Zishu vs ScriptPad

Learn to write Chinese characters, stroke by stroke. Zishu is a personal Chinese handwriting tutor that works completely offline. Draw every character stroke by stroke on screen and get instant validation against authentic stroke order data, with a brush that feels like real ink. INK BRUSH Strokes look and behave like ink: fuller when you slow down, thinner when you move fast, with a soft dry-brush edge on long, quick strokes. The original calligraphy brush, a classic line, and an invisible style are also available. STROKE DETECTION THAT UNDERSTANDS HANDWRITING Every stroke is checked as you write, including direction and every turn, so a 竖折 needs its turn. Connected strokes can be written in one motion, with three styles to grow into as you get faster: Light (a few natural joins), Everyday (了 in a single flow, 氵 and 讠 in one stroke) and Running script (looser, more cursive). Boxes like 口 can be written in one stroke however you write them: as an R, a Z or a loop. Or turn it off and write every stroke separately. TRUE HANDWRITING Prefer to write without feedback? Handwriting mode shows your own ink, and True Handwriting lets you write the whole character freely, then tap Check to see how you did. Both work in Learning, too. DAILY REVIEW WITH SPACED REPETITION Every character you practice is scheduled on expanding intervals (1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60 days). Miss one and it comes back sooner. A Daily Review card shows exactly what is due today, and practice automatically features the characters you struggle with. MEANING RECALL Optionally hide meanings during review: see only the pinyin, write the character, then check whether you remembered what it means. Meanings you forget come back sooner, on their own schedule. AUTOMATIC GRADING Each character is graded from your strokes. Confirm or override with a tap, or turn on auto-advance and just keep writing. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO STUDY - HSK 1 to 6, radicals, and frequency sets - Custom sets from any text, organized in folders, plus review sets built from your mistakes - Radical meanings shown when you complete a character - Built-in dictionary with pinyin and definitions, and your own notes - Native Mandarin pronunciation - Streaks, goals with a daily pace, and detailed progress SIMPLIFIED OR TRADITIONAL Pick the characters you're learning when you first open the app, and switch anytime in Settings. Every set converts, and your progress is kept. MADE FOR IPHONE AND IPAD A comfortable, adjustable writing area on iPad. Interface in English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. 100% OFFLINE AND PRIVATE No account, no ads, no tracking. All your data stays on your device, with built-in backup export and import. Zishu is free and made by one student developer. If it helps you, there is a tip jar in the menu. Nothing is locked behind it.

ScriptPad: Chinese Writing helps you learn to read, write, type, and speak Chinese from scratch. Start with Chinese Basics, learn essential strokes, radicals, and your first characters with animated stroke-order guides that show you exactly how to write each one. Practice on an interactive drawing canvas and build real muscle memory as you trace each stroke. Move beyond the basics into structured vocabulary lessons across 6 units and 130+ lessons. Every word comes with audio so you can hear and practice correct pronunciation as you learn. Write by Hand: A full drawing canvas for every word, practice writing Chinese characters with your finger or stylus. The character outlines guide your strokes, and stroke-order animations show you exactly how each character is written. Speak & Compare: Record yourself saying each word and compare your pronunciation side by side. Instant playback lets you hear exactly where to improve. Type Mode: Learn how to type Chinese words. Instant feedback shows you what you got right and what to review. Create Your Own Lessons: Paste any Chinese text, vocabulary lists, song lyrics, textbook sentences, and turn it into a writing lesson with audio. Play & Practice: Reinforce every lesson with hands on activities that make vocabulary stick. Match words to pictures, build words by connecting their characters, listen for a word and slice it before it lands, mark your card in a listen and win bingo against the computer, fit word blocks together to clear the board, and blast word aliens out of the sky. Each activity plays the word's audio as you go, so you're always hearing the Chinese as you learn it. Word Meanings in Your Language: See each word's meaning in English, Japanese, or Korean, switch the translation language anytime. Features: 2,000+ vocabulary learn and write words with audio across 6 structured units 10,000+ HSK words and sentences Stroke-order animations for every Chinese character Pinyin shown for every word Interactive drawing canvas with character guides Speak & Compare pronunciation practice with recording Type mode for Chinese keyboard practice Playful practice activities: picture matching, character building, audio slicing, bingo, word blocks, and word invaders Traditional mode, toggle between Simplified and Traditional characters for every word Create custom lessons from any Chinese text Word meanings in multiple languages iPad Writing Mode, multi-card writing grid with stroke animations 14 page themes for a comfortable study environment Works beautifully on iPhone and iPad Fully offline, no internet required Interface available in English, Chinese, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, and Russian One-time purchase, no subscription Whether you are a complete beginner or brushing up on your Chinese writing skills, ScriptPad gives you the tools to practice at your own pace. Download ScriptPad and start writing Chinese today.