VoiceTra
VoiceTra: A focused, free option for checking spoken translations on iOS and Android. Ranked #3 of 52 in Live Speech Translation Apps by our editors (9.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free speech-to-speech translation on iOS or Android.
At a glance
- Editor score9.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree speech-to-speech translation on iOS or Android
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Conversation modeBoth
- Facts checked4 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Translates speech between 33 languages with spoken output
- Back-translation display helps check a translation’s meaning
- Stores a history of up to 1,000 sentences
Where it doesn't
- Requires an internet connection to translate
- Available only on iOS and Android
- No camera translation or offline translation
Our verdict on VoiceTra
VoiceTra is a free speech translation app from Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), aimed at people who need spoken phrase translation on a phone. It translates between 33 languages and shows translated text alongside synthesized speech. Users can switch translation direction for turn-taking, and automatic input-language detection is available for supported language pairs. Text input provides an alternative when speaking is not practical.
Its distinctive check is back-translation: VoiceTra displays a translation back into the original language so users can compare the meaning. Speech playback settings are selectable, and the history list keeps up to 1,000 sentences for revisiting earlier inputs. These features make it more than a one-way phrase converter, while keeping its focus on speech translation rather than a wider set of travel or document tools. It suits solo users and small-scale needs where a mobile conversation aid is the main requirement.
The trade-off is its mobile and online scope. VoiceTra is available for iOS and Android and requires internet data to translate; it does not offer offline or camera translation. NICT reported that service resumed in August 2026 after a temporary suspension, and its homepage says users on versions 9.1.3 and 9.2.0 must update. Email and documentation are listed as support channels, and GDPR is listed as a compliance posture. Choose VoiceTra for free, connected speech-to-speech translation with meaning checks; consider another option if offline use, camera translation, or desktop access is essential.
VoiceTra pricing
VoiceTra fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Supported languages | 33 |
| Conversation mode | Both |
| Offline translation | No |
| Camera translation | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android |
| Conversation history | Yes |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | GDPR |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | voicetra.nict.go.jp |
| Facts checked | 4 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to VoiceTra
- Microsoft TranslatorLive conversation translation and captions, with mobile apps and cloud translation APIs.9.3
- Google TranslateA free speech translator with conversation and transcription features across web and mobile.9.2
- PapagoA multi-platform translator with real-time voice tools and tiered monthly quotas.8.9
See all VoiceTra alternatives →
VoiceTra vs the competition
- VoiceTra vs Microsoft Translator
- VoiceTra vs Google Translate
- VoiceTra vs Papago
- VoiceTra vs Baidu Translate
- VoiceTra vs Yandex Translate
- VoiceTra vs Apple Translate
Compare VoiceTra with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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