--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Collins COBUILD Dictionary" developer_entity: "MobiSystems, Inc." bundle_id: "com.mobisystems.CollinsCobuildInt" app_store_id: "389735161" category: "Reference" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Paid" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS" app_last_updated: "2018-07-11" report_date: "2026-08-01" last_verified: "2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "10.0.11" total_reviews: 43 overall_rating: 4.4 confidence: "low" confidence_score: 0.3 data_age_days: 15 intelligence_version: 3 tags: ["reference", "paid", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "english", "language", "learners"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/collins-cobuild-dictionary" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Collins COBUILD Dictionary Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Reference · Paid - **Signal**: Rating 4.42 > **TL;DR:** Collins COBUILD Dictionary is a reference app by MobiSystems, Inc., rated 4.42/5 by 43 users, available on iOS. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** - Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Collins COBUILD Dictionary is a reference app by MobiSystems, Inc.. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.42/5 (43 reviews) | | **Category** | Reference | | **Developer** | MobiSystems, Inc. | | **Pricing** | Paid | | **Platforms** | iOS | | **Confidence** | Low (0.3/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 15d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** MobiSystems, Inc. - **Category:** Reference - **Target Audience:** English language learners and students requiring detailed grammatical context and usage patterns. - **Platforms:** iOS - **Version Reviewed:** 10.0.11 - **Report Date:** 2026-08-01 - **Signal Count:** 0 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Low (0.3/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 389735161 - **Bundle ID:** com.mobisystems.CollinsCobuildInt - **Performance Trend:** Mixed - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-08-01 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Collins COBUILD Dictionary is a reference app for English language learners, providing definitions and usage examples derived from the Bank of English database on iOS. **Why users hire it:** The app removes the cognitive friction of searching for precise grammatical usage patterns by providing full-sentence definitions and examples from a massive, curated corpus. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Bank of English Database:** Definitions and examples derived from a 650 million word corpus, providing academic authority that acts as a brand moat. * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features. - **[Differentiator] Camera Search:** Real-time word lookup via the device camera, increasing engagement for language learners. * *User Intent:* Users want to quickly find relevant content or features. - **[Standard] Fuzzy Filter Search:** Automatic spelling correction and wildcard patterns to reduce lookup friction. * *User Intent:* Users want to quickly find relevant content or features. ## Market Position {#market-position} Collins COBUILD Dictionary maintains a niche position as a premium, one-time-purchase reference tool, currently ranking in the top 100 paid category charts across multiple international markets. The lack of recent major updates relative to subscription-based rivals signals a potential decline in long-term market share despite the app's high academic authority. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Paid - **Tiers:** Single purchase at $11.99 - **Price:** iOS: $11.99 - **Analysis:** The fixed-price model targets users avoiding subscription fatigue, though it limits the developer's ability to fund high-frequency feature updates. ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Bank of English database provides academic credibility that acts as a defensible brand moat. - Camera-based lookup provides high-utility engagement for language learners. **Growth Levers:** - Introducing a freemium tier could capture the casual learner segment currently lost to ad-supported dictionary alternatives. ## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes} The app expanded its feature set with camera-based lookup and fuzzy search while formalizing its competitive disadvantage due to a lack of major updates since 2018. This shift highlights a transition from a static reference tool to a product actively struggling against modern subscription-based alternatives. **Overall trend**: Mixed **Compared at**: 2026-08-01 ### High-impact changes - **[Added] Camera Search and Fuzzy Filter Search** (features) - **[Shifted] Maintenance-only status** (positioning) ### Medium-impact changes - **[Added] New SWOT entries** (swot) ## App Momentum (Steady) {#momentum} - Ships maintenance-only updates since 2018. - Maintains stable, one-time purchase pricing model. ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Collins COBUILD Dictionary is a reference app that is a paid app. It holds a 4.42/5 rating from 43 reviews. > **Bottom Line:** The app's academic authority remains a strong retention lever, but the lack of iterative updates since 2018 leaves it vulnerable to subscription-based rivals. Pivoting to a freemium model would unlock the casual learner funnel currently blocked by the $11.99 entry price. **Best for:** English language learners and students requiring detailed grammatical context and usage patterns. