LingQ

Read and listen to real content while tracking every word you know.

AppsToolsFreemiumBeginnerIntermediateAdvancedA2–C1Any language

Open lingq.com ↗

What it actually is

Import podcasts, articles or ebooks, tap unknown words for definitions, and LingQ tracks your known-word count over time. The free tier caps how many saved words you can keep, so serious use means paying (~$13/month or less annually). The interface is clunky and the built-in SRS is weaker than Anki, but the reading-plus-audio workflow with 50+ languages is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Who it suits

Learners from about A2 upward who want to spend most of their time reading and listening to real material and see their vocabulary grow in numbers. It is strongest for people who already have things they want to read, such as news, podcasts with transcripts, or ebooks.

Who should skip it

Skip it as a first tool for a complete beginner: it does not teach grammar or pronunciation, and dense native text with a word-highlighting overlay is tiring at A1. The free plan is too small to judge the app on, so skip it if you will not pay once you commit.

What it costs

Free plan: 20 saved words (LingQs) in total, 5 imported lessons, 1 playlist. Premium (USD, Aug 2026): $14.99 monthly, $10/month billed yearly, $8.99/month on a 24-month plan. Premium Plus, which adds AI voices and simplified lessons, starts around $22.50/month billed yearly.

Checked 29 Sept 2026 on the official pricing page. Prices change and can differ by country.

How it compares

  • Readlang

    Pick Readlang instead if you mainly read web articles in the browser and want a lighter, cheaper tap-to-translate tool.

  • Language Reactor

    Pick Language Reactor instead if your input is Netflix and YouTube rather than articles and books.

  • Migaku

    Pick Migaku instead if you want mined sentences to go straight into proper spaced-repetition cards.

  • Anki

    Pick Anki instead, or alongside, if you need a serious review system for the words you collect.

What it covers

  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Vocabulary
  • Immersion

Learners who used it

From field notes — real posts we read and linked. What they say is their account, not our finding.

Official links

Similar tools

  • Anki

    The gold-standard spaced-repetition flashcard app with community decks for every language.

  • Babbel

    Structured dialogue-based courses in 13 languages, built by actual linguists.

  • Duolingo

    Gamified daily lessons in 40+ languages; great for habit-building, weak beyond A2.

  • Busuu

    Structured CEFR courses with written corrections from native speakers.

  • HelloTalk

    Text, call and correct with native speakers in a language-exchange feed.

  • Memrise

    Vocabulary drills backed by clips of native speakers saying the phrase.

Sources

Prices and features above come from these pages, read on 29 Sept 2026. The judgements are ours.