
Translation & language
linguist
Browser translation that can run entirely on your own machine
★ 1.1k
August 2026
BSD-3-Clause
Translation & language
What it does
Translates whole pages, selected passages and video subtitles (Netflix included) with the option of running the translation engine locally, so what you are reading is not sent to a translation company. It covers 130 languages, reads translations aloud and keeps a personal vocabulary list, and you can swap in a different back-end. Local translation is more private but less accurate than commercial services - check which mode you are in.
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 difficultySome setup needed
- Command lineNot required
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineYes
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
linguist FAQ
- Is linguist 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 linguist?
- You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.
- Does linguist work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use linguist commercially?
- The licence is BSD-3-Clause, 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.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| linguist (this page) | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
| MouseTooltipTranslator | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
| RTranslator | Not needed | Not needed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Translate Web Pages (TWP) | 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.