The 5 Best Translation Apps

Thanks to the mobile devices that we always carry with us, language is not a barrier anymore. Check out the best translation apps for iPhone and Android, and start translating by typing, speaking, using your smartphone camera, or picking images from your library!

Before delving into the best options, let’s take a look at the things we should look for when choosing a good translation app.

Things to consider while choosing a good translation app

• Consider Language Options: Ensure that the translation app supports the languages you need, both for input and output. A comprehensive language library is crucial for effective communication across diverse contexts.
• Accuracy and Reliability: Look for an app with a reputation for accuracy and reliability in translation. User reviews and ratings can offer insights into the app’s performance in real-world scenarios.
• Offline Functionality: Opt for an app that offers offline functionality, allowing you to translate without an internet connection. This feature is particularly useful when traveling to areas with limited or expensive data access.
• Ease of Use: Choose an app with a user-friendly interface and intuitive design. The translation process should be straightforward, with minimal learning curve, enabling seamless usage for both beginners and advanced users.
• Additional Features: Explore apps that offer supplementary features such as voice translation, text-to-speech, and camera translation. These tools enhance versatility and cater to different translation needs and preferences.
• Privacy and Security: Prioritize apps that prioritize user privacy and data security. Ensure that the app adheres to stringent privacy policies and encryption standards to safeguard sensitive information.
• Customization Options: Look for apps that allow customization according to your preferences, such as font size, language preferences, and favorite translations. Personalization enhances user experience and efficiency.
• Regular Updates: Select an app that receives regular updates and improvements, including bug fixes and enhancements. A proactive approach to software maintenance ensures optimal performance and compatibility with evolving technology platforms.

The Best Translation Apps

Google Translate

Our first best language translator app is Google Translate, which has improved dramatically, especially over the past few years. It is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and also accessible on the web. It supports translations between 133 languages. 

Google Translate offers various solutions including text translation between all the languages it supports, instant camera translation which lets you translate the texts around you in real time using your smartphone camera (in 90 languages), photo translation which lets you import photos from your gallery/library (in 50 languages) and handwriting translation.

Also, Google Translate is one of the best voice translation apps allowing users to translate bilingual conversations in 43 languages. Another great feature is that you can use this real-time translation app when you’re offline too. (59 languages)

Also Read: The Best Grammar Checker Apps

Microsoft Translator

The second one in our best translation apps list is Microsoft Translator which you can use on your Android and iOS devices as well as your desktop. It supports more than 60 languages. 

Just like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator offers text, camera, and photo translation and it is also among the best voice translator apps allowing you to translate your own voice or multi-person conversations with up to 100 people. Its Phrasebook shows the most used phrases in foreign languages enabling you to communicate easily and quickly when you travel abroad or when you’re with foreigners.  

iTranslate

Let’s continue with iTranslate which supports over 100 languages and is very popular among both Android and iOS users. You can use it on your desktop too. This real-time translation app is widely used for voice translation. But it also supports text & photo and camera translation. 

Among the other features the popular translation app offers are offline translation support, text-to-speech, dictionary, thesaurus, transliteration, and verb conjugations in different tenses.

Also Read: The Best Speech-to-Text Apps

Yandex Translate

Let’s move on to Yandex Translate, available on the web, Android, and iOS. You can use it to translate between more than 90 languages. This popular translation app allows users to translate by typing, speaking, using their smartphone cameras or importing from their device libraries. 

Its phrasebook lets you know about the most important terms used in foreign languages and its flashcards make it much easier to learn new words. You can use it offline for your translations from French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and other languages to English. 

DeepL Translate

DeepL has rolled out a comprehensive suite of translation and writing tools, supporting over 30 languages across text, photo, file, and speech input. The mobile app enables users to translate typed content in real time, scan printed material via camera, and even convert spoken words into translated text using the device’s microphone. Additional features include text-to-speech playback, file translation, and the ability to explore alternative word choices and contextual definitions through its integrated dictionary and glossary (available with a paid plan).

Beyond translation, DeepL offers tools aimed at improving written communication. Its writing assistant, DeepL Write, supports English, French, German, and Spanish, helping users refine grammar, punctuation, and tone. The platform also includes options for tone adjustment (formal/informal), translation history, saved phrases, and even handwriting input for iPad users. With support for Latin-script transliterations of non-Latin languages and a growing list of supported formats, DeepL continues to expand its footprint as a mobile-first solution for multilingual communication.

Above, we talked about the best translation apps for iPhone and Android users. If you are looking for an app to learn a specific language, you can find the lists we have prepared for different languages below.

• The Best Language Learning Apps
• The Best English to Tagalog Translation Apps
• The Best English to Urdu Translation Apps
• The Best Hindi to English Translation Apps
• The Best English to Bengali Translation Apps
• The Best English Pronunciation Apps
• The Best English Dictionary Apps
• The Best Apps to Learn Mandarin Chinese
• The Best Korean Learning Apps