Comparison

Alpus vs Latin Etymology Dictionary

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

Head to head
About

Alpus

Access and search multiple dictionary formats offline. Supports various file types and offers advanced search options like wildcard and fuzzy matching. Easily manage and synchronize your dictionaries across devices.

Highlights
  • Offline dictionary access
  • Supports multiple dictionary formats
  • Advanced search (wildcard, fuzzy, full-text)
  • In-page popup translator
  • History and bookmarks
  • Dictionary synchronization
Features
Read full description

Alpus is a viewer application for dictionaries in StarDict, DSL, XDXF, Dictd, and TSV/Plain formats ¹. Features: • Fast and fully offline operation • Searches ignoring case, diacritics, and punctuation • Wildcard search • Fuzzy search • Full-text search • In-page popup translator • History and bookmarks • Customization options Compatibility: Alpus is compatible with the following dictionary/file types: • StarDict dictionaries (*.idx) • DSL dictionaries (*.dsl) • XDXF dictionaries (*.xdxf) • Dictd dictionaries (*.index) • TSV/Plain dictionaries (*.txt, *.dic) • Hunspell dictionaries (*.aff) Setting up dictionaries: • Connect your mobile device to your computer. • Copy dictionary files to the app's documents/files folder on device ². See iOS help ² for details. • Select the dictionary index file as listed in the compatibility section above (or an archive of it) using the "Import Dictionary" option of the "Manage" menu. • Select multiple indexes/files, with each selection assumed and analyzed as one dictionary. (optional) • Select resource ZIP files (if any) to copy during importing. (optional) • Edit properties of the dictionary such as visible name using the "Edit Properties" option of the dictionary menu. (optional) • Create a full-text search index of the dictionary using the "Upgrade" option of the dictionary menu. (optional) • Create profiles to group and organize dictionaries. (optional) Resource files: Resource files of a dictionary can be put into multiple ZIP files with arbitrary sizes and file names. The resource ZIP files placed into the root folder of a dictionary (beside Main.props file) will be detected and indexed automatically. Full-text search: The app supports searching full-text of all dictionaries for exact matches. The feature requires a one-time upgrading ("Upgrade All" option of the "Manage" menu) of a dictionary which can take a very long time to complete, since every single word anywhere on the dictionary is made searchable during the process. Synchronizing between devices: Copying/moving dictionaries between devices is done using one of the two available methods: • "Export Dictionary" to an *.aaf file on the first device and then "Import Dictionary" that *.aaf file on the second • Copy/move whole "Alpus.Config" folder or individual dictionary folders using a file manager or built-in file operations Search types: There are five kinds of searches you can perform on dictionaries. • Regular search: Shows results exactly matching the query. • Extended matching search: Shows results matching the query with case, diacritics, and punctuations ignored. Suggestions include in-phrase and phonetic matches. • Full-text search: Shows list of articles containing exact matches of the query. The scope of search is not limited to headwords and includes all text in all articles (definitions, synonyms, examples, etc). • Fuzzy search: Shows list of articles most similar to the query. The search works like a spell checker for words you're not sure how it's written/spelled. • Wildcard search: Shows list of articles that match the criteria set with a wildcard query. Help and Support: • https://alpusapp.com ¹ No dictionaries are bundled with the application. You will need dictionaries in supported formats to use with the application. ² https://support.apple.com/HT201301

About

Latin Etymology Dictionary

Features
Read full description

This app provides a dictionary of Latin Etymology With more than 22800 entries this is the most authoritative and comprehensive dictionary of Latin etymology. It is an important etymological resource for linguistic experts, it is also a useful reference for anyone who is interested in Latin language LATIN ETYMOLOGY • Over 22800 entries including vocabulary, names, roots. • Entries are divided into categories • Detailed etymology and origin • Pronunciation • Detailed meaning • Synonyms and antonyms • Alternative forms • Inflection • Derived terms • Related terms • etc LATIN NAMES • Latin names and their origins • Latin female given names • Latin male given names • Latin surnames • etc. LATIN ROOTS • Latin prefixes and derived words • Latin suffixes and derived words • Latin roots and derived words • etc CATEGORIES • Entries are grouped into categories • Terms derived from Ancient Greek • Terms derived from Anglo-Norman • Terms derived from Arabic • Terms derived from Proto-Indo-European • Terms derived from Hebrew • etc. OTHER FEATURES • Search feature • Bookmark feature • Translation • Built-in dictionary • Cross reference • Note feature • Custom lists

Screenshots

Alpus2 screens
Latin Etymology Dictionary4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Alpus at every 3 months against Latin Etymology Dictionary's every 69 months. Latin Etymology Dictionary's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On 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

Alpus costs $5.99 and Latin Etymology Dictionary $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alpus ships an update every 3 months, Latin Etymology Dictionary every 69 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
Alpus versus Latin Etymology Dictionary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlpusLatin Etymology Dictionary
Price$5.99$2.99 — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 69 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB253 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsmail Alper YilmazNgoc Anh

In-app purchases

None

Alpus

No in-app purchases

None

Latin Etymology Dictionary

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Alpus free?
Alpus costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Latin Etymology Dictionary free?
Latin Etymology Dictionary costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Alpus or Latin Etymology Dictionary have ads?
Neither Alpus nor Latin Etymology Dictionary shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alpus or Latin Etymology Dictionary?
Alpus ships an update every 3 months, and Latin Etymology Dictionary every 69 months. Most recently, Alpus was updated on September 15, 2026 and Latin Etymology Dictionary on September 9, 2026.

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