Comparison

ModernChineseDictionary vs 辞海

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

Head to head
About

ModernChineseDictionary

This official dictionary app provides comprehensive Mandarin Chinese vocabulary, pronunciation, and character standards. It features expert editorial content, authentic audio, animated stroke guides, and smart search tools for learners and enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • 70,000+ verified entries
  • 8 specialized dictionaries
  • Authentic pronunciation audio
  • Animated stroke-order guides
  • Voice, camera, radical, Pinyin search
  • Daily vocabulary lessons
  • Cloud sync for word lists
Features
Read full description

The Official 《现代汉语词典》(Modern Chinese Dictionary) app • Published by The Commercial Press • Edited by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences The《现代汉语词典》(Modern Chinese Dictionary) is China's first state-authorized reference for Mandarin pronunciation, characters, and vocabulary standards since 1949, and is recognized as a milestone in Chinese lexicography. ◆ Expert Editorial Team ◆ • Commissioned by the Chinese State Council, developed by top linguists • Founded by distinguished linguists, including renowned scholars 吕叔湘 (Lü Shuxiang) and 丁声树 (Ding Shengshu) • Backed by over 100 years of publishing expertise from The Commercial Press • Winner of the National Book Award, the China Outstanding Publications Award ◆ Comprehensive Learning Resources ◆ 【Core Content】Over 70,000 verified entries from the print edition 【Extended Tools】8 specialized dictionaries for writing, grammar, and usage 【Authentic Pronunciation】Audio guides by CCTV veteran anchor 李瑞英 (Li Ruiying) 【Character Mastery】Animated stroke-order guides combined with common error databases 【Cultural Insights】Historical calligraphy styles and character evolution ◆ Smart Search Features ◆ 【Dual Modes】Page-flipping simulation and instant keyword search 【Multi-Channel Lookup】Voice, camera, radicals, or Pinyin input 【Word Connections】Auto-generated synonyms, antonyms, and homophones ◆ Personalized Learning ◆ 【Cloud Sync】Custom word lists synced across devices 【Daily Lessons】"Word of the Day" with vocabulary-building games 【Instant Help】Grammar tips, stroke guidance, and usage comparisons Trusted by millions worldwide, this app delivers: • Accurate language standards for learners • Practical tools for daily study • Cultural context for deeper understanding Modern Chinese Dictionary App – Your smart companion for mastering Mandarin. [Modern Chinese Dictionary - Hanfen VIP Auto-Renewal Subscription Details] 1. Subscription Plan: Hanfen VIP Monthly Auto-Renewal (1-month cycle) 2. Pricing: 12 CNY/month (automatically renews until canceled) 3. Payment: Charged to your iTunes account upon purchase confirmation. 4. Auto-Renewal: Your Apple iTunes account will be charged 24 hours before the current subscription period ends. Payment confirmation extends your subscription by one cycle. 5. Cancellation: *Open iPhone Settings → iTunes & App Store → Tap your Apple ID → Select View Apple ID → Go to Subscriptions → Choose Hanfen VIP Monthly → Turn off auto-renewal. *Note: You must cancel at least 24 hours before the subscription period ends to avoid automatic renewal. 6. Membership Terms: https://about.shangdii.cn/autopay_service_terms?f=21004 7. Auto-Renewal Terms: https://about.shangdii.cn/autopay_agreement?f=21004 8. Privacy Policy: https://about.shangdii.cn/privacy?f=21004

About

辞海

This comprehensive dictionary app offers extensive word, idiom, encyclopedia, and poetry content. It features multiple search methods, including voice and image recognition, and provides rich multimedia resources for a deep understanding of Chinese language and culture.

