Comparison

MDX Reader vs OpenMDict

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

Head to head
About

MDX Reader

This app allows you to build and manage your personal dictionary using MDX/MDD files. It offers powerful offline search, smart favorites, and customizable appearance for a personalized reference experience.

Highlights
  • Unlimited dictionary management
  • Fast full-text search
  • Smart favorites for saved words
  • Customizable appearance
  • Offline functionality
  • Cross-dictionary search
Features
Read full description

MDX Reader is a powerful offline dictionary reading application that supports MDX/MDD format dictionary files. Whether you're learning a language, doing academic research, or need quick reference, MDX Reader is your ideal choice. Core Features • Unlimited Dictionaries Add and manage multiple MDX dictionaries simultaneously, supporting parallel queries across dictionaries for comprehensive information retrieval. • Powerful Search Engine Lightning-fast full-text search with instant results. Supports fuzzy matching and comprehensive indexing. • Smart Favorites One-tap to save important words, organized by dictionary for easy review and management. • Custom Appearance Personalize font family, size, weight, line spacing, padding, and background color. Create your ideal reading experience. • Offline First All dictionary data and search functionality work completely offline. No internet connection required, protecting your privacy. • Cross-Dictionary Search Simultaneously search multiple dictionaries and instantly view definitions from different sources. • Search History Automatically record search history for quick access to previously viewed content. Supported Formats • MDX (MDict Dictionary) Mainstream dictionary format with wide compatibility • MDD (MDict Resource) Supports images, audio, and multimedia resources Premium Features Unlock all features with a one-time purchase: - Unlimited dictionary additions (free version limited to 1) - Unlimited daily searches (free version limited to 20) - Custom appearance settings - Background color selection - Advanced font settings Free Trial New users get a 7-day free trial of all premium features. Experience the full functionality before deciding to purchase. Privacy First - No data collection - No user tracking - No third-party analytics - All data stored locally on device - Complete offline functionality Perfect For - Language learners: Support for multiple language dictionaries - Academic researchers: Professional terminology dictionaries - Translators: Quick reference and terminology lookup - Students: Comprehensive learning resource - Knowledge workers: Personal knowledge base Easy to Use 1. Add Dictionary: Import your MDX/MDD dictionary files 2. Search Words: Enter search terms for instant results 3. Manage Favorites: Save important content for easy review Download MDX Reader now and start your knowledge exploration journey!

About

OpenMDict

This free, open-source dictionary reader allows you to view definitions from multiple dictionaries simultaneously. It offers pop-up lookup from any app and syncs your dictionaries, bookmarks, and history across devices via iCloud. Includes over 65 curated dictionaries to get you started.

Highlights
  • Multiple layout modes (Columns, Grid, List)
  • Pop-up lookup via Action Extension
  • Jump search within definitions
  • iCloud sync for dictionaries and history
  • Import unlimited dictionaries and create groups
  • Includes 65+ curated open-source dictionaries
  • Dark mode enhancements with adjustable brightness
Features
Read full description

OpenMDict is a free, open-source MDict (.mdx/.mdd) dictionary reader for iPhone and iPad. ► THREE LAYOUT MODES & MULTI-WINDOW ON iPadOS - View definitions from multiple dictionaries simultaneously in Columns, Grid, or List layout — compare and cross-reference at a glance. - Desktop-class productivity with multiple windows and 30+ keyboard shortcuts. ► POP-UP LOOKUP & JUMP SEARCH - Look up words from any app via the Action Extension pop-up. - Keep jump-searching unfamiliar terms within definitions until every word is clear. ► iCLOUD SYNC & UNLIMITED GROUPS - Dictionaries, bookmarks, history, and lookup counts sync across all your devices. - Import unlimited dictionaries and create unlimited groups — no subscriptions, no ads, no paid tiers. ► PRESET DICTIONARIES INCLUDED & DARK MODE ENHANCEMENTS - Choose from 64 curated open-source dictionaries (WordNet, JMdict, CC-CEDICT, and more) — download and start using them right away. - Enhance third-party dictionaries' readability in dark mode, with 7 levels of adjustable brightness per dictionary. ► AI COACH & VOCABULARY GAMES - Turn the English words you bookmark into four quick games, generated on your device by Apple Intelligence, with definitions from your own dictionaries. - Swipe to sort synonyms, antonyms, and look-alikes. - Spot the impostor words hiding among a word's true relatives. - Settle a daytime-TV-style paternity dispute: is this word really in the family? - Answer a game-show survey: name the words that share a category. - Requires iOS 26 or later and a supported device with Apple Intelligence turned on and set to a language it supports. ► MORE FEATURES • Full MDict format support: V1 (LZO), V2 (zlib), MDD resources, obfuscated dictionaries • Lemma-aware search — finds base forms and inflected variants automatically • Siri Shortcuts, Spotlight search, Quick Actions, Share Extension, Drag & Drop • Available in 13 languages: English, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 日本語, 한국어, Español, Deutsch, Français, Português (BR), Русский, Українська, العربية, हिन्दी

Screenshots

MDX Reader4 screens
OpenMDict4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MDX Reader at 5.0 against OpenMDict's 4.5. OpenMDict's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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. MDX Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenMDict asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MDX Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MDX Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, OpenMDict fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MDX Reader versus OpenMDict: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMDX ReaderOpenMDict
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB78 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYulei DuanHan Yin

Customer experience

MDX Reader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

OpenMDict

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MDX Reader

One-time1
  • MDX Premium (Lifetime)$3.99
None

OpenMDict

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MDX Reader free?
MDX Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenMDict free?
OpenMDict is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MDX Reader or OpenMDict?
MDX Reader is rated higher. MDX Reader averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while OpenMDict averages 4.5 from 4 ratings.
Do MDX Reader or OpenMDict have ads?
Neither MDX Reader nor OpenMDict shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MDX Reader or OpenMDict?
MDX Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, and OpenMDict fortnightly. Most recently, MDX Reader was updated on October 30, 2026 and OpenMDict on November 5, 2026.

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