Comparison

WordBook (Universal) vs Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro

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

Head to head
About

WordBook (Universal)

This comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus offers extensive definitions, word origins, and pronunciation guides. It includes a built-in spell checker, bookmarking, and advanced search capabilities for word puzzles.

Highlights
  • Professionally recorded pronunciations
  • Word origin information (Etymologies)
  • Built-in spell checker
  • Bookmark and note management
  • Advanced word search and puzzle solver
  • 150,000+ entries with 220,000+ definitions
  • Words of the Day
Features
Read full description

FEATURES that make WordBook stand out from other dictionary apps: - Professionally recorded pronunciation for every single entry - Word origin information (Etymologies) - Built-in spell checker with pop-up spelling suggestions - User's bookmark and note management - Unmatched sounds-like and wild card search and a powerful word puzzle solver ==================================== WordBook is a comprehensive, quick and intuitive dictionary and thesaurus of the English language. It's a great combination of comprehensive contents and fast intuitive interface. FEATURES: * 150,000 entries with more than 220,000 definitions, 70,000 usage samples * 23,000 root word origins (etymologies) * 120,000 pronunciation guides in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and other notations * Spoken pronunciations (for all entries) * Built-in thesaurus and word links connecting words semantically * Unmatched index, wildcard, anagram search capabilities * Bookmark (with user's notes) and history management * Words of the Day: you get to learn new words daily, shake the device for new random words * Browser-like definition content navigation, ability to tap on any word in the content to look up its definition * Extending up to 5 web dictionaries to supplement built-in contents * High resolution graphics for Retina display REVIEWS: * "Mobile dictionary and thesaurus at my fingertips. Lightning fast. The random words of the day are a terrific bonus" - Dane Cook, The Daily * “the best in the [inexpensive dictionary] category... This wealth of information is indispensable to the student, and even fun to use” - Jeff Phillips, Macworld * “One of 15 Best Apps for English Majors” - April Lentini, CollegeTimes.us * “None measure up to WordBook” Score: 10/10 - Michael Alexander, AppCraver.com * “WordBook leads the parade of free and low-cost dictionary options” - Ben Boychuk, MacWorld.com * “WordBook dictionary - the standard for reference apps” Rating: 5/5 - Steven Yaccino, appolicious.com NOTES: - WordBook does not required an internet connection except to view web dictionaries or to play online pronunciation voices. - WordBook includes entries of both American/British spellings. Definitions are written in American English.

About

Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro

Access a comprehensive offline dictionary and thesaurus with extensive content in multiple languages. Explore definitions, synonyms, and specialized dictionaries for various fields. Enjoy an ad-free experience with features like word games and instant lookups.

Highlights
  • Ad-free experience
  • Offline English dictionary and thesaurus
  • Offline dictionaries in 13 languages
  • Offline translations to over 40 languages
  • Specialty dictionaries (Medical, Legal, etc.)
  • Word games and daily content
  • Instant word lookup from other apps
Features
Read full description

