Comparison

ScriptPad vs HeyWrite

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ScriptPad

Master Japanese reading, writing, typing, and speaking with this comprehensive learning tool. It offers structured vocabulary, JLPT preparation, and interactive handwriting practice with animated stroke guides. Engage in various games to reinforce learning and improve pronunciation.

Highlights
  • Animated stroke order guides for characters
  • Handwriting practice with drawing canvas
  • Complete JLPT vocabulary (N5-N1)
  • 10,000+ words with audio
  • Pronunciation recording and comparison
  • Six interactive learning games
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Learn Japanese: read, write, type, and speak. From your first Hiragana stroke to JLPT N1. ScriptPad is a complete Japanese learning app with over 10,000 words, all with clear audio. Study structured vocabulary units, the full JLPT vocabulary for N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1, and real world katakana words, then practice everything by writing it by hand. JAPANESE BASICS Every Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji character with animated stroke order guides. Trace each stroke on the drawing canvas and build real muscle memory. VOCABULARY, JLPT, AND KATAKANA Beginner vocabulary units with games. The complete JLPT word list from N5 to N1 with example sentences, flashcards, and handwriting practice. Katakana words from menus, konbini shelves, and city signs. Every word plays audio with the correct reading, even for tricky kanji. WRITE BY HAND A drawing canvas for every word. Character outlines guide your strokes. Stroke order animations show exactly how each character is written. Works beautifully with Apple Pencil on iPad. SPEAK, TYPE, AND PLAY Record yourself and compare your pronunciation. Practice typing Japanese with instant feedback. Make words stick with games: picture matching, character building, bingo, word blocks, word invaders and more. FEATURES 10,000+ Japanese words with audio Complete JLPT vocabulary: N5, N4, N3, N2, N1 Example sentences with audio Katakana words practice Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji stroke order animations Flashcards and handwriting practice Speak and compare pronunciation recording 6 practice games Kanji mode: toggle between Kana and Kanji Word meanings in English, Chinese, Korean and more iPad Writing Mode with Apple Pencil support 14 page themes Works on iPhone and iPad Fully offline, no internet required One time purchase, no subscription Whether you are a beginner learning Hiragana or preparing for the JLPT exam, ScriptPad is your Japanese writing practice app. Start writing Japanese today.

About

HeyWrite

Learn to write Japanese, Korean, and Chinese characters with guided stroke-by-stroke practice. Build muscle memory for better retention and readability. Features spaced repetition and quizzes to reinforce learning.

Highlights
  • Guided stroke order practice
  • Muscle memory learning
  • Spaced repetition system
  • Multiple-choice quizzes
  • JLPT, HSK, and TOPIK curricula
  • Native speaker pronunciation
Features
Read full description

Master Japanese, Korean, and Chinese by writing every character stroke by stroke — the way native speakers actually learn. HeyWrite teaches correct stroke order through guided drawing practice on your phone. Unlike flashcard apps, your muscle memory does the memorizing — characters stick because your hand remembers them. -- WHY STROKE ORDER MATTERS -- Research shows handwriting beats passive study. Every character you draw in HeyWrite follows the exact stroke sequence used in Japan, Korea, and China — the same method taught in schools there. Correct stroke order makes your handwriting readable and speeds recognition. -- THREE LANGUAGES, ONE APP -- JAPANESE * Hiragana & Katakana (kana): all 46+46 characters with stroke order * Kanji: JLPT N5 through N1 (2000+ kanji organized by exam level) * Hear native-speaker pronunciation for every character KOREAN * Hangul: all consonants and vowels with stroke order * TOPIK 1 through TOPIK 6 vocabulary MANDARIN CHINESE * Hanzi: HSK 1 through HSK 9 (3000+ characters) * Simplified characters with stroke-by-stroke guidance -- HOW IT WORKS -- 1. Trace — follow the stroke guide to learn correct order 2. Write free — recall the character from memory without hints 3. Quiz — multiple-choice review to reinforce retention 4. Spaced repetition — smart scheduling brings back characters right before you forget them -- COMPLETE OFFICIAL CURRICULA -- * JLPT N5, N4, N3, N2, N1 — full kanji and kana sets * HSK 1–9 — complete simplified Chinese character lists * TOPIK 1–6 — full Hangul writing syllabus -- FREE TO START -- Hundreds of characters are free. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited access to all JLPT, HSK, and TOPIK levels and every feature. PERFECT FOR: * JLPT test-takers who need kanji writing practice * HSK candidates building Chinese character recognition * K-pop and K-drama fans who want to read and write Hangul * Beginners who tried Duolingo or WaniKani but want real handwriting * Anyone replacing Skritter who wants a mobile-first experience Download HeyWrite and write your first character today. Terms of Use: https://heywrite.euplabs.net/terms

Screenshots

ScriptPad4 screens
HeyWrite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HeyWrite at 100% against ScriptPad's 50%. HeyWrite also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). ScriptPad's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ScriptPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and HeyWrite sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScriptPad ships an update every 3 weeks, HeyWrite every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ScriptPad versus HeyWrite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScriptPadHeyWrite
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size492 MB305 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHugo Alberto Garza JrLinh Nguyen

Customer experience

ScriptPad

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

HeyWrite

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ScriptPad

One-time1
  • Japanese Learning Premium$4.99
12 purchases

HeyWrite

Subscriptions4
  • HeyWrite Premium Monthly$3.491 Month
  • HeyWrite Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • HeyWrite Premium Annual$8.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • HeyWrite Premium Annual$19.991 Year
One-time8
  • 5 Extra Lessons$0.99
  • No Ads for 7 Days$0.99
  • Unlock 1 Course Forever$1.99
Show 5 more
  • 3 Diamonds$1.99
  • HeyWrite Lifetime$9.99
  • HeyWrite Lifetime$11.99
  • Bamii Premium Lifetime$13.99
  • Bamii Premium Lifetime$15.99

Questions

Is ScriptPad free?
ScriptPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HeyWrite free?
HeyWrite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ScriptPad or HeyWrite have ads?
Neither ScriptPad nor HeyWrite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScriptPad or HeyWrite?
ScriptPad ships an update every 3 weeks, and HeyWrite every 5 days. Most recently, ScriptPad was updated on October 17, 2026 and HeyWrite on October 20, 2026.

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