Google Translate
Google's free translator for text, speech, camera images and whole websites in a very wide range of languages.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Google Translate
Google Translate is the translator most people already know: type or paste text on the web, speak into the phone, point the camera at a menu or sign, or paste a URL to translate a whole page. Its main strength is breadth. It covers far more languages than most rivals, including many with small numbers of speakers, and it is built into Chrome, Android and Google's other products. The mobile apps can download language packs for offline use, and conversation mode handles a two-way spoken exchange. Quality is good for common language pairs but can be stiff or wrong for idioms, specialist text and less common languages, and there are no glossaries or team features in the consumer app. The consumer service is free with no paid tier; developers who want to build translation into their own products pay per character through the Cloud Translation API, which includes a monthly free allowance.
Best for: Travellers and everyday users who need quick, free translation in almost any language.
Pros and cons
What works
- Very wide language coverage, including rarer languages
- Camera, voice and conversation modes in the mobile apps
- Offline language packs for travel without data
- Free with no account needed
Why people leave
- Output can be literal or miss tone in longer texts
- No glossaries, translation memory or team controls in the free app
- Document translation on the web is limited in formats and size
Top Google Translate alternatives
See all 6- 1
DeepL66.5Usually more natural phrasing for major European and Asian languages, with document translation.
- 2
Microsoft Translator62.6Similar free apps with offline packs and a multi-device conversation feature.
- 3
Papago59.6Often better for Korean, Japanese and Chinese, from Korea's NAVER.
- 4
Yandex Translate57.2A strong choice for Russian and other Eastern European languages.
- 5
iTranslate55.3A polished mobile app with voice, camera and offline modes for travellers.
Why people left Google Translate
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Google Translate: common questions
Is Google Translate free?
Yes, Google Translate is free to use.
Is Google Translate open source?
No, Google Translate is not open source. Open-source alternatives include LibreTranslate.
What platforms does Google Translate run on?
Google Translate is available for Web, iOS, Android and Browser extension.
What are the best alternatives to Google Translate?
The highest-ranked Google Translate alternatives right now are DeepL, Microsoft Translator and Papago. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.