GoldenDict vs The Free Dictionary

GoldenDict is a dictionary lookup program for finding words across installed dictionary sources, websites, and other applications. It supports Babylon BGL, StarDict, dictd, ABBYY Lingvo DSL, and Lingvo audio archives. Web lookups can use Wikipedia, Wiktionary, other MediaWiki sites, and websites configured through URL templates. Hunspell morphology provides word stemming and spelling suggestions, while pronunciation lookup can use Forvo or indexed audio directories. A scan popup can show a translation for a selected word in another application; global hotkeys can open GoldenDict or translate clipboard text. Dictionary articles are displayed through WebKit with formatting, color, images, and links. The original program is free software under the GNU GPLv3+ license, with offline access. The Windows installer does not include local dictionaries, which users download separately. GoldenDict-ng adds Anki integration, a dark theme, Xapian full-text indexing, and support for dictionaries larger than 4 GB. Its builds are for Windows and macOS, with packages for some Linux and Unix distributions; it requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or macOS 13 or later.

The Free Dictionary brings together dictionaries, a thesaurus, specialized reference works, encyclopedias, literature references, and a search engine. Its app adds audio pronunciations, example sentences, etymologies, word games, and a daily word and idiom. It offers dictionaries in 13 other languages and translations from English into more than 40 languages. The app provides free offline access to English dictionary and thesaurus content; offline dictionaries in other languages are Pro features. Users can save bookmarks and sync them across devices. The website and app are free, while the app includes ads and in-app purchases. Listed one-time options are 5.99 USD for an ad-free upgrade and 9.99 USD for Dictionary Pro, which includes ad-free use, offline dictionaries, and translations. It is available on Android, iOS, macOS, and the web. Other apps can access it through API calls; developers are directed to contact Farlex for instructions. The app directs users with questions or problems to Feedback in Settings for email support.