argos-translate

What it does

An OpenNMT-based translation library that runs with no network at all, installing language pairs as self-contained model packages, usable as a Python library, a CLI or a GUI — and widely embedded elsewhere, including as the engine behind LibreTranslate. Quality trails the big commercial services, particularly on distant language pairs like English–Japanese, which is the trade for never sending the text anywhere. MIT.

Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.

Screenshots & visuals

Before you start

• Setup difficultyEasy to start
• Command lineRequired
• API keyNot required
• Sends data onlineNo

Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.

argos-translate FAQ

Is argos-translate free?

Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.

Do I need to install anything or write code to use argos-translate?

It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.

Does argos-translate work on a phone?

No. It needs a computer.

Can argos-translate run offline?

Yes. Everything happens on your own machine, so your data is never sent to an outside server. That makes it usable for material you cannot share externally.

Can I use argos-translate commercially?

The licence is MIT, which permits commercial use. Conditions such as keeping the copyright notice still apply, so read the licence text before shipping it inside something.

How it compares

The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.

"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.

Other translation & language tools