One of the daunting aspects of international travel is the language barrier. Many people are hesitant to travel abroad because of the fear of not being able to communicate with locals or understand the local language. Fortunately, with the advancement of translation apps, your smartphone can be a valuable tool for overcoming this challenge.

We have tested various translation apps to determine which ones are best for international travel. Here are our top picks:

1. Google Translate: Best Overall
– Available on iOS and Android
– Cost: Free
– Supports 133 languages
– Offers text translation, live speech translation, and AI-powered image translation
– Simple to use and provides accurate translations
– Ideal for translating menus, signs, and conversing with locals

2. Apple Translate: Best for iPhones
– Available on iOS
– Cost: Free
– Offers translations in 11 languages
– Includes text translation, conversation feature, and image translation
– Standard feature on Apple devices, making it easily accessible
– May not offer as many languages as other apps, but covers popular vacation destinations

3. iTranslate: Best Paid App
– Available on iOS and Android
– Cost: Free with premium features available
– Supports 100+ languages
– Premium features include voice translation, camera translation, offline mode, and phrasebook
– Premium subscription costs $5.99/month or $69.99/year
– Ideal for travelers who want access to advanced translation features

4. SayHi: Best for Live Translation
– Available on iOS and Android
– Cost: Free
– Supports 101 languages
– Offers live conversation translation and push-to-talk mode
– Ideal for real-time communication and instant translation

5. Microsoft Translator: Best for Professionals
– Available on iOS and Android
– Cost: Free
– Supports 129 languages
– Ideal for group translations and business settings
– Includes group conversation feature, phrase book, and profanity filter

6. Naver Papago: Best for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
– Available on iOS and Android
– Cost: Free
– Supports 13 languages
– Ideal for translating difficult languages like Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
– Offers text, voice, and image translation, as well as a handwriting translation feature

Once you’ve chosen the right translation app for your trip, consider getting an international data plan to ensure seamless access to translation services while traveling. Many of these apps require an internet connection, so it’s important to have a plan that supports your translation needs.