Comparison

American Heritage® Dictionary vs Dictionary.com

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

Head to head
About

American Heritage® Dictionary

Access a comprehensive digital dictionary with nearly 300,000 terms and thousands of sound files. Features include advanced search, etymology, and AI-powered tools for deeper understanding and language learning.

Highlights
  • Full dictionary text
  • 33,000+ example sentences
  • 64,000+ recorded sound files
  • Three-way cross-referencing search
  • Etymology with root links
  • AI Teacher for ESL students
  • Offline use
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

*NOTE: there is a newer version of American Heritage® Dictionary available on the AppStore. Tap on the "Enfour, Inc." link for AHD5. The entire 2,074 page, 7.5 pound dictionary with its nearly 300,000 terms –plus 64 thousand recorded sound files by native speakers -all available instantly at your fingertips. ________________________________________ "In the battle of the Big Three dictionaries, American Heritage® stands out on iPhone" (4 mice) — MacWorld ________________________________________ More than 33,000 written examples, totaling 4,222,000 words, makes this largest mobile dictionary on ANY platform The indexes alone are larger than most brand-name dictionaries. Even without the sound files, AHD would still be the largest dictionary in the AppStore. Main Features: ● the entire text of this best selling book ● complete front matter and appendices ● three-way cross-referencing search ● real-time progressive look-up ● wildcard pattern searches (with * ?) ● spelling suggestion dictionary included ● internal hyperlinking & supports copy/paste ● pop-up pronunciation symbols chart ● IPA pronunciation symbol conversion ● etymology (word history) with root links ● professionally recorded sound files ● zoomable graphics ● fallback online search for esoteric or archaic words and the latest slang ● unique two-way external application interaction — first iPhone dictionary with external linking and now most advanced! ● bookmarks with editable notations ● automatic search history ● an "AI Teacher" for deeper explanations or help for ESL students in 98 languages ● AI boosted anagram generator ● "Today" & LockScreen widgets ● 3D Touch support ● DarkMode support ● Siri support ● iPad multi-screen and Drag & Drop ● iPhone 18 & iOS27 support ● iPhone, iPod, iPad and macOS support ● complete offline use - no Internet connection The renowned American Heritage® Usage Panel, a group of more than 200 distinguished writers, scholars, and scientists, offers advice on problems of grammar and style; engaging notes explain word histories and clarify differences among synonyms; thousands of quotations and example sentences show words in context; and elegant definitions are enhanced by numerous full-color photographs, drawings, and maps, making this one of the most complete reference tool available on any mobile platform. Reviews for the application: "As apps go, only Enfour’s American Heritage® Dictionary stands out for its graphic appeal and functionality. Although I was pleased to have so much lexical firepower in such a compact form, I was annoyed at how poorly the other dictionaries present on the platform." (4 mice) — MacWorld Editor's Choice. ranking = "Great" — MacLife Reviews of the print version: "The Best Dictionary...Designed to appeal to the eye as well as the mind, it is notable for its imaginative illustrations....This is a great family dictionary, and ideal for schoolrooms." — The Courier Journal "This dictionary, now in its fourth edition, makes it fun to look up definitions of words....This up-to-date and eminently useful dictionary features a fabulous full-color design that quickly and effectively guides users to the information they seek." — Library Journal ________________________________________ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. http://www.hmco.com ________________________________________ Powered by Enfour's "UniDict® Engine 18" —thesaurus links work with these products: "Roget's II: New Thesaurus" "Companion Thesaurus" "Companion Synonyms" and many more

About

Dictionary.com

Access over 2 million trusted definitions and synonyms for English words. Enhance your vocabulary with daily new words, example sentences, and audio pronunciations. This app provides grammar tips and editorial content to deepen your understanding of the English language.

Highlights
  • 2 million+ definitions and synonyms
  • Word of the Day
  • Example sentences
  • Audio pronunciations
  • Grammar tips
  • Search history
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Download the #1 free dictionary app! With more than 2 million trusted definitions and synonyms, this English dictionary and thesaurus app for iPhone is optimized for your mobile device. Improve your English vocabulary, whether you're just starting your learning journey or you're already a word wizard. Install the app for access to definitions and synonyms whenever and wherever you need them — no bulky books necessary. Flip to dark mode to give your eyes a break, or stick to the traditional set-up. In addition to the trusted reference content from Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com, this education app includes: Word of the Day ► Learn a new word each day and expand your vocabulary. Example Sentences ► Browse real-world example sentences to see how words are used. Idioms ► Explore how words can gain new meanings. Rhymes ► Finish every verse. Audio Pronunciations ► Never mispronounce another word. Grammar ► Get grammar tips, word usage, and more to improve your writing. Editorial Articles ► Explore editorial content for features on words, the origins of the English language, and the nuances that make English so complicated and unique. Search History ► Customize your recently searched word list, and never forget the newest words you’ve learned. Dictionary Shuffle ► Think you know ALL the definitions? Prove it with Dictionary Shuffle, which chooses a word at random and brings you to the definition. A-Z Dictionary ► What’s more exciting than ... wait for it … browsing the Dictionary?! We’ve now made it even easier, with the A–Z Dictionary.

