Best Online Encyclopedias in 2026
Updated
In short: Wikipedia is ranked #1 of 29 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Store norske leksikon and Infoplease. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Store norske leksikon. The lowest first paid tier on this page is World Book Online at $20.83/mo.
For looking up a subject, checking a fact, or supporting study, online encyclopedias can differ in their content and access options. Compared on content formats and update frequency, the entries also include citation tools, educator resources, institutional access, and mobile apps as points to weigh. Wikipedia, Store norske leksikon, and Infoplease lead the ranking, with Britannica Library and World Book Online among the following entries. Consider how you will use reference material and whether you need tools for citations or teaching. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help clarify access and cost.
29 online encyclopedias ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Citation tools | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wikipedia | 8.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 2 | Store norske leksikon | 8.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 3 | Infoplease | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 4 |  Britannica Library | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 5 | World Book Online | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $20.83/mo | No | — | Yes | View |
| 6 |  Encyclopaedia Britannica | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | Yes | View |
| 7 | Brockhaus | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 8 | Enciclopèdia.cat | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 9 |  The Canadian Encyclopedia | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 10 | Credo Reference | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | Yes | View |
| 11 | Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 12 |  Encyclopedia.com | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 13 |  Treccani | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 14 | Encyclopaedia Universalis | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 15 | Nationalencyklopedin | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 16 | Encyclopedia of Korean Culture | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 17 | Lex – Danmarks Nationalleksikon | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 18 | Encyclopédie Larousse | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 19 | Baidu Baike | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 20 | Oxford Reference | 5.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | — | View |
| 21 | New World Encyclopedia | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 22 |  Klexikon | 5.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 23 |  Vikidia | 5.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 24 |  Encyclopedia of Arkansas | 5.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 25 | Encyclopedia of Alabama | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which online encyclopedia is ranked first on Inferse?
Wikipedia is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 8.9. Store norske leksikon is second and Infoplease third.
How many of these have a free plan?
3 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, World Book Online has the lowest first paid tier we found: $20.83/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.