When you’re traveling abroad and face a language barrier, even simple things—like ordering food or asking for directions—can become stressful. Real-time translation apps are designed to bridge that gap instantly, letting you communicate clearly and confidently with anyone, anywhere. Below, we’ve rounded up the best real-time translator apps available today, each tailored for different needs and situations.
Google Translate
👍 Best for: All-purpose translation of text, voice, and images
🎯 Great for: Travelers, students, everyday users
🌐 Languages: 249
📶 Offline mode: Yes (50+ languages)
💻 Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
💰 Price: Free
⭐ Rating: 4.3 (Play Store), 4.3 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Excellent for major languages; less precise for rare pairs like Cantonese ↔ Arabic
Google Translate remains the most versatile translator available. It handles text, speech, and camera input—ideal for reading signs, menus, or printed documents. With an offline mode and conversation feature, it’s a must-have for any kind of traveler.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Real-time conversation mode for seamless communication
- Photo translation (via live camera or saved images)
- Offline translation (50+ languages supported)
- Tap-to-translate within other apps
- Handwriting input support
- Phrasebook syncing with Google account
- Website and document translation (PDF, Word)
AI Phone
👍 Best for: Translating phone calls
🎯 Target users: Businesses, international customer service
🌐 Languages: 150+ (including English, Spanish, French, Japanese)
💻 Platforms: iOS, Android
📶 Offline mode: No
💰 Price: Subscription-based
⭐ Rating: 4.5 (Play Store), 4.7 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: High in voice mode
AI Phone Translator is a powerful AI-based app specializing in real-time phone call translation in over 150 languages and accents. Speak in your own language, and the other person hears it in theirs, and vice versa. It supports not just regular calls but also voice and video calls for apps like WhatsApp. Beyond phone calls, it includes voice translation, live conversation translation, camera translation, and photo-based text recognition.
Features:
- Real-time two-way translation during phone calls
- Real-time two-way video call translation for social apps like WhatsApp
- Real-time voice translation with split-screen for conversations
- Photo translation (via camera or saved images)
- Translation history storage
iTranslate
👍 Best for: General voice and text translation
🎯 Target users: Travelers, students, everyday users
🌐 Languages: 100+
📶 Offline mode: Yes (for 40+ languages with Pro)
💻 Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
💰 Price: Free with Pro subscription (from $5.99/month)
⭐ Rating: 3.4 (Play Store), 4.4 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: High for common languages, especially in voice mode
iTranslate offers real-time translation for conversations, websites, and even images. It’s reliable for everyday travel or learning and includes helpful extras like an AR translation mode and a phrasebook.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Supports over 100 languages
- Photo translation (via live camera or saved images)
- Augmented Reality (AR) translation for multiple objects simultaneously
- Keyboard extension for translation in any app
- Website translation
- Offline translation (Pro only)
Microsoft Translator
👍 Best for: Multilingual group conversations
🎯 Great for: Teams, educators, professionals
🌐 Languages: 100+
📶 Offline mode: Yes
💻 Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Web
💰 Price: Free
⭐ Rating: 4.8 (Play Store), 4.6 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Excellent for formal/technical contexts
Microsoft Translator shines in business settings, allowing real-time translation during group meetings or presentations. It also integrates well with Microsoft Teams and Office, making it ideal for global collaboration.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation with pronunciation guides
- Real-time group conversation translation
- Photo translation (via camera or saved images)
- Automatic language detection
- Multi-user translation support for meetings and discussions
- Integrates with Microsoft Teams and Office
- Offline translation
Papago
👍 Best for: Asian languages
🎯 Great for: Tourists, exchange students in East Asia
🌐 Languages: 14 (Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English, and more)
📶 Offline mode: Yes
💻 Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
💰 Price: Free
⭐ Rating: 4.5 (Play Store), 4.7 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Outstanding for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese
