Computational modeling is a key tool for studying collisional plasma discharges, including capacitive, inductive, and dc discharges. This work compares electron‐neutral collision rates for a particle‐in‐cell code, a Monte Carlo code, a convected scheme Boltzmann code, and a spherical harmonic expansion Boltzmann code. In addition, comparisons with swarm experiments are presented where available. The comparison is performed over a range of reduced fields,E/N, appropriate to ac plasma display panels. The background gas is neon, with a simplified set of representative reactions. Ion and space charge effects are neglected. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.