ELSA Speak vs Kotrin

ELSA Speak is a mobile app for speech practice on Android and iOS, with a placement test and personalized review. Its Free plan includes the first two lessons of topics. ELSA Premium adds personalized learning paths, interactive learning games, accent selection, a bilingual AI tutor and real-time feedback. The Premium plan costs $159.99 per year, billed annually, and a 7-day trial is listed. Offline lessons are not available, and the facts list one language offered. Support channels include email and documentation. The listed company-size fit spans solo users, small businesses, mid-market and enterprise. The maker is ELSA Speak; the facts list its founding year as 2016 and its headquarters as San Francisco, California. For a learner choosing between tiers, the free plan's stated scope is limited to the first two lessons of topics, while Premium adds learning paths, games and feedback. The app is mobile-only according to its listed platforms, so offline lesson access is not part of the offering.

Kotrin is an AI-powered app for learning Japanese, with connected practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing aligned to JLPT levels. Its lesson library advertises more than 5,000 lessons for beginner through advanced learners. Practice includes everyday exchanges set in places such as shops and cafés, as well as AI role plays with back-and-forth responses. Lessons cover hiragana through Jōyō kanji, including stroke-order and recognition practice. Kotrin builds a language profile across 1,536 dimensions and adapts difficulty, focus, and scenarios to progress. Its AI-powered content system can create personalized Japanese lessons from a word or idea. The app is listed for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, but is currently available only in English. The free plan includes selected lessons, personalized learning, quizzes, and vocabulary practice, subject to daily practice limits. Pro is listed at $10 a month or $90 a year, both tax excluded, and another Pro listing is ¥1,650 a month. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled; monthly and yearly purchases are non-refundable under the stated terms.