Comparison

Australian Oxford Dictionary vs Macmillan Dictionary

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

Head to head
About

Australian Oxford Dictionary

This comprehensive dictionary app provides the full content of the Australian Oxford Dictionary, offering extensive definitions, etymologies, and encyclopedic entries. It features advanced search capabilities, pronunciation guides with sound files, and tools for language learners and word enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • 170,000+ headwords and phrases
  • Over 200,000 indexed entries
  • 35,000 detailed etymologies
  • 53,000+ authentic sound files
  • Progressive look-up for quick searching
  • Spelling checking and suggestions
  • AI Teacher for ESL students
Features
Read full description

The complete contents of the 1800 page AOD — the ultimate guide to contemporary Australian English, this is a major revision of the most authoritative Australian Dictionary for all Australians + sound! *** App proudly made by Australians *** Australian Oxford Dictionary, 2nd Edition This flagship dictionary draws on the databases of Australian English at the Australian National Dictionary Centre – including its fast-growing national corpus and its research into Australian English, as well as the resources of the incomparable Oxford English Dictionary This book retails for A$115 (that's without sound) ▸ 170,000+ headwords, phrases, and derivative forms ▸ Over 200,000 indexed entries ▸ 35,000 detailed word origins or etymologies ▸ More than 12,500 encyclopedic entries ▸ 64,000 IPA pronunciation entries ▸ Plus over 53,000 authentic Oxford sound files ▸ The encyclopedic entries are more detailed than in any comparable Australian dictionary – for example, the place-name entries not only geographically locate the place in question, but also provide information about the character of the place and its historical, economic, or political importance. ▸ Special attention is given to Australian culture and history, including Aboriginal history. ▸ Detailed entries on many topics – political parties, religious organisations, historical events, mythological, fictional characters, and more ▸ Special appendices include grammar, punctuation, Australian leaders and collective nouns This iOS version also includes: • progressive look-up for quick searching • unique three-way cross-referencing index • search string normalization • wildcard pattern searches -using * ? • spelling checking and suggestions -with Australian words • fallback online search for esoteric or archaic words and international slang • hyperlinks on words in definitions • bookmark with folders and notes facility • automatic search history function • complete front matter and appendices • an "AI Teacher" for deeper explanations or help for ESL students in 98 languages • an AI boosted anagram generator • "Fast App-Switching" (Multitasking) • iPad Pro multi-screen and Drag & Drop • "Word-a-day" feature with TOEIC® & TOEFL® lists • "Today widget" for random words to lookup • "Share" extension​ to search inside other apps -with "store for later" • "AOD broadcast" will let you search to a second screen or an iPad split-screen • Lock screen widget • support for external thesauri and alternate dictionaries (if installed) • round-trip lookup from third-party apps * • DarkMode & 3D Touch support • Siri support • Dyslexic mode and VoiceOver support • iPhone 18 support • Supports iOS 12 through to iOS 27 • iPhone, iPod, iPad and macOS support • no internet connection is required  (sound files can be downloaded and installed locally) The Australian Oxford Dictionary is edited by Australia's most influential lexicographer, Dr. Bruce Moore. As in all his Oxford dictionaries, Dr. Moore is attuned to new currents in Australian language and usage. He includes a full range of neologisms, especially the protean language of younger Australians and of computing and electronic communication. This is not just a dictionary for scholars and pedants. It reveals our changing language in up-to-date and entertaining ways, and it will be an essential reference for the new millennium. ___________________ This application is distributed with the written permission of Diotek and Oxford University Press. ___________________ The Australian Oxford Dictionary is much more than some collection of antipodean colloquialisms, but is a learned study of the wider sphere of the English language. Enfour is proudly owned and operated by Australians based in Tokyo. We have been supplying dictionaries and language solutions internationally for 30 years. Australian Oxford Dictionary (AOD) © Oxford University Press 2004 ___________________ Powered by Enfour's -"UniDict Engine"

About

Macmillan Dictionary

Features
Read full description

The Macmillan Dictionary app is the perfect on-the-go word reference for Australian English. Ad-free and with a fast and simple search, the app is perfect for work, school and university. Use the wildcard and suggestive search functions to help you find the word you are looking for, or browse through all entries alphabetically. App features include: 1. Over 132,000 definitions 2. Over 83,000 words and phrases 3. audio pronunciations* 4. word origins 5. usage notes 6. example sentences and phrases 7. idiomatic phrases 8. pronunciations in the International Phonetic Alphabet 9. a guide to help better understand dictionary entries 10. offline search capability *Initial access to audio pronunciations and images requires an internet connection. Once accessed, these resources are stored locally for offline use. CONTACT US: If you have any questions please contact us at digital@macmillan.com.au Find us online at www.panmacmillan.com.au

Screenshots

Australian Oxford Dictionary4 screens
Macmillan Dictionary4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Macmillan Dictionary at none against Australian Oxford Dictionary's 2. Macmillan Dictionary also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.0). On price, ads 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

Australian Oxford Dictionary costs $12.99 and Macmillan Dictionary $12.99 up front. Australian Oxford Dictionary sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Macmillan Dictionary asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Australian Oxford Dictionary ships an update every 5 weeks, Macmillan Dictionary every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Australian Oxford Dictionary versus Macmillan Dictionary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAustralian Oxford DictionaryMacmillan Dictionary
Price$12.99$12.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews51.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size371 MB144 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperEnfour, Inc.Pan Macmillan Australia

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Australian Oxford Dictionary

One-time2
  • Companion Thesaurus$1.99
  • Oxford Thesaurus$9.99
None

Macmillan Dictionary

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Australian Oxford Dictionary free?
Australian Oxford Dictionary costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Macmillan Dictionary free?
Macmillan Dictionary costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Australian Oxford Dictionary or Macmillan Dictionary have ads?
Neither Australian Oxford Dictionary nor Macmillan Dictionary shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Australian Oxford Dictionary or Macmillan Dictionary?
Australian Oxford Dictionary ships an update every 5 weeks, and Macmillan Dictionary every 6 days. Most recently, Australian Oxford Dictionary was updated on October 31, 2026 and Macmillan Dictionary on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons