Lire vs Readlang for French reading
One turns the whole web into study material; the other removes the guesswork from what to study. That difference decides which suits you.
Short answer
Choose Lire if you want French passages graded A1–C1 with a full line-by-line English translation and curated vocabulary already prepared. Choose Readlang if you want to read arbitrary web pages in many languages and tap individual words for instant translations as you go.
Side by side
| Feature | Lire | Readlang |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | French only | Many languages |
| Where you read | Curated in-app passage library | Any web page, via browser extension or reader |
| Translation model | Whole line, prepared in advance | Word or phrase, on click |
| Difficulty control | CEFR-graded A1–C1 | Whatever the page happens to be |
| Vocabulary | Curated per passage with grammar notes | Flashcards from words you clicked |
| Best for | Building a daily reading habit at the right level | Reading content you already want to read |
Where Readlang is stronger
- Unlimited material — any article, any language, immediately readable.
- Lightweight: no library to work through, no course structure.
- Flashcards generated automatically from your own lookups.
Where Lire is stronger
- Nothing is above your level by accident: passages are graded, and there's a level test to place you.
- The translation explains sentences, not just words — see interlinear reading.
- Vocabulary is chosen for frequency and usefulness rather than by what you happened to click.
- French-specific support built around the text: topic lists, audio playback, and DELF preparation.
Choosing between them
If you already read French articles and only need help with individual words, a browser reader is the lighter option. If you want a structured path — read this, then this, at a difficulty that actually fits — the graded library does more of the work for you. Start with the passage library.
Both products evolve; verify current features and pricing on each provider's site.
About Lire
Lire is a French reading practice platform with graded passages from A1 to C1, interlinear French-English translation, built-in vocabulary, and reading tools for learners who want to improve French reading comprehension.
Related questions
What is the difference between Lire and Readlang?
Readlang turns web pages into click-to-translate reading material in many languages. Lire is a French-only library where every passage is already graded and paired line by line with an English translation.
Is click-to-translate as good as an interlinear translation?
They solve different errors. Word lookups fix unknown vocabulary; a full line translation also reveals structural misreadings — negation, pronouns, idiom — which are a large share of comprehension failures.
Which one helps me pick the right text?
Lire, because difficulty is graded in advance. With a browser reader, you choose the text and therefore its difficulty.
Can I use both?
Yes. A common setup is graded passages for daily practice and a browser reader for articles you stumble on elsewhere.
Stop reading 20 passages. Read all of them.
Lire Premium unlocks every graded passage from A1 to C1, every interlinear translation and every vocabulary list — $9/month, or $79/year (that's about $6.58/month). Cancel in one click, anytime.
- Every passage, every level — A1 to C1
- Line-by-line English translation on every text
- Vocabulary lists, in full, for every passage
- All tools, ad-free, forever
Takes 30 seconds · cancel anytime · 20 passages stay free