9 Best Translation Apps to Use While Traveling [2024]

Traveling is therapy for all of us, as it offers an opportunity to explore diverse cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles.

This allows us to broaden our horizons, gain new experiences, and create cherished memories. Nevertheless, language barriers can prove to be a significant obstacle, especially when traveling to a foreign country. What if you are hungry and want to buy a sandwich 🥪 but don’t know what to ask for?

Communicating with locals, navigating unfamiliar terrain, and fully immersing oneself in the local atmosphere can become challenging. 

But don’t worry, because, with the power of technology, we can overcome these obstacles!  This is where translation apps come in handy, making it possible to overcome language barriers and enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey.

So, get ready to pack your bags, take out your smartphone, and embark on a language barrier-free journey around the world. 

But before you go on a tour, let us have a better understanding of what translation apps are.

What are translation apps?

Translation apps are applications created to translate written or spoken language from one language to another. These translation apps utilize machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to translate text, speech, or even images in real-time.

For example, by translating the word “spectacles” from English to Czech, the app’s algorithm will analyze the word, taking into account its context and meaning. 

It will provide the corresponding Czech word or phrase, which in this case would be “brýle”. 

Additionally, translation apps also feature speech recognition technology that enables them to transcribe spoken language into written text which can then be translated into the desired language.

Furthermore, some apps also use optical character recognition (OCR) to recognize text within images and translate it accordingly.

Why are Translation Apps a savior on a business trip?

Business trips are essential for cultivating and maintaining relationships, exploring new markets, and uncovering new opportunities. However, language barriers can impede communication, leading to misunderstandings and missed business opportunities.

Fortunately, translation apps can solve this problem by enabling clear communication and understanding between individuals who speak different languages. Real-time translations and language learning features offered by translation apps help to bridge the communication gap. This creates opportunities for successful business ventures.

Using a translation app on a business trip shows respect for language and culture, building trust and connections.

Benefits of Translation Apps

Due to their ability to break down language barriers, translation applications have become increasingly popular among learners.

Here are some benefits of translation apps:

• Multilingual Communication: Translation apps facilitate communication with individuals who speak different languages, especially when traveling abroad or interacting with people from diverse cultures.
• Convenience: Translation apps are highly convenient, allowing for instant translation of text or speech, making them ideal for situations where a professional translator may not be available or while on the go.
• Cost-Effective: Translation apps can be a more cost-effective alternative to hiring professional translators or interpreters, as they are mostly free or available at a low cost.
• Time-Saving: The purpose of a translation app is to save you time and energy by eliminating the need to rely upon dictionaries or attempt to comprehend foreign languages. The app handles the translation for you.
• Improved Learning: Translation apps offer instant feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, making them an excellent tool for language learning. Users can learn new words and phrases and practice their pronunciation.
• Better Understanding: Translation apps aid in comprehending foreign languages and cultures, improving communication effectiveness, and facilitating the development of relationships with individuals from various backgrounds.

Let’s dive into some top translation apps to use while traveling.

Google Translate

You can translate online for free with Google Translate. This supports translation for more than 100 languages, including text, speech, and images. It allows users to enter text or speech in one language and receive an instant translation in their desired language. Additionally, Google Translate can translate entire web pages and provide voice translation for select languages.

Over the years, the translation accuracy of Google Translate has significantly improved. It also includes other features, such as downloading languages for offline use and camera translation. This enables real-time text translation through the camera of a mobile device.

You can avail of this on both Android and iOS.

iTranslate

iTranslate is a popular free translation app allowing users to translate text easily. It also engages in voice-to-voice conversations across over 100 languages. The app’s Offline Mode feature allows users to translate abroad without expensive roaming charges. It also includes a dictionary, thesaurus, and other features such as transliteration, sharing, favorites, and history.

Extra features in iTranslate Pro include real-time camera translation, offline translation for 40+ languages, voice-to-voice conversations, and verb conjugations. Overall, iTranslate is a powerful and versatile tool for multilingual communication.

This app is supported on both Android and iOS devices.

SayHi Translate

SayHi Translate is a language translation app allowing users to communicate across multiple languages in real-time. The app supports over 100 languages and can translate written and spoken texts. Users can input text, speak into the app, or even draw characters for translation.

