The best translation apps: which is the right one for you?

Millions of people are already using the free Google Translate app via their mobile browser or as an app on their smartphone. The app can translate 59 different languages without an Internet connection and supports various functionalities. For example, users can upload photos with foreign-language text which are auto-recognised and translated into the target language. Instead of using the keyboard, the text that needs to be translated can also be handwritten.

iTranslate is an award-winning app for translation that supports over 90 languages. The basic app is free, while the Pro version is available with a monthly subscription. In addition to translations, the free app boasts dictionaries with synonyms and can detect dialects. In addition to the offline mode, the paid pro version of the app supports features such as instant translation of signs or menu cards. Conversations can also be translated.

The language translator app Linguee is free, available offline and is already used by millions of people. There’s an integrated translation search engine, which means you have access to over one billion translations from the internet so you can find the best one that fits your situation. The app does not use machine-translation to provide examples of words in context, but rather it sources words from articles in the original language. Simply start typing a word and autofill will help you fill it in, saving you precious time.

Microsoft tried to compete with Google’s translator app in the past, but it took until the launch of the free Microsoft Translator app to succeed. More than 70 languages are supported via text or image or audio input. Translating entire conversations is no big challenge for Microsoft’s application. The most frequent or most important search entries can be saved for faster access.

PONS dictionaries are popular. The publisher’s repertoire includes a free app. However, to use all of its features, an annual subscription is necessary to support the desired language. In addition to translating individual words, the translator app displays example sentences to aid translation. Offline usage is also supported.

SayHi is a subsidiary of Amazon. The translation app SayHi Translate is a portable interpreter that is free to download and use. The easy-to-use app translates over 50 different languages using speech recognition and even recognises dialects. However, keyboard input is also supported and can be adapted for different languages. Different voice patterns (male/female) are available for voice output, depending on the language. The output speed can also be adjusted. However, an Internet connection is required to use the app.

DeepL launched its online translator in 2017 that claims to achieve some of the best translation results in blind testing. DeepL is a free translator app that supports 26 languages. Results are natural-sounding and grammatically correct for the most part. Text that needs to be translated can be entered using the keyboard, copy-and-paste, a device’s microphone or using a photo.

DeepL automatically recognises the source language, but it can be set manually to. Text output is fast and happens while typing. Audio voice output is possible for both source and target languages. The free app version supports texts up to a character length of 5,000 characters. By adding a DeepL Pro account, available from around £4.99 per month, you can use the translation function without character limitation.