DeepL
Free tier Our pickBetter translations than Google. It's still a cloud service — more private than Google, not private in absolute terms.
Translate: replace Google Translate
5 private options, our pick first. Every download link goes straight to the source — F-Droid, the developer's GitHub releases (one tap into Obtainium), the Play listing you can install anonymously through Aurora Store, or the official site. None of these are affiliate links. Updated October 2026.
These Google Translate alternatives cover text, web pages and conversations on Android while sending less of your writing to Google. DeepL gives strong translations as a cloud service. RTranslator and Firefox Translations work on the device, and Translate You and LibreTranslate offer open-source routes.
The trade-off is coverage. Google handles more languages and camera translation better than any private tool. In 2026 private options can replace Translate for common languages and web pages. For a rare language or a photo of a menu, accept the gap or use a cloud service knowingly. Most people end up with two apps, not one.
LibreTranslate
Self-hostOpen-source machine translation you can run entirely on your own hardware.
Firefox Translations
FreeWeb pages translated on-device, inside the browser.
Translate You
FreeOpen-source translation app that talks to LibreTranslate, Lingva and other private front-ends.
RTranslator
FreeOn-device conversation translator — downloads the models once, then works offline.
How to switch from Google Translate
- Before you leave, copy anything you need from Google Translate's saved phrases into a notes app. There is no standard file format that other translators import. A screenshot of the list works too.
- Install DeepL for everyday text if a cloud service is acceptable to you. Avoid pasting contracts, medical details or passwords into any cloud translator, free or paid.
- Install RTranslator for spoken conversations and download its language models over Wi-Fi once. After that it translates on the phone without a connection. It is designed for conversations between two people.
- Use Firefox for Android and its built-in translation for web pages. According to Mozilla, the translation happens on your device, so the page text isn't sent to a translation server.
- Add Translate You if you want one app that talks to private translation back ends such as LibreTranslate or Lingva instead of Google. The app stays the same while you change what sits behind it.
- If you run a home server, set up LibreTranslate and point Translate You at it. Then even everyday text translation stays on hardware you control.
Translate questions
Does DeepL keep what I translate?
It depends on the plan. DeepL's privacy policy says texts sent to its free translator are processed to train and improve its models. For paid Pro plans, it says texts are deleted after the translation and not used to improve the service. Either way it is a cloud service, so treat sensitive text with care. Policies change, so read the current one yourself before relying on it.
Can I translate without an internet connection?
Yes, with limits. RTranslator downloads its models once and then translates conversations on the phone. Firefox translates web pages on the device after fetching a language file. LibreTranslate can run on your own computer or home server. Offline models cover fewer languages than Google, so check yours before a trip abroad.
Is there a private replacement for camera translation?
Not a strong one. Pointing the camera at a sign or a menu is where Google Translate and Lens are still far ahead. DeepL's app offers camera translation, but that runs in DeepL's cloud. For occasional use, typing the key words into a private translator still works, and it keeps the photo itself on your phone.