Let’s talk about my favorite language in the whole world, shall we? Italian sounds both romantic and assertive; it’s so pleasant to listen to that many folks take to learning it just for kicks (including me).
Yet if you’re truly committed to becoming fluent, you’ll need to surround yourself with the greatest resources available on the web. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the finest Italian translator apps to help you through your learning journey.
Before that, though, there are two issues worth discussing: how useful these apps really are and how you can pick the one(s) that’ll suit your learning needs best.
Why use Italian translator apps?
Language learners are often told by teachers and tutors they should understand the meaning of a word or phrase in context rather than translate it into their native language. While in most cases that’s an amazing strategy, sometimes the easiest way to grasp a difficult concept is to check how folks have interpreted it in your language before.
That’s where translator apps come in handy, as they rely on enormous databases made up of real examples by native speakers. Because they keep expanding and updating their stock of words and expressions, you can expect them to be more accurate by the day.
Since these face apps face fierce competition, they strive to offer a wide range of features that allow you to translate spoken and written speech in real-time through a variety of methods. Some include downloadable content so you can use them offline too.
They’ll also be useful to double-check meanings you may not be quite sure about when you first learn them. Overall, translator apps are an affordable and convenient tool that will help you learn Italian faster (or any foreign language for that matter).
What should you look for in Italian translator apps?
That’ll of course vary according to your learning needs. But you should consider a few criteria before subscribing to an English to Italian translation app. Since you’ll find many free options below, you can (and should!) try them out as you go.
Reliability: Not all apps are created equal, and so a lot of them might actually offer you inaccurate or incomplete translations. That’s not the case with any of the apps I’ve added to our list; still, the more popular apps (or those developed by large companies) are often more reliable, as they count on bigger databases.
Geographic availability: Unfortunately, you’ll notice some apps are restricted to specific locations around the world. Whereas those that were developed by the likes of Google and Amazon are a global affair, a few of the lesser-known tools may not be downloadable in your area. In case you’re either in North America or Western Europe that’s unlikely to be an issue for you.
User experience: Despite being the most subjective point, truly comprehensive app reviews will normally touch on this aspect. Search for a sleek yet clear layout where every resource is easily within reach. If you have to tap more than three times within an app to access the tool you need, that’s probably a poorly designed one.
Built-in features: In case you need an app for a specific purpose (i.e. translate English to Italian speech on your next trip), you might want a simpler option; otherwise, the more functionalities the better! A bunch of them boast in-app dictionaries, bookmark tools, voice-to-text systems, as well as text scanning. So make sure you know exactly which ones you’ll get before committing to an app!
Affordability: This is a major limiting factor for many students. Luckily, though, even paid Italian Translator Apps are typically quite reasonably priced. The majority of them also offer three- to seven-day free trials. That means if you do choose to get a premium subscription you won’t be sold a bill of goods.
Best Italian translator apps on the web
1. Google Translate
I’ve organized this list alphabetically, but it’s a fortunate coincidence we’re starting off with the O.G. of translation apps. Google Translate has been working on the accuracy of its translations and increasing its database since it was first launched in 2005.
It now supports 100+ languages and is one of the most reliable translation tools on the market. While the majority of results focus on a more formal register, you usually get multiple translations and definitions for a single word or phrase.
Google Translate boasts dozens of useful resources, including the translation of scanned and handwritten text, voice-to-text, and the possibility of translating a conversation in real-time.
What I like about Google Translate:
- It’ll give you multiple alternative translations
- You can both take pictures and upload your photos so they’ll get instantly translated
- The layout is sleek and ad-free
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: Free
2. iTranslate Translator
One of my favorite things about iTranslate is its sleek and extremely easy-to-use interface. Like a few other apps, it’s equipped with a built-in dictionary and a bookmark section where you can add common expressions that you must memorize to become fluent in Italian.
Also, its voice-to-text tool is among the best-reviewed on the web. One downside about iTranslate is that the coolest features (i.e. the offline mode and the translation of conversations in real-time) are offered only in the premium subscription, which is ad-free too.
What I like about iTranslate Translator:
- It includes a built-in dictionary and thesaurus
- You can scan your environment and have every word spoken translated for you
- Language packages are downloadable for offline use
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: The basic plan is free of charge, but premium features are available for $5.99/month, $9.99 for two months, or $69.99 a year.
3. Keebo Chat Translator Live
Because there are countless reasons you might need an English to Italian translation app, I wanted to include as many types of tools as possible. While Keebo isn’t the most holistic translation resource ever, it’s arguably the greatest for one specific purpose: texting.
It works as a regular texting app and translates your message before you send it. So if you’re looking to hone your writing skills don’t think twice before downloading it.
Keebo isn’t meant for absolute beginners, though, as you won’t be able to translate received messages (unless you rely on a second app for that).
