Merriam-Webster Dictionary vs Van Dale Online

Merriam-Webster Dictionary is an online reference and mobile dictionary and thesaurus for word lookup and vocabulary building. Its regularly updated online dictionary includes new entries and revised definitions. The iOS and Android app provides offline access to definitions and synonyms, voice search, audio pronunciations, usage examples, quizzes, favorite words and search history. The website adds Word of the Day, grammar and usage guidance, wordplay, games, quizzes and a thesaurus. Medical, Legal and Kids dictionaries are available through an in-app purchase. Developers can use the Dictionary API for definitions, etymologies, pronunciations, synonyms, antonyms and specialized medical, Spanish, ESL and student-friendly vocabulary. Non-commercial API use is free up to 1,000 queries per day per key and limited to two reference APIs; commercial terms are handled case by case. The app is free with ads. Listed iOS purchases include Premium Monthly at $1.79 a month, Remove Ads at $2.99, paid once, All References + Remove Ads at $5.99, paid once, and Premium Annual at $9.99 a year.

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.