Readlang

Overview

Readlang is a reading-centered language tool for people who want to learn from material they choose, rather than follow a fixed lesson sequence. It is most compelling for learners who already have articles, books, or videos in mind; its free tier makes casual study accessible, while daily caps can interrupt a more intensive routine.

Click words or phrases in text and webpages to translate them, then turn useful vocabulary into spaced-repetition flashcards. Readlang also adds contextual AI explanations, dictionary tools, video transcripts, and Anki export. That breadth supports a reading-first workflow, but the lack of native mobile apps and offline lessons matters for learners who need study to work without a connection.

Key features

Readlang accepts articles and books, pasted text, uploaded files, and webpages brought in through a browser extension or bookmarklets. This makes it a good match for learners who want to study authentic material they have found themselves. It is less suited to someone seeking a prescribed course path: its strength is making chosen reading workable, not supplying a structured sequence.

Word and phrase translations sit alongside AI explanations that use context to clarify meaning. The free plan allows unlimited single-word translations, but caps phrase translations at 10 a day and six words per phrase; contextual explanations are also limited to 10 daily. Those limits leave room for light reading, but frequent readers may have to ration help. Both paid plans remove the daily translation and explanation caps and allow phrases up to 12 words.

Translated vocabulary can be practiced with spaced-repetition flashcards that prioritize useful words, and collected words and phrases can be exported to Anki. These options suit learners who want to review beyond the reading session or use an existing Anki routine.

The video player supports full transcriptions, and users can upload and sync transcripts to YouTube videos. A popup dictionary is available in the Web Reader, with a sidebar dictionary in the online eReader. Premium includes 10 hours of audio storage; Premium Plus raises that to 200 hours and adds high-quality voices for whole texts and an advanced AI model. These higher-tier additions matter most to learners who make substantial use of audio and text tools, rather than readers who mainly translate vocabulary.

Pricing

Readlang is freemium. Free costs nothing and includes unlimited single-word translations, 10 phrase translations a day (up to six words per phrase), 10 context explanations a day, no streak repairs, and no audio storage. It is a reasonable starting point for occasional reading, but the phrase and explanation quotas can become a daily constraint.

Premium costs $6 a month, billed $6 / month or $48 / year. It includes unlimited word and phrase translations, a 12-word phrase limit, unlimited context explanations, 10 hours of audio storage, and two streak repairs per month. This is the practical choice for regular readers who want translation and explanation without daily caps; the annual billing works out to a lower monthly rate than paying month to month.

Premium Plus costs $15 a month, billed $15 / month or $120 /year. It retains Premium's translation and explanation allowances, raises audio storage to 200 hours, and adds high-quality voices for whole texts and an advanced AI model. Choose it when those audio and AI upgrades justify the higher cost; otherwise Premium already removes the main daily limits.

Paid subscriptions renew monthly or yearly until canceled. Readlang says it does not store full card details.

Platforms

Readlang supports Android, iOS, web, and a browser extension, but it does not have native mobile apps. Its web app can be added to an iPhone, iPad, or Android home screen, which offers a mobile-accessible setup without a native app. Offline lessons are not available, so it is a weaker fit for study during travel or anywhere connectivity is unreliable.

Who it's for

Readlang suits self-directed language learners who want to turn real-world reading into vocabulary study, especially those who bring their own text or video material and value flashcards or Anki export. Free can serve occasional readers; daily readers are more likely to benefit from Premium's uncapped translations and explanations. Learners who want offline lessons, native mobile apps, or a fixed curriculum should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Supports articles, books, pasted text, files, and imported webpages, so learners can work with material they choose.
• Pros: Combines contextual explanations, spaced-repetition flashcards, video transcripts, dictionaries, and Anki export in a reading-focused workflow.
• Pros: Premium removes the free plan's daily phrase and context-explanation caps.
• Cons: Free limits phrase translations to 10 per day and explanations to 10 per day, which can disrupt regular reading.
• Cons: No native mobile apps or offline lessons; the home-screen web app is not a substitute for offline access.
• Cons: Premium Plus's higher price is mainly justified by its extra audio storage, high-quality voices, and advanced AI model.

Alternatives

LingQ is another freemium option across Android, iOS, web, and browser extension. Consider it if its free plan's stated allowances—20 saved words and phrases, five imported lessons, and one audio playlist—better match your intended trial use.

Learning with Texts is a free option for people comfortable running a local web and database server with PHP and using a modern browser.

E-clair is a mobile alternative for Android and iOS, with a free plan that limits collections and monthly transcription of your own audio while treating podcast episodes more generously.

Beelinguapp offers unlocked stories and news, plus vocabulary practice with a glossary and flashcards on its free plan, on iOS and Android.

News in Slow Spanish is a paid Spanish-learning option with a free plan and trial, available on Android, iOS, and web.

SpeakAccent is a free iOS option for podcast listening with limited translations and study.

News in Slow Italian offers free access and a trial on Android, iOS, and web; its Audio Only plan provides audio without transcripts or interactive features.

TeakReader is worth considering for Android, iOS, or macOS users who want offline dictionary downloads and higher usage limits with its paid plan.

Browse Language Immersion Apps or Language learning apps for more options.

Verdict

Choose Readlang if your language practice starts with reading authentic material and you want translations to feed directly into vocabulary review. Premium is the clearest fit for regular use because it removes daily translation and explanation quotas at $6 per month, or $48 per year. Look elsewhere if you need native mobile apps, offline lessons, or a structured course rather than a flexible reading tool.