Translate a text by photo It has become a daily necessity for millions of people around the world, especially when traveling, receiving images or screenshots in unfamiliar languages, or needing to understand crucial information contained in documents, menus, signs, or even academic materials. Although it may seem like a complex task, the reality is that Translating text from images is extremely simple and fast thanks to modern visual translation tools..
Nowadays there are numerous applications and web services that make use of the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, allowing any user to scan or take a photo of a text to obtain the immediate translation into the desired language. These tools are essential for travelers, students, professionals, or anyone who needs to overcome language barriers in everyday life. Below, we show you The best apps to translate text from photo and everything you need to know about how it works, its advantages, and available alternatives.
Google Translator
El Google Translator It is, without a doubt, one of the most popular and used tools in the world for the translation of texts, and it stands out especially for its Functionality to translate texts from photos or in real time with the cameraThis app, available for Android and iOS devices, currently supports hundreds of languages and its accuracy is constantly improving thanks to advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Instant translation with the camera: Simply point the camera at the text you want to translate (be it a menu, poster, document, sign, etc.) and the app overlays the translation directly onto the image, simulating an augmented reality effect.
- Translation of saved photos: You can import images stored on your device and extract the text for translation.
- Works offline: By downloading language packs in advance, you can get translations even without internet access, ideal for travel.
- Recognizes handwriting: In addition to printed texts, you can translate written notes or even drawings of characters.
To use this feature, open the app, tap the camera icon, and point it at the text you want to translate. You can also take a photo and select the specific text to copy, listen to, or share. Importing images from your gallery is just as simple, and the app will automatically detect the language, although you can always set it manually if you prefer.
Tip: If you're planning to travel abroad and don't want to use up your data, download language dictionaries to your phone before you leave. This way, Google Translate will analyze and translate texts without needing internet access.
Additional advantages: Google Translate also allows you to save favorite translations, transcribes conversations, and even has a conversation mode for instant bilingual translations.
Google Lens
Google Lens It's a standalone app that integrates artificial intelligence technology to analyze images in real time and extract relevant information from everything captured by the camera. In addition to translating text, it allows you to identify objects, animals, plants, recognize products, copy numbers, addresses, and much more.
- Real-time text translation: Point your camera and get the translation on screen without having to capture the image.
- Copying and editing text: Select detected text fragments, copy them, and paste them into other apps easily.
- Multi-functionality: In addition to translating, it allows you to obtain information about books, movies, works of art, restaurant menus, products, and even solve mathematical equations.
Google Lens requires a permanent internet connection to function properly, as much of the processing is done in the Google cloud, ensuring a high level of accuracy and speed in image recognition and translation.
Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator is another powerful free tool that allows you to translate text from photos in a wide variety of languages. Although it's not as popular as Google, it has very interesting features and is compatible with both Android and iOS.
- Translation from the camera: Capture images from the app and wait a few seconds while it processes and displays the translation. The translated text can be copied, listened to, or shared directly.
- Image import: You can translate texts present in images stored on the device.
- Offline mode: Language packs can be downloaded for offline translation, ideal for travel and places with limited connectivity.
- Extensive language support: It recognizes most popular languages, although not all minority languages have an OCR recognition function.
- Voice and conversation translation: The app also supports real-time translation of spoken and written conversations.
While the translation of colloquial or error-filled texts could be improved, Microsoft Translator's potential is undeniable, especially given its integration with the Microsoft application ecosystem and its focus on the security and privacy of translated data.
Yandex. Translate
La Yandex translation platform It's especially useful for translating text in photos from your computer, although it also has a mobile app. This Russian service is widely recognized in Eastern Europe and Asia and is a solid alternative to the offerings from Google and Microsoft.
- Automatic language recognition: It is not necessary to define the source language, the system detects it automatically.
- Advanced OCR and reliable translation: Allows you to upload images from the gallery or taken with the camera, performs OCR recognition, and translates text into the desired language.
- Support for over 90 languages: Yandex offers translation for a wide variety of language combinations, including rare languages.
- Cross-platform compatibility: It can be used on both computers and mobile devices, allowing you to translate menus, signs, documents, and much more.
- Offline translation: By downloading the language files, it is possible to translate without an internet connection.
To use Yandex Translate on the web, go to this linkUpload your image and select the target language. The process is quick and free, and allows you to copy or download the translated text.
Other recommended apps for photo translation
In addition to the big names already mentioned, there are specialized applications for photo translation and OCR that you can consider based on your specific needs or platform preferences.
iTranslate
- Available for Android and iOS.