What I like about Keebo Chat Translator Live:
- You’ll get a fuller understanding of language structures with it
- It’s presented as a regular messaging app
- There are multiple language combinations available
For iOS only
Pricing: $4.99/week after a three-day free trial
4. Linguee
Linguee specializes in old-fashioned written translations, which means it’s recommended for those of you studying Italian at home rather than venturing out into the world.
That said, it’s one of the most thorough apps of its kind and will always provide several definitions and in-context examples of words and expressions.
Better yet, it’ll give you the option to translate whatever you’ve got copied in your clipboard. That obviously comes in handy when you’re typing on your phone’s tiny keyboard.
What I like about Linguee:
- Translations are more accurate than most other apps’
- Its database is just huge
- It’ll look into your clipboard without you telling it to
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: Free
5. Microsoft Translator
Like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator is among the most popular and accurate translation apps. It does have at least one extra functionality, though: you’ll be able to translate text messages and even entire web pages.
On top of that, the split-screen tool allows for the instant translation of conversations as each speaker can understand what the other has just said without pausing.
What’s more, you’ll get to join convos of up to 100 people and have them translated in real-time, which is simply precious in multilingual business settings.
This tool, by the way, lets you speed up the pace of translations. So if you can already communicate in Italian, you’ll get to skip the parts that you’ve understood well.
What I like about Microsoft Translator:
- You can use it offline
- It’s possible to have conversations in real-time with the split-screen feature
- It lets you join multilingual group chats and translates all messages within them
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: Free (personal version)
6. Papago
Papago was developed by Korean company Naver. It specializes in Asian languages, so it’s a great option for those of you who need to translate from Italian to e.g. Chinese, Japanese, or maybe Thai rather than English.
If that’s your case, you’ll notice how its translations sound far more natural than those provided by, say, Google Translate. Papago boasts all features that you’d expect from a comprehensive translation app (including real-time voice-to-text) and will let you work offline as well.
What I like about Papago:
- You’ll get both formal and colloquial translations
- The layout is really user-friendly
- It boasts a phrasebook meant for beginners
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: Free
7. Reverso
I must admit Reverso is my go-to app for any language that I want to become fluent in. My favorite feature is Reverso Context, where you get examples of real texts from the internet.
It’s equipped with multiple other useful tools too, such as offline access, a guide to native pronunciation, and a search history.
Complete with a phrasebook and even a flashcard resource, Reverso is way more than a translation app, in fact; it can and should be used as a language learning app for either Italian or any foreign language you’re studying (out of the 18 languages currently supported, obvs!).
What I like about Reverso:
- It’ll show you samples of phrases in context for a better understanding
- It lets you create your own wordlists
- The pronunciation tool will help you nail that native accent
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: Free for the regular features; pro plans start at $3.49/month
8. SayHi Translate
Amazon’s translation app is specifically meant for spoken speech, which is perfect for traveling abroad and for business meetings.
It’ll transcribe everything pretty accurately (with a minor chance of mistakes in case you slur your words) and both render it in written form and reproduce it via audio.
One of SayHi’s coolest features is the possibility of choosing the regional dialect for languages where that’s a thing. To translate from Italian to English, for instance, you can alternatively select the Swiss dialect and pick between seven English accents.
What I like about SayHi Translate:
- It’s sensitive to local dialects
- The speech translation tool works very smoothly
- The interface is as intuitive and sleek as it gets
Pricing: Free
9. TextGrabber
“What’s in a name?”, one will wonder — in this case, everything. TextGrabber focuses on travelers as it scans maps, road signs, menus, and every piece of written information you might have a hard time interpreting upon landing in Italy.
The best thing about it is there’s no need to take pictures; the app will automatically store each scanned image so you can check the translation whenever you want.
There’s just one caveat, though: the free trial will only let you translate three items before the app requires you to buy a plan. Still, for frequent travelers who have yet to master Italian, that’s definitely worth the investment.
What I like about Text Grabber:
- It features 100+ languages, 10 of which can also be accessed offline
- You won’t have to bookmark anything, as all translations are automatically saved
- Its real-time translation tool is extremely efficient
Pricing: $1.99 for a monthly subscription and $9.99/year
10. Yandex Translate
Covering 90+ languages (some of which, including Italian, are available for offline use too), Yandex Translate is another all-in-one translation app that you should absolutely try, if at least for a change.
Besides the basic features that you’ll find in competing apps (e.g. voice-to-text and text scanning), you’ll be able to translate entire web pages as well.
Plus, you can bookmark phrases that seem particularly important to review later, which is an awesome resource for both beginners and intermediate learners.
What I like about Yandex Translate:
- It features a predictive text tool
- You’ll get to translate entire webpages
- It lets you bookmark phrases so you can go back to them later
For iOS, Android, and web browser
Pricing: Free
Conclusion
While you shouldn’t rely only on translator apps to learn Italian, they’ll definitely help you understand concepts and phrases by translating them into your native language. And the best thing is most of them are either free or pretty affordable.
Now that you know which Italian translator apps you’ll be using, check out our selection of Italian learning apps and podcasts for Italian learners and speed up your path to fluency!