# SPQR Latin Dictionary and Reader — user reviews

> 109 indexed App Store user reviews of SPQR Latin Dictionary and Reader by Paul Hudson, rated 4.16/5 from 77 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spqr-latin-dictionary-and-reader/id407340562/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spqr-latin-dictionary-and-reader/id407340562.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 53 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 10

## What do users think of SPQR Latin Dictionary and Reader?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 📚 Comprehensive Latin literature library with hundreds of texts
- 🔍 Powerful word parser with grammatical analysis
- 📖 Side-by-side Latin and English translations
- ✏️ Flashcard generation and study tools
- 📝 Complete Lewis & Short dictionary included
- 🎓 Grammar quizzes and educational resources
- 💰 Excellent value for extensive content
- 🧠 Useful for all Latin proficiency levels
- ⚡ Offline functionality without internet required
- 👍 Intuitive interface for dictionary lookups

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes when opening Latin authors
- ⚠️ Not updated for iOS 17 compatibility
- 🔄 App crashes when accessing text reader
- 📱 Poor optimization for iPad and larger screens
- 🎨 Outdated user interface design
- ⏱️ Long app loading times
- 🚫 Lack of developer support and communication
- 📍 No bookmarking or position memory between sessions
- ❌ Missing annotation and highlighting features
- 🔧 Minimal maintenance over 7+ years

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when clicking on Latin authors
- Dictionary crashes on iOS 17
- Text reader feature broken and inaccessible
- App doesn't remember last reading position
- Look-up feature defaults to Siri instead of built-in dictionary
- Grammar quiz displays answers without showing questions
- Roman numeral converter accepts invalid input
- Content panel cannot be hidden in portrait mode
- Word-in-text lookup doesn't work properly
- Corrupted text in some author works (e.g., Apuleius)
- Quiz feature non-functional on some devices
- Inconsistent dictionary search for word forms

**Most requested features**

- Bookmark functionality for saving reading positions
- Highlighting and annotation tools for texts
- Audio pronunciation for Latin words
- Modern UI overhaul for contemporary devices
- Line number matching between Latin and English translations
- Direct flashcard creation from dictionary lookups
- Split-view support for iPad
- Modern English translations instead of archaic versions
- Note-taking capabilities while reading
- Word lookup history feature
- Restoration of Latin games (Latin Match, Speed Latin)
- Full-screen reading mode
- Better dictionary search for inflected forms
- Confirmation dialog before deleting flashcards

## Newest reviews (13 of 109)

### 4/5 — Bookmarks and Annotations

*2022-01-06*

SPQR is a godsend to people who want to read authentic Latin but still lack enough vocabulary and familiarity with the structures of Latin to do so unaided.  

However while good it could be better.  More often than not when I reopen a book it’s not opened to the last page I read but rather to the beginning of the book. That is an annoying bug that should be simple to fix.  

Additionally the lack of bookmarking and annotating is a significant shortcoming for those who want to do more than just breeze through a text. 

Don’t get me wrong it’s a great app but it could be so much better.

### 3/5 — Good dictionary, but where are the fantastic games?

*2021-08-11*

This app used to support a series of fantastic Latin games (Latin Match, Speed Latin-my students’ favorite, several others) and they were priceless.  Fun for me, fun for the kids in my class.  Our school bought licenses for all of them.  Now we can only play them on the old ipads, as the updates don’t support them.  Bring them back, PLEASE!!  I’d even pay the $15 apiece for them, they were that good and motivational.  The dictionary and reader is good, but doesn’t hold kids’ interest.  I’m begging you…..

### 3/5 — Not for beginners

*2020-07-04*

This app seems to contain a lot of information but I do find the lack of audio very frustrating. I don’t have the luxury of a teacher and I’m not studying it for a GCSE etc so I never get to hear what the Latin is actually supposed to sound like, I am therefore going to quit using this app as I fear I am doing more damage than good. It’s a real shame as it does have lots of potential, just not if your a beginner.

### 4/5 — Please add bookmarks!

*2020-05-31*

An excellent app, a whole Latin library with built-in dictionary (3 dictionaries, in fact), a grammar textbook etc. Very useful, very usable - except this one thing. It doesn’t have bookmarks. It also always opens the books on page 1. How can anyone read any long book without the ability to mark their place in it? Come on, every other reading app has that now.

