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Kanshudo
by Kanshudo
What Kanshudo is
Kanshudo is a web-based Japanese learning platform that uses a placement test and study activity to recommend exercises for a learner’s assessed level. It supports kana, kanji, vocabulary, and grammar from beginner through advanced study. Its reference material includes 14,000 kanji, 260,000 words, 800 grammar points, 150,000 example sentences, and 600,000 names. Lessons, flashcards, games, exercises, readings, a grammar library, and Japanese dictionaries provide different study formats. Flashcards use spaced repetition, track progress, and can be generated, imported, or exported. Personal kanji mastery scores range from 0 to 4 based on activity in quizzes, games, flashcards, and favorites. The free Registered User plan has monthly limits. Kanshudo Pro costs $9 a month, or $90 a year billed annually. Optional AI credits and Joy o’ Kanji essays each cost $3 a month.
Who it suits
Kanshudo is designed for Japanese learners at any level, including absolute beginners and advanced students who want structured practice and reference tools.
What it does well
- Placement test guides starting level
- Covers kana, kanji, vocabulary, and grammar
- Large dictionary and example-sentence reference
- Spaced-repetition flashcards track progress
- Free plan available
What to know first
- Free use has monthly feature limits
- Only Japanese is offered
- Add-ons cost extra
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kanshudo Pro | $9 per month · Full access to core Kanshudo functions; optional Joy o' Kanji essays and AI credits | $9 a month |
| Kanshudo Pro Annual | billed annually · Annual Pro subscription · Full access to core Kanshudo functions | $90 a year |
| Registered User | Free · Most features with limited access; search, lessons, readings, flashcards, games, and study emails are limited | Free |
| AI credits add-on | $3 per month · 500 credits per month | $3 a month |
| Joy o' Kanji essays add-on | $3 per month · Optional essays add-on; four essays per month with monthly Pro + essays subscription | $3 a month |
| Joy o' Kanji essays add-on | $40 per year · Optional essays add-on | $40 a year |
| Kanshudo Pro | $90 per year · Full access to core Kanshudo functions; optional Joy o' Kanji essays and AI credits | $90 a year |
As kanshudo.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Kanshudo combines level assessment, broad Japanese reference content, and varied practice tools. The free plan supports limited use, while Pro removes core usage limits at the listed monthly or annual prices.
Facts from Kanshudo's own pages
- Audience
- Kanshudo says it is designed for Japanese learners at any current level, including absolute beginners and experts. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Cancellation and data
- Recurring subscriptions can be cancelled at any time without a cancellation fee, and account data remains stored after Pro access ends. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Dictionary content
- Its online reference includes 14,000 kanji, 260,000 words, 800 grammar points, 150,000 example sentences, and 600,000 names. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2014 · kanshudo.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · kanshudo.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, California, United States · kanshudo.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Languages offered
- 1 · kanshudo.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Learning tools
- Kanshudo includes lessons, flashcards, games, exercises, readings, a grammar library, and Japanese dictionaries. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Payment integrations
- Kanshudo accepts PayPal and Apple Pay, with Apple Pay shown when accessing the site in Safari on an Apple device. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Payment security
- Kanshudo says credit card details are passed securely to Stripe and do not pass through or get stored on Kanshudo’s servers. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Personalized review
- Yes · kanshudo.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Placement test
- Yes · kanshudo.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Progress tracking
- Kanshudo assigns personal kanji mastery scores from 0 to 4 based on a learner’s interactions with quizzes, games, flashcards, and favorites. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Kanshudo is an AI learning platform for Japanese that monitors study activity and recommends exercises based on the learner’s assessed level. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Spaced repetition
- Flashcards use spaced repetition, track progress automatically, and can be generated or imported as lists and exported to another program. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 9 · kanshudo.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Study coverage
- The platform supports learning kana, kanji, vocabulary, and grammar in parallel, from beginner through advanced levels. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users who need help to contact Kanshudo directly. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Usage limits
- Free use is available to logged-in users, with some features capped monthly; Pro unlocks unlimited use of the system. · kanshudo.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Kanshudo stands on Freedom251
- Language learning apps#149 of 278