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [PIVOT] Pivot to a freemium model because the current $11.99 barrier loses casual learners to free rivals → increase top-of-funnel install velocity. ### Outlook: Stable The reference app market is consolidating around high-frequency, subscription-based platforms that prioritize social and gamified learning. Collins COBUILD Dictionary remains advantaged by its academic authority, but its maintenance-only posture leaves it exposed to rivals that offer more frequent content and UI refreshes, which will likely compress its market share over the next two quarters. - ⚪ The app maintains a stable, one-time purchase model, which avoids subscription fatigue but limits the revenue available for high-frequency feature iteration. - 🔴 The absence of major feature updates since 2018 risks technical obsolescence, which will eventually erode the app's competitive standing against modern, iterative reference tools. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.42/5 | | Total Reviews | 43 | | Confidence | Low | | Pricing Model | Paid | | Platforms | iOS | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Mixed | | Outlook | Stable | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Collins COBUILD Dictionary** (this app) | 4.42/5 | N/A | MobiSystems, Inc. | | [Hallow: Prayer & Meditation](https://marlvel.ai/apps/hallow-prayer-meditation) | 4.7/5 | n/a | Hallow, Inc. | | [고려대 한국어 속담 사전](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--428) | N/A/5 | N/A | DaolSoft, Co., Ltd. | | [우리말 의학사전](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--427) | N/A/5 | N/A | DaolSoft, Co., Ltd. | | [공인중개사 용어사전](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--429) | N/A/5 | N/A | DaolSoft, Co., Ltd. | | [브리태니커 콘사이스 백과사전](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--425) | N/A/5 | N/A | DaolSoft, Co., Ltd. | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** MobiSystems, Inc. - **Website:** [https://www.mobisystems.com/ios/collins-cobuild-intermediate-dictionary/](https://www.mobisystems.com/ios/collins-cobuild-intermediate-dictionary/) - **Social:** [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MobiSystems) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/MobiSystems) · [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCedxfsAtzl7B8yftwF9_ANQ) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobisystems) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collins-cobuild-dictionary/id389735161?uo=4) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.mobisystems.com/ios/collins-cobuild-intermediate-dictionary/) - **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Hallow: Prayer & Meditation*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/hallow-prayer-meditation) (Hallow, Inc.) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*고려대 한국어 속담 사전*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--428) (DaolSoft, Co., Ltd.) · N/A Rating - [*우리말 의학사전*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--427) (DaolSoft, Co., Ltd.) · N/A Rating - [*공인중개사 용어사전*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--429) (DaolSoft, Co., Ltd.) · N/A Rating - [*브리태니커 콘사이스 백과사전*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--425) (DaolSoft, Co., Ltd.) · N/A Rating - [*올어바웃성경*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-allabout-bibleapp) (Gilju Lee) · 5.0/5 Rating - [*100 Radio Hrvatska (HR) : Vijesti, glazba, Nogomet*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/100-radio-hrvatska-hr-vijesti-glazba-nogomet) (Thomas Gesland) · 1.0/5 Rating - [*100 US Citizenship Test Questions 2017*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/100-us-citizenship-test-questions-2017) (Andrey Fetisov) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*١٠١ پرسیار لە زانستی قورئان*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--952) (Abdulwahab F. Omar) · 5.0/5 Rating - [*112 Bible Maps + Commentaries*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-biblestudypro-112biblemaps) (Sand Apps Inc.) · 3.5/5 Rating ## Frequently Asked Questions {#faq} ### Is Collins COBUILD Dictionary worth the $11.99 price? The app is best for users who prefer a one-time purchase over recurring subscriptions and value academic-grade definitions from the Bank of English database. ### How does this compare to free dictionary apps? Unlike many free, ad-supported apps, Collins COBUILD Dictionary offers a curated, academic-grade database without intrusive ads, though it lacks the frequent feature updates and social elements found in modern alternatives. ### Does the app receive regular updates? The app has not received a major feature update since 2018, focusing primarily on maintenance and minor interface adjustments. ### What are some free alternatives for language learners? Users seeking free alternatives should consider ad-supported dictionary apps or subscription-based learning platforms that offer more frequent content updates and interactive features. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** - Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** - Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** - Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** - Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** - Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.3/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 0 - **Data Sources:** developer website, company about page, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 15 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/collins-cobuild-dictionary) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.