Dictionaries vs MDX Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dictionaries
Access and search multiple dictionaries simultaneously in one app. Purchase various language dictionaries, including English and Japanese, from an in-app store. Features include batch searching, handwriting input, and cross-dictionary navigation.
- Batch search multiple dictionaries
- Purchase language dictionaries
- Handwriting input support
- Trace and Jump between words
- Bookmark and categorize words
- iCloud synchronization
- Multitasking with other apps
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“Dictionaries” is an electronic dictionary viewer app made to allow users to efficiently use various dictionaries. Our popular standalone apps have been integrated into a single app where users can search multiple dictionaries at once. You can purchase and use a variety of dictionaries, including English, Japanese, French or other language dictionaries, from the “Dictionary Store” which can be accessed from within the app. Searches • Batch Search (Consolidated Search) allows users to search multiple dictionaries at once. • The display order of dictionaries used in the batch search can be customized. • The keyboard language switches automatically depending on dictionary search groups. • Handwriting input is possible for Japanese, Old Japanese, Kanji, Chinese, Korean, and Russian dictionaries. • Using Pattern Search, users can search for words even if a part of the spelling is unknown. Trace and Jump • Users can easily jump to not only other words in the same dictionary but other dictionaries as well simply by tracing words in a definition, allowing users to go on a journey of intellectual curiosity through the dictionary as their hearts desire. Collection • Purchased dictionaries are shown as icons on the Collection screen. • By opening a dictionary from the Collection screen, users can also carefully go through a single dictionary. Even in this case, users can use the “Trace and Jump” function to easily jump to another dictionary. • The display order of dictionary icons on the Collection screen can be changed to the user's preference. Bookmarks • Users can bookmark their favorite words. In addition, users can also efficiently categorize these bookmarks using the Bookmark Folder. • By turning on Quick Bookmark, users can quickly add/remove bookmarks simply by tapping the Bookmark icon. Search History • In History, display frequency is automatically recorded so that users can immediately recognize words they search for repeatedly. iCloud • Users can synchronize Bookmark and History data among all devices by turning on iCloud. Multitasking • Users can display websites, documents, and more alongside their dictionary by using the Multitasking function on the iPad. By turning on Clipboard Search, users simply have to copy the word they wish to look up in order for the app to find that word in multiple dictionaries. Substantial Lineup • The Dictionary Store carries a large number of full-scale dictionaries, and we plan to further improve this selection in the future as well. • The following English dictionaries are available. Check in the Dictionary Store, which can be accessed from within the app, for more information on each of these items. - Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 10th edition (OALD) - Oxford Learner’s Dictionary of Academic English - Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus - Oxford Collocations Dictionary - Practical English Usage - Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 10th edition - Collins COBUILD Advanced American English Dictionary 3rd edition - Collins COBUILD Intermediate Learner’s Dictionary 4th edition - Collins English Dictionary with Thesaurus An internet connection is required to purchase content.Usage fees and terms of use may apply.
MDX Reader
This app allows you to build and manage your personal dictionary using MDX/MDD files. It offers powerful offline search, smart favorites, and customizable appearance for a personalized reference experience.
- Unlimited dictionary management
- Fast full-text search
- Smart favorites for saved words
- Customizable appearance
- Offline functionality
- Cross-dictionary search
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MDX Reader is a powerful offline dictionary reading application that supports MDX/MDD format dictionary files. Whether you're learning a language, doing academic research, or need quick reference, MDX Reader is your ideal choice. Core Features • Unlimited Dictionaries Add and manage multiple MDX dictionaries simultaneously, supporting parallel queries across dictionaries for comprehensive information retrieval. • Powerful Search Engine Lightning-fast full-text search with instant results. Supports fuzzy matching and comprehensive indexing. • Smart Favorites One-tap to save important words, organized by dictionary for easy review and management. • Custom Appearance Personalize font family, size, weight, line spacing, padding, and background color. Create your ideal reading experience. • Offline First All dictionary data and search functionality work completely offline. No internet connection required, protecting your privacy. • Cross-Dictionary Search Simultaneously search multiple dictionaries and instantly view definitions from different sources. • Search History Automatically record search history for quick access to previously viewed content. Supported Formats • MDX (MDict Dictionary) Mainstream dictionary format with wide compatibility • MDD (MDict Resource) Supports images, audio, and multimedia resources Premium Features Unlock all features with a one-time purchase: - Unlimited dictionary additions (free version limited to 1) - Unlimited daily searches (free version limited to 20) - Custom appearance settings - Background color selection - Advanced font settings Free Trial New users get a 7-day free trial of all premium features. Experience the full functionality before deciding to purchase. Privacy First - No data collection - No user tracking - No third-party analytics - All data stored locally on device - Complete offline functionality Perfect For - Language learners: Support for multiple language dictionaries - Academic researchers: Professional terminology dictionaries - Translators: Quick reference and terminology lookup - Students: Comprehensive learning resource - Knowledge workers: Personal knowledge base Easy to Use 1. Add Dictionary: Import your MDX/MDD dictionary files 2. Search Words: Enter search terms for instant results 3. Manage Favorites: Save important content for easy review Download MDX Reader now and start your knowledge exploration journey!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MDX Reader at 5.0 against Dictionaries's 4.1. Dictionaries's advantage is ratings volume (84 vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 11 days). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Dictionaries sells 23 one-off in-app purchases and MDX Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
MDX Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dictionaries has 84 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Dictionaries ships an update every 4 days, MDX Reader every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dictionaries | MDX Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (84 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 56.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 84 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 11 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 物書堂 | Yulei Duan |
Customer experience
Dictionaries
MDX Reader
In-app purchases
Dictionaries
- WISDOM English-Japanese 2Free
- WISDOM English-JapaneseFree
- COBUILD American 2nd editionFree
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- COBUILD Advanced 9th editionFree
- DAIJIRINFree
- 柯林斯 COBUILD 高级英汉双解词典Free
- RGKO12 UpgradeFree
- REIKAI GAKUSHU KOKUGO 11th$15.99
- REIKAI GAKUSYU KANJI 9th$15.99
- Nihongo Bunkei Ziten: English$19.99
- Basic Japanese Grammar$20.99
- SHINMEIKAI 8$20.99
- Gendai Shin Kokugo Jiten$20.99
- Meikyo Japanese Dictionary$22.99
- DAIJISEN$22.99
- Japanese Colloquial Expressions$25.99
- WISDOM English-Japanese 3$26.99
- DAIJIRIN 4$28.99
- Shogakukan Chinese-Japanese$31.99
- OALD 10$32.99
- Japanese Collocations$33.99
- NHK Japanese Pronunciation$36.99
- SHOGAKUKAN Korean-Japanese$47.99
MDX Reader
- MDX Premium (Lifetime)$3.99
Questions
Is Dictionaries free?
Is MDX Reader free?
Which has better reviews, Dictionaries or MDX Reader?
Do Dictionaries or MDX Reader have ads?
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