Translation & language
LibreTranslate
A free translation server you can self-host
★ 16k
August 2026
AGPL-3.0
Translation & language
What we checked ourselves
Not copied from the project's own blurb. These are things we opened and verified, with the date.
- 23 Aug 2026We checked that the link to the project still resolves.
- 30 Aug 2026We read the project's own documentation and found no sign that development has stopped.
Where this sits among the 26 tools we list in Translation & language
- Keeps your data on your own machine12 of 26
- Commercial use confirmed as allowed22 of 26
- Requires terminal commands20 that do not →
- Requires an API key20 that do not →
Only 11 of the 26 meet all of the conditions above.
Counted from our own checks: every tool we list is examined against the same criteria.
What it does
An open translation API and web app that runs entirely on your own machine.
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 keyRequired
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
LibreTranslate FAQ
- Is LibreTranslate free?
- LibreTranslate itself is free, but it needs an API key for an external AI service. That service charges separately, though some have a free tier.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use LibreTranslate?
- It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.
- Does LibreTranslate work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use LibreTranslate commercially?
- The licence is AGPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LibreTranslate (this page) | Required | Required | No | No | Yes |
| RTranslator | Not needed | Not needed | No | Yes | Yes |
| LiveCaptions-Translator | Not needed | Required | Yes | No | Yes |
| MouseTooltipTranslator | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.