LingQ vs Readlang vs Language Reactor: Which Should You Use?
Short answer: pick Language Reactor if you mostly learn from Netflix and YouTube. Pick Readlang if you want a cheap, simple way to read web pages with click-to-translate. Pick LingQ if you want a large built-in library and detailed word tracking, and don’t mind the price.
All three tools are built on the same idea: you learn a language by understanding real content in it, which is called comprehensible input. But they go about it in very different ways. This post compares them on what they do, what they cost, and who they suit.
Full disclosure: we make Hend, which does a similar job. We’ve kept it out of the main comparison and added a short note at the end. Prices were checked in October 2026 and can change.
At a glance
| LingQ | Readlang | Language Reactor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Reading and listening with a built-in library | Reading web pages and texts | Netflix and YouTube |
| How you use it | Web and mobile apps | Web reader and browser extension | Browser extension |
| Languages | 50+ | 100+ | Many (depends on subtitles) |
| Free plan | 20 saved words total, 5 imports | Unlimited word translations, 10 phrase translations a day | Dual subtitles on Netflix and YouTube |
| Paid plan | $14.99/month or $119.99/year | $6/month or $48/year | $5.95/month or $39.95/year |
| Word tracking | Detailed (word status levels) | Saved words and flashcards | Saved words (paid) |
LingQ
LingQ is the oldest and biggest of the three. It started as a reading-and-listening app and has grown a large library of lessons across 50+ languages, from beginner stories to news and podcasts.
What it does well
- Library. You can open LingQ and start reading right away without hunting for content.
- Word tracking. Every word you meet gets a status, from new to known. Over time, this gives you a detailed picture of your vocabulary.
- Imports. On the paid plan, you can import YouTube videos, articles, podcasts and more as your own lessons.
- Audio. Most lessons come with audio, so you can read and listen together.
Where it falls short
- The free plan is very limited. You can save only 20 words in total and import 5 lessons. It’s a demo more than a plan.
- Price. At $14.99 a month, it’s the most expensive of the three. The yearly plan brings it down to about $10 a month.
- Feel. Many long-time users find the app busy and, at times, slow.
Best for: learners who want everything in one place and plan to use it daily, so the subscription pays off.
Readlang
Readlang is a small, focused tool. You read in its web reader or use its browser extension on any page, and click words or phrases to translate them. The words you look up become flashcards.
What it does well
- Simple. It does one thing and stays out of your way.
- Generous free plan. Single-word translations are unlimited for free. Phrase translations and AI context explanations are capped at 10 a day.
- Works on any website. With the extension, the whole web becomes reading material.
- Price. Premium is $6 a month, or $48 a year, and covers all languages.
Where it falls short
- No real library. There are some shared texts, but you mostly find your own content.
- Light word tracking. It saves what you look up, but it doesn’t track your whole vocabulary or tell you how hard a text will be before you start.
- Reading only. There’s no built-in support for video.
Best for: learners who already know what they want to read and want a cheap way to read it with help.
Language Reactor
Language Reactor is a browser extension for Netflix and YouTube. It shows subtitles in two languages, lets you pause on each line, and lets you click words for meanings.
What it does well
- Video. Nothing else on this list makes Netflix and YouTube this easy to learn from.
- Free plan. Dual subtitles on both sites are free.
- Price. Pro is $5.95 a month or $39.95 a year, the cheapest paid plan here.
- Pro extras. Saved words and phrases, machine translations, AI explanations and, on Netflix, subtitles made from the audio track.
Where it falls short
- Video only. It’s built for watching, not reading books or articles.
- Dual subtitles are a crutch. With your own language always on screen, it’s easy to read the translation and stop trying to understand the original. Hide it when you can.
- Desktop browser. It runs as a browser extension, so it’s mainly a computer tool.
Best for: learners who watch a lot of TV and video and want to turn that time into practice.
How to choose
Ask yourself what you’ll actually do most days.
- “I want to watch shows.” Language Reactor. See also our guide on learning a language from YouTube.
- “I want to read articles and web pages I find.” Readlang.
- “I want lessons ready for me, with audio, and I’ll use it daily.” LingQ.
- “I want both reading and watching.” Many learners pair Language Reactor for video with a reading tool.
Whichever you pick, the key is volume at the right level: about 95% to 98% of the words in a text should already be known to you. All three tools help you read or watch harder content than you could alone, but none of them will stop you picking something far too hard.
Where Hend fits
Hend is a reading app, so it sits closest to LingQ and Readlang. Two things set it apart:
- It tells you what’s in reach. As you mark words known, Hend learns your vocabulary and ranks your library by how much of each text you already know.
- It can write texts for you. When nothing at your level fits, Hend can write a new text on a topic you pick, sized to your vocabulary.
You can import EPUBs and text files for free. YouTube imports, web articles, generated texts and narration use credits instead of a subscription; you get 25 free credits when you sign up, and credits don’t expire. For a direct comparison, see Hend vs LingQ, or our longer list of LingQ alternatives.
You can try Hend in your language without an account.
