Freedom251 › Language learning apps
WaniKani
by WaniKani
What WaniKani is
WaniKani is a web app for learning to read Japanese through kanji and vocabulary study. Its course contains more than 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words. Mnemonics introduce radicals, kanji, and vocabulary, while a spaced-repetition system changes each item’s review interval according to the learner’s previous session. The first three levels are free; Level 4 and later levels need a premium account. Paid access is listed at $9 a month, $89 a year, or 299.00 USD for a lifetime account. The service runs on the web and offers an API for account progress and general subject reference data; API requests require a personal token and HTTPS. WaniKani has no official iOS or Android app, and lessons require an internet connection because there is no offline mode. Its Knowledge Guide includes a “Chat with Us” contact option, and terms allow refund requests within 60 days of payment.
Who it suits
It suits learners focused on reading Japanese through structured kanji and vocabulary practice. It is also relevant to developers needing progress or subject-reference data through an API.
What it does well
- Over 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words
- Mnemonic instruction for radicals, kanji, and vocabulary
- Spaced repetition adjusts review intervals
- First three levels are free
- Refund requests allowed within 60 days
What to know first
- No official iOS or Android app
- Lessons require an internet connection
- Level 4 and above require premium access
- API requests need a personal token and HTTPS
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | recurring monthly · All WaniKani content · progress through levels still required | $9 a month |
| Annual | recurring annually · All WaniKani content · progress through levels still required | $89 a year |
| Free | Levels 1–3 · about 100 kanji · about 200 vocabulary words | Free |
| Lifetime Account | One-time payment of USD 299.00 · Access for the lifetime of the service | $299, paid once |
| Lifetime | one-time payment · Lifetime access to all WaniKani content | $299, paid once |
| Annual Subscription | USD 89.00/year; recurring annual charge · Premium access | $89 a year |
| Monthly Subscription | USD 9.00/month; recurring monthly charge · Premium access | $9 a month |
As wanikani.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
WaniKani combines mnemonic teaching with adaptive review for Japanese kanji and vocabulary. Its free opening levels and clear paid plans may suit readers who want a dedicated reading-focused course, provided they can study online.
Facts from WaniKani's own pages
- API
- The public REST API exposes account progress and general subject reference data as JSON. · docs.api.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- API authentication
- API requests use personal bearer tokens over HTTPS; third-party apps must not collect WaniKani passwords. · docs.api.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- API extensibility
- The API documentation includes branding rules, pagination, filters, version revisions, caching guidance and subscription restrictions. · docs.api.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- API rate limit
- The documented API limit is 60 requests per minute, with HTTP 429 responses when exceeded. · docs.api.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- API resources
- Documented resources include assignments, levels, reviews, review statistics, subjects, users, voice actors and study materials. · docs.api.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company founding
- LinkedIn lists Tofugu’s founding year as 2007. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists Tofugu as privately held with 11–50 employees. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Connectivity requirement
- The web application requires an internet connection and has no offline mode. · knowledge.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Content structure
- The system distinguishes radicals, kanji and vocabulary and tests their meanings and readings separately. · knowledge.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Course content
- The maker says WaniKani teaches over 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words. · wanikani.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Curriculum size
- The stated curriculum covers more than 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words. · wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The Knowledge guide covers getting started, membership, billing, app settings, Japanese concepts, API apps and widgets. · knowledge.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2011 · wanikani.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free access
- Accounts remain free through Level 3; Level 4 and above require premium membership. · knowledge.wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Free access limit
- The first three levels are free, and Level 4 and above require a premium account. · knowledge.wanikani.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · knowledge.wanikani.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Google Play companion features
- The third-party Android companion lists lessons, reviews, progress statistics, offline support and light/dark modes. · play.google.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Crunchbase lists Tofugu’s headquarters as Portland, Oregon, United States. · crunchbase.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations and API
- The API provides access to account progress data and general subject reference data; API requests require a personal token and HTTPS. · docs.api.wanikani.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended learners
- Tofugu describes WaniKani as a system for people who want to learn how to read Japanese. · tofugu.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Internet requirement
- WaniKani requires an internet connection and has no offline mode. · knowledge.wanikani.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Kanji sequencing
- Kanji are hand-picked and ordered to make meanings and readings more efficient to learn. · wanikani.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Languages offered
- 1 · knowledge.wanikani.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Learning method
- Its spaced repetition system adjusts review intervals for each item based on the learner’s last session. · wanikani.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where WaniKani stands on Freedom251
- Language learning apps#125 of 278