LinguaCafe
github.com
What it is
LinguaCafe is a free, open-source web app for learning languages through reading and vocabulary review. It is self-hosted, so users can run it on their own machine or private web server and control their data. Reading material can come from plain text, text files, ebooks, YouTube subtitles, subtitle files, Jellyfin external subtitles, or webpages. Readers can look up words and phrases, save translations, mark items as known or ignored, and track vocabulary by learning level. Spaced-repetition reviews follow an approach similar to the Leitner system, and highlighted cards can be exported to Anki or other SRS software. DeepL translations are available for lookups when enabled. Text-to-speech uses browser SpeechSynthesis, with voices dependent on the browser. The project lists many supported languages and supports Progressive Web App installation on mobile devices; it works in browsers on screens at least 340 pixels wide. Setup uses Docker Compose. The project supports x64, with an additional step for Apple silicon, but other Armv8 devices such as Raspberry Pi 3 and newer do not currently work. One user per server is supported.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- LinguaCafe is a self-hosted web app for learning foreign languages by reading and building vocabulary.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- Vocabulary lookups can show DeepL translations when enabled, and imported reading material can include Jellyfin external subtitles.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The project lists GitHub, Discord, Reddit, and email as contact channels, and says the maker will try to help with update problems reported on GitHub or Discord.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Capacity
- The project says only one user per server is supported at this time.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Development status
- The maker warns that LinguaCafe is in active development and may contain bugs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Hardware limits
- The README lists x64 support, says Apple silicon users need an additional step, and says other Armv8 devices such as Raspberry Pi 3 and newer do not currently work.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Installation
- The setup guide uses Docker Compose; it provides a Windows installation script and instructions for Mac users, including an additional Apple silicon setup step.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Languages
- The project lists support for Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Welsh.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Mobile access
- LinguaCafe supports Progressive Web App installation to a mobile device home screen and says it works in browsers on screens at least 340 pixels wide.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Privacy and data
- The maker says self-hosting lets users run the app on their own machine or private web server and control their data.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Reading materials
- You can import plain text, text files, ebooks, YouTube subtitles, subtitle files, Jellyfin external subtitles, and webpages.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Review
- LinguaCafe includes spaced-repetition reviews similar to the Leitner system and can export highlighted cards to Anki or other SRS software.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Speech
- Text-to-speech uses the browser SpeechSynthesis API, and support depends on the browser and available voices.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Vocabulary
- Readers can look up words and phrases, save translations, mark words as known or ignored, and track vocabulary by learning level.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Free Free self-hosted · one user/server supported Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source.
- Supports varied reading sources, including webpages and subtitles.
- Tracks vocabulary by learning level.
- Exports highlighted cards to Anki or other SRS software.
- Can be installed as a mobile Progressive Web App.
Limits
- Only one user per server is supported.
- Other Armv8 devices such as Raspberry Pi 3 and newer do not work.
- The project may contain bugs while in active development.
- Apple silicon requires an additional setup step.
Who it suits
LinguaCafe suits an individual learner who wants to host reading and vocabulary tools privately. It may fit people who want to import varied texts and use spaced repetition or export cards to another SRS app.
Verdict
LinguaCafe offers a self-hosted reading and vocabulary workflow with spaced repetition and card export. Its single-user server limit and hardware constraints are important to check before installation.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Boy Advance Emulators#9 of 297.9
- Language Immersion Apps#13 of 257.9
