LangKey vs Migaku: An Honest Comparison
Migaku is beloved by the sentence-mining community — especially Japanese learners — for its excellent Anki card creation workflow. It is also a subscription product, and its power comes with setup complexity: you still need Anki, and its practice options beyond card mining are limited. LangKey takes a different bet: an all-in-one, free, open-source extension where watching, practicing, and reviewing vocabulary happen in one place.
| Feature | LangKey | Migaku |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free core, open source | Subscription-based |
| Open source | ||
| YouTube / Netflix / TED | ||
| Bilibili support | ||
| One-click Anki card creation (screenshot + audio) | Vocabulary export to Anki formats | |
| Built-in SRS (no Anki required) | ||
| Dictation practice | ||
| Shadowing / speaking practice | ||
| AI conversation & cloze exercises | ||
| Article / web page learning | Focused on video | |
| Interface languages | 10 languages | Primarily English |
Where Migaku Still Wins
- Best-in-class Anki card creation — one click captures the sentence, a screenshot, and audio from the video into a polished card.
- A passionate sentence-mining community, especially strong for Japanese learners.
- Deep dictionary and parsing features for serious readers.
Where LangKey Wins
- No subscription, no setup marathon — install the extension and everything works, including the built-in SRS review; Anki is optional, not required.
- Practice beyond mining — dictation, shadowing, AI conversation and cloze modes train listening and speaking, not just card recognition.
- Bilibili support — learn on Bilibili alongside YouTube, TED and Netflix.
- Free and open source, with free Anki import/export so your vocabulary stays portable.
The Verdict
If you are a committed sentence miner who lives inside Anki and wants the richest card-creation workflow, Migaku earns its subscription. If you want a free, open-source, all-in-one tool — watch with dual subtitles, practice dictation and shadowing, review with built-in SRS, and still export to Anki whenever you like — LangKey is the stronger Migaku alternative in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LangKey really free compared to Migaku?
Yes. LangKey’s core features — dual subtitles, click-to-translate, all practice modes and built-in SRS review — are free on Chrome, Edge and Firefox, and the code is open source. Migaku requires a subscription for full functionality.
Do I need Anki to use LangKey?
No. LangKey has built-in SRS spaced repetition, so vocabulary review works out of the box. If you already love Anki, free import and export let you use both together.
Can I move my Migaku / Anki decks into LangKey?
Yes. Export from Anki as CSV or plain text, convert with the free LangKey Anki converter, and import in the extension settings. Your words then get highlighted inside the videos you watch.
Which is better for Japanese learners, LangKey or Migaku?
Migaku has deeper Japanese-specific tooling and community content. LangKey is the better fit if you want free practice modes — shadowing anime scenes, dictation — and a zero-setup vocabulary loop.