Freemium Free core; paid bundles $30–$75 Editor's pick ★
Pleco
The essential Chinese dictionary app
Last verified: Jul 1, 2026
Pleco is the most widely recommended Chinese dictionary among learners at every level. Look up words by pinyin, handwriting, or OCR camera scan. Each entry includes definitions, example sentences, stroke order, and audio. Paid add-ons unlock flashcards, document reader, and premium dictionaries — but the free core dictionary is enough to start. If you install only one Chinese app, make it Pleco.
Pairs well with ReadChinese
Tap unknown words in ReadChinese stories, then look them up in Pleco for deeper definitions and example sentences.
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class dictionary
- ✓OCR and handwriting lookup
- ✓Works offline
- ✓Huge add-on ecosystem
Cons
- −UI feels dated
- −Paid bundles add up