SlateSlate vs Apple Translate: Which is better? (2026)
Apple's Translate app speaks translations aloud and works offline for downloaded languages, while its Live Translation needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone; neither is described as saving the conversation.
TLDR: Slate wins if you want to keep the conversation or don't own an Apple Intelligence iPhone: it shows the original beside the translation with speaker labels on any iPhone with iOS 18, then saves a transcript and an AI summary. Apple Translate is better if you want the translation spoken aloud, offline use with downloaded languages, a face-to-face view, or translation built into AirPods, Phone and FaceTime.
Slate doesn't depend on Apple Intelligence. It runs on any iPhone with iOS 18 or later and translates live in 60+ languages, putting what each person said next to its translation and marking who said it. How live translation works.
When you stop, nothing is lost: you get a transcript, an AI summary and Ask AI, and you can share the result as text or PDF. On a Mac, Slate also records Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Webex calls without a bot. The free plan includes 100 minutes a month; see pricing.
| Feature | Slate | Translate app | Live Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Languages | |||
| Languages | 60+ languages live; 99 for recordings | 21 entries on Apple's Translate app availability list, counting regional variants | Phone, FaceTime and AirPods: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional). Messages: 16 languages |
| Live translation | |||
| Shows the translation as text | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shows the original and the translation together | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Labels who is speaking | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Speaks the translation aloud | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-screen face-to-face mode | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| After the conversation | |||
| Saves a transcript | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| AI summary of the conversation | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Ask questions about the conversation | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Share as PDF | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Devices | |||
| iPhone app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Records meetings on a Mac | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
✓ offered · ✕ not offered, or not stated on Apple Translate's own pages. Apple Translate facts from Apple Translate's own pages, checked November 4, 2026.
Questions about Slate and Apple Translate.
Can Apple Translate speak the translation aloud?
Yes. The Translate app plays a translation when you tap it, or automatically, and Live Translation speaks it in your AirPods or, during a call in the Phone app, to the other person. Slate shows the translation as text only.
Which iPhone do I need for Apple's Live Translation?
Apple lists an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 model or later, plus supported AirPods for in-ear translation. Slate works on any iPhone with iOS 18 or later and doesn't need Apple Intelligence.
Does Apple Translate work without internet?
Apple says Translate app conversations work for downloaded languages without a connection, and that Live Translation runs entirely on device. Slate records without a connection, but transcription and translation need internet.
How many languages does Apple Translate support?
Apple's feature availability list has 21 entries for the Translate app, counting regional variants. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and AirPods covers English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese. Slate translates live in 60+ languages and transcribes recordings in 99. See every language.
Does Apple Translate save the conversation?
Apple's pages don't describe saving it. With AirPods you can view a transcript in the Live tab of the Translate app. Slate keeps every conversation with a transcript, an AI summary and Ask AI.
Which translator app is right for you?
Slate transcribes, translates and summarizes on iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac. Try it free; see what the free plan includes.
Features and prices change. Apple Translate is a trademark of its owner. Slate is not affiliated with Apple Translate.
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