Google Translate Client supports more than 50 different languages, just like the original Google Translate web app. It is set to auto-detect the language your text is in, but you can also enter the settings options and select the language for yourself.

In fact, Google Translate Client’s preferences menu is very complete, allowing you to specify a range of actions from Proxy Settings to the appearance of the main interface. You can also select the action that triggers translation (click the icon, left click, or just select the text), making translation even quicker.

That said, Google Translate Client is easy to use, and the features that are accessible from the main interface are pretty complete, meaning you don’t have to tackle the preferences unless you want to. Google Translate Client’s a pretty slick app, and makes it very easy to use the text you have translated.

Google Translate Client is basically a desktop interpretation of the famous translation app, but it’s a nice app with some very slick features.

Download Google Translate Client 5.1.545 in Softonic

Theoretically the most useful tool is that by pressing CTRL+ right click on whatever word you have on your screen, a pop-up window should appear with the definition of that word, a search tool for a deeper definition and also an audio file with the correct pronunciation. The disappointing aspect of this feature is that it doesn't work with a lot of words (unfortunately, I have to say, the majority), even if they appear in the list of definitions that Lingoes has in its database. I think this is a major bug as it invalidates massively the application's main utility which would be to have an always-available dictionary without having to change window.

The program leans on Google for the translation function which I find to be weak as many words are not translated correctly or not even found.

Because of strange performance issues, Lingoes is not worth using if you're just looking for an on-the-fly dictionary or translator. Some of its other features are really useful, though.

Download Lingoes 2.7.6.1 in Softonic

This little portable version of desktop Lingoes looks very promising: support for eighty languages, pronunciation of words, automatic translation and/or definition of selected words in documents or web pages are some of its most outstanding features.

However there are a few issues that let it down a bit. To begin with, the interface in Portable Lingoes is not exactly the paradigm of ease of use; the confusing design takes a while to get used to. Also, you can't help feeling a bit disappointed when you realize most dictionaries must be downloaded separately – well, at least they're free.

Once you get over these flaws, Portable Lingoes is a really handy tool, especially for those who frequently work with different languages. The program includes an extensive configuration menu and offers immediate results both in dictionary look-ups and translation tasks, which are powered by Google Translator.

Despite an initially confusing interface and the fact that you have to download dictionaries separately, Portable Lingoes is still a nice, handy online dictionary and translation tool.

Download Lingoes Portable 2.7.6.1 in Softonic

Fried Babelfish is a simple free translating tool that makes use of the Google translator services and provides you with instant feedback on multi-language translations. As the program takes advantage of Google's services, it supports a wide variety of languages and can do reverse translations as well. The translations are quite good, bearing in mind the limitations of automatic translation systems.

Fried Babelfish doesn't require installation. Simply launch it and you'll immediately have a dictionary on your desktop. You can make it stay on top and also have it detect the source language automatically to speed up your workflow. On the downside, texts are limited to 150 words.

With Fried Babelfish you can have a free personal translator powered by Google right on your desktop.

Download Fried Babelfish 1.0.7 in Softonic

The extension sets the right language combination automatically, according to your browser's language and the website you're visiting, but you can change it if you like.

Also, though I thought it would only work with singles words, I was pleased to see it could translate short snippets of text as well.

In any case, always use automatic translation with care: they can help you understand the overall meaning but they usually fail in grammar and syntax.