Freedom251 › Handwriting Practice Apps
KanaStroke
What KanaStroke is
KanaStroke is a Japanese handwriting app for practicing Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji stroke order on iOS and macOS. As learners draw, it detects incorrect stroke order or direction and displays guidance when mistakes occur. The maker says input is compared with official SVG paths through the flutter_kanjivg library. The app is designed for JLPT N5 and N4 learners and includes essential Kanji practice. It covers all 46 basic Hiragana and 46 basic Katakana characters, with separate practice modes for those scripts, native pronunciation recordings, and pen-control exercises. Review queues were added in version 1.1.1. iPhone and iPad require iOS 15.0 or later; Mac requires macOS 12.0 or later and an Apple M1 chip or later. A free plan is available. In-app Pro options are Pro Monthly at ¥800 a month and Pro Lifetime at ¥3,000, paid once. The App Store lists Jason Cooke as developer and Turing Complete Limited as seller.
Who it suits
KanaStroke suits learners preparing around JLPT N5 or N4 who want guided handwriting practice for kana and Kanji. It is intended for compatible iPhone, iPad, and Apple-silicon Mac devices.
What it does well
- Real-time stroke order and direction feedback
- Covers 92 basic kana characters
- Native audio supports pronunciation practice
- Includes Kanji and pen-control exercises
- Free plan available
What to know first
- Requires iOS 15 or macOS 12
- Mac requires an Apple M1 chip or later
- Paid Pro options cost extra
- Apple reports possible analytics and crash-data collection
Limits
The free plan is available, while Pro Monthly costs ¥800 a month and Pro Lifetime costs 3000.00 JPY once. Apple device and operating-system requirements apply.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Lifetime | — | ¥3,000, paid once |
| Pro Monthly | — | ¥800 a month |
As kanastroke.com lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the KanaStroke website
- Install the app on a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Start with the free plan
- Choose Hiragana, Katakana, or Kanji practice
- Draw characters to receive stroke feedback and guidance
- Upgrade to Pro Monthly or Pro Lifetime if desired
Verdict
KanaStroke centers on drawing-based Japanese character practice with immediate correction and guidance. Its free tier covers core practice, while paid options add a choice between monthly and lifetime access.
Questions
Is KanaStroke free?
Yes. KanaStroke has a free plan. Pro Monthly costs ¥800 a month, and Pro Lifetime costs 3000.00 JPY once.
Which devices support KanaStroke?
It supports iPhone and iPad with iOS 15.0 or later, plus Mac with macOS 12.0 or later and an Apple M1 chip or later.
What characters can I practice?
The app covers 46 basic Hiragana and 46 basic Katakana characters, along with essential Kanji practice.
Does it provide pronunciation help?
The App Store listing describes native audio recordings for pronunciation practice.
Who develops KanaStroke?
Jason Cooke is listed as the developer, and Turing Complete Limited is listed as the provider.
Facts from KanaStroke's own pages
- Adaptive guidance
- Guides appear when the learner makes a mistake. · kanastroke.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Audio
- The App Store listing describes native audio recordings to support pronunciation practice. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The App Store listing says iPhone and iPad require iOS 15.0 or later, and Mac requires macOS 12.0 or later with an Apple M1 chip or later. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Developer
- The App Store listing names Jason Cooke as the developer and Turing Complete Limited as the seller. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Intended learners
- The maker describes the app as designed for N5 and N4 students. · kanastroke.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Kana coverage
- The App Store listing says the app covers all 92 basic Japanese characters, with 46 Hiragana and 46 Katakana. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Kana practice
- The App Store listing says the app covers all 46 basic Hiragana and 46 basic Katakana characters. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Kanji practice
- The site says learners can practice essential Kanji for JLPT exams. · kanastroke.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Live stroke feedback
- The app detects incorrect stroke order and direction as the learner draws. · kanastroke.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The App Store listing supports iPhone and iPad and lists Mac compatibility on macOS 12 or later with Apple M1 or later. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Practice modes
- The App Store listing describes separate Hiragana and Katakana practice modes. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Price options
- The App Store listing shows Pro Monthly for ¥800 and Pro Lifetime for ¥3,000 as in-app purchases. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Privacy disclosure
- The App Store listing says usage data and diagnostics may be collected without being linked to the user’s identity; it says Apple has not verified this disclosure. · apps.apple.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Product
- KanaStroke is a Japanese handwriting app for practicing Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji stroke order. · kanastroke.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Provider
- The App Store lists Turing Complete Limited as the provider and Jason Cooke as the developer. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- KanaStroke is a Japanese character practice app for Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji stroke order. · kanastroke.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Review queues
- The App Store version history says review queues were added in version 1.1.1. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Stroke data
- The site says KanaStroke compares input against official SVG paths using the flutter_kanjivg library. · kanastroke.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Stroke validation
- The app provides real-time feedback on stroke order and direction as the learner draws. · kanastroke.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Target learners
- The site describes the app as designed for N5 and N4 students. · kanastroke.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Validation method
- The maker says KanaStroke uses the flutter_kanjivg library to compare user input against official SVG paths. · kanastroke.com, 10 Oct 2026
Where KanaStroke stands on Freedom251
- Handwriting Practice Apps#15 of 27