Lector vs Lute
Lector
lector.devLute
luteorg.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Lector | Lute |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Language Immersion Apps | 9.1 (#1) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Anki integration | Lector supports two-way Anki synchronization through its beta Lector Sync add-on, while local self-hosts can use AnkiConnect. | Lute exports terms to Anki through the AnkiConnect add-on; this requires Anki desktop and does not work from a mobile device. |
| License | The repository licenses Lector under GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0, including the requirement to offer corresponding source for modified network services. | The Lute v3 repository says the software uses the MIT license. |
| Support | The contact page offers email replies, Discord live chat, and GitHub issues for bugs. | The manual directs users to Discord for help and asks documentation readers to report unclear or incorrect content through a GitHub issue. |
Plans
In their own words
Lute
Lute is a standalone web application installed on your computer for learning languages through reading. Users import or create texts, read them, and save definitions and associations that build a personal dictionary. The application lets users define languages and dictionaries, edit texts, and create single-word or multi-word terms while reading. Parent terms can share definitions with child terms, and sample sentences can include related terms. Readers can add images to words and use hotkeys to set statuses such as New, Learning, Well-known, or Ignore, including bulk updates. Lute supports 66 languages; its manual lists more than 50 predefined languages with sample stories and dictionaries, though some need plugins. Languages can use multiple term and sentence dictionaries, displayed embedded or in pop-up views. Lute can export terms to Anki note types, and AnkiConnect enables communication with Anki. Supported content includes text, TXT, EPUB, web pages, and book audio. Installation options are pip, Docker, or source code; Android use through Termux is also documented. Lute is free, uses the MIT license, and runs locally so users control their data.