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When it comes to translation apps, two of the biggest names stand out: The two main applications for translations in the assessed cases are Apple Translate and Google Translate. The two are intended for enhancing communication between two people speaking different languages but they work in different ways and have certain features.
This time, let us look at each app in detail, and also seek to understand what each application is and how each solution performs before trying to decide on which app may be the overall superior one for your use on this showdown.
Apple Translate made its debut in the same year, iOS 14, as an application that supports Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Designing the app was done under the typical Apple thinking of a simple and easy-to-use application.
Apple Translate supports 11 languages as of 2024: English, Arabic, Chinese, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Español, Japanese, (Korean), Português, and Russian. It offers Text, Voice and Conversation translation services. One of the greatest strengths of the app is that it can be used offline, ideal for travelers with limited internet connectivity. That is because once you download the language packs you can translate without using the Internet at all.
Apple Translate is fully embedded into the iOS environment. You can conveniently open it with Safari or use it with the integrated translation tool found throughout iOS and iPad. For instance, when using the web, you can merely flick your finger and the whole page will be translated.
Apple Translate has a conversation mode, so users can speak using the native language, and the application will translate the spoken words back to the preferred language thus making real-life communication easier. There is no need to press buttons here, the app recognizes when a specific person has finished his turn and starts translating accordingly.
Google Translate began in 2006, and the company’s market coverage cannot be compared to any other. It supports more than one hundred languages, and this feature allows using this instrument for translating less popular languages. Google Translate has proven to be valuable and necessary for millions of users over the years.
Google Translate includes text, voice, photo and conversation translations. It also offers translation of live videos through Google Lens: Point the Lens at the text (for example, signs or a menu), and it translates the text in real-time.
While Apple Translate is just a translator, Google Translate is ready to solve various tasks. It can translate text, spoken words, handwriting as well as a whole document. One is that it still allows online and offline translations, although the language packs have to be downloaded initially.
Nevertheless, virtually all the aspects of its translation services are very developed, especially the online translation feature since it incorporates key artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms from Google like the Neural Machine Translation system that is designed in a bid to translate whole phrases to enable better quality translation than mere conversion of words.
Language Support
Apple Translate: 11 languages
Google Translate: Over 100 languages
Google Translate has a clear edge here. Nevertheless, as it supports a multitude of languages, it is even more useful, especially if you have to translate an obscure language.
Offline Capabilities
Apple Translate: Fully functional offline with available language packs to download.
Google Translate: It is also usable offline with downloaded packs though the results accuracy reduces a little when the device is offline.
Two of these processes include offline translation of the text which is very important especially while traveling in areas that do not support the use of the internet. But, the presence of a large number of languages in Google Translate gives flexibility in this regard.
Google Translator currently employs the Neural Machine Translation model which only translates entire sentences with great accuracy. This approach also enables it to learn context better as well as provide natural translations.
Text translation in Apple Translate is also precise, however, this voice translator does not rely on AI, which is as efficient as Google’s NMT. However, as for the languages published on Apple, the application can be considered rather good, especially while performing a conversation.
The Rubbermaid study shows Google Translate has an overall accuracy of 85% for the many languages it supports while the comparatively limited Apple Translate offers 78%. But for middle languages such as English, Spanish, and French, the rate of Apple matches with Google almost to the last digit.
Apple Translate provides one of the simplest interfaces I personally saw over the various translation services. It is built to integrate well with other services of Apple, which increases its applicability to users of Apple devices. Conversational mode for the informal chat, asynchronous chat for the off-device processing of text, and compatibility with Safari make it preferable for those, who are tightly connected with Apple products.
Google Translate may not be as polished, but there’s a good amount of functionality here. The app which uses Google Lens to translate from camera and handwriting recognition is among the most flexible apps. However, the app interface might look more cluttered than clear compared to the simpletons of Apple Translate.
Apple Translate performs translations offline which makes Apple Translate better when it comes to data privacy because your translations are not stored, analyzed, or shared with the cloud. This is always a bonus for individuals who have to deal with sensitive information.
As for Google Translate, it uses cloud processing in its complex translation procedure hence it may not be as secure as the two above. Google’s model employs the data to enhance the language translation, the fantastic part; however, the misinterpretation might be the price to pay for others.
Choose Apple Translate if you're an Apple user who values privacy and a simple, streamlined experience. If you primarily translate between the 11 supported languages and are looking for something that integrates smoothly into the iOS ecosystem, Apple Translate is a great option.
Choose Google Translate if you need support for a wide range of languages or want access to advanced features like real-time camera translation and document translation. It’s ideal for users who travel frequently or require translation for more than just casual conversations.
Apple Translate and Google Translate contain beneficial options to divide language barriers. Apple Translate competes well on the level of privacy and simplicity, although, it would work perfectly for those immersed in the Apple ecosystem. Google Translate has more popular language support and more intelligent and smart translation power than other translators while translators have more general and basic translation ability for users. Choosing between the two, we have to state that both applications are powerful in the sphere of translation.
