Finding text on your screen that you cannot copy or paste is a common frustration. You might be playing a game in Japanese, reading a scanned invoice in French, or watching a video with on-screen text you need to understand - and the traditional copy-paste route simply does not work.
The old workaround was tedious: manually typing foreign characters into Google Translate on your phone. This process is slow, error-prone, and becomes impractical when dealing with large amounts of text or fast-moving content.
Screen translator apps solve this problem by using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to read the pixels on your display and provide instant translations. Whether you are a gamer playing untranslated Japanese RPGs, a business professional dealing with foreign documents, or a manga reader working through raw comics, these tools bridge the language gap without requiring selectable text.
We tested 12 screen translator apps across different use cases and platforms. This guide covers the 7 tools that delivered consistent results for translating text from images, videos, games, and protected documents.
Related Translation & Video Tools: For broader video analysis needs, explore our guide to AI video watcher tools for comprehensive video understanding, or check our live caption tools article for real-time meeting subtitles. You may also find our lecture recording guide helpful for capturing and transcribing educational content.
What is a Screen Translator and How Does It Work?
A screen translator is software that captures an area of your display, extracts any visible text using OCR technology, and translates it into your target language. Unlike traditional translation tools that require copy-paste access, screen translators work directly from the visual layer of your screen.
The technology works in three steps. First, the tool takes a screenshot or continuously monitors a region of your screen. Second, OCR algorithms identify and extract the text characters from the image. Third, a translation API converts that text into your chosen language, displaying the result as an overlay or in a separate window.
Two Types of Screen Translation:
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Overlay (Real-Time): The tool continuously scans your screen and overlays translations directly on top of the original text. This works best for gaming and video content where text changes frequently.
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Capture (Snapshot): You select a specific region using a snipping tool interface, and the tool provides a one-time translation. This approach works better for documents and static content where you need accurate extraction.
According to Statista research, the machine translation market is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2027, driven largely by OCR-based translation tools that handle non-selectable text.
Top 7 Screen Translator Apps Comparison 2026
| Rank | Tool Name | Type | Key Features | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ScreenApp | Web/Desktop | Video + Screen OCR + AI Translation | Work & Video Content | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | DeepL | Desktop App | High-Quality Translation + Screen Capture | Translation Quality | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | Google Lens | Mobile/Browser | Image Translation + Visual Search | Mobile & Chrome Users | ★★★★☆ |
| 4 | Textractor | Desktop (Open Source) | Game Text Hook + Translation | Visual Novel Gamers | ★★★★☆ |
| 5 | Yandex Translate | Web/Mobile | Image OCR + Format Preservation | Complex Image Translation | ★★★★☆ |
| 6 | ShareX | Desktop (Open Source) | Screen OCR + Workflow Automation | Power Users | ★★★★☆ |
| 7 | Manga Translator | Web/Mobile | Speech Bubble Detection + Overlay | Comic & Manga Readers | ★★★☆☆ |
Quick Recommendation: For professional work involving videos, meetings, and documents, ScreenApp offers the most comprehensive solution. For pure translation quality on static text, DeepL remains the gold standard. Gamers should look at Textractor for visual novels or Google Lens for general game translation.
Top 7 Screen Translator Apps Reviewed 2026
ScreenApp
Best for Work and Video Content Translation
Why It Stands Out: ScreenApp goes beyond simple screen capture by combining video translation, screen OCR, and AI-powered understanding into a single workflow. Unlike static screenshot tools, it processes both audio and visual text from video recordings, making it the professional choice for translating meetings, webinars, and protected documents.
Video Translation
Translate spoken words and on-screen text from video recordings simultaneously.
Privacy-First Processing
Secure enough for business documents unlike random free browser extensions.
Integrated Workflow
Capture text, translate it, and save it to a project notebook instantly.
Transcript Searchability
Search translated content across your entire video library by keyword.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Handles video and screen translation in one tool
- • Processes protected PDFs and non-selectable text
- • Saves translations with timestamps for reference
- • Enterprise-grade privacy for sensitive documents
- • Free tier available with generous limits
Cons
- • Requires internet connection for translation
- • Not designed for real-time game overlays
- • Desktop app provides more features than web version
Best For
Business professionals translating Zoom meetings, webinars, or foreign invoices. Researchers working with video content in multiple languages. Anyone who needs to extract and translate text from protected PDFs or scanned documents.
