Hanzi Writer vs Zishu

Hanzi Writer9.4Visit ZZishu9.2Visit

Higher score Hanzi Writer #1 in Handwriting Practice Apps 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Hanzi Writer

vs

Z Zishu #2 in Handwriting Practice Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Zishu

• Hanzi Writer fits best

  Chinese learners wanting an all-rounder

• Zishu fits best

  Free iOS Chinese handwriting practice

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Side by side

Feature	Hanzi Writer 9.4/10 Visit ↗	ZZishu 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Handwriting Practice Apps	#2 in Handwriting Practice Apps
Best for	Chinese learners wanting an all-rounder	Free iOS Chinese handwriting practice
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	iOS, Android, macOS	iOS
Support	Email	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo
Features Hanzi Writer 3/3 · Zishu 3/3
Pen-control exercises	✓	✓
Custom word practice	✓	✓
Progress tracking	✓	✓
Specs
Writing modes	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Age levels	All_ages	All_ages
Supported platforms	ios, android, macos	ios
Our review
Pros	Real-time stroke-order validation and correction HSK 1–9 courses with spaced-repetition review Offline practice, OCR, worksheets, and Anki import	Validates strokes and provides automatic grading with order feedback Combines tracing, outlining, memory practice, and spaced review Includes HSK, radical, frequency, and custom character sets
Cons	Progress synchronization is available through Pro features The listed integration is limited to Anki Its focus is written Chinese rather than broader language study	Available only on iPhone and iPad Focused specifically on Chinese character handwriting Interface languages are limited to English and Chinese
Our verdict	Hanzi Writer is a handwriting-practice app for learners of written Chinese. It combines animated stroke-order guidance with real-time correction, HSK 1–9 courses, spaced-repetition review, on-device OCR, an offline dictionary, custom… Read the review →	Zishu is a free iPhone and iPad app for practicing Chinese character handwriting. It suits learners of different ages who want guided practice rather than a simple character reference tool. Each exercise validates handwriting against… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Hanzi Writer — where it wins

  • Real-time stroke-order validation and correction
  • HSK 1–9 courses with spaced-repetition review
  • Offline practice, OCR, worksheets, and Anki import

  Where it doesn't

  • Progress synchronization is available through Pro features
  • The listed integration is limited to Anki
  • Its focus is written Chinese rather than broader language study

• Zishu — where it wins

  • Validates strokes and provides automatic grading with order feedback
  • Combines tracing, outlining, memory practice, and spaced review
  • Includes HSK, radical, frequency, and custom character sets

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on iPhone and iPad
  • Focused specifically on Chinese character handwriting
  • Interface languages are limited to English and Chinese

• Hanzi Writer9.4/10 · Free plan

  An all-round Chinese handwriting app with structured courses, review tools, and offline practice.

  Visit Hanzi WriterFull verdict →
• ZZishu9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free iOS app with structured practice, grading, and spaced review.

  Visit ZishuFull verdict →