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Head-to-head · Handwriting Practice Apps

Nazoru vs Chinese Stroke Order

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Nazoru #5 in Handwriting Practice Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Nazoru
Chinese Stroke Order #8 in Handwriting Practice Apps 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit site

Nazoru leads on 0 checks, Chinese Stroke Order on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNazoru · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresNazoru · 2 of 3

Nazoru scores higher on our rubric for handwriting practice apps: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Nazoru is the better fit for japanese learners using study-service integrations. Chinese Stroke Order is the better fit for chinese learners wanting broad device coverage.

  • Nazoru fits best

    Japanese learners using study-service integrations

  • Chinese Stroke Order fits best

    Chinese learners wanting broad device coverage

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Side by side

Feature Nazoru 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Chinese Stroke Order 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #5 in Handwriting Practice Apps #8 in Handwriting Practice Apps
Best for Japanese learners using study-service integrations Chinese learners wanting broad device coverage
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $39.99/yr —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Mobile
Platforms iOS, macOS, Android iOS, Android, macOS
Support Email Email
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features Nazoru 2/3 · Chinese Stroke Order 0/3
Pen-control exercises ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom word practice Not checked yet Not checked yet
Progress tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Writing modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Age levels Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms ios, macos, android ios, android, macos
Our review
Pros
  • Guided tracing gradually reduces assistance toward writing from memory
  • Study paths cover JLPT, grades, frequency, and Heisig
  • Syncs with WaniKani, Bunpro, MaruMori, Anki, Google Drive, and iCloud
  • Animated stroke-order lookup for more than 20,000 characters
  • Handwriting practice includes correctness checking
  • Available on iOS, Android, and macOS
Cons
  • The Free plan allows two full practices per day
  • Similar-kanji drills require a paid Unlimited plan
  • Study-service synchronization is limited to selected integrations
  • Paid pricing differs by distribution channel and region
  • Monthly, annual, and lifetime plans list the same benefits
  • The focus is Chinese characters rather than general handwriting
Our verdict

Nazoru is a Japanese handwriting-practice app for learners working on hiragana, katakana, kanji, words, and phrases. Its guided tracing reduces assistance over time, moving practice toward writing from memory. Learners can choose built-in…

Read the review →

Chinese Stroke Order is a Chinese learning app for students, teachers, families, and language learners. Its core tools cover animated stroke-order lookup for more than 20,000 Chinese characters, handwriting practice with correctness…

Read the review →
  1. NazoruHandwriting Practice Apps 8.8Free plan
  2. Chinese Stroke OrderHandwriting Practice Apps 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Nazoru — where it wins

    • Guided tracing gradually reduces assistance toward writing from memory
    • Study paths cover JLPT, grades, frequency, and Heisig
    • Syncs with WaniKani, Bunpro, MaruMori, Anki, Google Drive, and iCloud

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan allows two full practices per day
    • Similar-kanji drills require a paid Unlimited plan
    • Study-service synchronization is limited to selected integrations

  • Chinese Stroke Order — where it wins

    • Animated stroke-order lookup for more than 20,000 characters
    • Handwriting practice includes correctness checking
    • Available on iOS, Android, and macOS

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid pricing differs by distribution channel and region
    • Monthly, annual, and lifetime plans list the same benefits
    • The focus is Chinese characters rather than general handwriting
  • Nazoru8.8/10 · Free plan

    A focused Japanese writing app with tracing, study paths, and service sync.

    Visit NazoruFull verdict →
  • Chinese Stroke Order8.5/10 · Free plan

    A broad Chinese learning toolkit for stroke order, handwriting, pronunciation, and text recognition.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All handwriting practice apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update