Hanzi Writer

Hanzi Writer is a Chinese-character handwriting app for learners who want their writing corrected as they practice. It suits both curriculum-led study and self-directed review, with much of its core toolkit usable offline.

Overview

Hanzi Writer’s defining strength is the specificity of its feedback: it evaluates stroke sequence, direction, starting point, shape, and proportion. That makes it more useful for learning how to write characters than a tool that only presents characters or worksheets. Its breadth—more than 7,450 characters, 16 interface languages, and curricula from HSK 1–9 to YCT, AP Chinese, iGCSE, and Singapore Primary School—gives learners several ways to organize practice.

There is a meaningful distinction between this broad study toolkit and the paid extras. Free includes core writing practice; Pro adds unlimited daily practice, AI-generated topics, cloud sync, and an ad-free experience. Readers who need only guided handwriting can start without paying, while the value of Pro depends on whether those additions matter to their routine.

Key features

Feedback and review

Stroke validation catches more than an incorrect final shape: it checks how the character is constructed. Pen-control exercises, progress tracking, and custom word practice broaden the app beyond following a fixed course. This is a strong fit for learners who want deliberate handwriting practice, though it is not a substitute for a general-purpose Chinese study app based on these features alone.

The Anki-compatible spaced repetition system schedules reviews from Again, Hard, Good, and Easy ratings. Importing .apkg and .colpkg decks turns a learner’s existing Anki material into interactive handwriting practice, a useful bridge for users who already maintain their own vocabulary sets.

Offline tools and privacy

Core writing practice, stroke animations, SRS review, and OCR work offline or on-device. OCR uses Google ML Kit, and camera images are not uploaded or cloud processed. That is a practical privacy advantage for character lookup and makes these core tools usable without a dependable connection.

Customizable A4 PDF worksheets include pinyin, stroke guides, and tracing grids, so learners can take practice away from the screen. The Smart Topic Generator is different: it sends user-entered descriptions to Google Gemini through Firebase Vertex AI. Those inputs are not used to train Google AI models, but users should still consider what they choose to submit.

Pricing

The free plan is the sensible starting point for learners focused on core handwriting practice. Pro is for those who expect to practice without a daily cap or want generated topics, synchronized progress, and no ads. Subscription prices are displayed in the app; payments go through the Apple App Store or Google Play, and cancellation takes effect at the end of the billing period.

Platforms

Hanzi Writer is available on Android, iOS, and macOS. Encrypted cloud backup supports progress synchronization, with TLS encryption in transit and encryption at rest where applicable. Users can request account and associated-data deletion in the app or by email; processing takes up to 30 days.

Who it's for

Choose Hanzi Writer if stroke accuracy is a priority, you want a structured curriculum or your own words and Anki decks, or you need offline handwriting practice. Its curriculum range also makes it relevant to learners following school or exam-oriented material. It is a weaker fit if you want a free plan with unlimited daily practice, or if you specifically need a platform outside Android, iOS, and macOS.

Pros and cons

• Detailed stroke correction: feedback covers construction and proportions, not only the finished character.
• Flexible study paths: extensive character coverage, multiple curricula, custom words, and Anki imports accommodate different study routines.
• Useful offline core: writing, animations, review, and OCR remain available without cloud processing.
• Pro pricing requires a check in-app: the plan features are clear, but the billed price is displayed in the app, making costs harder to compare in advance.
• Topic generation sends prompts to a third party: inputs are not used to train Google AI models, but the feature is not entirely on-device like OCR.

Alternatives

Handwriting Practice Apps is the broader category to browse if you want to compare handwriting tools beyond Chinese study.

Kanji Dojo is a free, open-source alternative for learners who value a broader platform range, including Linux, web, and Windows, alongside Android, iOS, and macOS.

Skritter is worth considering if you want a paid option with a 7-day free trial; its monthly plan is $14.99 a month. KanjiPad, Kitsunewa Writing Practice, Writing Wizard, Copybook Club, Chinese Stroke Order, and Zishu are other options to compare.

Verdict

Hanzi Writer is a strong choice for learners who want precise handwriting correction, substantial curriculum coverage, and offline review in one app. Its free core makes it easy to start; look elsewhere if unlimited daily practice is essential without a paid subscription or if you need a platform it does not support.