8 Best Chinese Translator Apps for 2025 (Free & Paid)

When it comes to translation tools, Google Translate is often the go-to option due to its wide language support and ease of use. However, it is not accessible in China, so alternatives become essential for maintaining smooth communication.

In this blog, we'll list 8 best Chinese translator apps catering to various needs. Whether you're in China for travel or business, or need to communicate in Chinese from anywhere in the world, these apps are designed to bridge the language gap via text translation, voice translation, and more.

Let's explore their unique features, strengths, and how each can best serve you.

Top Chinese Translator Apps for Travelers, Learners & More

The following table lists the 8 best Chinese translator apps, each suited for different use cases, such as real-time translation, travel, business, and more.

Chinese translation app:	Best for:
Maestra	Real-time translation for live events, meetings, and conversations; AI dubbing and subtitles for multimedia content
Baidu	General-purpose translation, travel within China
Microsoft Translator	Business use, ideal for corporate settings
Pleco	Learning Chinese, in-depth Chinese dictionary
iTranslate	Everyday and travel use
Youdao	Learning Chinese, contextual translation
DeepL	Text and document translation for professional and academic use
Waygo	Instant visual translation for travel and casual use

1. Maestra

As one of the best Chinese translator apps, Maestra provides both real-time and on-demand translation, catering to a wide range of needs. The real-time translation app is ideal for live events, meetings and conversations, enabling users to capture the spoken language and convert it into translated captions, Chinese and vice versa. In addition, the AI video translator delivers fast and accurate translations for video content, also allowing users to export their videos with synchronized subtitles.

Standout features:

Extensive language support: Translate content in over 125 languages, including Simplified and Traditional Chinese, as well as dialects like Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese.

Multilingual meeting rooms: Host live translation sessions with multiple languages, and share them via a link or QR code to foster communication between Chinese speakers and others.

AI voice cloning and lip sync: Clone voices in Chinese or other languages, syncing the audio with on-screen visuals for a smooth, professional output.

Robust integrations: Easily integrate the real-time translator with apps like Zoom, OBS, and vMix for enhanced functionality.

Live translation Chrome extension: Capture and translate browser tab audio in real time, displaying captions in both the source and target languages.

Weakness: Maestra needs an internet connection, limiting its use in offline environments.

Pricing: Free trial of both real-time and on-demand translation are available. See more on pricing here .

2. Baidu Translate

Baidu Translate is a powerful translation tool developed by one of China's leading tech companies, tailored specifically to handle Chinese language nuances with a high degree of accuracy. It utilizes neural machine translation (NMT) technology, which leverages artificial intelligence to analyze entire sentences and their context, aiming for more natural results compared to traditional word-by-word methods. As one of the best Chinese translator apps, Baidu supports an extensive list of 200 languages, as well as translation for various Chinese dialects, including Mandarin, Cantonese, and more.

Standout features:

Document translation: Upload entire documents to translate them while preserving original formatting.

Bilingual example sentences: See original and translated sentences to understand the context and usage of words and phrases.

Offline capabilities: Download language packs to translate text even without an internet connection.

Weakness: Some parts of the app may include Chinese text or cultural references, which can be confusing or less intuitive for users outside China.

Pricing: Baidu Translate's desktop version is free to use. The mobile app is also free for basic functions, with optional in-app purchases for offline translation packs.

3. Microsoft Translator

Microsoft Translator stands out as a reliable Chinese translator app due to its robust features and seamless integration within the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a convenient choice for students, teachers, professionals, and businesses alike. It supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, offering accurate translations for text, voice, conversations, and images. Additionally, Microsoft's continuous development of AI-powered models contributes to increasingly natural-sounding and contextually appropriate translations over time.

Standout features:

Multi-person conversation translation: Facilitate real-time, translated conversations between multiple users across devices.

Offline mode: Access translations without an internet connection by downloading specific language packs for offline use.

Integration with other Microsoft tools: Enable translation within applications like Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Edge, enhancing productivity across the Microsoft suite.

Weakness: While Microsoft Translator handles formal language well, it may struggle with slang, cultural references, or regional-specific phrases.

Pricing: Microsoft Translator is free to use for individuals across web, mobile, and desktop apps. For developers and enterprises, Microsoft offers a Translator Text API via Azure, with tiered pricing based on usage and features.

4. Pleco

Pleco has earned its reputation as a top Chinese translator app, particularly for learners and serious users. Unlike typical translation apps, it functions more as a dictionary, offering detailed word meanings, example sentences, and even audio recordings by native speakers. Furthermore, its offline functionality and customizable flashcards make it an essential companion for students, travelers, and teachers.

Standout features:

Extensive dictionary database: Utilize multiple authoritative dictionaries such as CC-CEDICT and Oxford, providing in-depth linguistic insights and real-world language examples.

Handwriting and OCR input: Write out unfamiliar Chinese characters by hand or scan printed text with your device's camera to look them up instantly.

Stroke order diagrams and character decomposition: View animated stroke order diagrams and learn the correct way to write characters for better understanding and memorization.

Weakness: Pleco lacks machine translation for full sentences or conversational phrases, limiting its use in real-time communication or travel scenarios.

Pricing: You can download Pleco for free from Google Play Store or App Store with access to core dictionary features. However, advanced tools such as OCR and handwriting input are available via in-app purchases .