Highlights would be nice, too.

### 5/5 — A MUST have.

*2019-11-04*

This app is simply fantastic. There is no other app that can match the parser function alone. This, coupled with the myriad of ancient texts with great translations, make this app a must have for any Latin student. I would not be anywhere close to my current level without it.

### 3/5 — Quiz not working on iPhone Xs

*2019-03-31, version 4.0*

This app is very help to my latin study but the quiz feature is working on my phone. The answers are revealed without ever showing what the questions are.

### 3/5 — Doesn’t do all it should

*2019-03-11*

A bit disappointing really.  The Classics Quiz doesn’t work in that it only gives meaningless answers to questions that can’t be seen.   There are 32 rather poor photographs without text or information.

### 5/5 — Totally awesome. "Add to flash cards" option to the dictionary would be awesome.

*2019-02-20*

This app is totally awesome. It has saved my life on numerous occasions. Paper dictionaries are stupid because I get tired of singing the alphabet song in my head after 34,569 times. This app is an unstoppable Latin learning machine. 

One suggestion: make an "add to flash card deck" option for any word you look up in the parser dictionary etc. that would be incredibly awesome.

### 4/5 — Audio

*2019-02-05*

Would be great if you could have the audio translation to, as to help with speaking latin.

### 4/5 — Perfect app for learning

*2019-01-18*

Has plenty of literature to read and you can look up words while reading. Unfortunately the app hasn’t been updated in a while and will one day soon be incompatible with future iOS versions. A real loss for people learning the language.

### 5/5 — Old Apps

*2018-12-20*

Love this app, but any chance you’re going to update your older apps. I loved them and have really missed them. I don’t have the heart to delete them so they’re just hanging around. I am just grateful this one was saved.

### 5/5 — Absolutely amazing

*2018-10-30*

This app is wonderful, I use it every day. The parser isn’t flawless but mistakes are quite rare, and it’s a very powerful tool that makes checking my translations a breeze. The authors section is easily navigable, and I appreciate the historical information too. With three decent textbooks included, it’s a strong quick reference if I forget something. I love the grammar practice section as well. My only problem with the app is that in the “matrix select” practice, the future perfect active indicative forms and the perfect active subjunctive forms are not differentiated between (despite being mostly identical), leading to some questions requiring a 50/50 guess for the correct answer. I can’t think of a productive way that could be solved, though, so 5 stars for the most exhaustively near-perfect app I’ve ever used.

### 4/5 — No “are you sure” for deleting flashcard

*2018-10-25, version 4.0*

Ughgghhhh!  I accidentally hit on trash / delete when I meant to hit err add and LOST my custom deck. Please fix as I now re-do hours of redoing.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Crashes repeatedly

*2023-03-22*

I have been using this app on my iPhone almost daily for about ten years. The last few months, the app crashes when I go to the dictionary. I have uninstalled and re-installed the app, looked for an update, and tried to locate contact information for the developer to no avail. Could you please fix it?

### 1/5 — Broken

*2022-08-10, version 4.0*

Dictionary worked fine for years now it is dead & there’s  no support

### 1/5 — I can’t find the translate button

*2021-05-17, version 4.0*

I want to like this app. but I can’t find a way to see the English translation, and there is no support! I hope this review will get someone’s attention and then I can give it the stars it deserves.

### 1/5 — Missing many words

*2019-04-21, version 4.0*

Was searching for pretty basic words, such as “Loud” and “Sound.” No results. Disappointed.

### 1/5 — Not up to the mark. Incredibly sub standard app

*2013-05-18*

Bit disappointed with the app all in all. The grammar section is fairly weak as it is difficult to navigate even when you are on the page you are looking for. The Whitaker dictionary is certainly under par. I bought this app for the Whitaker dictionary. But when you type it does not tell you case, person, gender etc. you have to type in the nominative. Making it completely redundant. The other features are ok, but not redeeming. Extremely disgruntled I have been mislead all in all.

### 1/5 — Poorly implemented

*2011-11-07, version 1.5*

I have a complete review published online, but here are a few major issues (at the time of writing) everyone should be aware of: the dictionaries are not integrated with the reader part of the app; no bookmarks, you must physically scroll down to get to where they were; the translations are not line by line, if one clicks on the "Translate" button the program displays the very beginning of the section; the Latin texts used for the app are substandard. Not worth the money, in my opinion, if you want a reader app with major Latin texts preloaded. If you need a dictionary, there are cheaper apps.

