Best Nazoru Alternatives in 2026
The top Nazoru alternatives are Hanzi Writer, Zishu and Skritter: 15 handwriting practice apps our editors would look at instead of Nazoru, in our ranking order.
Nazoru: A focused Japanese writing app with tracing, study paths, and service sync. Where it falls short: the free plan allows two full practices per day.
Switching from Nazoru? For most handwriting practice apps buyers the best Nazoru alternative is Hanzi Writer, built for chinese learners wanting an all-rounder.
Why People Look for a Nazoru Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallHanzi Writer9.4
Chinese learners wanting an all-rounder
Visit Hanzi Writer - Best free optionHanzi Writer9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Hanzi Writer
All 15 Nazoru 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 forChinese learners wanting an all-rounder
- Better than Nazoru:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.8
An all-round Chinese handwriting app with structured courses, review tools, and offline practice.
- Progress tracking
- Custom word practice
- Pen-control exercises
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Hanzi Writer -
Best forFree iOS Chinese handwriting practice
- Better than Nazoru:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.8
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
- Better than Nazoru:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.8
A focused handwriting app for serious Chinese and Japanese learners.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Skritter -
Best forOpen-source Japanese learners
- Better than Nazoru:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.8
A broad, offline Japanese study app for learners who want open-source flexibility.
- Pen-control exercises
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kanji Dojo -
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
Nazoru Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Nazoru?
Hanzi Writer: #1 in our Handwriting Practice Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. An all-round Chinese handwriting app with structured courses, review tools, and offline practice.
Is there a free alternative to Nazoru?
Yes. Hanzi Writer, Zishu, Kanji Dojo, 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 Nazoru alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Nazoru?
Export your data from Nazoru (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 Nazoru.
How to Switch from Nazoru
- Export your data from Nazoru (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 Nazoru.
Nazoru vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Pen-control exercises | Custom word practice | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Nazoru | Yes | $39.99/yr | Yes | ios, macos, android | 8.8 | |
| 1 | Hanzi Writer | Yes | Yes | Yes | ios, android, macos | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Zishu | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | ios | 9.2 |
| 3 | Skritter | No | $99.99/yr | 9.0 | |||
| 4 | Kanji Dojo | Yes | Yes | windows, macos, linux, android, ios | 8.9 | ||
| 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
- Nazoru vs Hanzi Writer
- Nazoru vs Zishu
- Nazoru vs Skritter
- Nazoru vs Kanji Dojo
- Nazoru vs Copybook Club
- Nazoru vs HanziStroke
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update