How Spark compares with other language tools
Spark is a web app for learning a language from articles, ebooks and YouTube videos you choose. It explains each word in its sentence, tracks which words you recognize and which you can use, and gives you a text chat about each piece.
Every tool below helps people learn a language, and each is good at something. These pages say what each one does well, where Spark is different, and who should pick which. Facts about other products come from their own sites, with links, so you can check them.
Facts about other tools last checked October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The tools at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spark | Turning what you read and watch into words you can use | Free plan. Core $12/mo or $99/yr |
| LingQ | The widest range of sources and languages | Free plan. Premium $14.99/mo or $119.99/yr on the US App Store |
| Language Reactor | Watching Netflix and YouTube with two sets of subtitles | Free extension. Paid Pro plan; price not shown on the pages we checked |
| Readlang | Low-cost reading help on any website | Free plan. Premium $6/mo or $48/yr |
| Dreaming Spanish | Hours of video made for learners, sorted by level | Free version. Premium $9.99 on the US App Store (billing period not shown) |
| Duolingo | A short daily lesson that builds a habit | Free version with ads. Super and Max are paid; prices are shown in the app |
Prices in US dollars, as listed on each product's own site or US App Store page, as of October 2026. Spark supports 18 languages; each comparison page lists the others' language counts.
- Spark vs LingQLingQ covers more languages and sources. Spark is narrower, and built to turn what you read into words you can say.Read the comparison
- Spark vs Language ReactorLanguage Reactor is the tool for watching with dual subtitles. Spark is for keeping the words you meet and using them afterward.Read the comparison
- Spark vs ReadlangReadlang is a light, low-cost reading helper. Spark adds word tracking from passive to active, video, and a chat about what you read.Read the comparison
- Spark vs Dreaming SpanishDreaming Spanish is hours of video made for learners. Spark works on the real content you pick, and adds words and speaking practice.Read the comparison
- Spark vs DuolingoDuolingo is structured daily lessons. Spark is for learning from real articles and videos you choose, once you are past the basics.Read the comparison
What Spark is for
Spark is for learning from the articles, books and YouTube videos you actually want to read and watch. It helps with every word, keeps track of which words you recognize and which you can use, and gives you a chat about each piece so the words get used.
It does fewer things than some tools on this list. It supports 18 languages, imports YouTube but not Netflix, and its chat replies in text. If one of those matters most to you, the comparison pages will point you to a better fit.
How Spark works, in three steps
- 1
Bring in what you want to read or watch
Import an article, a PDF, an EPUB, or a YouTube video with the Spark Chrome extension. You pick the material, so it is about something you care about.
- 2
Read it with help on every word
Tap any word for its meaning in that sentence and a short AI explanation. Spark keeps track of which words are new to you, which you recognize, and which you can use.
- 3
Practice the words you met
Review your own words with spaced repetition, then chat about the piece in your target language. Type or speak your replies. Spark answers in text for now.
Learn with YouTube
Facts about other products were checked on their public websites as of October 2026. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide. If something here is out of date, tell us at matt@learnwithspark.io and we will fix it.
- LingQ plans and limits (lingq.com/en/signup)
- LingQ on the US App Store
- LingQ help: importing with the browser extension
- LingQ help: what a LingQ's status means
- LingQ help: exporting your vocabulary
- Language Reactor on the Chrome Web Store
- Language Reactor Pro mode page
- Language Reactor forum: Pro features (2023)
- Trancy home page
- Readlang home page
- Readlang pricing
- Readlang forum: learning words with flashcards
- Readlang forum: YouTube import from the extension
- Dreaming Spanish (dreaming.com/spanish)
- Dreaming French (dreaming.com/french)
- Dreaming FAQ
- Dreaming on the US App Store
- Duolingo on the US App Store
- Duolingo blog: introducing Duolingo Max (March 2023)
Try Spark on something you want to read
Bring in an article or a YouTube video and see how much of it you already know.
Start your free trialFree to start. No card needed.