What is Microsoft Translator?
Microsoft Translator translates text, speech and text in images in more than 100 languages, for free. Microsoft says offline translation packs can be downloaded before a trip. The app's multi-device conversation feature has been retired.
Cost: Free (No paid plan listed). Booking: No booking. Works on: iPhone, Android.
Best for: Travellers who want a no-cost phone translator with downloadable offline packs
How Microsoft Translator uses AI
Microsoft says the redesigned app uses 'advanced AI technologies', including AI that auto-detects which of two languages is being spoken so a two-person conversation can flow without choosing languages or tapping the mic each turn.
Booking: No booking.
Keep in mind
- Multi-device conversation feature has been retired, per the App Store and Google Play listings
- Image text recognition moved to an online engine in the 2023 redesign, so image translation may need a connection
Is Microsoft Translator free? Cost and plans
Free. Free; Google Play description says translation in 100+ languages 'for free'.
Also from Microsoft
Microsoft Translator alternatives
Tools for a similar task. Sharing a task does not make them interchangeable, so compare what each one does.
Sources
Sources checked . This listing summarises what the provider and other cited sources say; it is not a hands-on test.
- Microsoft Translator appsmicrosoft.com, checked . Supports: Offline translation packs, live conversation translation, platforms
- Introducing the redesigned Microsoft Translator app for iOS (Feb 28, 2023)microsoft.com, checked . Supports: Advanced AI technologies, AI auto-detection of spoken language, 100+ languages, online OCR for images
- Microsoft Translator on the App Store (US)apps.apple.com, checked . Supports: Free, 100+ languages, speech and image translation, multi-device conversation retired, recent 2026 updates
- Microsoft Translator on Google Playplay.google.com, checked . Supports: Android availability, free, multi-device conversation retired
What we could not confirm
- Which languages have offline packs is not stated on the apps page
- Whether the 2023 auto language-detection conversation mode is unchanged in current versions is not confirmed
- Current store descriptions do not mention AI; the AI description comes from Microsoft's 2023 app announcement