# Dictionary.com vs JW Library

Dictionary.com and JW Library both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 89% of JW Library's written reviews are positive against 26% of Dictionary.com's. JW Library also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). Dictionary.com's advantage is ratings volume (328K vs 48K). On price, rating, update cadence and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dictionary.com sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. JW Library asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Dictionary.com against 4.8 for JW Library. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dictionary.com has 328K ratings behind it against 48K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 26% of Dictionary.com's written reviews are positive against 89% of JW Library's.

Dictionary.com ships an update every 3 weeks, JW Library monthly. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dictionary.com | JW Library |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (328K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dictionarycom-english-words/id308750436/reviews) | [4.8 (48K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jw-library/id672417831/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **328K** | 48K |
| Positive reviews | 25.6% of reviews | **89.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #154 | **#75** |
| Size | 35 MB | 190 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Curiosity Media](https://appshunter.io/developer/332510497) | [Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/672417834) |

## What reviewers say

### Dictionary.com

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dictionarycom-english-words/id308750436)

**Currently charting:** #154 Top Free · Reference (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rhyming Dictionary | $1.99 | one-time |
| Grammar & Tips | $1.99 | one-time |
| Idioms & Phrases | $1.99 | one-time |
| Example Sentences | $2.99 | one-time |
| Science Dictionary | $2.99 | one-time |
| Encyclopedia | $2.99 | one-time |
| Offline Dictionary | $2.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Power Pack | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### JW Library

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jw-library/id672417831)

**Currently charting:** #75 Top Free · Reference (US App Store)

This app facilitates in-depth Bible study by providing access to various translations, publications, and media. Users can download content for offline access, compare verses, and organize personal study notes and playlists. It also offers daily Bible texts and materials for meetings.

**Highlights:** Multiple Bible translations, Library of publications, Videos and audio programs, Music library, Daily Bible text, Meeting materials, Search functionality, Personal study tools

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🙌 Incredible quality app
- 🙏 Wonderful blessing from Jehovah
- 🔍 Excellent Bible study tool
- 🗂️ All spiritual resources in one place
- 🎨 Customizable highlighting options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and freezes
- 🔌 Syncing issues between devices
- 🔍 Difficulty finding specific content
- 🔊 Volume control problems for audio

**Reported bugs**

- Thumbnails disappearing without internet
- Bible book/translation info disappearing from header
- Notes and highlights not syncing properly
- Compatibility issues with latest iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Handwriting/annotation support
- Improved accessibility for visually impaired
- Playlist and shuffle options for audio
- Automatic sync between devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dictionary.com free?

Dictionary.com is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is JW Library free?

JW Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dictionary.com or JW Library?

Dictionary.com and JW Library are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 328K and 48K ratings respectively.

### Do Dictionary.com or JW Library have ads?

Dictionary.com shows ads; JW Library does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dictionary.com or JW Library?

Dictionary.com ships an update every 3 weeks, and JW Library monthly. Most recently, Dictionary.com was updated on October 19, 2026 and JW Library on October 19, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Dictionary.com or JW Library?

Dictionary.com currently peaks at #154 in the App Store charts, and JW Library at #75. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*