The Best Duolingo Alternative for Japanese
A Japanese-only alternative to Duolingo for learners who want to choose what they study and review it on a schedule.
Many learners start Japanese with Duolingo because it is easy to try. Some later want a quieter app that does one language and lets them pick a JLPT level, a topic or a phrase pack. This page explains what Inku offers in that situation and what you give up.
Why you are probably searching this
The usual path to looking for a Duolingo alternative goes through at least one of these:
- You want to choose the vocabulary you study instead of following a course path
- You want hiragana, katakana and kanji taught as their own lessons
- You want each word to come back for review when you are about to forget it
- You would rather not have leagues or hearts in your study app
What a good alternative looks like
A useful Duolingo alternative for Japanese should teach the script directly, let you choose material at your level, and give you a review schedule you can trust. It should also be clear about what it does not teach, such as grammar.
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 has no leagues, hearts or leaderboards. The web app shows a streak, XP and earned stamps, and a session ends when its cards are done.
- Inku does not teach grammar or practice speaking, so keep a course or textbook for sentences.
- 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
Will I lose my Duolingo progress if I switch?+
Your Duolingo progress stays in Duolingo. Inku cannot import it, so you start Inku at the level you choose and mark words you already know as Too easy.
Is Inku's Japanese course bigger than Duolingo's?+
They are different shapes. Duolingo's course teaches sentences and grammar along a path. Inku has a larger focus on vocabulary, phrases, kana and kanji, but no grammar lessons.
Related alternatives and comparisons
- Anki alternative for Japanese
- Rosetta Stone alternative for Japanese
- Babbel alternative for Japanese
- Pimsleur alternative for Japanese
- Best Japanese flashcard apps
- All Japanese app alternatives
See our full Inku vs Duolingo comparison for a feature-by-feature breakdown.
