Best Zishu Alternatives in 2026
The top Zishu alternatives are Hanzi Writer, Skritter and Kanji Dojo: 15 handwriting practice apps our editors would look at instead of Zishu, in our ranking order.
Zishu: A free iOS app with structured practice, grading, and spaced review. Where it falls short: available only on iphone and ipad.
Switching from Zishu? For most handwriting practice apps buyers the best Zishu alternative is Hanzi Writer, built for chinese learners wanting an all-rounder.
Why People Look for a Zishu Alternative
- Available only on iPhone and iPad
- Focused specifically on Chinese character handwriting
- Interface languages are limited to English and Chinese
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 Zishu 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 Zishu:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.2
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 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
Zishu Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Zishu?
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 Zishu?
Yes. Hanzi Writer, 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 Zishu alternatives?
Available only on iPhone and iPad; Focused specifically on Chinese character handwriting; Interface languages are limited to English and Chinese.
How do I switch from Zishu?
Export your data from Zishu (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 Zishu.
How to Switch from Zishu
- Export your data from Zishu (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 Zishu.
Zishu vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Pen-control exercises | Custom word practice | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Zishu | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | ios | 9.2 |
| 1 | Hanzi Writer | Yes | Yes | Yes | ios, android, macos | 9.4 | |
| 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
- Zishu vs Hanzi Writer
- Zishu vs Skritter
- Zishu vs Kanji Dojo
- Zishu vs Nazoru
- Zishu vs Copybook Club
- Zishu vs HanziStroke
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update