Comparison

ModernChineseDictionary vs 汉语大词典

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

汉语大词典

Features
Read full description

1. 超大型权威汉语语文工具书 单字2.27万,词条35万,义项50万,书证100万,成语2.5万,合计5000余万字,书写笔顺8105个汉字,读音(汉语拼音+中古音) 2.权威汉语工具书 荣获第一届国家图书奖 汉语言文学、文字工作者必备工具书 联合国指定中文工作用书 3.古今兼收,源流并重 展现汉语词汇的整体面貌 指明词语源头、梳理词义演变 展现字义、词义从古至今的演变轨迹 4.字词特色工具 通用字、简繁体、多音字、同义词、反义词、成语、歇后语、谚语、惯用语、俗语、敬词、谦词、婉词、讳词等 5.让您重新认识汉语字词 学习汉语字词,只知道写法、读音、造句就够了吗? 它源自何时? 它是怎么演变的? 它在历史上是怎么用的? 它有怎样的历史足迹? 它在哪些古今典籍中出现过? 它跟哪些字词有关联? 《汉语大词典》让你全面了解汉语知识。 《汉语大词典》 是你学习汉语、阅读古代文献的好帮手。 汉语是有生命的 一部《汉语大词典》,让您弄懂汉语的字义和词义 一部《汉语大词典》,让您读懂这些古今典籍

Screenshots

ModernChineseDictionary4 screens
汉语大词典4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ModernChineseDictionary at 62% against 汉语大词典's 19%. ModernChineseDictionary also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). 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 汉语大词典 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ModernChineseDictionary ships an update every 6 weeks, 汉语大词典 every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ModernChineseDictionary versus 汉语大词典: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModernChineseDictionary汉语大词典
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (64 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.7% of reviews — better19.2% of reviews
Number of ratings64 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size180 MB129 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%

汉语大词典

Written reviews26 reviews
Positive19.2%
Neutral15.4%
Negative65.4%

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
11 purchases

汉语大词典

One-time11
  • 6元=6词币$0.99
  • 超级会员 1个月时长$2.99
  • 18元=18词币$2.99
Show 8 more
  • 普通会员 1年时长$3.99
  • 50元=50词币$7.99
  • 超级会员 6个月时长$9.99
  • 超级会员 1年时长$14.99
  • 汉语大词典-超级会员 2年时长$27.99
  • 汉语大词典-超级会员 3年时长$39.99
  • 998元=998词币$149.99
  • 终身超级会员$149.99

Questions

Is ModernChineseDictionary free?
ModernChineseDictionary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 汉语大词典 free?
汉语大词典 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ModernChineseDictionary or 汉语大词典 have ads?
Neither ModernChineseDictionary nor 汉语大词典 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ModernChineseDictionary or 汉语大词典?
ModernChineseDictionary ships an update every 6 weeks, and 汉语大词典 every 5 weeks. Most recently, ModernChineseDictionary was updated on October 29, 2026 and 汉语大词典 on October 27, 2026.

Other comparisons