Chinese handwriting dictionary

I have been using the Chinese handwriting dictionary app developed by SOFTDX for a few months now. This app is primarily made for people like me who are learning Chinese and find it easier to input characters by writing them out on the screen rather than pinyin. It first launched back in 2018 and you can grab it right now from the Google Play Store for Android devices, though I think the developer might have plans for an App Store version eventually. On Google Play, the app has crossed over 500,000 installs, which is pretty solid for a niche learning tool. The best part is that it is completely free to download and use. You don't have to register an account or sign in at all; you just open the app and start writing. There is no in-app purchase system to unlock features, but I have noticed there are some unobtrusive in-app ads that show up occasionally. They are not too annoying, though, since you can close them after a few seconds.

To use this app, you basically open it and use your finger or a stylus to draw Chinese characters on the input area. The app instantly recognizes what you are trying to write and gives you the correct character along with its pinyin pronunciation, stroke order, and sometimes an English definition. One huge tip I have is to write the characters in the correct stroke order, because the recognition engine works much better when you follow the proper sequence. If you scribble wildly, the app might not always get it right, but with practice, you will see it is surprisingly accurate. Another handy tip is that you can zoom in on the writing area for more precision, especially if you have thick fingers like me.

Compared to other similar Chinese handwriting recognition apps on the Google Play store, I prefer this one simply because it feels the most responsive. I tried Pleco, which is great for dictionaries, but its handwriting module is a bit clunky and requires a paid upgrade for full features. There is also Google Handwriting Input, but that thing tends to lag and sometimes messes up simpler characters like ni (你). This SOFTDX app, on the other hand, is smooth and just works without any hassle. I stuck with it because it feels like a real app made by someone who understands learners, not just a half-baked project.

• ✍️ This app has its own dedicated handwriting input area that does not rely on the system keyboard. That means you do not have to switch input methods every time you want to check a character. By contrast, Pleco requires you to either use its own editor or the system handwriting keyboard, which can feel slow. With SOFTDX's app, the writing space is always ready and responds to your strokes almost instantly. I have never felt any lag, even when I write complex characters like bi (必).
• ✍️ Another outstanding feature is the built-in stroke order animation for every character. After you write a character, you can tap it and see a precise animation showing the order and direction of each stroke. Google's handwriting app does not offer this at all, and Pleco only shows static stroke order numbers. For me, learning the right stroke order is crucial for memorizing characters, so this feature alone made me switch to this app permanently.
• ✍️ Lastly, the developer includes both simplified and traditional character support without any extra setup. If you write a character that exists in both forms, the app will show both versions side by side. I have not found many other free handwriting apps that handle this dual recognition so well. For example, when I wrote xue (学/學), the app instantly presented both forms, which helps me compare and learn them simultaneously.

• 🚀 It is 100% free with no hidden paywalls. Compared to Pleco, where the handwriting add-on costs a few dollars, SOFTDX's app gives you everything without asking for your wallet. I really appreciate that kind of transparency.
• 🚀 The recognition speed is lightning fast. I have tried other apps like Hanping Chinese Dictionary, which sometimes takes a full second to process characters. This SOFTDX app feels almost instant, and that makes quick look-ups during study sessions much smoother.
• 🚀 There is no account registration required. Some apps like Skritter need you to sign up first, but here you can just download and start writing. It respects your privacy and time.

• 🔴 The app's interface looks a bit dated, like something from 2015. The colors and buttons are not as polished as modern apps like Pleco. It is totally functional, but the design could use a refresh to feel more pleasing.
• 🔴 The in-app ads can be somewhat repetitive. Sometimes the same ad keeps popping up after every three or four character searches. While not deal-breaking, it does disrupt the flow when I am in the middle of a study session.
• 🔴 There is no cloud backup or sync feature. If I switch phones or uninstall the app, my search history and saved words are all gone. Other similar apps, like Pleco, allow you to back up your flashcard decks online, so this is a missing convenience here.