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earslate vs. Google Translate conversation mode

Both can play a live translation into your earbuds. Google Translate is free and covers almost 250 languages, on Google's services. earslate is free with no account, and your audio goes only to the AI provider on a key you supply.

1 dimension scored even.
Price
Free (you pay Google for your own Gemini usage)
Free
Google Translate (conversation mode)
Where audio goes
Directly to the AI provider on a key you hold
Google's services, under Google's terms
earslate
Account required
None — just your own Google Gemini key
Works without sign-in; features vary
earslate
Language range
As many languages as Google Gemini supports — typically a very wide range
Very large, mature coverage
Google Translate (conversation mode)
Hearing it live
The translation plays into your earbuds while the other person keeps talking.
Listening mode plays real-time translation into headphones; conversation mode takes turns.
even
Setup
One-time: obtain a Google Gemini key
Install and go
Google Translate (conversation mode)

Facts checked Sep 27, 2026. Google Translate (conversation mode)’s own site has its current details.

Choose earslate if
  • You hold your own AI provider key — your audio goes to that provider, not an app vendor
  • You already have a Google Gemini key
Choose Google Translate (conversation mode) if
  • You want zero setup and almost 250 languages
  • You need offline packs for supported languages
  • You're fine with Google's infrastructure handling the audio
FAQ

Common questions.

What does bringing your own API key get me?
The only party that processes your audio is the AI provider on your key, which you can revoke, and earslate has no servers in the audio path. The cost is a one-time key setup.
Sources
  1. Google Translate Help — Listening mode plays real-time translation into headphones; conversation mode takes turns
  2. Google — 20 years of Translate: almost 250 languages
  3. Google Play — Google Translate listing: conversations in 70 languages, offline in 59
  4. Google Translate Help — use it signed in or signed out
  5. Google Privacy Policy — how Google uses Translate data
Go deeper
Open earslateWhat is live speech translation?The best live speech translation app for Android
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