A free alternative to Migaku for Japanese immersion
Looking at Migaku and want a free option for the day-to-day immersion loop? よむ runs as a browser userscript (Tampermonkey on desktop, the Userscripts app on iPhone and iPad), is free, and needs no account to start reading.
This is an honest comparison. Migaku is a polished, paid, integrated suite that plenty of people happily pay for. よむ takes a different shape: it is read-first and free, and expects you to bring your own Jiten, JPDB, Anki and Yomitan dictionaries rather than bundling everything into one subscription.
What "the core immersion loop" means
Most immersion tools revolve around the same cycle: encounter Japanese, look a word up instantly, understand it in context, and save the ones worth remembering into a spaced repetition system. よむ covers each step in the browser:
- Popup lookup — tap, select or hover Japanese text to see reading, meaning, pitch accent, frequency, Jiten definitions, optional JPDB data, your imported Yomitan entries, audio and example sentences.
- Furigana and word colouring — show furigana for all words, hard kanji only, or hide it for words you already know; colour words by Jiten/JPDB/Anki state or by pitch accent.
- Subtitle mining on video — an ASB-style overlay turns Japanese subtitle lines into tappable words, with a second native-language line and a transcript panel. Works on pages like YouTube.
- Manga and image OCR — tap Japanese inside images using embedded OCR metadata (e.g. Mokuro) or a local OCR engine you run. The image is not uploaded anywhere unless you enable a local OCR endpoint you control.
- Mining — create Anki cards via AnkiConnect, or send Jiten/JPDB actions and review grades.
An honest comparison
The よむ column below describes what よむ actually does. For Migaku, the table uses neutral, non-committal language on purpose — please check migaku.com for its current features and pricing rather than trusting a third-party summary.
| よむ (Yomu) | Migaku | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid subscription — see migaku.com |
| Platform | Browser userscript (desktop + iOS/iPad) | See migaku.com |
| Popup lookup | Yes — reading, meaning, pitch, frequency | See migaku.com |
| Mining | Anki via AnkiConnect + Jiten/JPDB actions | See migaku.com |
| Dictionaries | Import Yomitan ZIPs / JMdict locally | See migaku.com |
| Manga / image OCR | Yes — embedded metadata or local engine | See migaku.com |
| Video subtitle overlay | Yes — tappable lines + transcript panel | See migaku.com |
| Account to start | None required | See migaku.com |
"Bring your own" — what that means in practice
よむ is deliberately not a closed ecosystem. It connects to tools many learners already run:
- Yomitan dictionaries — import the same Yomitan ZIPs and JMdict files you would use elsewhere. They stay in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
- Anki — with AnkiConnect running, よむ writes cards straight into your existing deck and note type, including the source sentence and audio.
- Jiten/JPDB — if you use either source, add words, mark never-forget or blacklist, and send review grades from the popup.
Because these are optional, you can install よむ and start reading with the built-in lookup, then add Jiten, JPDB, or Anki later when you mine.
Where Migaku may suit you better
A paid suite like Migaku bundles dictionaries, an SRS, browser extensions and media tooling under a single account and support channel. よむ does not replicate that integrated experience — it aims to be the free, capable reader at the centre of the loop.
How to try よむ free
- Install a userscript manager (Tampermonkey on desktop, Userscripts on iPhone/iPad).
- Install よむ from the link below.
- Open a Japanese page and tap a word to see the popup.
From there, explore subtitle mining on video, manga and image OCR, or jump into a guide to set up mining.
FAQ
Is よむ really a free alternative to Migaku?
Yes — it covers the core loop above free, no account. Migaku is a separate paid, integrated suite; see migaku.com for its features and pricing.
Does よむ do everything Migaku does?
No, and it does not try to. It focuses on browser reading and mining with your own Jiten, JPDB, Anki and Yomitan dictionaries; Migaku is the all-in-one suite some people prefer.
Can I mine to Jiten, JPDB and Anki with よむ?
Yes. よむ creates Anki cards through AnkiConnect (word, reading, meaning, source sentence, audio and an optional image), supports Jiten review actions, and sends Jiten/JPDB actions such as add word, never-forget, blacklist and review grades. These integrations are optional.
Next steps: mine sentences to Anki and read manga in Japanese.