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Comparison · Online encyclopedias and wikis

Wikidata vs Wiktionary: which is better in 2026?

WikidatavsWiktionary

Wikidata ranks higher in our list of online encyclopedias and wikis (#3 against #4, score 86.0 against 83.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

Choose Wikidata if you want

Structured facts for developers and researchers.

A structured knowledge base under CC0 that software can query, and it links to Wikipedia articles. It is less readable for general readers, so it is a data source more than an encyclopedia.

Choose Wiktionary if you want

Word meanings, etymologies and translations.

A free dictionary with etymologies and translations across many languages, written by volunteers. It covers words rather than topics, so it does not replace an encyclopedia.

Side by side

WikidataWiktionary
Score86.083.5
Rank in list#3 of 7#4 of 7
PriceFreeFree to read, query and reuse; data under CC0FreeFree to read; entries are edited by volunteers
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsWebWebWebWeb
Made byWikimedia FoundationWikimedia Foundation
ScopeStructured facts for softwareWords and translations
Who writes itVolunteers, open editingVolunteers, open editing
Reuse termsCC0CC BY-SA 4.0 and GFDL
Best forStructured facts for developers and researchersWord meanings, etymologies and translations
Strengths
  • Structured facts that software can query
  • Data released under CC0
  • Linked to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects
  • Free dictionary entries with etymologies
  • Covers words in many languages
  • Written and edited by volunteers
Limits
  • Less readable than an encyclopedia article
  • Entry quality varies by language edition
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Wikidata vs Wiktionary

Is Wikidata better than Wiktionary?
Wikidata ranks higher in our list of online encyclopedias and wikis (#3 against #4, score 86.0 against 83.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Wikidata is best for: structured facts for developers and researchers. Wiktionary is best for: word meanings, etymologies and translations.
Which is cheaper, Wikidata or Wiktionary?
Wikidata: Free to read, query and reuse; data under CC0. Wiktionary: Free to read; entries are edited by volunteers.
Do Wikidata and Wiktionary run on the same platforms?
Wikidata supports Web. Wiktionary supports Web.