Comparison

WordWeb Audio Dictionary vs American Heritage Dictionary 5

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

Head to head
About

WordWeb Audio Dictionary

This app provides a comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus with extensive definitions, usage examples, and synonyms. It features professionally recorded audio pronunciations for thousands of words, supporting British, US, and Australian variants. Intelligent search suggestions and pattern matching aid in finding words, even for crosswords.

Highlights
  • 70,000 audio pronunciations
  • 300,000 words, phrases, and derived forms
  • 225,000 word sense definitions
  • 70,000 usage examples
  • Synonyms and similar words
  • British, US, and Australian variants
  • Intelligent spelling and sound-alike suggestions
  • Pattern-matching word search
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

A comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus with 70,000 professionally recorded audio pronunciations. The WordWeb dictionary database includes: - 300,000 words, phrases and derived forms - 225,000 word sense definitions - 70,000 usage examples - 70,000 audio pronunciations - 85,000 text pronunciations - Synonyms and similar words - British, US and Australian words, pronunciations and spellings The intelligent word entry suggests possible correct spellings as you type, as well as listing words that sound the same or are often confused. In addition there's a fast pattern-matching word search feature, great for crosswords and other puzzles, or finding that word you've forgotten. Search features include: - Alphabetical listing - Spelling, sounds-like and often-confused suggestions - Fast pattern-matching search (*, ?, vowel and consonant) - Filter search results by noun, verb, adjective, adverbs - Customize search options (case, derived forms, etc) No Internet connection is required to use WordWeb (unlike audio in dictionary.com). A smaller version without audio is also available - search iTunes for WordWeb. [To hear sound make sure sound is not muted on your device]

About

American Heritage Dictionary 5

Access a comprehensive English language dictionary with over 10,000 new words and senses. Features include real-time searching, cross-referencing, pronunciation guides, and etymologies. Enhance your vocabulary and understanding of word origins on the go.

Highlights
  • Entire text of the Fifth Edition
  • Real-time progressive searching
  • Three-way cross-referencing indexes
  • Wildcard pattern searches
  • Detailed etymologies
  • Professionally recorded sound files
  • AI boosted anagram generator
Features
Read full description

The Fifth Edition of The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language is one of the most comprehensive and accessible resources available on any mobile device. This latest edition has been much anticipated: 10 years 20 Lexicographers 200 Usage Experts 10,000 New Words and Senses 1 Defining Achievement Keep the hardcopy at home and take the app out with you wherever you need it. Main Features: ● the entire text of this landmark new edition ● complete front matter and appendices ● real-time progressive searching ● three-way cross-referencing indexes ● wildcard pattern searches (with * ?) ● online search support for rare words and slang ● spelling suggestions ● internal hyperlinking ● zoomable graphics ● full pronunciation symbols chart ● IPA pronunciation symbol conversion ● detailed etymologies with links to root appendices ● professionally recorded sound files ● automatic search history ● fallback online search for esoteric or archaic words and the latest slang ● AI boosted anagram generator ● two-way external application interaction ● bookmarks with editable notations ● make-your-own flashcards ● "Word-a-day" feature with TOEIC® & TOEFL® lists ● "Share" extension​ to search inside other apps -with "store for later" ● "Today" and LockScreen widgets ● 3D Touch support ● DarkMode support ● iPad Pro multi-screen and Drag & Drop ● Dyslexic mode and VoiceOver support ● iOS12 to iOS27 support ● iPhone 18 support ● iPhone, iPod, iPad and macOS support In keeping with the American Heritage® tradition of cutting-edge research, the Fifth Edition represents the work of a dedicated team of experts, scholars, and contributors. Thousands of definitions have been revised in rapidly changing fields such as astronomy and biology, geographical entries and maps have been completely updated, and the dictionary’s signature feature notes on word history, synonymy, and language variation have been enhanced and improved. Word meanings are made easier to understand with thousands of new quotations from classic and contemporary writers. Etymologies explaining word origins and development have been newly created or revised to reflect the very latest scholarship. Many words are traced back to their roots in prehistory through two unique appendices showing word roots in ancient Indo-European and Semitic. Reliable, enlightening, and visually stunning, the Fifth Edition of The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language gives you the opportunity to make your mark in the best possible way. ________________________________________ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. http://www.hmhco.com ________________________________________ Powered by Enfour's "UniDict® Engine 18" ________________________________________ ● This is "free-to-download" but not a free app. It requires an InApp purchase.

