learners can create custom character sets, configure practice sessions, and review learning statistics and progress. Most learning features work offline, while progress synchronization uses iCloud. That combination suits learners who want flexible character review and offline access on Apple devices. The product is mobile-only, so it is not a fit for someone seeking a desktop or cross-platform study app.
RoboKana is free to download with a limited free tier and non-consumable in-app purchases. The published purchase options unlock hiragana and katakana, kanji for JLPT N5, N4, and N3, or all app content; the US App Store prices may vary by storefront currency. Buyers should compare the unlocks with the writing and character content they want. Choose RoboKana for focused handwriting practice and structured character study on iOS; look elsewhere if you need a broader platform choice or a different study focus. Support channels include email and documentation.
Your product? Our editors can test RoboKana in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
RoboKana pricing
All 3 RoboKana plans and prices →
RoboKana fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Study focus | Writing |
| Speaking practice | Yes |
| Writing practice | Yes |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Platforms | ios |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | robokana.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to RoboKana
- 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 RoboKana alternatives →
Used RoboKana? 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 RoboKana 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
RoboKana 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/robokana/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/robokana.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