Freedom251 › Translation Software
LibreTranslate
What LibreTranslate is
LibreTranslate is a free and open-source machine translation API powered by the Argos Translate library. Its API can translate text, detect a source language automatically, process HTML or markup, provide alternative translations, and detect languages. It also includes a file translation endpoint. Users can run the software on their own machine or server for free, and the service is described as capable of offline use. Installation and deployment documentation covers Python, Docker, Gunicorn, Kubernetes, and Helm. When a direct language pair is unavailable, LibreTranslate can route through another language, usually English. Listed integrations include a Discourse translator plugin, Android and iOS apps, Firefox extensions, and the minbrowser web browser. The hosted service asks users to split requests longer than 2,000 characters into smaller chunks. Its Pro plan costs $29 a month, billed $29 / month, and its Business plan costs $58 a month, billed $58 / month; both list unlimited translations, with burst limits of up to 80 and 200 translations per minute respectively. There is no free trial, and the portal offers a 7 days money-back guarantee.
Who it suits
LibreTranslate may suit developers needing translation through an API or people who want to run translation software on their own machine or server. Hosted users should account for the 2,000-character request guidance and the paid plan limits.
What it does well
- Free self-hosting on a machine or server
- Supports text, markup, and file translation
- Automatic source-language detection
- Offline-capable local operation
- Hosted plans list unlimited translations
What to know first
- No free trial
- Hosted requests over 2,000 characters should be split
- Translation memory is not available
- Glossary support is not available
Limits
The hosted portal asks users to split requests longer than 2,000 characters into smaller chunks. Pro allows bursts of up to 80 translations per minute and Business up to 200; both list unlimited translations.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $29 / month · Bursts of up to 80 translations / minute · Unlimited translations · 7 days money-back guarantee | $29 a month |
| Business | $58 / month · Bursts of up to 200 translations / minute · Unlimited translations · 7 days money-back guarantee | $58 a month |
As libretranslate.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit libretranslate.com for the hosted service.
- For a local installation, use the Python or Docker installation options.
- Run it on your own machine or server, or use a hosted plan.
- Choose Pro at $29 / month or Business at $58 / month if using a paid hosted plan.
- Connect through the API or a listed integration.
Verdict
LibreTranslate combines an API with options to run the software locally, including offline use. Hosted plans have stated burst limits, and longer requests need to be divided into smaller chunks.
Questions
Is LibreTranslate free?
The software can be run on a user's own machine or server for free. Hosted Pro costs $29 / month and Business costs $58 / month.
Is there a free trial?
No. The hosted portal offers a 7 days money-back guarantee.
What are the hosted plan limits?
Pro lists bursts of up to 80 translations per minute and Business up to 200. Both list unlimited translations.
Can LibreTranslate run locally or offline?
Users can install it on their own machine or server, and it is described as offline capable.
What license does it use?
The software license is GNU Affero General Public License v3.
Which integrations are listed?
They include a Discourse translator plugin, Android and iOS apps, Firefox extensions, and the minbrowser web browser.
Facts from LibreTranslate's own pages
- API access
- The hosted libretranslate.com API requires a purchased API key, while self-hosted instances do not require one by default. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The documentation describes installation with Python or Docker, as well as deployment with Gunicorn, Kubernetes, and Helm. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Document translation
- Yes · portal.libretranslate.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Files
- The API reference includes a file translation endpoint, and the installation options include a setting to disable file translation. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · portal.libretranslate.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Hosted service limits
- The portal says requests longer than 2,000 characters should be split into smaller chunks. · portal.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Listed integrations include a Discourse translator plugin, Android and iOS apps, Firefox extensions, and the minbrowser web browser. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Language coverage
- If a direct language pair is unavailable, LibreTranslate automatically pivots through another language, usually English. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The documentation identifies the software license as GNU Affero General Public License v3. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- The site describes LibreTranslate as offline capable, and its installation guide supports running it locally. · libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy notice says translation texts are not stored or logged and that payment information is stored by Stripe. · portal.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- LibreTranslate is a free and open source machine translation API powered by the Argos Translate library. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Users can run LibreTranslate for free on their own machine or server. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 29 · portal.libretranslate.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- The portal directs users to contact support for API keys with higher request-per-minute or character limits. · portal.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Translation features
- The API supports text translation, automatic source-language detection, HTML or markup translation, alternative translations, and language detection. · docs.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Translation memory
- No · portal.libretranslate.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Trial and refund
- The portal says there is no free trial and offers a 7 days money-back guarantee. · portal.libretranslate.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where LibreTranslate stands on Freedom251
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