# Chinese Lexicon vs Visual Key

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Visual Key at none against Chinese Lexicon's 7. Visual Key also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months). Chinese Lexicon's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chinese Lexicon sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Visual Key asks for nothing beyond the download.

Chinese Lexicon ships an update every 3 months, Visual Key every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and August 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chinese Lexicon | Visual Key |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Size | 94 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Clavis Sinica Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1635273455) | [SEMANTIC TECHNOLOGIES LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1777357874) |

## What reviewers say

### Chinese Lexicon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-lexicon/id6444795325)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 points | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1000 points | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2000 points | $19.99 | one-time |
| HSK Dictionary | $19.99 | one-time |
| Monthly membership | $20.00 | one-time |
| 5000 points | $49.99 | one-time |
| Annual membership | $200.00 | one-time |


### Visual Key

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-key/id6737684838)

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chinese Lexicon free?

Chinese Lexicon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Visual Key free?

Visual Key is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Chinese Lexicon or Visual Key have ads?

Neither Chinese Lexicon nor Visual Key shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chinese Lexicon or Visual Key?

Chinese Lexicon ships an update every 3 months, and Visual Key every 4 weeks. Most recently, Chinese Lexicon was updated on September 14, 2026 and Visual Key on August 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*