Quick List - Top Language Apps For Travel
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Remember, Brazil speaks Portuguese and not Spanish, and even though Mandarin is used throughout China, in different places you might find that you need to use other dialects like Cantonese or Hokkien.
Others can also handle spoken input, which will allow you to translate conversations in almost real-time. Translation apps are great not just for your typical travel phrases but also for situations that might come up involving speech that other travel-related language apps aren’t prepared for.
Just note that if you have an app that produces written output but the literacy rate in the country you’re visiting is low, you might still need to read it aloud to the other person. So if it’s an alphabet that you’re not familiar with, be sure that the app also provides you with a transliteration that you can read.
Phrase apps are great if you’ll only need a fairly limited vocabulary and want to try your hand at speaking the local language. In many places, locals are thrilled to hear tourists trying, even if it’s just “thank you” or “where is the restroom?”
For the best phrase app possible, look for one that splits phrases into categories or has a search function so that you can quickly and easily find what you’re looking for. It’s also really helpful if the app has audio so that you know how the phrases are pronounced.
Naturally, this can take several weeks or months of preparation, but it can be worth it if you’ll be visiting for more than a couple weeks or traveling solo. Just be sure that the app that you choose is practical and focuses on speaking.
Luckily, there are several apps that allow you to either take a picture of the writing or just hold your phone up to it, and it’ll tell you what it means. One of the places that you’ll likely need this the most is restaurants, but it’s important to note that food translations often don’t make sense and may not tell you exactly what’s in the dish.
So if you have allergies or restrictions, it’s always best to ask directly (via a translation app or predetermined phrase).
If you want to be able to communicate (relatively) effectively even without internet, it’s important that the app you’re using has offline availability that allows you to download everything you need ahead of time.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | TripLingo, LLC TripLingo | ![]() | All-in-One Travel and Language Assistant | |
2 | Lesson Nine GmbH Babbel | ![]() | Conversation-First Learning App for Your Trip to Europe | |
3 | Google LLC Google Translate | ![]() | Accurate and Multi-Input Translator from Google | |
4 | Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Translator | ![]() | A Conversation-Focused Translation App | |
5 | SayHi SayHi Translate | ![]() | Simple Speech-Focused Translation | |
6 | Busuu Limited Busuu | ![]() | For Effective, Long-Term Language Learning | |
7 | iTranslate iTranslate Translator | ![]() | Quick, On-the-Go Voice and Text Translations and a Sleek Design | |
8 | Apalon Apps Speak & Translate | ![]() | Instant Speech and Text Translator | |
9 | HelloTalk Learn Languages App HelloTalk | ![]() | Language Exchange With Powerful Learning Tools | |
10 | Translate Abroad Waygo | ![]() | Accurately Translates Chinese Text With Photos |
Users on Android experience frequent crashing issues, while iPhone users find the app buggy, However, the functions and extra information provided within the app are praised by reviewers.
Although the app is free to download, most lessons are pay-for. Reviewers also weren't fans of how you have to use the app's keyboard rather than your native one. There are also some sound recognition issues. However, reviewers generally like the app, since it's easy to do it in small spurts and the lessons are well structured
Reviewers say the app's translations aren't always reliable and the voice recognition is poor. In general, they like that it is an overall good app and that it has a live camera function, where it translates the text on what your phone camera points at.
It doesn't work offline, unfortunately, which reviewers do talk about. Reviewers also say that the spoken translations are given way too fast to understand and that the translations are inaccurate for non-Western languages. The design of the app is quite easy to use, and reviewers like that it doesn't have many ads
Reviewers say the app is really slow to load and translate sentences and it doesn't have instructions on how to use it. It also censors certain words and won't translate them. One reviewer really liked that it can translate dialects. Others also like that the app saves what you translate.
Reviewers don't like the subscription process and how it isn't the most transparent. However, they do like how Busuu is engaging and teaches from the fundamentals of a language before easing you into more difficult material.
Many reviewers warn that the app does automatically sign you up for a subscription via Google - there are also quite a few paywalls added with each update. Make sure to check the terms and conditions before purchase. Reviewers do like, however, that it is fast and quite accurate.
Like some of the other apps on this list, this one also pushes ads onto the user - even while in the middle of using it to converse with other people. But other users say the app is quick and very useful when talking to people who don't speak your native language.
With each update, content for basic users has gone down. Reviewers note that you can only call three times a day now, so the time you can practice language is limited. Reviewers like that they can make friends through the app and the layout is easy to navigate.
And although the app works well with Chinese text, it has trouble with being accurate in Japanese. But, otherwise, it works really well when traveling to mainland China-plus, it's extremely easy to use.
Your phone can store a wealth of information, and there are constantly new apps being made to make life easier and more interesting. Of course, since there are so many, it can be hard to decide, though. If you're looking for new useful apps for your phone, then take a look at some of our other buying guides below!
No. 1: TripLingo, LLC|TripLingo
No. 2: Lesson Nine GmbH|Babbel
No. 3: Google LLC|Google Translate
No. 4: Microsoft Corporation|Microsoft Translator
No. 5: SayHi|SayHi Translate
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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