Comparison

Wiki Search vs Encyclopedia by Farlex

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Wiki Search

Access and search the full text of Wikipedia and its sister projects. This app allows for more comprehensive keyword searches and displays multiple articles simultaneously, offering a unique experience compared to the web version.

Highlights
  • Full text search of Wikipedia
  • Searches sister projects (Wiktionary, Wikisource, etc.)
  • Displays multiple articles
  • Bookmark articles
  • View search history
  • Random article display
Features
Read full description

WikiSearch makes it easy to search and browse Wikipedia and other Wikimedia services. Choose a service and language to quickly access knowledge from around the world. Save interesting pages as bookmarks and easily return to previously viewed pages through your browsing history. Key features: • Search Wikipedia and other Wikimedia services • Search articles in a wide range of languages • Browse concise search-result summaries • Read pages in the built-in browser • Translate and share the page you are viewing • Open pages in an external browser • Manage bookmarks and browsing history • Reorder, back up, and restore bookmarks • Discover new pages with random search • Customize search-result, bookmark, and history limits • Dark Mode support From everyday research to unexpected discoveries, WikiSearch brings the vast world of Wikimedia knowledge closer to you.

About

Encyclopedia by Farlex

Access over 330,000 articles, 77,000 audio pronunciations, and 24,000 images from trusted sources. This app provides in-depth information on a vast range of topics, perfect for students, professionals, or the curious.

Highlights
  • 330,000+ encyclopedia articles
  • 24,000+ images
  • 77,000+ audio pronunciations
  • Unlimited bookmarks
  • Native voice search
  • Advanced search options
  • Adjustable font size
Features
Read full description

Encyclopedia by Farlex gives you free, instant access to more than 330,000 articles, over 77,000 audio pronunciations, and 24,000 images, all from the most trusted sources, including McGraw-Hill, Harper-Collins, Cambridge University Press, and more—all in one app! Whether you're a student, professional, or just curious about the world, this free encyclopedia app can help you find clear, in-depth articles on vast amount of topics right on your iPhone or iPad. Search multiple authoritative encyclopedias and specialty dictionaries for entries on: Science History Animals, plants, and the natural world Biographies of prominent figures Countries Technology Art Business Music Culture Food + much more… FEATURES: * Search 330,000+ encyclopedia articles on any topic you can think of, all from top sources you won't find anywhere else. * Learn by seeing: 24,000+ images, including vivid photos, diagrams, and illustrations. * Save unlimited bookmarks to quickly access your favorite articles. * Use native voice search to look up a word just by saying it. (With supported devices) * See search suggestions as you type and always find what you're looking for. * View your recent searches. * Perform advanced searches, including "Starts with," "Ends with," "Contains," and "Wildcard." * Adjust font size. * Listen to 70,000+ audio pronunciations for both American and British speakers. * Share your favorite articles via social networks, email, and text. (With supported devices) User-friendly, comprehensive, and authoritative: Encyclopedia by Farlex is the perfect free app for students, professionals, and anyone curious about the world. This is NOT a preview or a trial version, and there is no "locked" content. Open the app on your iPhone or iPad and immediately access all content — no subscriptions required! How do we do it? TheFreeDictionary.com - Farlex apps have been downloaded tens of millions times across multiple platforms, with top ratings after hundreds of thousands of reviews. We work with the best publishers to bring together trusted content in the most comprehensive, authoritative dictionary apps on the market. Our flagship app is The Free Dictionary (TFD), powered by TheFreeDictionary.com. Find our other apps by searching "Dictionary by Farlex" in the App Store.

Screenshots

Wiki Search4 screens
Encyclopedia by Farlex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Encyclopedia by Farlex at 87% against Wiki Search's 50%. Encyclopedia by Farlex also leads on ratings volume (401 vs 8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Wiki Search's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Encyclopedia by Farlex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Wiki Search asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Wiki Search holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Encyclopedia by Farlex has 401 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Wiki Search's written reviews are positive against 87% of Encyclopedia by Farlex's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Wiki Search ships an update every 2 weeks, Encyclopedia by Farlex every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Wiki Search versus Encyclopedia by Farlex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiki SearchEncyclopedia by Farlex
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (8 ratings) — better4.6 (401 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews87.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8401 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB43 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperKAZUYUKI TAJIMAFarlex, Inc.

Customer experience

Wiki Search

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral18.8%
Negative31.3%

Encyclopedia by Farlex

All ratings401 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral5.7%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive87.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative8.9%

Bugs and requests

Wiki Search

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Encyclopedia by Farlex

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App displays 'No internet available' error despite active connection
  • VoiceOver accessibility not functioning properly
  • Search results not loading within app

Requested features

6 requests
  • Browse by topics or categories
  • Table of contents for related subjects
  • Delete search history option
  • Retractable menu bar for smaller screens
  • Flip through pages functionality
Show 1 more
  • More comprehensive article coverage

In-app purchases

None

Wiki Search

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Encyclopedia by Farlex

One-time1
  • Ad-free upgrade$4.99

Questions

Is Wiki Search free?
Wiki Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Encyclopedia by Farlex free?
Encyclopedia by Farlex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Wiki Search or Encyclopedia by Farlex?
Wiki Search is rated higher. Wiki Search averages 4.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Encyclopedia by Farlex averages 4.6 from 401 ratings.
Do Wiki Search or Encyclopedia by Farlex have ads?
Encyclopedia by Farlex shows ads; Wiki Search does not.
Which is updated more often, Wiki Search or Encyclopedia by Farlex?
Wiki Search ships an update every 2 weeks, and Encyclopedia by Farlex every 17 months. Most recently, Wiki Search was updated on September 24, 2026 and Encyclopedia by Farlex on September 23, 2026.

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