MDX Reader vs OpenMDict
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Unlimited dictionary management
- Fast full-text search
- Smart favorites for saved words
- Customizable appearance
- Offline functionality
- Cross-dictionary search
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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!
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.
- 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
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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, create unlimited groups, no subscriptions, no ads, no paid tiers. ► PRESET DICTS INCLUDED & DARK ENHANCEMENTS - Choose from 65 curated open-source dictionaries (WordNet, JMdict, CC-CEDICT, and more) — download and start using immediately. - Enhance third-party dictionaries' readability in dark mode, with 7 levels of adjustable brightness per dictionary. 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 • 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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenMDict at none against MDX Reader's 1. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. MDX Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenMDict asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for MDX Reader against 5.0 for OpenMDict. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
MDX Reader ships an update every 11 days, OpenMDict every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MDX Reader | OpenMDict |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 83 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yulei Duan | Han Yin |
Customer experience
MDX Reader
OpenMDict
In-app purchases
MDX Reader
- MDX Premium (Lifetime)$3.99
OpenMDict
No in-app purchases





