Comprehensible Input

App profile

Lute

Free, open-source, self-hosted tool for learning languages through reading imported texts and tracking vocabulary.

Visit official websiteFacts last verified August 24, 2026

Best for

  • Self Hosting
  • Power Users
  • Reading
  • Bring Your Own Content

Pricing

Free plan
✓Supported
Monthly
—
Annual
—
  • Lute is free with no usage limits.

Availability

Platforms

Web✓Supported
iOS—Unsupported
Android—Unsupported
Browser extension—Unsupported
Self-hosted / local✓Supported

Factual overview

Feature summary

Browse Lute’s capabilities by category, or compare the same fields across every researched app.

Content & discovery

Built-in content library
—Unsupported
Content discovery
—Unsupported
News & articles
—Unsupported
Books
—Unsupported
YouTube / video library
—Unsupported
Podcast library & discovery
—Unsupported
Import own content
✓Supported
Import webpages
—Unsupported

Reading & books

EPUB import
✓Supported
Dedicated book reader
—Unsupported
Preserves original book structure
—Unsupported
Preserves chapters
—Unsupported
Preserves formatting
—Unsupported
Preserves images
—Unsupported
Text reading mode
Paginated
Book reading mode
Paginated
Book navigation / TOC
—Unsupported
Reading-position sync
✓Supported
TTS / read aloud
—Unsupported

Video & audio

YouTube dual subtitles
—Unsupported
Netflix dual subtitles
—Unsupported
Audio import
✓Supported
Automatic transcription
—Unsupported
Synchronized transcript / highlighting
—Unsupported

Translation & comprehension

Word translation
✓Supported
Context-aware word translation
—Unsupported
Sentence translation
✓Supported
Multiple dictionaries
✓Supported
AI explanations
—Unsupported
Text simplification
—Unsupported
Base-form / lemma lookup
Limited

Vocabulary & review

Save words
✓Supported
Learning / known status
✓Supported
Separate meanings per word
—Unsupported
Seen / encounter count
—Unsupported
Example sentences
✓Supported
SRS flashcards
—Unsupported
Multiple / custom decks
—Unsupported
Vocabulary import
✓Supported
Export saved words
✓Supported
Export seen words
—Unsupported
Export examples / metadata
✓Supported

Learning & guidance

Structured courses / lessons
—Unsupported
Grammar roadmap
—Unsupported
AI tutor
—Unsupported
Human tutors
—Unsupported
Speaking practice
—Unsupported
Writing practice
—Unsupported
Pronunciation practice
—Unsupported

Progress & motivation

Daily streak
—Unsupported
Daily goal
—Unsupported
Learner level
—Unsupported
Reading statistics
—Unsupported
Listening statistics
—Unsupported
Achievements
—Unsupported
Leaderboards
—Unsupported

Compare Lute with other apps

Context matters

Notes behind the cells

Concise cells make scanning easy. These notes preserve the important caveats from each app record.

Lute

  • Lute is self-hosted or local and does not include a built-in content library or discovery features.
  • EPUB text is extracted into a paginated reader; original structure, chapters, formatting, and images are not preserved.
  • Sentence mode and TTS read-aloud are not supported, although reading audio can be attached.
  • Audio can be imported, but automatic transcription and synchronized highlighting are not available.
  • Lemma lookup is partial rather than consistently available.
  • Vocabulary is tracked automatically, but separate meaning records and encounter counts are not supported.
  • Saved vocabulary and associated examples and metadata can be exported, including to Anki.
  • There is no browser extension or mobile web app.

Explore next

Alternatives to Lute

ReadLangWeb-based language-learning tool centered on reading, inline translation, vocabulary saving, and flashcard review.LingQComprehensible-input platform built around reading and listening to a large library of real-world content and user imports.DuoNinjaComprehensible-input platform combining real-world content with vocabulary review, book reading, video learning, and structured lessons.