Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, finding yourself in an area where no one speaks your language can be intimidating. Even if you’ve done your homework and tried to learn the local language, keeping up with native speakers can be challenging. Luckily, technology has come up with many great solutions in the form of foreign language translator apps. These popular apps can enhance any international trip by instantly removing some of the language barriers.
Google Translate
Google Translate is one of the most popular language translator apps out there. Not only does it offer one of the most versatile sets of features, but it’s also free. It is available in both Apple and Google Play stores. Google Translate can translate an impressive 133 languages. Users enjoy a wide variety of different ways to use the app, including:
- Conversations: Use the app to translate both your speech and the person you are speaking to.
- Customized phrasebook: If there’s a word or phrase you think may come in handy a lot, you can save it to your own customized phrasebook.
- Handwriting: You can draw or write out text on your screen as opposed to typing it in.
- Instant camera translation: Simply point your camera at a menu, sign, or any other piece of text, and the app will translate it for you. You can also upload photos if you prefer.
- Manual text translation: Type in a word or phrase and select the language you’d like it translated into.
- Offline capabilities: Need a translation in an area with no WiFi access? Google Translate works offline for 59 different languages.
iTranslate
When it comes to the best foreign language translator apps out there, iTranslate is also at the top of many travelers’ lists. The app is available for Apple or Android smartphones and works on Apple watches and iPads.
The free version is worth checking out, but you can also upgrade to a Pro plan for $5.99/ month or $49.99/year. iTranslate offers text translation in over 100 languages through several input methods.
While iTranslate offers many of the same tools as other translator apps, it has several special features.
- Its text translation mode can be used offline and has features like autocomplete and alternative translation options.
- iTranslate’s voice translation is one of the few that also works offline, though only for four different languages at the moment.
- It also offers photo and keyboard translations that work right inside your favorite messaging apps.
Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator is another great foreign language translator available at no cost. It offers many of the same tools as Google Translate, including text, voice, camera, and conversation translation.
But, there are also a few differences that might be deal breakers regarding the Google Translate vs. Microsoft Translator debate.
- While Google Translate offers over 100 languages, Microsoft Translator currently only offers around 70. That said, there’s still a pretty high chance it includes the language you need.
- Microsoft Translator also offers several other perks, including multi-speaker conversation translation.
- By scanning a code, you and up to 100 people can have a conversation, even if none speak the same language.
Check out Microsoft Translator on the Apple store or Google Play.
Naver Papago
When it comes to Asian language translation, look no further than a free app called Naver Papago. While it only offers 13 languages at the moment, it’s a great choice if your language happens to be among them.
Currently, Naver Papago works with:
- Korean
- English
- Japanese
- Chinese (Simplified/Traditional)
- Spanish
- French
- Vietnamese
- Thai
- Indonesian
- Russian
- German
- Italian.
The app offers many great features, including text, image, handwriting, and voice translation. It can even simultaneously translate audio into both text and audio playback.
Use the conversation translation to speak to your conversation partner in real-time, enjoy offline functionality, and use the free language dictionary to brush up on your skills. Naver Papago is free and available to download on Apple and Google devices.
SayHi
SayHi is a free language translation app from Amazon. Available on Apple, Google, and Amazon AppStore, SayHi is a great choice for translating everyday conversations.
The beauty of SayHi lies in its simplicity. Simply speak into your phone, and the app will instantly translate your speech and play it back in the language of your choice. SayHi works in over 100 different languages and even offers regional dialect options. While the emphasis is on giving travelers a quick and easy way to translate conversations, the app also offers voice and image translations.
It may not come with as many features as some competitors, but, SayHi is all about removing language barriers as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Waygo
While Waygo doesn’t offer nearly as many features as some of the other translation apps listed here, it can be indispensable for Asian travelers. The app’s specialty is in translating Chinese, Japanese, and Korean text on things like signs and menus.
Just point your phone’s camera at the text in question, and Waygo will instantly tell you what it means. For some languages, if you use the app to scan a menu, it will translate and even bring up photos of the different dishes. This can go a long way towards figuring out what exactly you’re ordering. One of the other major perks of Waygo is that it works completely offline, so there’s no need to worry if you do not have service.
Waygo is available for download on Amazon or the Apple store and offers a free basic version with ten free translations per day. Upgrading to unlimited translations will cost you $6.99 for one language or $11.99 for all three.
