Lector vs LingQ
Cloud is in beta · self-hosting is free forever
Feature by feature.
| Lector | LingQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Self-host free, or cloud from $5/mo | $14.99/mo, or ~$10/mo billed annually |
| Database | SQLite on your server | Cloud account |
| Install | One Docker Compose file in the repository | Hosted only |
| Free tier | Full app, self-hosted | Limited: ~20 saved words, 5 imports |
| Reading imported content | EPUB, web articles, YouTube captions, podcasts, paste | EPUB, articles, video, browser-extension import |
| Click-to-translate | On-device dictionary + LLM | Yes, with a built-in dictionary |
| Word-state tracking | New / learning / known | Yes (its core mechanic) |
| Audio & listening | Text-to-speech (Google, optional) | Per-lesson audio + TTS on imports |
| Cloze / sentence practice | Frequency-ordered, with SRS | No dedicated cloze mode |
| Anki integration | Two-way (beta): push cards, Anki reviews update Lector | CSV / Anki-file export (emailed) |
| AI tutor & writing correction | LLM tutor + writing correction | Limited (Premium Plus AI add-ons) |
| Bring your own LLM | Yes — Claude or a local model | No |
| Data ownership | Your server (one SQLite file) | Cloud account (CSV/Anki export available) |
| Open source | Open source (AGPL-3.0) | Closed source |
| Languages | 19 packs; reader works with any language | 50+ (some in beta) |
| Mobile apps | Web (installable PWA) | Native iOS & Android apps |
LingQ pricing and features as of July 2026; check LingQ for the latest. Comparison reflects our understanding at that date.
What LingQ does better.
A huge content library + one-click import
LingQ ships thousands of graded lessons with audio, and its browser extension imports from YouTube, Netflix, podcasts, ebooks, and any web page — you can start reading immediately without sourcing material.
Mature native apps
Well-rated iOS and Android apps (LingQ advertises ~4.7 stars) with offline lesson downloads and sync. Lector is a self-hostable web app (installable as a PWA) rather than a native app.
50+ languages
LingQ supports far more languages out of the box, including many beta ones. Lector's reader works with any language, but its frequency cloze packs currently cover 19.
An established community
A large user base (LingQ claims 5M+ learners), shared user-imported lessons, and busy forums — a network a newer self-hosted tool can't match yet.
What Lector does better.
Free to self-host, no subscription
Run the Docker image on your own hardware for free forever, or use Lector Cloud from $5/mo. No recurring fee to keep reading your own library.
Your data, your server
Reading history, vocabulary, and progress live in a single SQLite file you control — no cloud account required, and backups are one file copy.
Reading + cloze + Anki, joined up
LingQ-style reading, Clozemaster-style frequency cloze, and two-way Anki sync in one app — plus an LLM tutor and a writing journal. Push words and cloze phrases to Anki, and grades from your Anki reviews update mastery back in Lector (beta).
Bring your own AI
Point translation and the tutor at the Claude API or a local model (Ollama, LM Studio) — your text stays on your hardware, and quality is your choice.
Who should pick which.
Choose LingQ
Pick LingQ if you want polished native mobile apps, a big ready-made library with one-click import from video and podcasts, or one of its 50+ languages — and a subscription is fine.
Choose Lector
Pick Lector if you want to own your data, avoid a subscription, and have reading, cloze, two-way Anki sync, and an LLM tutor in one self-hostable app.
Is there a free LingQ alternative?
Yes. Lector is open source and free to self-host — run the Docker image on your own hardware and there's no subscription. It combines LingQ-style reading with cloze practice and two-way Anki sync. A managed Lector Cloud is also available from $5/mo if you'd rather not run a server.
Can I self-host a LingQ-style reader?
Lector is a self-hostable, LingQ-style reader: import EPUBs and articles, click any word to translate, track word states, and mine vocabulary — all running on your own hardware with your data in a local SQLite file.
How is Lector different from LingQ?
Both are reading-first. Lector is open source and self-hostable with no subscription, keeps your data on your server, adds frequency cloze practice and a first-party two-way Anki integration, and lets you bring your own LLM. LingQ has a larger content library, one-click import from video and podcasts, native mobile apps, and more languages.
How much does LingQ cost?
As of July 2026, LingQ Premium is around $14.99/mo, or about $10/mo billed annually, with a limited free tier. Lector is free to self-host with no subscription, or from $5/mo on the managed cloud. Check LingQ's site for current pricing.
Own your reading.
Open source to self-host for free, or on our cloud in a click. No subscription to keep your own library.