DeepL for Windows/Mac
Best for Translation Quality
Why It Stands Out: DeepL consistently outperforms Google Translate on nuanced text, particularly for European languages. The desktop app includes a "Capture" shortcut that lets you select any text on screen and translate it instantly, even from images and non-selectable sources. Independent blind tests have shown DeepL producing more natural-sounding translations than competitors.
Superior Translation
Neural network trained specifically for natural-sounding output.
Quick Capture
Ctrl+C twice shortcut instantly translates any selected text.
Document Translation
Upload entire PDFs and Word docs while preserving formatting.
Glossary Support
Create custom terminology lists for consistent brand translations.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Best-in-class translation quality for European languages
- • Keyboard shortcuts for instant screen translation
- • Document translation preserves original formatting
- • Generous free tier for casual users
Cons
- • Snapshot tool only, no real-time video overlay
- • Asian language support less comprehensive than competitors
- • Pro subscription required for some features
Best For
Professionals who prioritize translation quality over OCR features. Writers, translators, and business users working primarily with European languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch).
Google Lens
Best for Mobile & Chrome Browser
Why It Stands Out: Google Lens is integrated directly into Chrome browser (right-click any image and select "Translate Image") and all Android phones. It handles over 100 languages and combines translation with visual search, so you can identify objects while translating the text around them. For mobile users, it is the most accessible option available.
Browser Integration
Right-click any image in Chrome to translate text instantly.
Camera Translation
Point your phone camera at text for real-time AR translation.
Visual Search
Identify products, plants, and landmarks while translating.
Handwriting Support
Recognizes handwritten text in most major languages.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Completely free with unlimited usage
- • Built directly into Chrome browser
- • Excellent mobile camera translation
- • Widest language support of any free tool
Cons
- • No dedicated desktop app for Windows/Mac
- • Cannot translate live video streams
- • Translation quality below DeepL for complex text
Best For
Mobile users who need quick translations while traveling or shopping. Chrome users who want instant image translation without installing extra software. Anyone translating signs, menus, or labels in real-world situations.
Textractor
Best for Visual Novel & Game Translation
Why It Stands Out: Textractor does not use OCR at all. Instead, it hooks directly into the game's text engine and extracts the actual text data before it is rendered on screen. This means 100% accuracy with no OCR errors, making it the gold standard for visual novel translation. It is open-source, free, and maintained by an active community.
Direct Text Hooking
Extracts text directly from game memory for perfect accuracy.
Extension System
Plug in different translation engines (DeepL, Google, etc.).
Clipboard Output
Automatically copies text to clipboard for use with other tools.
Community Support
Active Discord community with game-specific hooks and guides.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Perfect text extraction with zero errors
- • Free, open source, and actively maintained
- • Large community with pre-made game configs
- • Works with any translation engine you prefer
Cons
- • Steep learning curve for new users
- • Only works on specific game engines
- • Primarily Japanese-focused, limited for other languages
Best For
Visual novel enthusiasts who want to play untranslated Japanese games. Players willing to invest time in setup for the best possible translation accuracy. Anyone frustrated with OCR errors on stylized game fonts.
Yandex Translate
Best for Complex Image Translation
Why It Stands Out: Yandex excels at translating complex images with mixed text orientations, columns, and overlapping elements. It preserves the original layout better than most competitors, making it particularly useful for infographics, product labels, and documents with unusual formatting.
Layout Preservation
Maintains original image formatting when translating complex documents.
Website Translation
Translate entire web pages while preserving the page structure.
Offline Mode
Download language packs for translation without internet.
Cyrillic Excellence
Best-in-class accuracy for Russian and other Slavic languages.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Excellent at preserving complex image layouts
- • Best option for Russian and Slavic languages
- • Free with generous usage limits
- • Offline mode available for mobile
Cons
- • No desktop app with screen capture
- • Translation quality varies for Asian languages
- • Privacy concerns for some users
Best For
Users translating complex images like infographics, product packaging, or multi-column documents. Anyone working with Russian or Eastern European languages. People who need translated images with preserved formatting.