The Auto Mode automatically detects and translates speech without pressing a button. This feature makes the app useful for natural conversations, as users can speak without interruption. It includes a voice recognition feature that detects and translates the user’s voice into the target language. The history feature lets you find previous translations fast.

SayHi Translate is available on Play Store.

Voice Translator App by BP Mobile

The Voice Translator app supports real-time voice and text translation for over 100 languages. You can use it to communicate, read signs, and translate text from photos. The app also includes offline phrasebooks, language detection, and smart text-to-text mode.

Additionally, it features human-to-pet and pet-to-human modes for entertainment purposes. It allows users to communicate in any language and translate text from photos or pics. It has an offline dictionary with voice input, 3D Touch, and Apple Watch support. With male and female voices available, users can control the speed of the voice and speak the translated phrase out loud.

You can download this user-friendly app from the Apple store.

iTranslate Voice

iTranslate Voice is a language translation app that allows users to translate spoken words and phrases in real-time. Users can converse naturally with people speaking different languages without waiting for translations. This app provides text-to-speech functionality, allowing you to listen to the translation or communicate with someone else.

The app also supports multiple dialects for many languages, making communicating with people from different regions easier. You can save frequently used translations for quick access and take advantage of the voice recognition accuracy feature. The app also offers offline translation, making it a reliable choice even without an internet connection.

You can download this app for your iOS device.

Microsoft Translator

Microsoft Translator is a free, multi-functional translation app that offers translations in more than 70 languages. This includes text, voice, conversations, and camera photos. The app also includes a split-screen mode for bilingual and multi-person translation. With the option to download languages for offline use, it’s an ideal travel companion.

This is available to up to 100 people across multiple languages. It also offers phrasebooks, alternate translations, and transliterations. It also can save frequently used translations for future use. Plus, users can share their translations with other apps and translate text in other apps through context menu translation.

Download this app from Android or iOS.

Speak & Translate by Apalon

Speak & Translate is a voice and text translator that allows users to communicate effectively in over 100 languages. You can do this remotely with its offline mode without data or Wi-Fi. Text Translation allows users to type in a word, sentence, or phrase and get an instant translation in 117 languages. Voice Translation can also translate any spoken word or phrase into 54 languages. Users can choose between male or female voice and its speed with Voice Settings. 

The app also integrates with iCloud, allowing your translation history to be automatically synchronized across your iOs device. Users can easily change the color theme of the app’s UI to match their style with the Color Themes feature. The users can use the app completely ad-free with the No Ads feature.

Download this app for your iOS device.

Naver Papago

This translation app supports 13 languages and features text translation, image translation, voice translation, offline translation, conversation translation, handwriting translation, and website translation, as well as a dictionary and an educational tool for studying foreign languages. 

Papago offers instant text, image, and conversation translation for real-time one-on-one talks. It can create notes for studying passages and words. It also allows for conversation translation, where you can speak each other’s language with a foreigner, and website translation by entering the URL. Additionally, Papago features Edu, which creates My Notes to study passages and words and provides dictionary information to check additional meanings.

You can download this app from both iOS and Android.

Dialog

Dialog is an easy-to-use speech and text translator app that supports over 100 languages. Its features include camera translation, keyboard translator, travel hub, offline mode, Apple Watch app, and home screen widget. It also has advanced speech recognition, language detection, and high accuracy in real-time translations.

Dialog provides instant translations with a single tap. It is also a helpful tool for travel planning, such as a currency converter and language podcasts. Dialog is an excellent choice for anyone who needs to communicate in a foreign language quickly and accurately.

You can easily avail of this app from the Apple store.

Author’s Note

In conclusion, these translation apps are beneficial for breaking down language barriers and facilitating communication with individuals who speak different languages. They offer multilingual communication, convenience, cost-effectiveness, time-saving, improved learning, and a better understanding of foreign languages and cultures. Each application has its benefits and features.

My top choice among this vast list is Google Translator because of its versatility. But remember, ultimately, the choice will depend on what is most important to you.

If you have higher translation requirements than a few lines of conversation, like translating an hour-long video or podcast, you may try these audio translation platforms.