5. iTranslate

iTranslate is considered as one of the best Chinese translator apps because of its user-friendly interface, versatility, and strong performance in both casual and travel-related translation scenarios. It supports both Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese, making it accessible to a wide range of users needing to communicate in either form. In addition to text translation, the app also offers voice translation, camera translation, and a built-in phrasebook, features that are especially helpful for users looking for practical, on-the-go communication tools.

Standout features:

Voice and camera translation: Easily translate spoken Chinese or use your phone's camera to scan and translate text from signs, menus, or documents in real time.

Website translation: Translate entire webpages or specific text within a website.

Offline access: Download Chinese language packs to access translations without an internet connection.

Weakness: The app's translation speed may slow down during periods of heavy usage, especially when translating large volumes of text or using its voice translation feature.

Pricing: iTranslate is free to download but users can unlock advanced features (such as offline access) through a premium subscription.

6. Youdao

Youdao is particularly praised for its comprehensive language tools, including dictionary functions, contextual understanding, and detailed word usage explanations. The app is especially useful for language learners and those seeking a deeper grasp of Chinese vocabulary and grammar. By combining machine learning and artificial intelligence, Youdao adapts to linguistic nuances, delivering more precise translations.

Standout features:

Contextual translation: Avoid misinterpretations and get more accurate, natural-sounding translations that reflect the intended context.

Pronunciation guide: Improve your speaking skills with audio from native speakers and phonetic breakdowns of words and phrases.

Image translation: Scan and translate text from images, enabling quick translation of signs, menus, and documents.

Weakness: With so many tools and features available, new users may find the interface overwhelming or less intuitive compared to similar Chinese translation apps.

Pricing: Youdao is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases for premium features such as advanced dictionaries and ad removal.

7. DeepL

As one of the best Chinese translator apps, DeepL excels at preserving the tone and intent of the original text, making its output feel more human-like. This makes it particularly useful for students, professionals, and anyone needing high-quality translations beyond basic word-to-word conversion. Users can input entire paragraphs or documents and receive context-aware translations that maintain clarity and coherence.

Standout features:

Alternative word suggestions: Choose from a list of nuanced vocabulary options to fine-tune the translation.

Simplified and Traditional Chinese support: Seamlessly translate between English and other forms of written Chinese.

Clean interface: Enjoy a streamlined interface that keeps the focus on your content and boost productivity.

Weakness: Unlike some other apps, DeepL lacks built-in tools for speech or real-time image translation.

Pricing: DeepL offers a free version with basic features and limited usage. See more on pricing here .

8. Waygo

Waygo specializes in instant visual translation without requiring an internet connection. It is designed with a strong focus on Asian languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, making it particularly useful for travelers navigating unfamiliar scripts. Because it's optimized for the unique structures and characteristics of Asian languages, Waygo delivers more accurate and reliable translations in these contexts.

Standout features:

Powerful OCR: Instantly scan and recognize Chinese characters using your camera and receive English translations without needing to type anything.

Instant on-screen results: Get real-time translations by simply hovering your phone over signs, menus or printed text.

No data usage abroad: Use the app offline, saving roaming fees while traveling in China.

Weakness: Waygo only supports translations into English, which may be restrictive for users who need translations in other languages.

Pricing: Free trial offers 10 translations per day.

Which is the best Chinese translator app for you?

The best app depends on your specific needs, workflow, and how you plan to use it. While some features will vary based on personal preference, there are key criteria that nearly apply to everyone. Here are a few essential factors to consider:

Language direction support. Make sure the app can translate both to and from Simplified or Traditional Chinese, especially if you need dialect support like Mandarin or Cantonese.

High accuracy rate: Features like echo cancellation and noise suppression, which are both offered by Maestra, can improve the quality and clarity of translations.

User-friendliness: A clean, intuitive design helps you get translations quickly and with less frustration.

Customization and output options: Whether it's a custom dictionary, voice cloning, subtitle styling, or export formats flexibility can enhance your workflow. Maestra provides them all.

Privacy and data security: This is especially important for professional or sensitive content, so always check how your data is handled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best English to Chinese live translation tool?

Maestra is one of the best English to Chinese live translation tools. Simply select the audio language as “English” and the target language as “Chinese”, then start speaking. Maestra will instantly generate real-time captions in both languages. Try it now for free to break language barriers during live meetings, webinars, conferences, presentations, and more.

What is the best AI to translate Chinese to English?

Maestra is one of the best AI tools to translate Chinese to English. It offers both real-time and on-demand translation, making it ideal for a variety of scenarios such as live events, meetings, or content creation. Get started now to seamlessly convert spoken Chinese into English.

What is the best voice translator for Chinese to English?

Maestra is one of the best voice translators for Chinese to English. You can translate speech in real time with live captions, or upload audio or video files for fast, accurate translation. In addition to an extensive voice library, Maestra also offers AI voice cloning, so you can retain the speaker’s original tone and style in multiple languages, including English and Chinese.

Which app is accurate for Chinese translation?

Maestra stands out for its high accuracy in translating Chinese. Powered by advanced AI and speech recognition technology, it delivers fast and precise translations. Try it now for free to experience smooth communication across more than 125 languages, in real time or on demand.

Is there a Chinese translator better than Google Translate?

Google Translate is not available in China, which limits its usefulness for many users. Maestra offers a reliable solution with high accuracy and multilingual support, including both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. It’s especially useful for live events, meetings, and real-time conversations, where seamless communication is essential.