February 2, 2021 by Rafael Parra Curated Lists, Learning Strategies 0 comments

Our Favorite Apps to Translate Spanish to English

Nowadays, the most convenient way to translate Spanish to English is by using our smartphones.

Having access to thousands of words and languages in the palm of your hand is truly remarkable, but remember that not all apps work the same. Many times, you’ll find that one specific application will work better than the rest because they are easy to use, accurate, or simply because they cater to your personal preferences.

If you’re traveling soon, or if you want to have quick and easy reference material available to help you with homework, learning, or translations, you’ll want to check out this list of apps to translate Spanish to English.

5 Superb Apps to Translate Spanish to English

Keep in mind that while they can be useful, apps that translate Spanish to English are not always accurate and should not be relied on to do your homework for you or for business purposes. You won’t learn Spanish that way, and translations made entirely with apps are easy to spot and not a good look if you want to show your true Spanish-speaking skills!

However, using them for reference or to check for words you might not understand is fair game, even the most seasoned translators do it as part of their daily routine to make sure they’re using the best words to make their translations accurate. You can also use them to have conversations in two different languages, with the apps serving as a translator. So let’s look at some apps that translate Spanish to English so you can turn your phone into your personal translator buddy.

1. Google Assistant / Siri

Smartphones come with built-in apps that can translate Spanish to English. The quickest ones are Google Assistant for Android Phones and Siri for iPhones. Since I’ve only ever had Android phones, I can’t give you an accurate description of how Siri translates, but you can assume they work similarly.

To begin using this feature on your Android phone, all you have to do is press and hold the “home” button and use your voice to ask for help with translations. You can say something like “translate see you next Saturday to Spanish,” and you’ll get an instant response from your phone. You can also type in something in Spanish if you don’t know how to pronounce it. This app will also translate Spanish to English in real-time in case you need to have a conversation with someone who doesn’t speak English.

2. Microsoft Translator

We mentioned this app in our post about 8 free English to Spanish translation tools for translating sentences. It’s beautiful, easy to use, and great for traveling.

It also features a phrasebook, live translation, and picture translation. The phrasebook contains essential sentences grouped in subjects such as travel, lodging, dining, and emergencies. The live translation works similarly to Google Assistant or Siri, as well as the picture translation, which translates text in real-time in case you want to check out signposts, restaurant menus, or promotional posters.

This is a great option if you want to translate Spanish to English on the go! Get it on Android and iOS

3. Google Translate

I must admit it’s hard not to mention this app when talking about translation. Google Translate has set the gold standard for those moments when you need to translate Spanish to English. It has some amazing features including transcribing audio, saving translations, and many more.

In most cases, Google Translate is your go-to choice when looking to translate Spanish to English. Some people look for alternatives because they don’t like how the app looks or works, they are tired of using it, or they don’t use Google products generally. In those cases, any other app on this list is a suitable replacement for all your translation needs! Get it on Android and iOS.

4. TranslateZ

TranslateZ is the best option for people who want to translate Spanish to English with a minimalistic app that is non-intrusive nor filled with unwanted features and flashy interfaces. This app is simple and straightforward but by no means useless.

TranslateZ has three main features: text translation, voice translation, and image translation. You have to pay a premium fee for the image translation, however, which seems really unnecessary, since most apps mentioned on this list have that feature for free.

In conclusion, this app is for those who want a no-nonsense text translation that’s quick and to the point, but it’s not the best option for travelers or Spanish learners. Find it on Android and iOS.

5. Nglish Translator

This app is what you get when you combine Duolingo with Google Translate. It’s a pleasant surprise and an excellent option for Spanish learners who want to expand their vocabulary in fun ways. The games are quite fun, and I spent a good 15 minutes playing them when looking into the app before writing this post.

One of the downsides is that this app is made for Spanish speakers to learn English, but I found out that English speakers can use it to learn Spanish, too, since most of the games focus on images and vocabulary that are presented in both languages.

The translator, however, is where this app truly outshines other apps on this list when it comes to learning Spanish. If you put in a phrase, the app will give you the translation plus definitions for each verb and noun found in the sentence. It’s the best translator I could find for students who want to expand their vocabulary! Check it out for Android.

Translations On The Go!

Even people who have been bilingual for many years need a translator every now and then. We learn new words every day, and it’s wonderful to have technology that makes that experience easier and fun. When looking for the best way to translate English to Spanish, it’s important to research, experiment, and use the app that you feel the most comfortable with. The best choices are usually the ones that fit your expectations, so that’s why there are many different apps to choose from.

Do you use any translator apps regularly? What’s your favorite way to translate English to Spanish? Let us know in a comment!

Want more Spanish resources and fun content? Check these out!

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Rafael Parra

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

A native Spanish speaker from Guatemala, I'm a psychology student, creative developer, and aspiring polymath who's always learning new things and improving as a person. I'm a nerd when it comes to language, education, and videogames. My goal is to practice all these disciplines in unison and make something great with my time.