The Best Pimsleur Alternative for Japanese
A Pimsleur alternative for learners who also need to read Japanese.
Pimsleur's App Store listing describes 30-minute audio lessons with hands-free and offline modes. If you also want to read signs, menus and messages, you need the script. Inku puts the written Japanese and its audio on the same card.
Why you are probably searching this
The usual path to looking for a Pimsleur alternative goes through at least one of these:
- You can say some Japanese but cannot read kana yet
- You want to see words written as you hear them
- You want to study in a few minutes rather than a 30-minute lesson
What a good alternative looks like
A reading-focused alternative should keep audio on every card while teaching hiragana, katakana and kanji directly.
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 does not practice speaking, so Pimsleur still has a place for conversation.
- 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
Can I use both Inku and Pimsleur?+
Yes. Use Pimsleur for listening and speaking during commutes, and Inku for reading and vocabulary review when you can look at a screen.
Related alternatives and comparisons
- Duolingo alternative for Japanese
- Anki alternative for Japanese
- Rosetta Stone alternative for Japanese
- Babbel alternative for Japanese
- Best Japanese flashcard apps
- All Japanese app alternatives
See our full Inku vs Pimsleur comparison for a feature-by-feature breakdown.