### 2/5 — Formerly Great App Lost its Library

*2023-12-21*

Title says it all. SPQR until recently was a fantastic collection of Latin literature that also included a useful dictionary functionality. The dictionary still works but any attempt to open one of the works by the Latin authors causes the app to crash. I infer that the developer has fallen behind on maintenance for compatibility with iOS updates

### 2/5 — Crashes repeatedly now

*2023-01-23, version 4.0*

I used to love this app and used it almost daily. Now it crashes every time I try to use it. I have deleted the app and reinstalled it. That did not help. I cannot figure out how to contact the developer, so I decided to write this review to bring awareness to the issue.

### 2/5 — apuleius text is corrupt !!!

*2011-06-16*

apuleius text is corrupt !!! others may be also...

### 3/5 — Not Optimized for iPad mini6

*2022-11-15*

There're two large blank or black bars on the top and bottom, which makes a substantial waste of the screen. More importantly, there's no way to take notes, for example, highlight and underline, while reading the texts. It has been more than 5 years, I believe, since the app's release and there's still no way to take notes. The content is good but what makes me want to use the app rather than to read my Latin paperback?

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Where did the readings go?

*2025-01-12*

It is already great as a dictionary; adding the Authors made it Outstanding. Now, as soon as I click on an author, I am dumped back on the screen page. What happened? I think it’s all in the public domain, right?

### 5/5 — Loved it… No longer

*2024-12-02*

I used this app daily for years, but it has been crashing when I try to open Latin authors since upgrading to iOS 17. 
Dictionary is still great, but I miss the text reader.

### 5/5 — Awesome but…

*2024-11-09*

Great app, but please update it!!!!

### 5/5 — Love it, but please try to fix the bug!

*2024-02-18*

This the most used and appreciated app on my phone. It’s really remarkable in breadth and depth, but as others have noted, the app has recently started crashing whenever I click on one of the Lain authors. Deleting and re-downloading the app did not help.

### 5/5 — 5 stars for the old days

*2024-01-18*

This app seems dead. Crashes to home screen any time you try and click an author. It’s a 1 star rating for this, but I’m giving it 5 stars as a legacy rating for well over 5 years of excellence when it did function properly.

### 5/5 — Fantastic Reference App

*2023-10-05*

His has absolutely everything I was looking for, including a side-by-side of the St Jerome’s Vulgate and the Douay-Rheims Bible.

My only criticism isn’t about the app itself but upkeep; It’s been 7 years since this has been updated, I hope the developer(s) is(are) still around. This deserves a modern UI overhaul for iPhone’s larger screens.

### 5/5 — This is your app, amici

*2022-12-07*

I used this app to supplement 2 years of college Latin and 10 years later it is still a source of interest and fascination.

A specific benefit is that the parser search result are easier to parse than other parsing Latin search engines.

### 5/5 — Good but possible bug

*2022-11-06*

Good app but the look up feature does not work properly for me. It just uses siri, which is not as useful as the inbuilt dictionary.

### 5/5 — Unquestionably the greatest app on my phone

*2022-11-02*

I am astonished that there are any lower than 5-star ratings for this. A treasure trove of information that just keeps giving (I only discovered the entirety of Gibbon was tucked away in the back corner after three years of using it) and the functionality is exceptional, especially the ability to parse any word just by highlighting it. If I had to ask for any improvement it would only be for the English translations: many are fine but some use archaic or verse versions (e.g. the C Day Lewis rhyming verse for the Aeneid) which often don’t provide true translations and therefore impede learning. Likewise it would be very helpful to have line numbers in the English or at least the functionality that matches the Latin line to the English as you switch, otherwise you find yourself searching blindly through the translation for e.g. line 505. Other than that, a truly excellent app for anyone who wants to read Latin literature.

### 5/5 — Worth buying if you want to learn Latin

*2020-10-28*

I have been wanting to learn Latin for sometime now, and I recently bought a copy of the Wheelock’s Latin book, and I have Duolingo on my phone. I am trying to learn it on my own because I want to decipher through historical documents from ancient and medieval times, and this app has been a big help. I don’t usually write reviews but this app was worth taking time to write about!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*