About MangaLens

MangaLens is a browser extension that translates manga, manhwa and webtoons right on the page, in 50+ languages. This page is about why it exists, who makes it, and how it stays free.

Why MangaLens exists

I'm a manga and webtoon reader. Like a lot of readers, I kept hitting the same wall: caught up on a series, the next chapter is already out — but only in Japanese, Korean or Chinese. No official version for weeks, sometimes never. Screenshotting each panel into a translator technically worked, but it turned reading a story into data entry, and it killed the fun.

So I built the thing I wanted: a tool that reads the text out of the image and lays a translation over each speech bubble, while you read, without leaving the page. That's MangaLens.

Who makes it

MangaLens is built and run by one independent developer — a reader, not a company. It's a passion project I work on because I love it, not a startup chasing growth at any cost. I prefer to stay behind the work and let the tool speak for itself.

What that means for you: no marketing team, no investors to please, no growth-hacking. Just a person who reads manga and answers your emails. When you send feedback, it reaches the human who built the feature — and often ships as an update soon after.

What I stand for

• Reading shouldn't stop at a language barrier. If you can open it, you should be able to read it — in your language.
• Respect for creators. MangaLens only translates what you can already open legitimately in your browser. It doesn't unlock, host or redistribute anything. When an official release arrives in your language, buy it — that's what keeps a series going.
• Privacy by default. I'm not a big company monetizing your data. MangaLens keeps the data it needs to the minimum, the website uses no tracking cookies, and nothing is sold to anyone. (See the Privacy Policy.)
• Honest and genuinely free. There's a real free path, not a trap: new readers get a few days of Premium, then you can keep reading for free.

How MangaLens stays free

Running OCR and AI translation costs real money, so MangaLens has to pay for itself. It's bootstrapped and self-funded — no outside investment. An optional Premium subscription (higher-quality AI plus a clean Scanlation mode) and optional credits cover the servers and keep the free tier alive. That's the whole business model, and I'd rather tell you plainly than dress it up.

Say hello

Found a site where it doesn't work? Have an idea, a bug, or just want to say hi? Email support@usemangalens.com — it reaches me directly. You can follow what's new on the changelog, or start reading with the blog.