WaniKani
WaniKani is a kanji SRS: it teaches radicals, then kanji, then vocab in a locked level path.
OUR TAKE
Pick WaniKani for Japanese learners who will do reviews every day. Free ends at level 4.
Good fit
Japanese learners who will do reviews every day.
Poor fit
People who want a conversation AI (Langua) or a general flashcard app they fill themselves (Anki).
Free · Monthly $9 · Annual $89
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-28 · knowledge.wanikani.com/account-and-membership/payment-and-billing/subscription-plans
OUR TAKE
Pick WaniKani for Japanese learners who will do reviews every day. Free ends at level 4.
Good fit
Japanese learners who will do reviews every day.
Poor fit
People who want a conversation AI (Langua) or a general flashcard app they fill themselves (Anki).
Free · Monthly $9 · Annual $89
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-28 · knowledge.wanikani.com/account-and-membership/payment-and-billing/subscription-plans
What it costs
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-28 · knowledge.wanikani.com/account-and-membership/payment-and-billing/subscription-plans
Free
through level 3
$0
Monthly
(USD; tax / VAT at checkout)
Lowest paid
$9
Annual
$89
Lifetime
one-time
$299
Before you pay
Good fit
Japanese learners who will do reviews every day.
Poor fit
People who want a conversation AI (Langua) or a general flashcard app they fill themselves (Anki).
Watch out
Free ends at level 4
Instead, try
Anki if bring your own kanji deck when you do not want WaniKani’s locked path; Knowt if general study desk when the job is notes, not kanji
Compare WaniKani with
Limits, in full
- 01
Free ends at level 4
- 02
Money does not skip levels
- 03
Japanese only
If WaniKani isn't it
Why: bring your own kanji deck when you do not want WaniKani’s locked path.
Free· paid from$24.99
You build the cardsChecked 2026-10-28·apps.ankiweb.net
vs WaniKani
Why: general study desk when the job is notes, not kanji.
Free· paid from$24.99/mo
Free AI is 1 summary / monthChecked 2026-10-22·knowt.com
vs WaniKaniLimits & alternatives3 limits · Anki, Knowt instead
Limits, in full
- 01
Free ends at level 4
- 02
Money does not skip levels
- 03
Japanese only
If WaniKani isn't it
Why: bring your own kanji deck when you do not want WaniKani’s locked path.
Free· paid from$24.99
You build the cardsChecked 2026-10-28·apps.ankiweb.net
vs WaniKaniWhy: general study desk when the job is notes, not kanji.
Free· paid from$24.99/mo
Free AI is 1 summary / monthChecked 2026-10-22·knowt.com
vs WaniKani