A Readlang alternative that takes your reading into conversation
Readlang is a simple, affordable way to read in another language. Click a word, get a translation, and save it as a flashcard. Its free plan is generous for single words.
Spark is a web app that starts in the same place, a reader where every word is one tap away. Then it keeps going: it tracks which words you can actually use, and gives you a text chat about what you just read.
Facts about other tools last checked October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short version
Readlang is a light reader and browser extension with AI explanations and flashcards, and it costs less than Spark. Spark is a fuller loop: import articles, PDFs, EPUBs and YouTube videos, track each word from unknown to passive to active, review, then talk about the piece in a chat. Pick Readlang for cheap reading help on any website. Pick Spark if you want reading to lead to speaking.
Spark and Readlang side by side
| Feature | Spark | Readlang |
|---|---|---|
| What you can read | Articles, PDFs, EPUBs, and YouTube videos through the Chrome extension | Texts you import, and any website through its Web Reader extension |
| Word lookup | Tap a word for its meaning in that sentence, plus a short AI explanation | Unlimited single-word translations; AI explanations of words and phrases in context |
| Word tracking | Each word is unknown, passive (you recognize it) or active (you can use it) | Saved words become flashcards; you can edit or export them |
| Review | Spaced repetition on the words you met in your own reading | Spaced repetition flashcards based on SuperMemo 2, with several review modes |
| Conversation | Text chat about the piece you imported. Type or speak; replies are text | Not listed on its home or pricing page |
| Languages | 18 | Nine featured, plus 100+ more |
| Price | Free plan. Core $12/mo or $99/yr. Plus $19/mo or $149/yr. 7-day Core trial, no card. | Free plan with 10 phrase translations and 10 explanations a day. Premium $6/mo or $48/yr; Premium Plus $15/mo or $120/yr |
Readlang details from its home page, pricing page and official forum, as of October 2026.
Where Readlang is strong
Readlang is cheap and focused. Its free plan gives unlimited single-word translations, ten phrase translations a day and ten AI explanations a day. Premium is $6 a month or $48 a year, and one subscription covers every language. It covers far more languages than Spark.
Its Web Reader extension brings translations to any website you visit, so you can read where you already are. Its flashcards use a spaced repetition system inspired by SuperMemo 2.
Where Spark is different
Spark treats reading as the first half of the job. Every word you meet is tracked as unknown, passive (you recognize it) or active (you can use it). Review and a chat about the piece you read are there to push words from passive to active.
The chat is the biggest difference. After you finish an article, you can talk about it in your target language, typing or speaking your replies. Spark answers in text for now.
Spark also handles video well. Import a YouTube video through the Chrome extension and you get the video pinned above a transcript that follows along. Readlang's own developer has described its YouTube import as a bonus feature that can break.
Who should stay with Readlang
- You want the lowest price for reading help.
- You learn a language outside Spark's 18.
- You mostly want translations on websites as you browse.
Who should try Spark
- You read comfortably but find it hard to say things.
- You want articles, ebooks and YouTube videos in one place, with one vocabulary.
- You want to practice on the content you just read.
Switching from Readlang to Spark
Nothing imports from Readlang into Spark today. Your Readlang flashcards and saved words stay in Readlang, and Readlang lets you export them if you want your own copy. Spark's only vocabulary import is from LingQ.
Your reading habit does carry over. If you read news sites with Readlang's extension, click the Spark Chrome extension on the same articles instead, and they open in Spark's reader.
A new Spark account starts from zero. Pick the language you are learning and answer a few short questions, including the topics you like and your level. Your dashboard then suggests up to three short articles on those topics, or you can bring in your own with the Chrome extension. On your first read, a short walkthrough shows you how it works: tap the words you do not know, and the rest count as known when you move on.
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.
Other Readlang alternatives
Other reading and input tools people weigh against Readlang:
LingQ
Best for: the widest range of sources and languages
A reader and lesson library in 40+ languages. Its browser extension imports articles, YouTube videos and Netflix episodes, and it tracks every word through four levels before it counts as known.
Language Reactor
Best for: watching Netflix and YouTube with two sets of subtitles
A Chrome extension that adds dual-language subtitles, a pop-up dictionary and finer playback controls to Netflix and YouTube. The Chrome Web Store lists it at 2,000,000 users.
Dreaming Spanish
Best for: hours of video made for learners, sorted by level
A library of videos entirely in Spanish, sorted into seven levels from superbeginner to native, that counts your hours of watching. A French version exists too.
Duolingo
Best for: a short daily lesson that builds a habit
Structured lessons in 40+ languages on phone and web. The free version shows ads; Super removes them, and Max adds AI features such as Video Call.
Questions people ask
Is Spark more expensive than Readlang?
Yes. Readlang Premium is $6 a month or $48 a year (as of October 2026). Spark Core is $12 a month or $99 a year. Both have a free plan, and every new Spark account starts with a 7-day Core trial with no card.
Can Spark translate words on any website?
Spark works on content you import into it. Click the Spark Chrome extension on an article and it comes into Spark's reader, where every word can be looked up.
Does Spark have flashcards?
Yes. Spark reviews the words you met in your reading with spaced repetition.
Can I read PDFs and ebooks in Spark?
Yes. Spark imports PDFs and EPUBs as well as articles and YouTube videos.
Which languages does Spark support?
18. The most developed are Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and English.
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.
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Read your next article in Spark
Import something you want to read, keep the words you meet, and talk about it afterward.
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