LingQ review

LingQ takes an input-first approach: you learn by reading and listening to real material at your level, with every word tracked. Its library holds lessons built from podcasts, books, interviews and videos, each with matching text, and you can import your own content from Netflix, YouTube, podcasts and articles. Tap any word for a definition, save it as a LingQ, and SRS review brings it back later. AI tools can transcribe audio and simplify a hard lesson. The site lists 53 languages and 5M+ learners. For free learners the limits are real. Premium on the US App Store, at $14.99 a month, is described as unlimited LingQs and unlimited imported lessons, which tells you those are capped on the free account, and a LingQ team member replying to a review called the free trial quite limited. The method works well for intermediate learners, but the free tier is better treated as a long trial than a permanent home.

Who it is for

Intermediate learners who want to learn from real content and are willing to upgrade later.

Price

Free to start; the US App Store lists LingQ Premium at $14.99 a month or $119.99 for 12 months.

LingQ Premium (Monthly) Unlimited LingQs, Unlimited Imported Lessons $14.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Library of lessons from podcasts, books, interviews and videos with matching text
• Import Netflix, YouTube, podcasts and articles as lessons
• Reader that tracks every word you meet and shows instant definitions
• SRS vocabulary review, Mini Stories and grammar guides
• 53 languages listed on the LingQ site

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Learn from content you actually want to read and hear
• Strength: Detailed tracking of words known, reading and listening
• Strength: Big language list for an input-based app
• Weakness: LingQ's own team calls the free trial quite limited
• Weakness: Premium is needed for unlimited lookups and imports
• Weakness: Busy interface takes time to learn

Key facts

• Free plan: Free sign-up with limited features
• Languages: 53 per lingq.com
• Learners: 5M+ per LingQ
• Premium: $14.99 a month or $119.99 a year on the US App Store
• Method: Input-based reading and listening

Where it ranks

LingQ is No. 9 in our Best Free Language Learning Apps verdict.