ShareX
Best for Power Users & Workflow Automation
Why It Stands Out: ShareX is the Swiss Army knife of screen capture tools. While it does not translate directly, its built-in OCR feature extracts text from any region of your screen and copies it to your clipboard. You can then configure automated workflows to send that text to any translation service. For users who want maximum control over their screen translation pipeline, ShareX is unmatched.
Region OCR
Select any area of your screen and extract all visible text.
Workflow Automation
Chain actions together: capture, OCR, translate, upload, share.
80+ Destinations
Upload screenshots to Imgur, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more.
GIF & Video Recording
Record screen regions as GIF or video for tutorials.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Most customizable screen capture tool available
- • Free, open source, no restrictions
- • Can integrate with any translation service
- • Powerful workflow automation capabilities
Cons
- • No built-in translation, requires manual paste
- • Overwhelming for users who want simple solutions
- • Windows only, no Mac or Linux support
Best For
Power users who want complete control over their screen capture and OCR workflow. Developers and IT professionals who need to automate repetitive tasks. Anyone who already uses ShareX and wants to add translation capabilities.
Manga Translator / Bubble Translate
Best for Comic & Manga Translation
Why It Stands Out: These specialized tools are designed specifically for comic and manga translation. They automatically detect speech bubbles, extract the text within them, translate it, and overlay the English text directly on top of the original Japanese or Korean text. The result looks like a professionally typeset fan translation.
Speech Bubble Detection
AI automatically identifies and isolates speech bubbles in comics.
Text Overlay
Replaces original text with translated text directly in the image.
Manga-Style Fonts
Uses fonts that match the comic aesthetic rather than generic text.
Batch Processing
Translate entire chapters at once rather than page by page.
Key Features:
Pros
- • Purpose-built for comic translation workflow
- • Results look like professional fan translations
- • Free options available
- • Mobile-friendly for reading manga anywhere
Cons
- • Limited use case, only works for comics
- • Machine translation quality can be rough
- • Struggles with stylized or handwritten fonts
Best For
Manga and manhwa readers who want to read untranslated series. Comic fans who do not want to wait for official translations. Anyone who prefers reading translated text directly on the page rather than in a separate window.
Use Cases: When Do You Need a Screen Translator?
Understanding the right tool for your situation helps you choose wisely. Here are the most common scenarios where screen translation becomes essential:
Gaming (The "Raw" Experience)
Playing a Japanese RPG, visual novel, or MMO that has not been localized yet. Games like untranslated JRPGs often have thousands of lines of dialogue that screen translators can process on the fly. Tools like Textractor are specifically built for this workflow.
Cross-Border Business
Reading an invoice, contract, or product spec sheet sent as a scanned image (JPG/PDF) from a foreign supplier. When documents come as image scans rather than editable text, screen OCR is the only option. ScreenApp and DeepL handle these workflows securely.
Software Debugging
Understanding error messages that appear in foreign language software interfaces. Developers working with Chinese manufacturing software or Japanese engineering tools often encounter error dialogs they cannot copy-paste from. A quick screen capture solves this instantly.
Language Learning
Watching a foreign movie or TV show and wanting to translate the on-screen signs, text messages, or subtitles shown within the video. This is different from subtitle translation - it captures text that is part of the visual scene itself.
For video-heavy workflows, you might also benefit from our AI video analyzer tools guide which covers comprehensive video content analysis.
How to Translate On-Screen Text with ScreenApp
Here is a step-by-step guide to translating non-selectable text using ScreenApp’s screen translator feature:
Open the Screen Translator Feature
Navigate to ScreenApp's Screen Translator and launch the tool. You can also access it from the main dashboard under "Translation Tools."
Select the Screen Area or Video
Choose the portion of your screen you want to translate. For videos, you can either upload an MP4 file or paste a video URL. The tool processes both audio transcription and visual OCR simultaneously.
Pro Tip: For the best OCR accuracy, ensure the text on screen is not blurry or obscured by other elements.
Choose Your Target Language
Select the language you want to translate into from the dropdown menu. ScreenApp supports over 50 languages with context-aware translation that considers the surrounding content.
