Chinese Dictionary vs 1secDic
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chinese Dictionary
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EC Dict is a free Chinese - English and English - Chinese dictionary app with over 400000 word entries. The dictionary data is stored offline. No internet connection is required to lookup words. The dictionary also supports audio pronunciations in Chinese and English (both UK and US pronunciation). Do you want to improve your Chinese today or study for Chinese language tests like HSK? Or maybe you travel in China and simply want a good dictionary app for reference. EC Dict is the perfect Chinese language dictionary app for you with these great features. - Search for Chinese words using Pinyin (Romanization of Chinese). For example, if you type "daxiongmao", the dictionary is able to look up "大熊猫" (panda). In this way you do not have to switch to a Chinese keyboard to use the app. - Text translation between English and Chinese - The app has audio pronunciation of Chinese and English words - The app is able to read aloud full paragraph in Chinese and English - Learn words effectively via flashcards with intelligent scheduling algorithm. - Come with several wordlists of most common Chinese words. - Come with English wordlists for TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc. - Quick image search for any word - Allow creation of custom wordlists
1secDic
This app is a high-performance dictionary reader for language enthusiasts, offering instant searches across large EPWING and MDict collections. It features a customizable interface, AI chat capabilities, and multi-platform support.
- Blazing-Fast EPWING/MDict Engine
- AI Chat powered by Apple Intelligence
- Multi-Platform Support (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Apple Watch)
- Retro Aesthetic (Vintage Mode)
- Precise Rendering of special characters
- Instant Access with search history and bookmarks
- Integrated Text-to-Speech (TTS)
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1secDic: Offline AI Dictionary & Flashcard Companion. Meet 1secDic—the next-generation dictionary crafted for serious language learners, polyglots, and researchers. By fusing offline authoritative dictionary archives with the reasoning power of Apple Intelligence, 1secDic doesn't just define words—it helps you truly understand and master them. Search across massive collections in an instant without an internet connection, ask on-device AI to explain subtle nuances, and turn your discoveries into active-recall flashcard study sessions. Key Features: - Offline-First Architecture & Private On-Device AI: Core dictionary lookups across your EPWING and MDict collections work completely offline. Apple Intelligence runs privately on-device for instant nuance breakdowns and example dialogues—with zero data tracking. Need deeper etymology or 32K context? Seamlessly tap to refresh via Apple's Private Cloud Compute on demand. - Interactive Flashcard Quiz Mode: Never forget a word again. Seamlessly convert your bookmarks and search history into active-recall study decks. Features fluid 3D card flips, auto-scrolling marquee cards for comprehensive definitions, and an intuitive spaced repetition workflow ("Keep" vs. "Got It"). - Blazing-Fast Zero-Latency Engine: Engineered in C++ and Swift for instant responsiveness. Decoded in-memory heading caches deliver 300ms live typing results across dozens of dictionaries simultaneously—with zero seek lag. - Complete Format Freedom (EPWING & MDict): Import your own EPWING and MDict (.mdx/.mdd) archives with ease, or get started immediately with free built-in downloadable dictionaries. Full support for subbooks, multi-book simultaneous search, embedded audio, and rare Kanji / Gaiji rendering. - Retro Electronic Dictionary Aesthetics: Relive the golden age of dedicated electronic dictionaries. Choose from authentic Green CRT, Plasma Amber, Blue Workstation, LCD, or E-Ink display styles, paired with custom bitmap typography (EtchedUD font) and subtle scanlines. - Unified Apple Ecosystem: Native apps crafted for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Apple Watch. Synchronize your bookmarks and history effortlessly across all your devices via iCloud. *Note on Apple Intelligence: AI features run on-device and require iOS 26+ / macOS 26+ on compatible Apple Silicon hardware (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, or M-series Macs/iPads). On other devices, all offline dictionary lookups, EPWING/MDict archives, audio, flashcards, and retro themes remain fully operational.*
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Chinese Dictionary at none against 1secDic's shown. Chinese Dictionary also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Chinese Dictionary sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and 1secDic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Chinese Dictionary | 1secDic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 64 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | VM Mobile Team | editoy Inc. |
In-app purchases
Chinese Dictionary
- Premium$2.99
1secDic
- Full Unlock (All Devices)$7.99








