Learn languages through
the games you play on Linux
Playto is a real-time screen translator for Linux games: it reads the text on your game screen with OCR, shows the translation right over the game, and keeps the words you want for review. You learn the language by playing, not by stopping to look things up. The Linux version is out now.
Shown on Windows. The Linux version works the same way.
Reading a game becomes a learning loop
Play → Capture → Save → Review → back to play.
Play
Run the game like normal. Playto stays out of the way.
Capture
Lines you don't understand land in the Log — original and translation, side by side.
Save
Words and sentences worth keeping go into your study lists.
Review
A few minutes a day in Practice or Session Review locks it in.
How it runs on Linux
Reads the game window
Proton and X11 games are read straight from the window. Games that run natively on Wayland ask once to share the screen.
Overlay on KDE and GNOME
Translations appear over the game, at the bottom of the screen or next to the text, on KDE Plasma and GNOME.
Runs on your PC
Text is read with PP-OCR and translated by a local model on Vulkan or the CPU. No API key needed.
Out now
The Linux version is out for the Standard edition. Capturing the game screen, reading the text, translating it and showing it on the overlay work; more features follow in updates. Linux setups vary a lot, so your reports help: use Contact us or Send Error Report in the app, and Linux diagnostic details are attached automatically.
A few features may not be possible on some desktops because of how they handle windows and input. We support as much as we can, and the Linux docs show where things stand.
Will it work on my PC?
KDE Plasma, or any X11 session
Everything the Linux version offers works, with every game.
GNOME
Proton and X11 games (most Steam games) work fully. With a game that runs natively on Wayland, translations stay at the bottom of the screen and you set the area on Playto's preview.
Steam Deck
Not supported. In Game Mode neither capture nor the overlay works.
Needs 64-bit Linux with glibc 2.39 or later (Ubuntu 24.04 or newer). Standard edition only.
System requirements
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What works on each desktop
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Visual novels on Linux: hooks vs OCR
FAQ
Do I have to buy Playto again for Linux?
No. If you own Playto on Steam, the Linux version comes with it at no extra cost.
Is Playto Lite coming to Linux?
Playto Lite, the free version, is not planned for Linux for now.
Does the Linux version have every feature?
Not yet. Capturing the game screen, reading the text, translating it and showing it on the overlay work; Cursor Follow, Resident mode and Game audio follow in updates. See the Linux docs for what works on each desktop, and report problems through Contact us or Send Error Report in the app.
Does it work on Steam Deck?
No. In Game Mode neither capture nor the overlay works. Desktop Mode has not been tested.
Is there a Mac version?
A Mac version is in development and comes after the Linux release.
Can I sync my saved words between Windows and Linux?
Not yet. Syncing saved words and progress between computers is something we'll look into later.