Larousse Dictionaries vs Van Dale Online

Larousse Dictionaries brings French reference tools, bilingual dictionaries and translation together on the web and in mobile apps. The French dictionary lists 135,000 definitions and 90,000 articles; a separate synonym dictionary has 160,000 synonyms and 90,000 antonyms. Its conjugator covers more than 9,600 French verbs across tenses and moods. Other resources include French–English and English–French dictionary sections, an online translator and free online flashcards. Larousse offers French dictionary and English–French dictionary apps for phones and tablets, as well as web access. The site describes its information and quizzes as intended for the general public, and says internet access is required. Most site resources are free without registration, though forum use requires a free account. Pricing information lists a Premium subscription at €99 a month, charged monthly for a renewable 30-day period; a separate pricing note says paid access starts from €5.49.

Van Dale Online provides access to online dictionaries for professionals, secondary and higher education, and NT2 learners. A search checks all available sources together, with further searching available within results. Van Dale says it continues to add words and improve definitions, translations, expressions and example sentences. The professional workspace brings dictionaries in major European languages and professional reference sources onto one screen. The school edition covers Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish, with spelling, meanings, translations, examples, idioms and grammatical explanations. Its school environment has no distracting advertisements and is described as a safe learning environment. The service runs on web, iOS and Android. The mobile app requires a Van Dale Online account and an internet connection; it does not let users download dictionaries. An account can be used on one mobile device at a time, although it can be installed on multiple devices. Eligible students and staff at participating Dutch higher education institutions can sign in through SURFconext without registering. Plans include a school licence at €3 a year and professional dictionary subscriptions at €19.80 a month or €198 a year.