Highlights
  • Extensive word and idiom definitions
  • Encyclopedia and poetry content
  • Voice and image recognition search
  • Knowledge graph visualization
  • Historical and cultural features
  • Multimedia resources
Features
Read full description

《辞海》由上海辞书出版社出版,是我国唯一以字带词,集字典、语文词典和百科词典主要功能于一体的大型综合性辞典,荣获国家图书奖最高奖——荣誉奖、国家辞书奖特等奖等奖项,被评价为“全面反映人类文明优秀成果,系统展现中华文明丰硕成就”。《辞海》(第七版)总词条约13万条,总字数约2350万字。 首次推出APP版,用户可随时随地随手查阅。 【内容丰富权威】 200多位顶级专家任分科主编,率领1800多位一流学者完成 130000多词目配有拼音,由中央电视台主持人海霞领衔团队朗读 用26000余古文字形体展示7400多个汉字的演变轨迹 秦汉以来近1000位名家所书各体书法字形160000余张 动态呈现汉字规范笔顺 大量图片、音视频、3D模型等多媒体资源 【多角度检索方式】 支持词条、释文检索 支持单一关键词和多关键词组合检索 支持按学科分类浏览 支持按拼音、按部首查询词条 支持语音识别、拍照识图检索 【可视化知识导图】 建立知识关联 呈现知识导图 【APP特色功能】 历史上的今天 万国志 地方志 人物志 3D百科 知识专题 纪年换算 【用户反馈有回应】 及时修订更新词条 专业运营团队,及时提供客户服务

Screenshots

ModernChineseDictionary4 screens
辞海4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ModernChineseDictionary at 3.9 against 辞海's 2.4. ModernChineseDictionary also leads on ratings volume (64 vs 7) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). 辞海's advantage is review sentiment (71% vs 62%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. ModernChineseDictionary sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and 辞海 sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ModernChineseDictionary holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ModernChineseDictionary has 64 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of ModernChineseDictionary's written reviews are positive against 71% of 辞海's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ModernChineseDictionary ships an update every 6 weeks, 辞海 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ModernChineseDictionary versus 辞海: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModernChineseDictionary辞海
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (64 ratings) — better2.4 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews61.7% of reviews70.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings64 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size180 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWanyouzhidian Digital Media Technology(Beijing) Co., Ltd.Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House Ltd.

Customer experience

ModernChineseDictionary

All ratings64 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral1.6%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive61.7%
Neutral13.3%
Negative25.0%

辞海

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative57.1%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive70.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

14 purchases

ModernChineseDictionary

Subscriptions1
  • 涵芬VIP会员连续包月1 Month trial$2.991 Month
One-time13
  • 18币$2.99
  • 涵芬 (1个月VIP)$2.99
  • 40币$5.99
Show 10 more
  • 涵芬 (6个月VIP)$9.99
  • 78币$9.99
  • 优惠购_78$9.99
  • 88币$12.99
  • 优惠购_88$12.99
  • 现代汉语词典+涵芬联合会员优惠购_96$12.99
  • 98币$14.99
  • 涵芬 (1年VIP)$14.99
  • 现代汉语涵芬联合会员$17.99
  • 涵芬(3年)$29.99
19 purchases

辞海

One-time19
  • 购买辞海数字版7天会员$0.99
  • 购买辞海数字版会员2 variants$0.99
  • 购买辞海数字版3月会员$1.99
Show 16 more
  • 辞海数字版新会员月卡$2.99
  • 辞海网络版新会员月卡$2.99
  • 购买辞海数字版2月会员$3.99
  • 购买辞海数字版月卡$3.99
  • 辞海网络版会员月卡$3.99
  • 辞海数字版季卡$5.99
  • 辞海数字版5折年卡$6.99
  • 辞海网络版会员季卡$7.99
  • 购买辞海数字版6月会员$9.99
  • 辞海+英汉大词典1年联合会员$19.99
  • 购买辞海数字版会员年卡$19.99
  • 辞海网络版会员年卡$19.99
  • 购买辞海数字版2年会员$29.99
  • 辞海VIP+夸克网盘SVIP$29.99
  • 购买辞海数字版3年卡$39.99
  • 辞海网络版会员3年卡$49.99

Questions

Is ModernChineseDictionary free?
ModernChineseDictionary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 辞海 free?
辞海 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ModernChineseDictionary or 辞海?
ModernChineseDictionary is rated higher. ModernChineseDictionary averages 3.9 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while 辞海 averages 2.4 from 7 ratings.
Do ModernChineseDictionary or 辞海 have ads?
Neither ModernChineseDictionary nor 辞海 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ModernChineseDictionary or 辞海?
ModernChineseDictionary ships an update every 6 weeks, and 辞海 monthly. Most recently, ModernChineseDictionary was updated on September 22, 2026 and 辞海 on August 29, 2026.

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