Merriam-Webster Dictionary vs PONS Dictionary

Merriam-Webster Dictionary9.0Visit PONS Dictionary8.6Visit

Higher score Merriam-Webster Dictionary #5 in Online Dictionaries 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Dictionary

vs

PONS Dictionary #9 in Online Dictionaries 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Try PONS Dictionary

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary fits best

  English definition and thesaurus users

• PONS Dictionary fits best

  Multilingual translation and lookup

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Merriam-Webster Dictionary 9.0/10 Visit ↗	PONS Dictionary 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.6
Ranking	#5 in Online Dictionaries	#9 in Online Dictionaries
Best for	English definition and thesaurus users	Multilingual translation and lookup
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	1 integrations	1 integrations
Features Merriam-Webster Dictionary 4/4 · PONS Dictionary 4/4
Audio pronunciation	✓	✓
Usage examples	✓	✓
Translation lookup	✓	✓
Offline access	✓	✓
Specs
Mobile apps	Ios_android	Ios_android
Languages covered	1	36 (best)
Our review
Pros	Free definitions, audio pronunciations, examples, and thesaurus content Offline definitions and synonyms are available in the mobile apps Voice search, quizzes, games, favorites, and search history support learning	Free bilingual lookup across 36 languages Pronunciation, examples and verb conjugation support Offline mobile dictionaries and an integration API
Cons	The primary dictionary experience is focused on English Premium access is required for an ad-free experience Medical, legal, and kids dictionaries require additional purchases	Free online access includes advertising Ad-free access requires a paid option Language coverage varies by dictionary combination
Our verdict	Merriam-Webster Dictionary is an online English-language reference service for definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, usage examples, word histories, and related language information. It suits students, writers, learners, and anyone who… Read the review →	PONS Dictionary is an online reference and translation service for people learning or using foreign languages. It supports bilingual lookup for words, phrases, expressions and common word combinations, with searches in both language… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary — where it wins

  • Free definitions, audio pronunciations, examples, and thesaurus content
  • Offline definitions and synonyms are available in the mobile apps
  • Voice search, quizzes, games, favorites, and search history support learning

  Where it doesn't

  • The primary dictionary experience is focused on English
  • Premium access is required for an ad-free experience
  • Medical, legal, and kids dictionaries require additional purchases

• PONS Dictionary — where it wins

  • Free bilingual lookup across 36 languages
  • Pronunciation, examples and verb conjugation support
  • Offline mobile dictionaries and an integration API

  Where it doesn't

  • Free online access includes advertising
  • Ad-free access requires a paid option
  • Language coverage varies by dictionary combination

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary9.0/10 · Free plan

  A strong free English reference with audio, examples, thesaurus tools, and mobile lookup.

  Visit DictionaryFull verdict →
• PONS Dictionary8.6/10 · Free plan

  A broad bilingual dictionary with useful learning tools, mobile access and an API.

  Try PONS DictionaryFull verdict →