Free alternatives to the Google Translate API

3 services, checked weekly

Google Cloud Translation has a free monthly allowance, but only with billing turned on in your Google Cloud account, and use above it is charged. DeepL and Microsoft Translator have free plans that are never charged, though they may ask for a card or an Azure account at sign-up; MyMemory works without any account or key.

ServiceCategoryAPI keyFormatsFree use
DeepL APILanguage and textNeeded, freeJSONThe DeepL API Free plan gives 500,000 characters per month with a free account (it uses its own server, api-free.deepl.com); DeepL API Pro is paid per character.
MyMemory Translation APILanguage and textNot neededJSONFree, no key needed: 5,000 characters a day anonymously, or 50,000 a day when you add a valid email address in the de parameter.
Microsoft TranslatorLanguage and textNeeded, freeJSONFree tier of 2 million characters per month with an Azure account; paid above that.

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