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.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
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.
For English language learners and students requiring detailed grammatical context and usage patterns.
What does it look like?
Key features
Definitions and examples derived from a 650 million word corpus, providing academic authority that acts as a brand moat.
Real-time word lookup via the device camera, increasing engagement for language learners.
Automatic spelling correction and wildcard patterns to reduce lookup friction.
How much does it cost?
The fixed-price model targets users avoiding subscription fatigue, though it limits the developer's ability to fund high-frequency feature updates.
Velocity
Steady developmentShow more...
Who built it?
MobiSystems
13+ apps tracked · Reference
Quick Diagnosis & Treatment
MobiOffice・Word Docs・Excel・PDF
Webster’s College Dictionary
MobiPDF・PDF Text Editor・Reader
Collins Latin Dictionary
Advanced Dictionary&Thesaurus
MobiOffice - Sheets
Collins World Dictionary
MobiOffice - Docs
Dorland’s Medical Dictionary
Webster Roget's A-Z Thesaurus
MobiScan: OCR Scanner・Scan PDFUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Collins COBUILD Dictionary
How's the Reference market?
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.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
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Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Collins COBUILD Dictionary
Where is it heading?
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.
The SWOT
- Bank of English database provides academic credibility that acts as a defensible brand moat.
- Camera-based lookup provides high-utility engagement for language learners.
- Introducing a freemium tier could capture the casual learner segment currently lost to ad-supported dictionary alternatives.
Next best moves
Pivot to a freemium model because the current $11.99 barrier loses casual learners to free rivals → increase top-of-funnel install velocity.
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's lack of updates is not just a weakness…
Read the full takeSince the last report: 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.
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.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Collins COBUILD Dictionary worth the $11.99 price?
How does this compare to free dictionary apps?
Does the app receive regular updates?
What are some free alternatives for language learners?
Sources
- [1] App Store, source
Report last updated