iOS App · Reading, Audio & Flashcards

The German Reading App That Teaches You With Real Stories (A1–B2)

Lesen Lab is a German reading app for iPhone and iPad with 1000+ graded short stories from A1 to B2 — every one with native German audio, tap-to-translate, and built-in flashcards. Learn German the way that actually sticks: through stories you enjoy, not random sentences you forget.

5.0 on the App Store

1000+ German stories sorted by CEFR level (A1, A2, B1, B2)Native German audio with slow mode for every storyTap any word or sentence for an instant English translationSpaced-repetition flashcards and quizzes after each textBuilt for Goethe, telc and TestDaF exam preparation

Price

Free

Everything Lesen Lab can do

Graded German Stories (A1–B2)

Over 1000 German stories divided by CEFR level — fairy tales, everyday dialogues and real articles. Clear level labels mean you always read at the right difficulty: challenged, never overwhelmed.

Read & Listen Together

Every story comes with native German audio, so you train listening and pronunciation while you read. Use slow mode and replay tricky sentences as often as you like.

Instant Tap-to-Translate

Stuck on a word or sentence? Tap it and see the English translation instantly — no dictionary apps, no losing your place in the story.

Flashcards & Spaced Repetition

New words are saved into built-in flashcards with spaced repetition, so vocabulary moves into long-term memory. Quizzes after each text review words and grammar in context.

Goethe, telc & TestDaF Prep

Structured reading and listening practice across A1–B2 — exactly the skills tested in Goethe, telc and TestDaF exams. Track your progress by level and watch your German improve.

Free to Start

Download free and read your first stories today. Upgrade to PRO for the full library, all grammar explanations, unlimited flashcards and offline mode — weekly, monthly, yearly or lifetime.

Screenshots

A look inside Lesen Lab

Lesen Lab German reading app – learn German by stories with a graded A1 story and audio player

Lesen Lab – reading a German short story with native audio

Lesen Lab – tap-to-translate a German word into English instantly

Lesen Lab – German vocabulary flashcards with spaced repetition

Lesen Lab – German grammar tips and exercises

Lesen Lab – quiz after a German story to review vocabulary

Lesen Lab – progress tracking across German levels A1 to B2

How it works

Up and running in 4 steps

Choose Your Level

Pick your German level (A1–B2) and a short story that matches your skills and interests.

Read & Listen

Read along with native German audio, tapping any word for an instant translation.

Review & Practice

Save new words to flashcards, then take the quiz after the story to lock in vocabulary and grammar.

Track Progress

Watch your level rise from A1 towards B2 with consistent daily reading practice.

Lesen Lab PRO

Weekly, monthly, yearly & lifetime options available

Full story library (1000+ stories, A1–B2)
All grammar explanations & exercises
Unlimited flashcards & review mode
Offline mode — read German anywhere

Guides

Go deeper with Lesen Lab

In-depth answers to what people actually search for — and how Lesen Lab solves it.

01How to Learn German With Stories (and Why It Works)Why story-based learning beats sentence drills — and a step-by-step routine for learning German through graded stories.02German Short Stories for Beginners (A1/A2) — With Audio & TranslationsWhere to find genuinely beginner-friendly German stories — and what a good A1/A2 story needs to teach you fast.03How to Improve Your German Reading Comprehension: 7 TechniquesSeven concrete techniques to understand German texts faster — from graded input to re-reading with audio.04Goethe, telc & TestDaF Reading Practice: How to Prepare (A1–B2)What the Goethe, telc and TestDaF reading sections actually test — and the daily practice that raises your score.05German Listening Practice for Beginners: Read-Along Audio StoriesWhy read-along audio stories are the fastest listening practice — and how to use slow mode and replay properly.06The Best Way to Learn German Vocabulary: Stories + Spaced RepetitionContext plus spaced repetition is the vocabulary formula — here's the routine that makes German words stick permanently.07How to learn German on your own: a 6-month self-study planA daily routine and a month-by-month plan from zero to A2/B1 without a classroom.08German levels A1, A2, B1, B2 explained – and how to know your levelWhat each CEFR level means in practice, how long it takes and how to test yourself.09How long does it take to learn German? Realistic timelines per levelHours per level from the Goethe-Institut and realistic calendars for part-time learners.10German A1 reading practice: 3 short texts with questions and answersThree original A1 texts with questions, answers and vocabulary.11German A2 reading practice: texts with questions, answers and tipsTwo A2 texts with answers plus a method to read without translating every word.12Goethe B1 reading (Lesen): format, time and tips – with a practice textFive parts in 65 minutes, the pass mark and a B1 practice text.13Can you learn German just by reading? What works – and what doesn’tWhy reading works, its limits, and the read-listen-review method.14The best German podcasts for learners, sorted by levelPodcasts for every level and a method to learn from them.15Learn German for free: the best free resources in 2026A complete free learning stack: course, reading, listening, tests.16Easy German books by level: what to read from A1 to B2What to read at each level, from graded readers to Kästner and “Tschick”.

FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Lesen Lab?

Lesen Lab is a German reading app for iPhone and iPad that teaches German through 1000+ short, graded stories from A1 to B2 — each with native audio, instant translations, flashcards and quizzes.

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Is Lesen Lab good for complete beginners?

Yes. The A1 section uses very short sentences, everyday vocabulary, native audio with slow mode and tap-to-translate, so you can start reading real German from your first day.

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Can I use Lesen Lab for Goethe, telc or TestDaF preparation?

Yes. Lesen Lab trains the reading and listening comprehension these exams test, with content organized by the same CEFR levels (A1–B2) the exams use.

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How is Lesen Lab different from Duolingo?

Duolingo drills short exercises; Lesen Lab builds deep reading and listening skills with complete stories, native audio and contextual flashcards. Many learners use both — stories for skill, drills for habit.

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Does Lesen Lab help with listening comprehension?

Every story includes native German audio with slow mode and replay, so you train listening and reading simultaneously — the fastest route to understanding spoken German.

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How does the vocabulary trainer work?

Words you tap while reading can be saved as flashcards with spaced repetition. The app schedules reviews at the optimal moment, and quizzes after each story reinforce the words in context.

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Is Lesen Lab free?

Lesen Lab is free to download with a selection of stories and features included. PRO unlocks all 1000+ stories, full grammar explanations, unlimited flashcards and offline mode — as weekly, monthly, yearly or lifetime plans.

Which devices does Lesen Lab support?

Lesen Lab runs on iPhone and iPad (iOS 18.5 or later). Your progress and flashcards stay in sync on your device.

Start Learning German Today

Join learners around the world improving their German with Lesen Lab. Download free and finish your first story in the next ten minutes.

Free to download • In-app purchases available