Guide: Best Free Translator Apps

“No comprendo” and “je ne parle pas français” are no longer valid reasons to miss a train or order the wrong dish at dinner. Translation technology has come a long way, and whether you're navigating the Tokyo subway, exploring Italian wine country, or strolling through a Parisian market, the right app can help you communicate with confidence.

Today’s top language apps do more than just translate—they scan, listen, speak, and even learn with you. Better yet, the best of them offer free versions, so you don’t have to pay a cent to break down language barriers.

Here are some of the most powerful and accessible translation and language learning apps to download before your next trip.

Google Translate: The Classic Still Leads

Once a simple tool, Google Translate has evolved into a multi-functional translation powerhouse. it remains one of the best all-around offline translation apps, and it’s constantly improving.

With Google Translate, you can:

Use your camera to scan and translate menus, signs, or printed documents—perfect for travelers who need a quick visual translations app.
Translate speech in real time with conversation mode, making it easy to chat with locals in dozens of languages.
Download language packs so you can use the app completely offline—crucial if you're headed somewhere with limited internet access.

It supports over 130 languages, including Japanese, Italian, and French, and while it’s not always perfect, it’s fast, free, and usually accurate enough to get your message across.

Download for iOS and Android.

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Apple Live Text/Translate

Here you get Apple’s take on Google Translate. Much like the beloved little app that could, Live Text takes words in a foreign language from multiple sources – pictures, text, spoken words – and translates them into your lingua franca.

It works like this: Open up “Translate” on your iPhone. If you’ve taken a picture of text, highlight that text on the picture and click “Select All.”

After you’ve done that, go back to Translate, paste the text, and select the language of the text and the language for the translation. The translation will appear below the original text.

Spoken words are easier. Click the microphone at the bottom of the Translate window and start speaking. Make sure you’ve indicated the appropriate source language, and the language you want your words translated into.

The “Conversation” mode lets you go back and forth between languages.

It’s only available on Apple devices.

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Duolingo

Google Translate and Apple Live Text can help you learn a language, but they’re better at helping you through a foreign language when you’re traveling. If you’re looking to learn a new language on a budget, Duolingo is definitely the way to go.

Duolingo was designed by language experts to make it easy and fun to learn a new language. It’s highly gamified, so expect lots of challenges and rewards and participation medals as you hack your way through the hundreds of levels that take you from nothing to proficiency.

Duolingo is not the fastest way to learn a language by any means – at the recommended 10-15 minutes a day, expect proficiency to take years – but it’s also probably the most painless way to learn.

Download Duolingo for iOS and Android.

Also Read: The Best Travel Apps for Your Next Vacation

HelloTalk

HelloTalk sits somewhere between Duolingo and Google Translate: While it’s a language-learning app, it also relies on interpersonal relationships to build language proficiency.

HelloTalk works like this: Once you decide you want to learn a language, HelloTalk pairs you with speakers of that language. You connect, exchange messages back and forth, correct each other’s spelling and grammar, and begin to build a relationship.

There’s also a general feed if you want more anonymity, and experts available (for a fee) to help you accelerate your language learning.

Building a relationship by correcting each other’s grammar: It sounds like a bad Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan movie, but HelloTalk, especially in its paid incarnations, really is a cool way to learn a new language.

Download HelloTalk for iOS and Android.

Microsoft Translator: Underrated but Incredibly Useful

Microsoft Translator often flies under the radar, but it’s one of the best tools for travelers who want reliable communication features, especially in group settings. It’s a strong offline translation app that handles voice, text, and image translation with ease.

Key features:

Conversation mode supports real-time translations for multiple users speaking different languages—ideal for group tours or international meetings.
Camera-based translation works well for street signs, menus, and documents, functioning similarly to a scanlation app.
Supports offline translation for dozens of major languages, including full phrase packs in French, Italian, and Japanese.

Microsoft Translator also integrates nicely with Microsoft Office products, making it especially useful for business travelers who need to translate emails or documents on the fly.

Download for iOS and Android.

Whether you're navigating the Tokyo subways with a Japanese translator app, ordering espresso with the help of an Italian translation app, or reading a museum label using a French translation app, the right tool makes international travel easier, safer, and more rewarding.

Just make sure you:

Download your language packs if the app supports offline mode.
Test the camera or voice features before you depart.
Keep your device charged—you never know when you’ll need it.

And if you're planning an international trip, now's also the time to consider travel protection. Because no matter how well you translate “emergency,” it’s always better to be prepared.

Get a travel protection quote from Generali Global Assistance before your next adventure.