Duolingo Soars to #10 in Japan's Top Free Apps

Overview

As of November 5, 2026, the Japan App Store charts have witnessed significant shifts in the Top Free Apps category. Notably, language learning app Duolingo：英語、韓国語、中国語を学ぼう has made a remarkable climb, securing the #10 position after jumping 40 spots. This week's chart movements reflect changing user preferences and the competitive landscape in the iOS apps sector.

Top Climbers

This week, several apps have significantly improved their positions in the chart, showcasing strong user engagement and effective marketing strategies:

• Duolingo：英語、韓国語、中国語を学ぼう - #10 (was #50, +40 positions)
• ファミマのアプリ「ファミペイ」 - #20 (was #47, +27 positions)
• M3デジカルスマート診察券 - #17 (was #32, +15 positions)
• Microsoft Authenticator - #14 (was #27, +13 positions)
• Vistream - #24 (was #34, +10 positions)

New Chart Entries

This week, there were no new entries in the Top Free Apps chart. This indicates a stable yet competitive environment where established apps continue to dominate the rankings.

Top Performers

Holding strong in the upper echelons of the chart, the following apps have maintained their positions:

• Muse from Meta - #1
• ChatGPT - #2
• setlog - #3
• Bump（旧Zenly） - #4
• Google Gemini - #5
• マイナアプリ（旧マイナポータルアプリ） - #6
• Google Authenticator - #7
• スターバックス ジャパン公式モバイルアプリ - #8
• GoodShort(グッドショート)-ショートドラマいつでも - #9
• Duolingo：英語、韓国語、中国語を学ぼう - #10

Notable Drops

While some apps are climbing, others have seen a decline in their rankings. Here are the notable drops this week:

• 推シラセ - 推し活・推しの最新情報 - #18 (was #6, -12 positions)
• しまむらパーク - #23 (was #12, -11 positions)
• MUJI アプリ - 無印良品 - #12 (was #2, -10 positions)
• My SoftBank - #29 (was #22, -7 positions)
• zeta - AIキャラ・あなたの推しとロールプレイチャット - #30 (was #25, -5 positions)

In summary, the Japan App Store's Top Free Apps chart is dynamic, with established leaders continuing to perform well while new challengers like Duolingo emerge as significant contenders. Developers should keep a close eye on these trends to adjust their strategies accordingly.