Screenshots

WordWeb Audio Dictionary4 screens
American Heritage Dictionary 54 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: American Heritage Dictionary 5 at Free against WordWeb Audio Dictionary's $3.99. American Heritage Dictionary 5 also leads on ratings volume (444 vs 10) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). WordWeb Audio Dictionary's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (78% vs 43%). On ads, device support 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

American Heritage Dictionary 5 is free to download; WordWeb Audio Dictionary costs $3.99 up front. American Heritage Dictionary 5 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. WordWeb Audio Dictionary asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WordWeb Audio Dictionary holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: American Heritage Dictionary 5 has 444 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of WordWeb Audio Dictionary's written reviews are positive against 43% of American Heritage Dictionary 5's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WordWeb Audio Dictionary ships an update every 3 months, American Heritage Dictionary 5 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
WordWeb Audio Dictionary versus American Heritage Dictionary 5: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWordWeb Audio DictionaryAmerican Heritage Dictionary 5
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (10 ratings) — better4.5 (444 ratings)
Positive reviews78.0% of reviews — better43.5% of reviews
Number of ratings10444 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#45 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size244 MB628 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperAntony LewisEnfour, Inc.

Customer experience

WordWeb Audio Dictionary

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive78.0%
Neutral11.0%
Negative11.0%

American Heritage Dictionary 5

All ratings422 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral2.8%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews168 reviews
Positive43.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative48.8%

User reviews

WordWeb Audio Dictionary

From 10 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Simple interface
  • 👍 Ad-free
  • 👍 Good value for money
  • 👍 Comprehensive dictionary

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Audio not working for some users
  • 🐛 Inconsistent audio accents
  • 🐛 Not fully compatible with VoiceOver
  • 🐛 Audio can be too quiet
  • 🐛 Lacks IPA

American Heritage Dictionary 5

From 444 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💎 Excellent dictionary content
  • 🔍 Quick reference and search
  • 🔊 Good pronunciation support
  • 📚 Comprehensive word information

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Forced in-app purchases
  • 🔄 Unreliable updates and support
  • 🤖 Outdated and clunky interface

Bugs and requests

WordWeb Audio Dictionary

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Audio version doesn't work
  • Sound settings issue (app thinks sound is off)
  • VoiceOver compatibility issues
  • No sound in the app
  • Cannot play audio
Show 3 more
  • Audio not working with iOS updates
  • Bug in iOS4 version for copying text
  • App crashes/sync freezes

Requested features

8 requests
  • Include Thesauruses
  • Add phrases and idioms
  • Merge dictionaries into one app
  • Make available for iPod Touches
  • Add landscape mode
Show 3 more
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve VoiceOver compatibility
  • Add translation to Russian

American Heritage Dictionary 5

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Inability to access full dictionary
  • Bookmarks and history issues
  • Compatibility problems with OS updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved search and navigation
  • Better integration with other apps
  • More sample sentences and usage examples
  • Ability to sync across devices

In-app purchases

None

WordWeb Audio Dictionary

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

American Heritage Dictionary 5

Subscriptions1
  • AHD 5th Subscription$0.991 Month
One-time3
  • Roget's II: The New Thesaurus$4.99
  • AHD5 -activation$13.99
  • AHD4-user discount$14.99

Questions

Is WordWeb Audio Dictionary free?
WordWeb Audio Dictionary costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is American Heritage Dictionary 5 free?
American Heritage Dictionary 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WordWeb Audio Dictionary or American Heritage Dictionary 5?
WordWeb Audio Dictionary is rated higher. WordWeb Audio Dictionary averages 4.8 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while American Heritage Dictionary 5 averages 4.5 from 444 ratings.
Do WordWeb Audio Dictionary or American Heritage Dictionary 5 have ads?
Neither WordWeb Audio Dictionary nor American Heritage Dictionary 5 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WordWeb Audio Dictionary or American Heritage Dictionary 5?
WordWeb Audio Dictionary ships an update every 3 months, and American Heritage Dictionary 5 every 6 weeks. Most recently, WordWeb Audio Dictionary was updated on November 6, 2026 and American Heritage Dictionary 5 on November 1, 2026.

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