LingQ is a language app for learning from real content: you read and listen to lessons from its library or import your own, and tap words to look them up. Bubblegum is a reading and listening app too. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes its lessons for you, at your level and about your interests, and the words you save come back in new lessons.
How LingQ and Bubblegum Compare
In LingQ you choose or import the text, and in Bubblegum Poppy writes it for your level.
| LingQ | Bubblegum | |
|---|---|---|
| How you learn | Read and listen to library lessons or content you import, and tap words for meanings | Poppy writes lessons, stories, and news at your level, and you read and listen |
| How words come back | Save words and phrases, then review them with spaced repetition | Regenerative Review™: saved words come back in new lessons |
| Import your own content | Netflix, YouTube, podcasts, books, and articles | No |
| Phone apps | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| On the web | lingq.com, plus an importer for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge | Free guides and alphabet courses |
| Languages | 53 | 60 |
| Menu languages | 17 on its iPhone listing | 74 |
Bubblegum teaches the 60 languages on its Learn page, and you can set its menus to any of 74.
Who Each App Is Best For
LingQ
LingQ works well for learners who already have shows, podcasts, or books in mind. It keeps track of which words you know and marks the ones that are new to you, so you can see your vocabulary grow. LingQ also has a Writing Exchange where people correct what you write.
- Turn Netflix, YouTube, podcasts, books, and articles into lessons with its importer.
- Thousands of library lessons from podcasts, books, and interviews come with matching text.
- Mini Stories help build a base at any level.
- Track how many words you know, plus your reading and listening time.
- Flashcards
MobileWeb
Bubblegum
Bubblegum is the best app for serious learners. You learn from text and audio you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
Tell Poppy, your AI tutor, what you'd like to read about, like a soccer match or a recipe from your grandmother's town. She writes a lesson at your level, so most of it makes sense and a few new words stand out. Tap any word to look it up, and ask her about any line that puzzles you.
The trade-off is that Bubblegum can't help you read something you found yourself. For a podcast, a show, or a book you already picked, LingQ is the better choice.
- Poppy writes each lesson for your level, so you never have to hunt for something to read.
- Every lesson has audio, and stories and news add more to read.
- Ask Poppy why a line says what it says, right inside the lesson.
- Saved words come back in the next lessons Poppy writes, through Regenerative Review™.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- You can't import a show, podcast, or book you already love.
- The texts are written for learners, not taken from real-world media.
- A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn.
- Regenerative Review™
Mobile
Choose LingQ if:
- You want to learn from a show, podcast, or book you already love.
- You'd like a big library of real interviews, articles, and audio.
- You want to watch your known-word count grow as you read.
Choose Bubblegum if:
- You'd rather not search for content that's at the right level.
- You want lessons about your topics, with Poppy there to explain any line.
- You want a language LingQ doesn't list, such as Welsh, Basque, or Somali.
Using Both Together
Bubblegum can build your base with lessons written at your level, and once you're ready for real-world material, LingQ helps you read and hear the shows and books you love. Move between them as your level grows.
Common Questions
Which app should a beginner choose?
If you are serious about learning a language, start with Bubblegum. Poppy writes lessons at your level about things you like. Or start with LingQ if you'd like to begin with its Mini Stories and move on to content you import.
Can Bubblegum write about something in the news?
Yes. Bubblegum has news lessons written at your level, and Poppy can bring up what's happening around a date, like an upcoming holiday. You can also ask her for a lesson on a topic you've been reading about.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- LingQ: Library, importer extension and free sign-up
- LingQ: About LingQ and its iPhone and Android apps
- LingQ: 53 languages
- LingQ: iPhone App Store listing
- Bubblegum: Every language you can learn
- LingQ
- Bubblegum
Checked on October 14, 2026 against each app's own pages.
