Chambers Thesaurus vs Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chambers Thesaurus
This offline English thesaurus offers a vast collection of synonyms and antonyms for writers and language enthusiasts. It features intelligent word entry with spelling suggestions and advanced search capabilities, all accessible without an internet connection.
- Nearly 40,000 indexed words
- 400,000 synonyms and antonyms
- Intelligent spelling suggestions
- Sounds-like and confused word suggestions
- Fast pattern-matching search
- Cross-reference to dictionaries
- Offline access
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The Chambers Thesaurus is the perfect reference for writers and word game enthusiasts, while all lovers of language will find it a pleasure to browse through. There are nearly 40 000 distinct indexed words, and a total of about 400 000 synonyms and antonyms. 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 - Cross-reference to offline and online dictionaries There are also standard bookmark, recent word and random word features. On newer iPads it supports Split View and Slide Over for easily viewing with other apps. With iOS 13+ it supports dark mode. No Internet connection is required. The Chambers Dictionary is also available as a separate app, and can easily be cross-referenced using the X-Ref button. Our WordWeb, Chambers and Oxford dictionaries are also available separately for Windows and Mac desktop (Collins coming soon).
Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus
Access a comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus with over 722,000 words, meanings, and phrases, plus 410,000 synonyms and antonyms. This offline app includes pronunciation audio, usage notes, etymologies, and specialized vocabulary for writers, students, and word game enthusiasts.
- Extensive vocabulary (722k+ words, 410k+ synonyms)
- Offline access with pronunciation audio
- Crossword and Scrabble solver features
- Latest words and technical vocabulary
- Usage notes and etymologies
- Search within entries and definitions
- Custom actions for use in other apps
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The new 2014 Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus app is fast, easy-to-use, has all the latest words, and is the most comprehensive and trustworthy combined English Dictionary and Thesaurus available on iOS. It contains more than 722,000 words, meanings and phrases and 410,000 synonyms and antonyms reflecting the rapid evolution and growth of modern English. No internet connection is required. Pronunciation audio available offline. For more than a century, Collins’ editors have worked to create dictionaries that meet the needs of the world they define. They’re still doing so today, tracking language change around the world and vetting suggestions from the public on collinsdictionary.com, ensuring Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus truly is the home of living language. With all of the latest words to enter the English language as well as over 8,500 place names and 5,500 biographies you have thousands of fascinating facts and figures at your fingertips. Usage notes give advice on using the right word in the right place, and thousands of etymologies trace the roots of modern English. *More than 722,000 words, meanings and phrases *Over 410,000 synonyms and antonyms *Pronunciation audio available *Literary and rare words useful for crossword solvers and setters as well as Scrabble players *Includes the latest new words and extensive coverage of scientific and technical vocabulary *Over 8,500 place names and 5,500 biographies *Full appendixes of the Collins English Dictionary (The Joy of Dictionaries by best-selling author Mark Forsyth, Guide to Using the Dictionary, Pronunciation Guide and Abbreviations) *No internet connection required Search features include: -Alphabetical listing -Spelling suggestions -Linked Dictionary and Thesaurus -Anagrams -Fast pattern-match search (*, ?, vowel, consonant and group of letters) for crossword solving -Customize search options (starts/ends with, appears in idioms/examples) -Search within entries, definitions and examples -‘Jump’ feature – touch any word anywhere in the dictionary to go to the definition -Custom action feature allows users to look up a word in the dictionary from within other applications -Bookmark and history functions
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Chambers Thesaurus at 4.9 against Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus's 3.9. Chambers Thesaurus also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and price ($4.99 vs $6.99). Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Chambers Thesaurus costs $4.99 and Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus $6.99 up front. Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chambers Thesaurus asks for nothing beyond the download.
Chambers Thesaurus holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 15 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Chambers Thesaurus's written reviews are positive against 72% of Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus's.
Chambers Thesaurus ships an update every 8 months, Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Chambers Thesaurus | Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (11 ratings) — better | 3.9 (15 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.7% of reviews — better | 72.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 15 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 429 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Antony Lewis | HarperCollins Publishers Ltd |
Customer experience
Chambers Thesaurus
Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus
Bugs and requests
Chambers Thesaurus
Reported bugs
6 issues- App crashes when opening after update
- App no longer works on older OS versions
- Search field not immediately available
- Latest update prevents download on iPhone
- Index broken, making it less useful
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- Search only for headwords, not synonyms or sub-collections
Requested features
8 requests- Switch between purchased dictionaries/thesauruses in tabs
- Sell other desktop dictionaries on mobile
- Consistent spacing and text placement across tabs
- Use MacOS built-in support for graphics card acceleration
- Display identifying headings ('Thesaurus'/'Dictionary')
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- Allow changing background and text color for dyslexia
- Update to the 3rd edition thesaurus
- Visibly differentiate words with links
Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Chambers Thesaurus
No in-app purchases
Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus
- Headword Audio PackFree
Questions
Is Chambers Thesaurus free?
Is Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus free?
Which has better reviews, Chambers Thesaurus or Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus?
Do Chambers Thesaurus or Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chambers Thesaurus or Collins Dictionary+Thesaurus?
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