Zishu vs Kanji Dojo

ZZishu9.2Visit Kanji Dojo8.9Visit

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

vs

Kanji Dojo #4 in Handwriting Practice Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Kanji Dojo

• Zishu fits best

  Free iOS Chinese handwriting practice

• Kanji Dojo fits best

  Open-source Japanese learners

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Side by side

Feature	ZZishu 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Kanji Dojo 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Handwriting Practice Apps	#4 in Handwriting Practice Apps
Best for	Free iOS Chinese handwriting practice	Open-source Japanese learners
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email	Email, Community
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features Zishu 3/3 · Kanji Dojo 1/3
Pen-control exercises	✓	✓
Custom word practice	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Progress tracking	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Writing modes	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Age levels	All_ages	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	ios	windows, macos, linux, android, ios
Our review
Pros	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	Covers kana, more than 6,000 kanji, vocabulary, and readings Includes stroke-order practice, spaced repetition, and custom decks Works offline across web, desktop, Android, and iOS test access
Cons	Available only on iPhone and iPad Focused specifically on Chinese character handwriting Interface languages are limited to English and Chinese	The iOS version is currently offered as a test version New iOS TestFlight testers are not currently being accepted Pricing information presents differing descriptions of paid content
Our verdict	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 →	Kanji Dojo is an open-source application for learning Japanese writing and vocabulary. It supports hiragana, katakana, and more than 6,000 kanji, making it suitable for beginners building character foundations as well as learners following… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Kanji Dojo — where it wins

  • Covers kana, more than 6,000 kanji, vocabulary, and readings
  • Includes stroke-order practice, spaced repetition, and custom decks
  • Works offline across web, desktop, Android, and iOS test access

  Where it doesn't

  • The iOS version is currently offered as a test version
  • New iOS TestFlight testers are not currently being accepted
  • Pricing information presents differing descriptions of paid content

• ZZishu9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ZishuFull verdict →
• Kanji Dojo8.9/10 · Free plan

  A broad, offline Japanese study app for learners who want open-source flexibility.

  Visit Kanji DojoFull verdict →