# The Best Drops Alternative for Japanese

> A Drops alternative for learners moving toward JLPT vocabulary and kanji.

Canonical: https://inkujapanese.com/alternatives/drops
Last updated: 2026-10-16

A Drops alternative for learners moving toward JLPT vocabulary and kanji.

[Bao H.](https://inkujapanese.com/authors/bao-hua)Updated October 16, 202610 min read

## Short answer

Drops teaches vocabulary through illustrated games. Inku uses flashcards with readings, meanings and audio, organized by JLPT level, plus a kanji course. Keep Drops if illustrations are what help you remember.

Drops' App Store listing describes quick illustrated word games and a curated list of more than 3,000 words and phrases per language. Inku goes further into JLPT levels and kanji, with a review schedule based on your own answers.

## Why you are probably searching this

The usual path to looking for a Drops alternative goes through at least one of these:

- You want vocabulary organized by JLPT level

- You want a kanji course

- You want reviews scheduled by your own answers

## What a good alternative looks like

A next step after Drops should keep sessions short while adding JLPT structure, kanji and spaced review.

## How Inku is different

- Hiragana and katakana with audio, vocabulary decks for every JLPT level from N5 to N1, everyday topic decks such as food, travel and shopping, three phrase packs (casual, polite and travel), and a kanji course with 960 kanji from N5 to N1.

- Each lesson introduces five items with the reading, meaning and pronunciation audio, then asks you to recall them. FSRS schedules every item for review, and you answer Again, Got it or Too easy.

- Inku's cards are text and audio, without illustrations.

- Inku is a paid app. Studying needs an Inku Pro subscription, bought through the App Store on iPhone or through checkout on the web, and you can try an introductory lesson in your browser first.

## Common questions

### Does Inku have illustrations like Drops?

No. Inku's cards show Japanese text, readings, meanings and audio. If illustrations are what kept you studying, you may miss them.

## Related alternatives and comparisons

- [Duolingo alternative for Japanese](https://inkujapanese.com/alternatives/duolingo)

- [Anki alternative for Japanese](https://inkujapanese.com/alternatives/anki)

- [Rosetta Stone alternative for Japanese](https://inkujapanese.com/alternatives/rosetta-stone)

- [Babbel alternative for Japanese](https://inkujapanese.com/alternatives/babbel)

- [Best Japanese flashcard apps](https://inkujapanese.com/best-japanese-flashcard-apps)

- [All Japanese app alternatives](https://inkujapanese.com/alternatives)

See our full [Inku vs Drops comparison](https://inkujapanese.com/vs/drops) for a feature-by-feature breakdown.