These apps can help make a language barrier a problem of the past. We’ve rounded up our 5 favorites out of the dozens available.
Need is a translation app on your computer instead of your phone? Try translation apps and browser extensions for the desktop.
Best for Spanish Translation: Spanishdict
SpanishDict is the perfect English to Spanish and Spanish to English translator out there. The app only focuses on Spanish, complete with a dictionary and examples for each translation. You also have the option to hear the phrase you translate by tapping the speaker icon.
See dictionary with each translation.
View examples of the translated text.
Ability to hear the phrase in Spanish with the touch of a button.
Voice translation is a bit slow.
Ads inside app without upgrading.
App may not understand localized slang used.
Although the voice translation is a bit slow, SpanishDict is great at translating text, whether they’re short phrases or paragraphs. The app is free to download and use, but requires an upgrade to remove ads.
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Best for Handwritten Translations: Google Translate
For situations where voice translation isn’t appropriate, Google Translate offers a unique, handwritten translation tool inside their translation app. Simply use your finger to write what you want to translate and receive the phrase back in over 90 languages.
Write blurbs to translate with your finger.
Use 103 languages when typing.
Use camera to translate images.
Only 59 languages available for download for online translation.
Only 37 languages available for camera translation.
Voice translation is a bit slow.
Google Translate also offers camera translation, typing translation, and voice translation. You can also use the included phrasebook to find and save phrases for easy access. Google Translate is also a great online translator, as well as an offline translator.
Google Translate is free to download and use for both iOS and Android devices.
Best for Translating Images: Translate - Translator AI
While you’re out and about as you travel, you’re often using your camera snapping photos of your trips. You can also use your camera to take photos of words and phrases you need translated with the Translate app.
Translate via camera, text, and speech.
Over 100 languages.
Speech recognition is powered by Siri for quality.
Only available for iOS at this time.
Premium is costly for this type of app.
Ads without Premium subscription.
Simply take a photo and the app will translate the text in the image, perfect for road signs, menus, etc. You can also translate via text and speech in over 100 languages.
Although Translate is free to download and use for iOS devices, there are ads without a Premium subscription. You’ll also need a subscription to unlock smart voice translation and automatic image translation, but you can try it out with a 7-day trial.
Best for Internet-Free Translation: Microsoft Translator
Want to translate text into Klingon? Microsoft Translator can do so. Or, you can use Microsoft’s internet-free ability to translate to and from any language as you travel. Simply download the language you’ll need ahead of time.
Languages are free to download for offline use.
App is free to use without any subscription required.
Connect devices to have conversations inside the app.
Camera translation doesn’t always detect each word.
Even with Microsoft’s vast reach, only slightly over 60 languages are available.
Some features are not available in all languages.
Microsoft Translator also offers a wide range of features including alternate translations, phrasebooks, camera translation, conversation translation, and more.
Microsoft Translator is free to download and use for both Android and iOS devices. Plus, no premium subscription is required.
Best for Viewing a Translation Dictionary: iTranslate Translator
If you’re looking for an app that offers quick phrases for finding food, navigating an emergency, or simply communicating with new people, iTranslate is the perfect tool for you. It includes an in-depth phrasebook and offers translation in over 100 languages.
Easy built-in phrasebook for finding quick phrases.
Voice-to-voice capability in over 100 languages.
App provides different dialects to choose from.
Offline mode, website translation, etc. requires Premium subscription.
Interface is a bit more difficult to figure out than other apps on this list.
Voice translation, a vital tool, requires Premium subscription.
This app allows you to select different dialects depending on the language you choose and offers offline mode, website translation, and more. However, you’ll need a Premium subscription to use these tools.
This app is free to download and use for both Android and iOS devices. After a 7-day free trial period, you’ll have to pay for a yearly subscription.
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