WaniKani

Spec sheet

What it does

WaniKani is a web application designed to teach Japanese kanji meanings and readings plus vocabulary.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tofugu.com

Purpose

WaniKani is a web app for learning Japanese kanji and vocabulary.Read 12 Oct 2026 · tofugu.com

Free plan

YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Paid from

9Read 20 Sep 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

API

The public REST API exposes account progress and general subject reference data as JSON.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.api.wanikani.com

Mobile apps

WaniKani states that it currently has no official iOS or Android app; mobile apps mentioned in its help pages are made by users.Read 12 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Support

WaniKani’s Knowledge Guide offers a “Chat with Us” contact option for questions.Read 12 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Headquarters

Crunchbase lists Tofugu’s headquarters as Portland, Oregon, United States.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com

Founded

2011Read 28 Sep 2026 · wanikani.com

API authentication

API requests use personal bearer tokens over HTTPS; third-party apps must not collect WaniKani passwords.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.api.wanikani.com

API extensibility

The API documentation includes branding rules, pagination, filters, version revisions, caching guidance and subscription restrictions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.api.wanikani.com

API rate limit

The documented API limit is 60 requests per minute, with HTTP 429 responses when exceeded.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.api.wanikani.com

API resources

Documented resources include assignments, levels, reviews, review statistics, subjects, users, voice actors and study materials.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.api.wanikani.com

Company founding

LinkedIn lists Tofugu’s founding year as 2007.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com

Company size

LinkedIn lists Tofugu as privately held with 11–50 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com

Connectivity requirement

The web application requires an internet connection and has no offline mode.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Content structure

The system distinguishes radicals, kanji and vocabulary and tests their meanings and readings separately.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Course content

The maker says WaniKani teaches over 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words.Read 12 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Curriculum size

The stated curriculum covers more than 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Documentation

The Knowledge guide covers getting started, membership, billing, app settings, Japanese concepts, API apps and widgets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Free access

Accounts remain free through Level 3; Level 4 and above require premium membership.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Free access limit

The first three levels are free, and Level 4 and above require a premium account.Read 12 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Google Play companion features

The third-party Android companion lists lessons, reviews, progress statistics, offline support and light/dark modes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Integrations and API

The API provides access to account progress data and general subject reference data; API requests require a personal token and HTTPS.Read 12 Oct 2026 · docs.api.wanikani.com

Intended learners

Tofugu describes WaniKani as a system for people who want to learn how to read Japanese.Read 12 Oct 2026 · tofugu.com

Internet requirement

WaniKani requires an internet connection and has no offline mode.Read 12 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Kanji sequencing

Kanji are hand-picked and ordered to make meanings and readings more efficient to learn.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Languages offered

1Read 20 Sep 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Learning method

Its spaced repetition system adjusts review intervals for each item based on the learner’s last session.Read 12 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Lessons and reviews

Lessons introduce radicals, kanji and vocabulary, while reviews reinforce recall until it becomes automatic.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Licence

WaniKani’s service code and design are proprietary and copyright Tofugu; the service is not open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Limit: advanced placement

A Trustpilot reviewer complained that lack of placement testing forces experienced learners through already-known material.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com

Limit: companion reliability

AppBrain’s archived WK for WaniKani listing records complaints about answer submission, audio, API-key validation, stuck progress and other bugs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Maker legal entity

The terms identify the operator as Tofugu, LLC.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Mnemonic method

Mnemonics are provided for every radical, kanji and vocabulary item.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Mnemonics

WaniKani uses mnemonics to teach radicals, kanji, and vocabulary.Read 12 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Notable news

A July 3, 2026 WaniKani blog post announced removal of Google Analytics as part of reducing third-party trackers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blog.wanikani.com

Official Android availability

WaniKani states that it does not have an official Android app and points users to third-party apps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Official iOS availability

WaniKani states that it does not have an official iOS app and points users to third-party apps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Offline lessons

NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Personalized review

YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Praise: learning method

Trustpilot reviewers repeatedly praise mnemonics, spaced repetition, progressive UX and improved kanji recall.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com

Privacy and security

Its privacy policy says it collects personal information and browser log data, uses cookies, and cannot guarantee absolute security of personal information.Read 12 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Radicals

Radicals are taught as building blocks that support kanji learning and mnemonic construction.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Rating on Google Play companion

4.8 out of 5 from 30 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Rating on Trustpilot

3.5 out of 5 from 5 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com

Rating on WK for WaniKani

4.35 out of 5 from 802 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Refund policy

Refunds may be requested within 60 days of payment for monthly, annual or lifetime plans.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Refunds

The terms say customers may request a refund within 60 days of payment for any level of service, for any reason.Read 12 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Security statement

The privacy policy says commercially reasonable safeguards are used but absolute security cannot be guaranteed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Skipping limitation

There is no placement test or mechanism to skip ahead, including for advanced learners.Read 15 Oct 2026 · knowledge.wanikani.com

Spaced repetition

The SRS adjusts the interval for each item using the learner’s previous session performance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Support channel

Terms state that support is provided electronically and that telephone support is not offered.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Vocabulary validation

Vocabulary items are described as human-validated for being common or useful.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wanikani.com

Plans and prices

Every WaniKani plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Language learning apps#27 of 2788.8