--- title: "ContextCat vs Readlang: reading on your phone or in your browser" description: "Readlang translates words on any web page and in its own reader. ContextCat explains words in context on iPhone, with news, PDFs, Listen and Ask. How to choose." url: https://contextcat.app/compare/contextcat-vs-readlang --- [ContextCat](https://contextcat.app/)[Compare](https://contextcat.app/compare) # ContextCat vs Readlang: reading on your phone or in your browser Readlang translates words on any web page and in its own reader. ContextCat explains words in context on iPhone, with news, PDFs, Listen and Ask. How to choose. By [ContextCat](https://contextcat.app/about) · Updated October 27, 2026 · 3 min read **The short answer:** Readlang is a simple, well-liked reader that translates the words and phrases you click, on its own site and on any web page through a browser extension, with flashcards for the words you save. It is cheap, and its free plan gives unlimited single-word translations. ContextCat is an iPhone app built around reading on the phone: it explains each word as it is used in the sentence, in your language, and adds a daily news edition, PDF import, read-aloud and questions about the text. Desktop reader: Readlang. Phone reader: ContextCat. _ContextCat is our app. Facts about Readlang come from its own website, checked on October 27, 2026._ ## At a glance Readlang ContextCat Where it works Website, browser extension on any page, mobile browser and apps iPhone app What you read Any web page, its library, your uploaded texts Today’s news, Store books, your PDFs, links and text Help on a word Click for a translation; AI context explanations Tap for the meaning in this sentence, explained in your language Phrases Phrase translations (6 words free, 12 on Premium) Select any part of a sentence to translate it Audio Voices for words and phrases; whole texts on Premium Plus AI voices read whole books, PDFs and texts with highlighting Questions about the text No Ask, and quizzes on a paragraph Free plan Unlimited word translations, 10 phrases and 10 explanations a day 25 word explanations, 15 sentence translations a day, 3 imports Paid $6/month or $48/year; Premium Plus $15/month or $120/year $7.99/month or $49.99/year (US App Store), 7-day trial ## Where Readlang is the better choice - **You read on a computer.** The extension works on whatever site you are already reading, with no importing. - **You want generous free word lookups.** Unlimited single-word translations on the free plan is hard to beat. - **You like a minimal tool.** Readlang does a few things and stays out of the way. ## Where ContextCat is the better choice - **You read on your phone.** ContextCat is designed for the iPhone, with a reader that keeps the explanation under the sentence you are on. - **You read PDFs.** Import a PDF and read it page by page with help on every word. Readlang’s site does not mention PDF import. - **You want to listen too.** Listen reads whole texts aloud, sentence by sentence, on every paid plan. - **You want to ask about the text.** Ask answers questions about the document and quizzes you on a paragraph. - **You want something to read each day.** Today brings real news in your reading language every morning. Read real things. Tap any word. Read real things in another language. Tap any word to see what it means in that sentence, in your own language. [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6737737343?pt=122713589&ct=site_vs_contextcat_vs_readlang&mt=8) ## Questions ### Is Readlang free? Readlang has a free plan with unlimited single-word translations, 10 phrase translations and 10 context explanations a day. Premium costs $6 a month or $48 a year, and Premium Plus $15 a month or $120 a year (from Readlang's site, checked October 27, 2026). ### Does Readlang work on the iPhone? Readlang works in the browser on phones and tablets, and links to iOS and Android apps from its site. Its strength is the desktop browser extension, which works on any web page. ## Sources 1. [Readlang (features and pricing)](https://readlang.com/) 2. [ContextCat on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6737737343) ## Read next - [ContextCat vs Duolingo: lessons or reading?](https://contextcat.app/compare/contextcat-vs-duolingo): Duolingo teaches with short gamified lessons from zero. ContextCat helps you read real texts once you have the basics. What each is for, and how they fit together. - [ContextCat vs Language Reactor: shows or texts?](https://contextcat.app/compare/contextcat-vs-language-reactor): Language Reactor adds dual subtitles and a pop-up dictionary to Netflix and YouTube. ContextCat helps you read news, books and PDFs on iPhone. How they compare. - [ContextCat vs LingQ: which reading app should you use? (2026)](https://contextcat.app/compare/contextcat-vs-lingq): LingQ and ContextCat both teach a language through reading. How they differ on library, word help, review, platforms and price, and who each one suits. - [Graded readers vs real news: what should you read in a new language?](https://contextcat.app/guides/graded-readers-vs-real-news): Graded readers control vocabulary so you can read fluently; real news is the language people actually write. When to use each, and how to move between them.