Pleco Chinese Dictionary combines Chinese lookup, character input, flashcards, and document reading in apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android. Search by Chinese characters, Pinyin, English, wildcards, or full text; results are combined and ordered by frequency. To look up a character, draw it or use the camera on Chinese text, including text in a still image. The flashcard tools let you make cards from dictionary entries or import word lists, then study with spaced repetition and modes such as tone drills. Included dictionaries vary by platform, and further dictionaries are available, including licensed titles from major publishers. Document support also differs: the upgraded iOS reader handles text, HTML, DOC, DOCX, PDF, and EPUB, while Android opens text and PDF and can look up content from web pages and clipboard material. Pleco offers Mandarin and Cantonese audio. Downloaded dictionaries and features can work offline. The free version includes basic search and handwriting, while paid bundles add tools such as OCR, flashcards, stroke-order diagrams, document reading, and audio. Pleco was founded in 2000.
Who it is for
Pleco suits Chinese learners and readers who want dictionary lookup alongside handwriting input, audio, flashcards, or document reading. It also fits people who want downloaded dictionaries and features available offline, with a free version or one-time paid bundles.
What is good
- Searches Chinese characters, Pinyin, English, wildcards, and full text.
- Supports handwriting and camera lookup from Chinese text.
- Flashcards include spaced repetition and tone drills.
- Downloaded dictionaries and features can work offline.
- Paid add-ons are one-time purchases, with no ads or subscriptions.
What to know first
- The free version has limited reader, audio, and flashcard functions.
- The free app includes stroke-order animations for 500 characters; 28,000 are in a paid add-on.
- The iOS and Android document readers support different formats.
Verdict
Pick Pleco if you want Chinese dictionary search with handwriting lookup and optional study, audio, and reading tools. The free version covers core lookup, while OCR, expanded flashcards, document reading, audio, and additional dictionaries require paid bundles or add-ons.
Get started with Pleco Chinese Dictionary
- Visit https://www.pleco.com/.
- Install the iOS app on a device running iOS 15.6 or later, or the Android app on a 64-bit device running Android 9 or later.
- Start with the free version or choose a one-time Basic or Professional Bundle for your platform.
- Download dictionaries and features you want available offline.
What the free plan stops at
The free version is free and includes basic dictionary search, handwriting, included dictionaries, and limited reader, audio, and flashcard functions. It includes stroke-order animations for 500 characters; 28,000 are available in the paid add-on.
Questions about Pleco Chinese Dictionary
Is Pleco free?
Yes. The Free Version is free and includes basic dictionary search, handwriting, included dictionaries, and limited reader, audio, and flashcard functions.
How much do the bundles cost?
The Basic Bundle costs 29.99 USD per once on iPhone/iPad and Android. The Professional Bundle costs 59.99 USD per once on either platform.
Which devices does Pleco support?
Pleco is available for iOS and Android. The listed requirements are iOS 15.6 or later and Android 9 or later on 64-bit devices.
Can Pleco work offline?
The maker says downloaded dictionaries and features let the app run without an internet connection after download.
Does Pleco have ads or subscriptions?
Pleco says it has no ads or subscriptions and that paid add-ons are one-time purchases.
What do the Professional Bundles add?
They include Basic Bundle features plus Oxford, ABC, New Century, Tuttle, and Guifan dictionaries, along with a male TTS voice.
Pleco Chinese Dictionary plans and pricing
All plansCompared on online dictionaries
- Free plan
- Yes
- Audio pronunciation
- Yes
- Usage examples
- Yes
- Translation lookup
- Yes
- Offline access
- Yes
- Mobile apps
- ios_android
- Languages covered
- 2