- • English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese
- • Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional)
- • Russian, Arabic, Hindi, and 40+ more
Review and Save the Translation
The AI extracts text and displays the translation side-by-side or as an overlay. You can copy the translated text, save it to your project notebook, or export it for later reference.
If you regularly work with video content that needs transcription alongside translation, check out our guide on extracting audio from videos for complementary workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the approach depends on the game type. For fast-paced games with changing text, you need a real-time overlay tool. For text-heavy RPGs and visual novels, a capture tool like ScreenApp works well for pausing and reading. Textractor provides the most accurate results for Japanese visual novels by hooking directly into the game engine.
Yes, several options work on Windows. ScreenApp runs in your browser and works on any operating system. DeepL has a dedicated Windows app with keyboard shortcuts. ShareX is a Windows-only open source tool with powerful OCR capabilities. All three are reliable choices for Windows users.
Accuracy depends heavily on font clarity. Standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman translate with 95%+ accuracy. Handwritten text, stylized "fantasy" fonts in games, and low-resolution screenshots reduce accuracy significantly. For best results, ensure the text is clear, well-lit, and not overlapping with other visual elements.
Absolutely. This is one of the primary use cases for screen translators. Since the PDF is essentially an image of text, you cannot highlight and copy it normally. A screen translator "reads" the image of the page using OCR and then translates the extracted text. ScreenApp and DeepL both handle this workflow well.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) reads text from an image by analyzing the visual pixels. It works on any visible text but can make errors with unusual fonts. Text hooking, used by tools like Textractor, intercepts text data directly from the application's memory before it is rendered on screen. This provides 100% accuracy but only works on compatible applications.
Most screen translators require an internet connection because they use cloud-based translation APIs for accuracy. However, some tools offer offline modes with reduced functionality. Yandex Translate allows you to download language packs for offline use. For completely offline translation, you would need to pair a local OCR tool like ShareX with an offline translation engine.
Be cautious with unknown browser extensions, as they may access your screen data. Stick to reputable tools from established companies (Google, DeepL, Yandex) or well-known open source projects (ShareX, Textractor). For sensitive business documents, use privacy-focused tools like ScreenApp that explicitly state they do not store or train on your data.
Most screen translators work on static images or recorded video files rather than live streams. For real-time translation of live video content, you would need a tool with continuous screen monitoring capability. ScreenApp can process recorded video with both audio transcription and visual OCR, but live streaming translation remains technically challenging due to processing latency.
Specialized manga translators like Manga Translator or Bubble Translate are designed specifically for this use case. They automatically detect speech bubbles, extract text, translate it, and overlay the English text directly on the image. This creates a reading experience similar to professional fan translations. General OCR tools can extract manga text but will not provide the seamless overlay experience.
For Zoom meetings, ScreenApp offers the most comprehensive solution. It captures both the audio (spoken words) and any visual text on shared screens. You can see live transcription and translation without a visible bot joining the call. The translated content is saved with timestamps so you can reference it after the meeting ends.
Conclusion: Break the Language Barrier on Your Screen
Language should not stop you from enjoying a game, reading a comic, or completing your work. Modern OCR technology has evolved to the point where any text visible on your screen can be extracted and translated in seconds.
The right tool depends on your specific needs:
- For professional work involving videos, meetings, and sensitive documents, ScreenApp’s Screen Translator provides the most comprehensive workflow with privacy protection
- For pure translation quality on European languages, DeepL remains the gold standard
- For mobile and browser users, Google Lens offers free, unlimited translation built into tools you already use
- For gamers playing Japanese visual novels, Textractor provides perfect accuracy through text hooking
- For manga readers, specialized bubble translators create the best reading experience
The technology continues to improve each year. According to Grand View Research, the global OCR market is growing at 13% annually as more people discover these tools for cross-language communication.
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Try ScreenApp Screen Translator FreeRelated Resources:
- Best AI Video Watcher Tools - Summarize and analyze video content with AI
- Best Live Caption Tools - Real-time subtitles for meetings and videos
- Video to Text Converter - Extract transcripts from any video file
- Best Free Video Conferencing Apps - Tools that work with screen translators
