Best Hanzi Writer Alternatives in 2026
The top Hanzi Writer alternatives are Zishu, Skritter and Kanji Dojo: 15 handwriting practice apps our editors would look at instead of Hanzi Writer, in our ranking order.
Hanzi Writer: An all-round Chinese handwriting app with structured courses, review tools, and offline practice. Where it falls short: progress synchronization is available through pro features.
Switching from Hanzi Writer? For most handwriting practice apps buyers the best Hanzi Writer alternative is Zishu, built for free iOS Chinese handwriting practice.
Why People Look for a Hanzi Writer Alternative
- Progress synchronization is available through Pro features
- The listed integration is limited to Anki
- Its focus is written Chinese rather than broader language study
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallZishu9.2
Free iOS Chinese handwriting practice
Visit Zishu - Best free optionZishu9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Zishu
All 15 Hanzi Writer Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forFree iOS Chinese handwriting practice
A free iOS app with structured practice, grading, and spaced review.
- Progress tracking
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Zishu -
Best forSerious Chinese and Japanese learners
A focused handwriting app for serious Chinese and Japanese learners.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Skritter -
Best forOpen-source Japanese learners
A broad, offline Japanese study app for learners who want open-source flexibility.
- Pen-control exercises
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kanji Dojo -
Best forJapanese learners using study-service integrations
A focused Japanese writing app with tracing, study paths, and service sync.
- Progress tracking
- Pen-control exercises
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Nazoru -
Best foriPad users who want printable worksheets
A focused iPhone and iPad app for creating, printing, and practicing Chinese handwriting worksheets.
- Progress tracking
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Copybook Club -
Best forFree web-based Chinese practice
A free web app for structured Chinese handwriting, dictation, and vocabulary practice.
- Progress tracking
- Pen-control exercises
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit HanziStroke -
Best forChinese learners wanting broad device coverage
A broad Chinese learning toolkit for stroke order, handwriting, pronunciation, and text recognition.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFocused web-based Chinese stroke practice
A focused web tool for practicing Chinese characters, stroke order, and short study queues.
- Progress tracking
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree kanji practice across devices
A free, cross-device kanji practice app with grading, JLPT paths, quizzes, and lookup tools.
- Progress tracking
- Pen-control exercises
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit KanjiPad -
Best forElementary Chinese learners needing AI correction
A focused iOS and Android app for elementary Chinese handwriting practice with AI correction.
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
8.2/10★★★★☆Try Turtle Practice -
Best forJapanese kana and beginner kanji practice
A focused Japanese character app for guided kana and beginner kanji writing practice.
- Pen-control exercises
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit KanaStroke -
Best forWeb-based Japanese text practice
A focused browser tool for tracing, memorizing, and reviewing Japanese writing.
- Progress tracking
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Kitsunewa -
Best forFree cursive worksheet and tracing practice
A free, open-source toolkit for cursive worksheets, tracing, and letter-formation practice.
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Letterpaths -
Best forChildren and families practicing print handwriting
A flexible print-handwriting app with tracing, customization, rewards, and progress tools.
- Progress tracking
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Writing Wizard -
Best forYoung children ages 2–6
A focused early-learning app with guided writing practice and broad preschool content.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit LetterSchool
Hanzi Writer Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Hanzi Writer?
Zishu: #2 in our Handwriting Practice Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A free iOS app with structured practice, grading, and spaced review.
Is there a free alternative to Hanzi Writer?
Yes. Zishu, Kanji Dojo, Nazoru, Copybook Club and HanziStroke have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Hanzi Writer alternatives?
Progress synchronization is available through Pro features; The listed integration is limited to Anki; Its focus is written Chinese rather than broader language study.
How do I switch from Hanzi Writer?
Export your data from Hanzi Writer (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Hanzi Writer.
How to Switch from Hanzi Writer
- Export your data from Hanzi Writer (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Hanzi Writer.
Hanzi Writer vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Pen-control exercises | Custom word practice | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanzi Writer | Yes | Yes | Yes | ios, android, macos | 9.4 | |
| 1 | Zishu | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | ios | 9.2 |
| 2 | Skritter | No | $99.99/yr | 9.0 | |||
| 3 | Kanji Dojo | Yes | Yes | windows, macos, linux, android, ios | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Nazoru | Yes | $39.99/yr | Yes | ios, macos, android | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Copybook Club | Yes | Yes | Yes | ios | 8.7 | |
| 6 | HanziStroke | Yes | Yes | web | 8.6 | ||
| 7 | Chinese Stroke Order | Yes | ios, android, macos | 8.5 | |||
| 8 | Chinese Stroke Order Practice | Yes | $15.90/yr | Yes | Yes | web | 8.4 |
| 9 | KanjiPad | Yes | Free | Yes | ios, android, macos | 8.3 | |
| 10 | Turtle Practice | Yes | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android | 8.2 | |
| 11 | KanaStroke | Yes | Yes | ios, macos | 8.1 | ||
| 12 | Kitsunewa Writing Practice | Yes | $49/yr | Yes | Yes | web | 8.0 |
| 13 | Letterpaths | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | web, ios, android | 7.8 |
| 14 | Writing Wizard | Yes | Yes | Yes | ios, android, windows | 7.7 | |
| 15 | LetterSchool | Yes | $22.99/yr | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Hanzi Writer vs Zishu
- Hanzi Writer vs Skritter
- Hanzi Writer vs Kanji Dojo
- Hanzi Writer vs Nazoru
- Hanzi Writer vs Copybook Club
- Hanzi Writer vs HanziStroke
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update