Screenshots

American Heritage® Dictionary4 screens
Dictionary.com4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Dictionary.com at Free against American Heritage® Dictionary's $12.99. Dictionary.com also leads on ratings volume (328K vs 207) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). American Heritage® Dictionary's advantage is review sentiment (66% vs 26%) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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

Dictionary.com is free to download; American Heritage® Dictionary costs $12.99 up front. American Heritage® Dictionary sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Dictionary.com sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for American Heritage® Dictionary against 4.8 for Dictionary.com. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dictionary.com has 328K ratings behind it against 207, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of American Heritage® Dictionary's written reviews are positive against 26% of Dictionary.com's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

American Heritage® Dictionary ships an update every 2 months, Dictionary.com every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
American Heritage® Dictionary versus Dictionary.com: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAmerican Heritage® DictionaryDictionary.com
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (207 ratings)4.8 (328K ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.6% of reviews — better25.6% of reviews
Number of ratings207328K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#57 — better#172
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size386 MB35 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperEnfour, Inc.Curiosity Media

Customer experience

American Heritage® Dictionary

All ratings204 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral1.0%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive65.6%
Neutral7.0%
Negative27.4%

Dictionary.com

All ratings327,801 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,392 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral9.3%
Negative65.1%

User reviews

American Heritage® Dictionary

From 207 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 👍 Comprehensive and authoritative
  • 👍 Excellent pronunciation audio
  • 👍 Helpful etymologies and word roots
  • 👍 Seamless integration with Roget's Thesaurus

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 🔋 Large app size can cause sync issues
  • 🔒 Concerning privacy/security issues with unauthorized social media posts
  • 👎 Overpriced compared to alternatives
  • 👎 Lack of customization options (font size, themes, etc.)

Dictionary.com

From 328K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Robust dictionary and thesaurus
  • 🤓 Helpful resources like blogs and articles
  • 💡 Useful word games and puzzles
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 🤩 Great for expanding vocabulary

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent search results and missing definitions
  • 💸 Aggressive ads even after paid upgrades
  • 🤯 Frequent crashes and performance issues
  • 🤔 Confusing layout changes and UI issues
  • 🤷‍♀️ Paid features not always working as expected

Bugs and requests

American Heritage® Dictionary

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Unreliable audio playback
  • Unexpected behavior when clearing search history

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to bookmark words and organize them into custom categories
  • Improved search functionality (e.g. tapping words in definitions to jump to them)
  • Landscape mode support
  • Better sync/backup options for user data
  • More visual aids and illustrations

Dictionary.com

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Notifications not working as expected
  • Inconsistent behavior when tapping on words
  • Offline dictionary not downloading properly
  • Frequent crashes and freezes on various devices
  • Paid features not unlocking or resetting unexpectedly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dedicated section to display all forms of a word
  • Ability to create and manage custom word lists
  • Improved offline mode with more functionality
  • Better integration with other productivity apps
  • More language support beyond just English

In-app purchases

1 purchases

American Heritage® Dictionary

One-time1
  • Roget's II Thesaurus$4.99
9 purchases

Dictionary.com

One-time9
  • Rhyming Dictionary$1.99
  • Grammar & Tips$1.99
  • Idioms & Phrases$1.99
Show 6 more
  • Example Sentences$2.99
  • Science Dictionary$2.99
  • Encyclopedia$2.99
  • Offline Dictionary$2.99
  • Remove Ads$2.99
  • Power Pack$5.99

Questions

Is American Heritage® Dictionary free?
American Heritage® Dictionary costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Dictionary.com free?
Dictionary.com is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, American Heritage® Dictionary or Dictionary.com?
Dictionary.com is rated higher. American Heritage® Dictionary averages 4.7 out of 5 from 207 ratings, while Dictionary.com averages 4.8 from 328K ratings.
Do American Heritage® Dictionary or Dictionary.com have ads?
Dictionary.com shows ads; American Heritage® Dictionary does not.
Which is updated more often, American Heritage® Dictionary or Dictionary.com?
American Heritage® Dictionary ships an update every 2 months, and Dictionary.com every 3 weeks. Most recently, American Heritage® Dictionary was updated on October 31, 2026 and Dictionary.com on November 1, 2026.
Which is more popular, American Heritage® Dictionary or Dictionary.com?
American Heritage® Dictionary currently peaks at #57 in the App Store charts, and Dictionary.com at #172. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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