Argos Translate
Open-source offline translation library for Python, with a desktop app and downloadable language packages.
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About Argos Translate
Argos Translate is an open-source neural machine translation library written in Python, built on OpenNMT models. You install language packages for the pairs you need and then translate entirely offline, either from Python code, from the command line, or through a small desktop app. Where there is no direct model between two languages, it can pivot through an intermediate language. It is the engine underneath LibreTranslate, so it suits developers who want to embed translation in their own scripts or apps without running a separate API server. The project also documents how to train and package your own language models. Everything is free under the MIT licence. Quality is serviceable for getting the gist of text but below commercial engines, pivoted translations lose more meaning, and the desktop interface is basic. It is a tool for developers and tinkerers rather than a polished consumer translator.
Best for: Python developers who want offline translation inside their own scripts and apps.
Pros and cons
What works
- Fully offline once language packages are installed
- Permissive MIT licence
- Usable as a library, CLI or desktop app
- Supports training custom language models
Why people leave
- Output quality is below commercial services
- Pivoting through a third language loses accuracy
- Minimal desktop interface
Top Argos Translate alternatives
See all 4- 1
LibreTranslate66.5Wraps the same engine in a ready-made web UI and REST API server.
- 2
DeepL62.6Far better quality through a paid API if offline use is not required.
- 3
Lingvanex59.6Commercial offline translation SDKs for apps that need more languages.
- 4
Google Translate57.2Covers many more languages via a pay-per-character Cloud API.
Why people left Argos Translate
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Argos Translate: common questions
Is Argos Translate free?
Yes. Argos Translate is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.
Is Argos Translate open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at argosopentech/argos-translate. You can also run it on your own server.
What platforms does Argos Translate run on?
Argos Translate is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Argos Translate?
The highest-ranked Argos Translate alternatives right now are LibreTranslate, DeepL and Lingvanex. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.