Get the world's most comprehensive ad-free dictionary and thesaurus with extensive offline dictionary content and synonyms. Dictionary Pro is the premium version of The Free Dictionary app, featuring: * No ads. * A comprehensive English offline dictionary and offline thesaurus. * Offline dictionaries in 13 other languages. * Offline translations of English into more than 40 languages. * Dozens of other offline translation options. Rated #1 app in the App Store in the paid reference category in 109 countries 2011–2019 (Source: http://www.appannie.com/apps/ios/app/492085918/app-ranking/#device=iphone&type=best-ranks) Plus TheFreeDictionary's classic app content: * Find every word you search for. Get results from trusted sources: Webster's Dictionary Roget's Thesaurus The American Heritage Dictionary + More than 100 dictionaries and encyclopedias from these top publishers: McGraw-Hill Houghton Mifflin HarperCollins Random House Elsevier + More! * Learn the word. Clear definitions, example sentences, etymologies, illustrations, and more. * Learn how to say it. Play audio pronunciations and hear it pronounced. * Learn something new. Word of the Day and other fresh daily content. * Find the perfect synonym fast. East-to-use Thesaurus with synonyms, antonyms, and related words. * Explore topics in-depth. Multiple specialty dictionaries and encyclopedias: Medical Legal Science Financial Idioms Acronyms and Abbreviations + More! * Watch idioms in action. View idioms videos inside the app and see idioms and slang explained. * Play word games. Spelling Bee, Hangman, and more. * Access dictionaries in 13 other languages, including: Spanish French German Italian Portuguese Russian Chinese + More! What makes Dictionary Pro the most user-friendly dictionary app? * Instantly look up words in apps or webpages! Just highlight the word you want to look up, tap "Share," then tap "More" in the bottom menu and turn on the "Define" option. You will then see a "Define" icon in the menu. Tap it to see the definition of the highlighted word! * Voice search. Just say the word to look it up. * Advanced Search options. * Look up the definition of any word on the page. Just highlight and tap "Definition." * Save bookmarks with one tap and sync them to all your devices. * Customize your homepage: Move, add, or remove articles, games, even local weather. * Jump to Definition, Thesaurus, or Translations with one button. * Navigate the app in more than a dozen languages with the multilingual interface. * Adjust font size. * Share your favorite definitions and articles via social networks, email, or text. EXCLUSIVE * Earn meals for hungry children through The Free Dictionary's partnership with the World Food Program—just by using the app! Not convinced? Read our reviews to see why our users say this is the best dictionary app they've ever used. How do we do it? Farlex is a leader in dictionary apps. We work with the best publishers to bring together trusted content in the most comprehensive, authoritative dictionary apps on the market. Find our other apps by searching "Dictionary by Farlex" in the App Store. * For app developers: The Free Dictionary app can be accessed by other apps with API calls (Contact Farlex for instructions).

Screenshots

WordBook (Universal)4 screens
Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: WordBook (Universal) at $2.99 against Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro's $9.99. WordBook (Universal) also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 13.0). Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro's advantage is ratings volume (2.6K vs 275). On rating, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

WordBook (Universal) costs $2.99 and Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro has 2.6K ratings behind it against 275, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 88% of WordBook (Universal)'s written reviews are positive against 87% of Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
WordBook (Universal) versus Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWordBook (Universal)Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro
Price$2.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (275 ratings)4.9 (2.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.6% of reviews — better86.6% of reviews
Number of ratings2752.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB22 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperTranCreative SoftwareFarlex, Inc.

Customer experience

WordBook (Universal)

All ratings275 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews170 reviews
Positive87.6%
Neutral5.3%
Negative7.1%

Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro

All ratings2,560 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews469 reviews
Positive86.6%
Neutral2.8%
Negative10.7%

User reviews

WordBook (Universal)

From 275 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Comprehensive dictionary with detailed definitions
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient lookup
  • 💡 Helpful thesaurus and word origin features
  • 👍 Customizable web links for additional reference
  • 👍 Useful for crosswords and puzzles

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Some words missing or inaccurate definitions
  • 🔇 Pronunciation issues or missing audio
  • 🚫 Lack of updates and new features
  • 🚫 Limited vocabulary compared to other dictionaries
  • 🚫 Censored words and features

Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro

From 2.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Comprehensive and detailed definitions
  • 💡 Helpful translation and pronunciation features
  • 👍 Useful word games and trivia
  • 👍 Offline mode availability

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 🔍 Limited thesaurus functionality
  • 🔍 Lack of customization options
  • 💰 Paid version required to remove ads

Bugs and requests

WordBook (Universal)

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes, especially on newer devices
  • Compatibility issues with recent iOS versions
  • Anagram solver not working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • More comprehensive vocabulary
  • Improved pronunciation and audio support
  • Regular updates and new features
  • Better optimization for iPad and split-screen use

Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Search function sometimes fails to load definitions
  • Offline mode has fewer word entries than online
  • Occasional sync issues between online and offline data

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more language dictionaries
  • Improve thesaurus with more synonyms and antonyms
  • Implement flashcard or vocabulary building features
  • Allow users to save custom word lists

In-app purchases

None

WordBook (Universal)

No in-app purchases

None

Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WordBook (Universal) free?
WordBook (Universal) costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro free?
Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WordBook (Universal) or Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro?
Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro is rated higher. WordBook (Universal) averages 4.7 out of 5 from 275 ratings, while Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro averages 4.9 from 2.6K ratings.
Do WordBook (Universal) or Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro have ads?
Neither WordBook (Universal) nor Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WordBook (Universal) or Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro?
WordBook (Universal) ships an update every 4 months, and Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro every 4 months. Most recently, WordBook (Universal) was updated on November 6, 2026 and Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro on November 6, 2026.

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