LinguaCafe

What it does

Self-hosted reading software for vocabulary acquisition: read foreign-language text, look up unknown words in place, and review them later. Twenty-seven languages including Japanese. Standing it up takes setup, so it isn't a start-in-a-minute option, and if you wire in a translation service your reading passes through that company. Text you import should be material you have the right to read. GPL-3.0.

Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.

Screenshots & visuals

Before you start

• Setup difficultySome setup needed
• Command lineRequired
• API keyRequired
• Sends data onlineYes

Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.

LinguaCafe FAQ

Is LinguaCafe free?

LinguaCafe itself is free, but it needs an API key for an external AI service. That service charges separately, though some have a free tier.

Do I need to install anything or write code to use LinguaCafe?

It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.

Does LinguaCafe work on a phone?

No. It needs a computer.

Can I use LinguaCafe commercially?

The licence is GPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.

How it compares

The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.

"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.

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