Why Translation Software?

Hiring a human translator is expensive, time consuming and impractical for simple tasks like reading and writing emails, documents, web pages and other day–to–day tasks. But in an international marketplace, translation is necessary.

Whether you need to communicate internationally because of your work or because of personal reasons, translation software is a practical way to break language barriers. You can increase your client base, communicate directly with relatives or friends from another country and even browse non–English websites.

Website translation is becoming increasingly important as people from every nation are putting content on the Internet. It's important to be able to translate content, for both business and casual Internet surfing. Fortunately, language translation software can do this as well as translate common file formats, like Word and HTML, so you can translate anything on your computer with the click of a button.

In this site, you’ll find articles on translation software and comprehensive reviews that will help you make an informed decision on which application is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

What to Look for in Translation Software

Translation does not replace a human translator or learning a second language. However, it should facilitate communication between two people who speak different languages. Furthermore, it should enable them to communicate through a variety of media, like documents, emails, webpages, etc.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate each application:

Effectiveness
The whole point is to get or make accurate translations. The most important consideration in ranking the software has been the results of translation tests we performed on each program. For the specifics of how the tests work, see the article The Translation Test Results.

Features
The software should offer many practical features that make translations simple and effective. The most common features include program integration, back translate and auto–identify source language.

Ease of Use
Translation programs should integrate seamlessly with other applications like email, instant message applications, word processors, spreadsheets and more. Anyone should be able to utilize the software to meet their translation needs regardless of their knowledge of computers.

Available Languages/Formats
The most versatile translation applications will be able to translate a wide variety of languages from regions all over the world.

Supported Formats/Files
A versatile program will also be able to translate a wide variety of formats and will be able to upload files.

Help/Support
We graded each manufacturer on the help and support they provide to their customers. Manufacturers should provide written documentation like a user manual, FAQs or a user forum as well as contact information like a telephone number or email address.

Be sure to read the review on top-ranked translation software Power Translator.

 
TopTenREVIEWS
Translation Software Main Image
 

Translation Software Review 

Translation Software - Software de Traduccion

Effective communication is essential to developing business and personal relationships. Translation software makes it possible to cross language barriers and exchange ideas in any language.

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Power Translator Promt Systran Translate Personal Babylon Translution Ace Translator LingvoSoft Translator IdiomaX Word Magic
Power Translator Promt Systran Translate Personal Babylon Translution Ace Translator LingvoSoft Translator IdiomaX Word Magic
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Power Translator Premium 14
$99.99
Buy Promt Standard 9
$99.99
Buy Systran Home 6
$69.00
Buy Translate Personal 9
$99.99
Buy Babylon 8
$118.00
Buy Translution Pro
$69.95
Buy Ace Translator
$59.95
Buy LingvoSoft Translator
$99.95
Buy IdiomaX 5
$149.95
Buy Word Magic Home Edition 5
$195.00
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Ratings
Effectiveness Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good
Features Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Fair Very Good Good Excellent
Ease of Use Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Available Languages Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Good
Supported Formats/Files Very Good Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Help/Support Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Power Translator screenshots View Promt screenshots View Systran screenshots View Translate Personal screenshots View Babylon screenshots View Translution screenshots View Ace Translator screenshots View LingvoSoft Translator screenshots View IdiomaX screenshots View Word Magic screenshots
Effectiveness
Overall Test Score 95% 90% 85% 95% 70% 76% 72% 74% 52% 46%
Features
Program Integration Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
File Translation Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Instant Translation While Web Browsing Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark      
Auto-Identify Source Language Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark      Check Mark
Text-to-Speech Pronunciation Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark
Integrated Spell Check Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark
Available Languages
Number of Languages per Program 7 6 2 2 18 11 58 2 5 2
Chinese Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark  
French Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
German Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Italian Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Japanese Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark  
Portuguese Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   
Russian Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   
Spanish Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Supported Formats/Files
Word Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
PDF Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark      
RTF Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark
HTML Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark
Email Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Instant Messages Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark      
Web Translation
Internet Explorer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Firefox Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   
Help/Support
Telephone Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
Email Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
User Manual/User Guide Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
FAQs Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark
User Forums         Check Mark   Check Mark
Supported Configurations
Windows 7 Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Windows Vista Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Windows XP Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Power Translator Premium 14
$99.99
Buy Promt Standard 9
$99.99
Buy Systran Home 6
$69.00
Buy Translate Personal 9
$99.99
Buy Babylon 8
$118.00
Buy Translution Pro
$69.95
Buy Ace Translator
$59.95
Buy LingvoSoft Translator
$99.95
Buy IdiomaX 5
$149.95
Buy Word Magic Home Edition 5
$195.00