Kanji Dojo

Overview

Kanji Dojo is a Japanese character-learning app for learners who want to practice writing alongside vocabulary and review. Its broad character coverage and free content make it a strong option for independent study, but its archived, read-only repository is a serious caveat for anyone who expects continuing development.

Key features

• Hiragana, katakana and kanji: The app covers more than 6,000 characters, giving learners a wide range of material in one place.
• Study paths: Organize practice by JLPT level, school grade or WaniKani level, or combine those systems. This can help learners follow a familiar progression rather than build a study list from scratch.
• Writing and review: Pen-control exercises, flashcards and spaced repetition pair handwriting practice with recall. Vocabulary examples help connect characters to related words.
• Dictionary and offline study: A searchable character-and-word dictionary supports lookups, while downloaded learning materials allow study without an internet connection.
• Privacy and support: Firebase Analytics collects aggregated usage information without personal identifiers; Crashlytics collects crash logs and diagnostics. The policy says user information is not shared or sold for marketing. Help and issue reports can go through Discord, in-app feedback, GitHub discussions or issues, or email.

The project is open source under GNU GPL version 3 or later. The repository was archived on August 27, 2026, and is read-only. The maker describes development as community driven, so requested features may not arrive unless a contributor chooses to work on them. That combination makes the app more suitable for learners who can accept its current state than those relying on a stream of updates.

Pricing

Free: free. Learning content is free and open source, with some extra features paid to help cover backend and development expenses. There is no free trial. This is a good fit for learners who want substantial study material without paying for core content, though the free plan does not include every extra feature.

No other plan price is stated; paid extras have custom pricing. Consider the possibility of paid add-ons if you need features beyond the free learning content.

Platforms

Kanji Dojo supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows and the web, making it a flexible choice across mobile, desktop and browser study. Offline use requires downloading the necessary materials first.

Who it's for

Choose Kanji Dojo if you want writing practice, structured Japanese character study, spaced review and dictionary lookup in a free, open-source app. It is less suitable if ongoing updates or assured implementation of feature requests are important to your choice: the repository is read-only, and development depends on community interest.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Free learning content covers three Japanese writing systems and more than 6,000 characters, so learners can explore a broad curriculum without paying for core material.
• Pro: Multiple study paths, spaced repetition, vocabulary examples and dictionary search bring several useful study modes together.
• Pro: Downloaded materials can be used offline, and the app supports mobile, desktop and web platforms.
• Con: Some extra features are paid, so the free content does not mean every capability is free.
• Con: The archived, read-only repository and community-dependent development make future updates and feature requests uncertain.

Alternatives

Handwriting Practice Apps is a useful place to compare more options. Choose Handwriting Repeater instead if you want a free Android, iOS or web app with no subscription fees, no account requirement, and no limits on sentences or repetitions. Hanzi Writer is another freemium option for Android, iOS and macOS, with core writing practice free and a Pro monthly plan whose price is displayed in the app.

LetterSchool offers a free app with a limited starter set of letters, shapes and CVC flashcards, plus a free trial; consider it for that introductory material. Writing Wizard has a free download, with remaining letters and custom words requiring an in-app purchase or subscription. iTrace provides a free version with handwriting warm-ups, three letters and one interactive scene, with premium features available as a one-time purchase.

LearnWell Languages is a paid iOS and macOS option with a $6.99 a month plan. Letterpaths is a free Android, iOS and web option; its public repository describes it as a headless TypeScript library for generating handwriting geometry. Chinese Stroke Order Practice is a web-based alternative with a Quarterly Pro plan at $5.90 a month, renewing every three months, and a 1-Year Pro plan.

Verdict

Kanji Dojo is best for independent Japanese learners who want free, broad character content with writing practice, structured review and offline study. Its main draw is the range of learning tools and study paths without a charge for learning content. Look elsewhere if you need dependable ongoing updates: the read-only repository and community-driven development leave the project’s future uncertain.