If you’re heading to East Asia, Papago is the app you need. Specializing in languages like Korean, Japanese, and Chinese, it offers real-time voice, text, and camera translations. Whether you’re reading a sign or trying to understand a conversation, Papago is your go-to for quick, accurate translations in the region.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Real-time conversation mode
- Photo translation with optimized recognition for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese fonts and styles
- Handwritten text translation by drawing with finger
- Web page translation by entering URL
- Supports Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korean) translation
- Offline translation
Speak & Translate
👍 Best for: Simple, on-the-go voice translation
🎯 Great for: Seniors, users who prefer simplicity
🌐 Languages: 100+
📶 Offline mode: Limited
💻 Platforms: iOS
💰 Price: Subscription (free trial available)
⭐ Rating: 4.3 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Moderate, depends on speech clarity
Speak & Translate offers one of the simplest interfaces for real-time voice translation, supporting over 100 languages. Its focus is on real-time voice-to-voice translations, making it perfect for quick and casual conversations while traveling or meeting someone who speaks a different language. The app also works offline for certain languages, which is perfect for areas with limited internet access.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Supports over 100 languages
- Photo translation (via live camera or saved images)
- Automatic language detection
- Offline translation (limited languages)
Translate Now
👍 Best for: Augmented reality (AR) visual translation
🎯 Great for: Visual learners, tourists
🌐 Languages: 100+
📶 Offline mode: Partially
💻 Platforms: Android, iOS
💰 Price: Subscription
⭐ Rating: 4.3 (Play Store), 3.7 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Great for visuals; less so for dialogue
Translate Now excels in augmented reality (AR) translations, allowing you to point your camera at objects or signs, and instantly see translated text overlaid on your screen. This is particularly useful for reading street signs, menus, and directions in unfamiliar areas. The app also offers real-time text translation, perfect for short phrases and quick exchanges.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Augmented Reality (AR) translation for immersive experiences
- Keyboard translator for any app
- Real-time text translation for quick phrases
- Supports translation during FaceTime calls
- Photo translation for menus, signs, and documents
Yandex Translate
👍 Best for: Russian and Eastern European languages
🎯 Great for: Students, travelers, and professionals
🌐 Languages: 100+
📶 Offline mode: Yes
💻 Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
💰 Price: Free (no ads, no subscriptions)
⭐ Rating: 4.5 (Play Store), 4.7 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Top-tier for Russian ↔ English
Yandex Translate delivers comprehensive translation features with strong accuracy in Slavic languages. It supports text, voice, and image input—and it’s completely free.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Real-time conversation mode (Dialog mode)
- Photo translation (via camera or file uploads)
- Document translation (PDF, DOC, etc.)
- Website translation by URL input
- Offline translation (downloadable language packs)
Instant Voice Translate
👍 Best for: Fast, spontaneous conversations
🎯 Great for: Travelers in urgent situations
🌐 Languages: 70+
📶 Offline mode: No
💻 Platforms: Android, iOS
💰 Price: Free (ad-supported)
⭐ Rating: 4.8 (Play Store), 4.6 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Good for short, clear exchanges
Instant Voice Translate focuses on speed, providing quick and precise translations in real-time. It’s an ideal app for short, urgent conversations where time is of the essence, such as asking for directions or making a quick order. Its simple interface ensures rapid translations, even for those with no prior experience with translation apps.
Features:
- Real-time voice translation
- Split-screen feature for bilingual conversations
- Photo translation (via camera or imported images)
- Slower playback of translated phrases to aid comprehension
- Offline translation not supported
Voice Translator: AI Translate
👍 Best for: Fast, multi-input translation
🎯 Great for: Travelers, business users, casual learners
🌐 Languages: 100+
📶 Offline mode: No
💻 Platforms: iOS
💰 Price: Free with in-app purchases
⭐ Rating: 4.5 (App Store)
🎯 Accuracy: Reliable for everyday and travel use
Voice Translator: AI Translate is a mobile app offering real-time voice and text translation in over 100 languages, designed to facilitate seamless communication and travel experiences. Its main features include:
Features:
- Real-time dialogue mode for bilingual conversations
- Real-time voice translation with speech-to-speech functionality
- Photo translation (via live camera or saved images)
- Real-time text translation with automatic language detection
- Text-to-speech with adjustable speed and voice options