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Head-to-head · Online Dictionaries

Collins Dictionary vs The Free Dictionary

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Collins Dictionary #2 in Online Dictionaries 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Collins
The Free Dictionary #3 in Online Dictionaries 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit site

Collins Dictionary leads on 1 check, The Free Dictionary on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCollins Dictionary · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Collins Dictionary scores higher on our rubric for online dictionaries: 9.3 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Collins Dictionary leads on languages covered: 27 versus 14.

Collins Dictionary is the better fit for broad everyday dictionary users. The Free Dictionary is the better fit for users wanting the broadest free reference set.

  • Collins Dictionary fits best

    Broad everyday dictionary users

  • The Free Dictionary fits best

    Users wanting the broadest free reference set

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Side by side

Feature Collins Dictionary 9.3/10 Visit ↗ The Free Dictionary 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.2
Ranking #2 in Online Dictionaries #3 in Online Dictionaries
Best for Broad everyday dictionary users Users wanting the broadest free reference set
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Desktop Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, macOS Web, iOS, Android, macOS
Features Collins Dictionary 4/4 · The Free Dictionary 4/4
Audio pronunciation ✓ ✓
Usage examples ✓ ✓
Translation lookup ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile apps Ios_android Ios_android
Languages covered 27 (best) 14
Our review
Pros
  • Free web access with definitions, examples, and pronunciation tools
  • Translations and bilingual lookup across 27 languages
  • Offline dictionary access in iOS and Android apps
  • Dictionary, thesaurus, specialist dictionaries, and translation lookup
  • Offline access, audio pronunciations, voice search, and synchronized bookmarks
  • Available on web, iOS, Android, macOS, and through an API
Cons
  • Paid mobile and desktop applications sit alongside the free service
  • Offline access is provided through mobile apps rather than the web
  • Its focus is language reference rather than a broader writing suite
  • The free plan includes advertising
  • The ad-free upgrade is limited to the iOS app
  • API access is described for calls from other apps, not a broader integration suite
Our verdict

Collins Dictionary is an online reference service for people who need everyday definitions, translations, pronunciations, examples, and language-learning tools. It covers British and American English, with specialized subject definitions,…

Read the review →

The Free Dictionary is a reference service from Farlex, Inc. for looking up words, synonyms, translations, idioms, and specialist terminology. It combines dictionary and thesaurus lookup with medical, legal, science, financial, and idiom…

Read the review →
  1. Collins DictionaryOnline Dictionaries 9.3Free plan
  2. The Free DictionaryOnline Dictionaries 9.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Collins Dictionary — where it wins

    • Free web access with definitions, examples, and pronunciation tools
    • Translations and bilingual lookup across 27 languages
    • Offline dictionary access in iOS and Android apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid mobile and desktop applications sit alongside the free service
    • Offline access is provided through mobile apps rather than the web
    • Its focus is language reference rather than a broader writing suite

  • The Free Dictionary — where it wins

    • Dictionary, thesaurus, specialist dictionaries, and translation lookup
    • Offline access, audio pronunciations, voice search, and synchronized bookmarks
    • Available on web, iOS, Android, macOS, and through an API

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan includes advertising
    • The ad-free upgrade is limited to the iOS app
    • API access is described for calls from other apps, not a broader integration suite
  • Collins Dictionary9.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad free dictionary for definitions, language tools, translations, and offline mobile lookup.

    Visit CollinsFull verdict →
  • The Free Dictionary9.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad free reference service with offline access, translations, and specialist dictionaries.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All online dictionaries comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update