Best apps and devices to help with language barrier when travelling

Google Translate’s online version, iOS and Android app are constantly innovating and improving. You can enter over 103 different languages, of which 52 will work offline (so if you plan to travel off-the-grid, this will be a perfect addition to your travels). An amazing feature is Google Translate’s World Lens, which gives users the ability to just point their phone camera at any piece of text to translate the original to the language of their choice. You can even play the translation to hear it out loud.

Pros: Free, extremely quick, a huge database that’s constantly improving

Cons: Somewhat inaccurate and cannot incorporate context, significant grammatical errors, no way for people to suggest correct translations for errors and improve translations

TripLingo (available on iOS and Android app) takes more of a holistic approach and dives more into the quirks of local customs, slang, and etiquette. Not only is TripLingo a voice translator, but it also has a currency converter, culture crash course, various slang levels, flashcards, and quizzes. It’s perfect not just for translations but for using it as a tool to learn languages.

Pros: Great reference for language learning, teaches proper pronunciation, ideal for simple phrases and getting around

Cons: Travel situation guide with local travel tips and suggestions for different scenarios is only available in the paid version, only covers the basics so users may need to look elsewhere to get more in-depth translations

Travis Touch Plus is an ideal pocket language translator device perfect for face-to-face convos. The device offers 115 languages for online translating, and 15 languages don’t require a connection (more are being added). With the help of AI, Travis Touch utilizes 14 unique translation engines, including Google Translate. This ensures the most accurate translations when you can’t afford to make a mistranslation, no matter what situation you may be in. Even more, Travis Touch is a superb translator device to have if you ever encounter a medical emergency while abroad, as explaining symptoms need to be as accurate as possible.

Pros: Uses AI, dual noise-cancelling headphones, standalone translator, long battery life (12 hours), supports wireless charging

Cons: No pre-installed mobile data so Wi-Fi or a hotspot is required

iTranslate is available on iOS, Android, and there’s a web app. It comes packed with features for both the free and paid pro version of the app. With iTranslate, you can directly translate text, websites, start voice conversations, lookup words, meanings and even verb conjugations in over 100 languages.

Pros: offline translations, iTranslate Lens camera, built-in Browser to translate websites, has verb meanings and conjugations in different tenses, auto-detect language, transliteration so the words can be viewed and read phonetically, save frequently used translations, smartwatch app, voice output to listen to different dialects

Cons: Limited language selection compared to other apps/devices

Pocketalk is a translator device that can perform two-way voice translations in 74 different languages, including local dialects and slang. It also comes with two years of built-in data so that you can roam about without a plan or a hotspot. Pocketalk is an AI-powered instant voice translator device in a portable mini package.

Pros: Built-in data, portable, large touch screen, noise-cancelling headphones, text translation camera, printed text, handwriting, and sign translations, converts 160 currencies, latest daily rates, swappable SIM card, unlimited use in 130 countries

Cons: No warranty