Side by side
GoldenDict vs MDBG Chinese Dictionary
Both stand on online dictionaries. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1
GoldenDict combines local dictionary lookup with web sources, pronunciation, and popup translation. Users need to obtain local dictionaries separately for the Windows installer.
Visit GoldenDict Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4
Choose MDBG for Chinese lookup paired with reading and practice tools, especially if offline access matters. Look elsewhere if you need a full macOS dictionary during the trial, which is limited to approximately 3,000 entries; the full version has over 120,000.
Visit MDBG Chinese DictionaryThe facts
| GoldenDict | MDBG Chinese Dictionary | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Android, Linux, Mac, Windows | Android, API, Extension, iPhone, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary for macOS: $15.95, paid once |
| Plans published | 2 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | goldendict.org | mdbg.net |
| On online dictionaries | #7 of 39 | #11 of 39 |
GoldenDict: what it does well
- Supports five listed dictionary formats
- Can look up words on configured websites
- Provides word stemming and spelling suggestions
- Offers scan popups and global hotkeys
- Supports offline access
What to know first
- Windows installer omits local dictionaries
- GoldenDict-ng requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later
- GoldenDict-ng requires macOS 13 or later
MDBG Chinese Dictionary: what it does well
- Search by Chinese, Mandarin pinyin, English, or wildcard query.
- Annotate Chinese text with pinyin and English definitions.
- Practice with flashcards, quizzes, and vocabulary web feeds.
- macOS dictionary supports offline lookup.
- Windows Chinese Reader supports scanning and pronunciation.
What to know first
- The macOS trial is limited to HSK levels 1–4 and about 3,000 entries.
- Chinese Reader Preview Edition is a 14-day trial.
- Paid plans start at $15.95.
Alternatives to GoldenDict Alternatives to MDBG Chinese Dictionary The whole list