Comparison

Dictionary Academic vs Trace

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

Head to head
About

Dictionary Academic

This English dictionary app is designed for students and academic learners, offering over 10,000 words with definitions and examples. It features offline access, a clean interface, and curated word lists for exam preparation and vocabulary building.

Highlights
  • 10,000+ English words with definitions
  • Real-world example sentences
  • Fast and intelligent search
  • Offline access
  • Bookmark favorite words
  • Light and Dark modes
Features
Read full description

Dictionary Academic is a reliable and easy-to-use English dictionary specially designed for students, educators, and academic learners. Whether you're studying for exams, writing academic papers, or building your vocabulary, this app provides accurate definitions, real-world examples, and curated word lists to help you succeed. Key Features: ● Contains over 10,000 English words with detailed definitions ● Real-world example sentences for better understanding ● Fast and intelligent search with auto-suggestions ● Offline access – no internet needed ● Clean and distraction-free user interface ● Bookmark your favorite or important words ● Light and Dark modes for better reading experience ● Includes the 3000 and 5000 most frequently used English words, perfect for learners preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, and academic writing Ideal for university students, language learners, and anyone looking to master academic-level English vocabulary. Download Dictionary Academic today and explore 10,000+ essential English words — anytime, anywhere, even offline!

About

Trace

This app allows users to privately read and organize EPUB files downloaded from AO3 offline. It offers customizable reading settings, library management with personal tags and notes, and robust search and filtering capabilities for fanfiction.

Highlights
  • Offline EPUB reading
  • AO3 fanfiction organization
  • Customizable reading themes and fonts
  • Personalized library management
  • Advanced search and filtering
  • Optional cloud sync
Features
Read full description

Trace Reader is a private, unofficial reader for AO3 EPUBs. Import a story and read it comfortably offline, with the metadata and organisation fanfiction readers actually need. I built this for accessible reading tailored to offline AO3 reading because Apple Books wasn't quite enough. Choose paged or continuous scrolling, adjust the type and spacing, and read in Paper, Sepia, Night or High Contrast themes, with accessible fonts. Filter your collection with all of AO3's filters, and view your library by the things that matter for fanfiction: reading status, fandom, tags, and ships. NO AO3 LOGIN - Keep your account details private. You should never trust a third party with your AO3 login details and this app will never ask you for them. BUILD A LIBRARY THAT FEELS LIKE YOURS • Keep stories as Saved, Reading, Paused, Caught up, Finished or Dropped • Add ratings, personal tags, highlights, and notes by story, chapter or highlighted passage. • Search and filter by fandom, relationships, characters, warnings, series and more • Import individual EPUBs or choose a folder that will automatically load EPUBs once you download them from AO3. • Keep previous EPUB versions and restore one when needed NO ACCOUNT NEEDED Reading, importing and organisation work offline. Your EPUB files and story text stay on your device with no limitations on library size or organization features. TRACE SYNC IS OPTIONAL ADD ON Connect a free Trace account to sync up to 100 stories, restore library details and reading progress on a new device, and access your reading library from any browser. Trace Unlimited adds unlimited Reader sync and private reading Stats. Trace also gives you access to the Trace extension, which lets you track your online reading in the same way you track your EPUB reading, storing it all in the same online library. A subscription is never required to read, import or organise EPUBs on this device. EPUB files are not included in sync right now. Trace Reader is an independent, unofficial app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Organization for Transformative Works or Archive of Our Own. End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Dictionary Academic4 screens
Trace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Trace at 5.0 against Dictionary Academic's 4.0. Dictionary Academic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ratings volume, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Trace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Dictionary Academic asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Trace holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Dictionary Academic versus Trace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDictionary AcademicTrace
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5 — better3
Update frequency—Every 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.2 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size109 MB34 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMinh Le CongZACHARY SAMUEL LAMBERT

Customer experience

Dictionary Academic

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Trace

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Dictionary Academic

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Trace

Subscriptions2
  • Trace Unlimited Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Trace Unlimited Yearly$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Dictionary Academic free?
Dictionary Academic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Trace free?
Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dictionary Academic or Trace?
Trace is rated higher. Dictionary Academic averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Trace averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Dictionary Academic or Trace have ads?
Neither Dictionary Academic nor Trace shows ads.

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