Mate Translate

Overview

Mate Translate brings translation into browsers and Apple apps, with language aids and a phrasebook for people who translate often as part of their workflow. Its browser controls and app integrations are its strongest case; the lack of document translation and native Windows or Android apps narrows its reach.

It supports 250 languages and offers Basic, Advanced and AI translation styles. That range is useful for everyday text and web-page translation, but file-based work calls for another tool.

For a broader comparison, see Translation Software.

Key features

Translation styles and language aids

Basic, Advanced and AI styles offer a choice of translation approach, while Pro adds a formality control for readers who need to adjust tone. Advanced and AI have daily and monthly fair-use allowances and a maximum request size; once a limit is reached, Mate falls back to Basic. That preserves access to translation, but users relying on the more advanced styles should expect constraints.

Mate can speak translations and show phonetics, word genders and synonyms. These tools make it more useful for checking pronunciation and word usage than a plain text converter. Users can save and categorize phrases, and Pro syncs History and Phrasebook across devices.

Browser and app workflow

The browser extension supports selecting page text, manually translating a full page, a right-click translation action and Netflix subtitle translation. These controls suit users who want translation close to the page they are reading, rather than switching to a separate tool. Mate for iOS also supports translation in Safari, iMessage, PDF files, Mail and other apps.

Offline translation is included in Pro; iPhone and iPad support it in more than 55 languages. That is useful when a connection is unavailable, but does not make Mate a document translator: document translation is not offered.

Pricing

Mate's free browser extension costs nothing, billed Free forever. It includes popup and on-page translations, three synonyms per translation, local History and Phrasebook, and click-to-translate Netflix subtitles. This is the sensible starting point for browser users who do not need syncing or Pro features.

Mate Pro is billed annually, with a price that varies by plan and is shown in the app or account. One subscription covers Mac, iPhone, iPad and browser extensions; it adds offline translation and syncs History and Phrasebook across devices. Advanced and AI styles remain subject to fair-use limits. Monthly, annual and weekly Mate Pro subscriptions are offered, along with an educational annual subscription; each has custom pricing. The free extension gives up Pro syncing and offline translation, while the subscription's undisclosed price makes cost comparison difficult.

The free plan and 7-day trial let readers try Mate before committing. The trial is short, so it is best used to check whether the browser and Apple-app workflow fits regular use.

Platforms

Mate is available on macOS and iOS, and its browser add-ons are listed for Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Edge. It has no native Windows or Android app. The extension works on Windows and Linux, and Firefox for Android supports the extension, but readers who require a dedicated Windows or Android app should look elsewhere.

Who it's for

Mate suits frequent translators who work in browsers or Apple apps and value pronunciation aids, saved phrases and optional cross-device syncing. Its integrations make it a stronger fit for ongoing reading and communication than for occasional file translation. It is not the right choice for document translation or for people who need native Windows or Android software.

Mate says text sent for translation goes to translation providers along with the language pair, and those providers' terms prohibit using the text for training. Without an account, History and Phrasebook remain on the device; synced account data can be viewed and deleted by the user. Mate says passwords are stored hashed, Apple handles App Store payments, and Paddle processes purchases made directly from Mate. Email support is available, and Mate asks users to identify the app and platform when requesting help.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Browser controls include page selection, manual full-page translation and Netflix subtitle translation, keeping common tasks close to the content.
• Pros: Phrase saving, pronunciation and word-usage aids support repeat translation and language learning.
• Pros: Pro syncs History and Phrasebook across Mac, iPhone, iPad and browser extensions, with offline translation on Pro and on iPhone and iPad in 55+ languages.
• Cons: No document translation, so it cannot serve readers whose main job is translating files.
• Cons: There is no native Windows or Android app; browser extensions are the workaround.
• Cons: Advanced and AI styles have fair-use allowances and request-size limits, and Pro pricing varies by plan.

Alternatives

Crowdin is a freemium alternative with a free plan and apps across desktop, mobile and web platforms; consider it when that wider platform mix matters.

Papago is another freemium choice, with monthly allowances for image, document and voice translation. Choose it if those media types matter more than Mate's browser and Apple-app integrations.

iTranslate offers a free text-translation plan and a Pro plan with a keyboard extension and custom phrases. It is worth comparing if those are the features you need.

Localizely has a free plan with 250 hosted string keys, one project and unlimited users and languages. It is the more relevant option for hosted localization strings rather than browser-based translation.

QuillBot is a freemium option focused on paraphrasing and writing tools, including a free tier with a 100-word paraphrasing limit.

Apertium is a free, open-source translation platform.

Bing Translator is free and shows a 1,000-character input limit, making it an option for readers who want a free translator rather than Mate's integrated browser and Apple-app workflow.

CafeTran Espresso has a free plan with 1,000 translation units and 500 glossary terms, plus an annual subscription at €80 a year. Consider it when translation units and glossary terms are a better match for your work.

Verdict

Choose Mate Translate if you regularly translate web pages or text inside browsers and Apple apps, and value phrase saving, pronunciation aids and optional Pro syncing. Its workflow integrations are the clearest reason to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need document translation, a native Windows or Android app, or predictable Pro pricing.