Comparison

Chambers 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

Chambers Dictionary

This comprehensive English dictionary offers extensive coverage of words, including new terms from science and culture. It features intelligent search with spelling suggestions, pattern matching, and filtering, plus standard tools like bookmarks and anagrams. An offline reference for word enthusiasts and crossword solvers.

Highlights
  • Extensive word coverage
  • Latest new words
  • Intelligent spelling suggestions
  • Advanced search with pattern matching
  • Filter search results by word type
  • Offline functionality
  • Anagrams
Features
Read full description

Chambers is the single-volume international English dictionary with the widest coverage of all the riches of the English language. Clear, accurate and occasionally witty definitions, with the latest new words from science, technology and contemporary culture. This 13th Edition reflects the changes in our language, with special attention paid to new words that have emerged, new uses of old words and the most up-to-date pronunciation. The 13th Edition includes over 260,000 distinct words, compounds, phrases and derived forms. The intelligent word entry suggests possible correct spellings as you type, as well as listing words that sound the same or are often confused. Search features include: - Alphabetical listing - Spelling suggestions - Sounds-like and often-confused - Fast pattern-matching search (*, ?, vowel and consonant) - Filter search results by noun, verb, adjective, adverbs - Customize search options (case, derived forms, etc) - Full text search - Anagrams There are also standard bookmark, recent word and random word features. No Internet connection is required, and it supports Split View and Slide over for use with other apps on iPad. The Chambers Dictionary is treasured by word-lovers and crossword enthusiasts for its majestic coverage of English and its tradition of sneaking in a sprinkling of light-hearted definitions. Alone among the single-volume dictionaries, it preserves a rich stock of words from our literary heritage as well as covering all the latest developments in contemporary English. Chambers Thesaurus is also available as a separate app, and can easily be cross-referenced from the dictionary. Our WordWeb, Chambers, Collins and Oxford dictionaries are also available separately for Windows and Mac desktop.

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

Chambers Dictionary4 screens
American Heritage Dictionary 54 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: American Heritage Dictionary 5 at Free against Chambers Dictionary's $9.99. American Heritage Dictionary 5 also leads on ratings volume (441 vs 17) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). Chambers Dictionary's advantage is review sentiment (79% vs 43%) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). On rating, 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; Chambers Dictionary costs $9.99 up front. American Heritage Dictionary 5 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Chambers Dictionary asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Chambers Dictionary against 4.5 for American Heritage Dictionary 5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: American Heritage Dictionary 5 has 441 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Chambers Dictionary's written reviews are positive against 43% of American Heritage Dictionary 5's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chambers Dictionary ships an update every 4 months, American Heritage Dictionary 5 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Chambers Dictionary versus American Heritage Dictionary 5: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChambers DictionaryAmerican Heritage Dictionary 5
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (17 ratings) — better4.5 (441 ratings)
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews — better43.5% of reviews
Number of ratings17441 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB628 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperAntony LewisEnfour, Inc.

Customer experience

Chambers Dictionary

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral8.8%
Negative12.4%

American Heritage Dictionary 5

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

Bugs and requests

Chambers Dictionary

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Chambers 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 Chambers Dictionary free?
Chambers Dictionary costs $9.99, 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, Chambers Dictionary or American Heritage Dictionary 5?
Chambers Dictionary is rated higher. Chambers Dictionary averages 4.6 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while American Heritage Dictionary 5 averages 4.5 from 441 ratings.
Do Chambers Dictionary or American Heritage Dictionary 5 have ads?
Neither Chambers Dictionary nor American Heritage Dictionary 5 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chambers Dictionary or American Heritage Dictionary 5?
Chambers Dictionary ships an update every 4 months, and American Heritage Dictionary 5 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Chambers Dictionary was updated on October 27, 2026 and American Heritage Dictionary 5 on October 26, 2026.

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