- It allows you to translate written texts, web pages, voice conversations and, in its Pro version, camera-based text translation.
- Compatible with more than 100 languages.
- The camera translation feature incurs an additional monthly cost in the Pro version.
- Recognizes and translates text from images, allows you to crop the area to be translated and listen to the translation.
Scan & Translate
- Supports over 90 languages for photo translation.
- Allows you to scan documents, menus, signs, instructions and more directly from the camera.
- Includes advanced OCR technology to extract text from printed or handwritten images.
- It offers automatic pronunciation of translated words and text export.
- The free version may have limitations, but premium subscription models are available for advanced features such as offline translation, unlimited text recognition, or ad removal.
Photo Translator – CamTranslate
- Photo translation into over 90 languages.
- OCR function to recognize and extract text from images and documents.
- Two-way instant translation to facilitate conversations.
- Voice recognition in over 100 languages.
- Supports real-time camera usage or importing saved images.
- Saved translation history and the ability to edit extracted text before translation.
- Supports offline translation by downloading language packs.
Camera Translator: Translate+
- Available especially on iOS.
- Supports more than 100 different languages.
- Recognizes text in PNG, JPG and other formats.
- You can edit and copy the translated texts to share with other apps.
- Allows you to scan and translate documents, menus, posters, book pages, etc.
- It uses artificial intelligence to improve recognition and translation accuracy.
Naver papago
- App with a good reputation in the main app stores.
- It supports around 15 languages, including English, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai.
- Allows you to translate text from images, voice conversations, websites, and written chats.
- Especially recommended for translations from Asian languages.
Waygo
- Focused on translation from Chinese, Japanese and Korean into English.
- Works completely offline after downloading language data.
- Very useful for travelers in Asia who do not have an internet connection.
- Free mode is limited in the number of daily translations. It can be expanded for a fee.
ABBYY Lingvo Dictionaries
- Includes advanced OCR and text recognition technologies.
- It allows you to translate text from images and select only the words you're interested in with a simple tap.
- Includes dictionary, verb conjugation, and pronunciation functions.
- Available on both Android and iOS.
Adobe Scan
- PDF document scanning application with integrated OCR.
- It allows you to digitize any document, obtain the text, copy it, and then translate it with any translation app.
- Ideal for digitizing notes, manuals, instructions or any printed document.
- It works on Android and iOS.
Text Scanner (OCR)
- Specialized in recognition of printed or handwritten text.
- Quickly extract URLs, phone numbers, or any text from magazines, brochures, whiteboards, etc.
- Once the text is extracted, you can translate it with any app you like.
Worldictionary
- Quick translation of words by pointing the camera.
- No need to take photos or write manually.
- Very useful for quick translations on the fly.
- Available on Android and iOS.
How to get the most out of these applications?
To get The best results when translating texts from photos:
- Make sure your images are sharp, well-lit, and have as little distortion as possible.
- If the app allows it, manually select the source language when the text might be confusing.
- For long documents, use applications that allow you to select only the desired fragment or word to avoid mistranslations.
- Always keep your apps updated and download language packs to work offline.
- If the text is handwritten, make sure the handwriting is legible and clear for greater recognition accuracy.
- Save the translations you consider important to access them whenever you need them, or share them directly from the app.
Recommendations for choosing your ideal photo translator
When selecting The best app or service to translate by photo, keep in mind the following key factors:
- Supported languages: Make sure the app supports the source and target languages you need. Some apps focus on Asian languages, while others have more global coverage.
- Advanced OCR Recognition: Not all apps have the same level of accuracy in text recognition, especially with complex fonts or handwritten text.
- Offline translation: This is essential if you're going to use the app abroad or in places without internet access.
- Easy to use: Intuitive interface, ability to select image areas, edit translated text, easy export, etc.
- Privacy: Make sure your images and translations are processed securely, especially if they contain sensitive data.
- Price: Consider whether the free version is enough for you or whether you need premium features like unlimited translation, no ads, or direct technical support.
There are powerful free options (Google Translate, Yandex, Microsoft Translator), as well as specialized OCR and photo translation apps with paid plans (iTranslate Pro, Scan & Translate, Camera Translator: Translate+). Evaluate your personal needs and try out several solutions to decide which one best suits your daily translation tasks.
Photo translation apps have evolved significantly and have become essential tools for travel, study, and professional life, simplifying the understanding of any foreign text simply by using a phone's camera. Their variety, ease of use, and speed make it possible to overcome any language barrier, facilitating everything from the translation of menus and signs to academic documents, conversations, and notes.
