SlateSlate vs Microsoft Translator: Which is better? (2026)
Microsoft Translator is a free app that captions conversations and can play some translations aloud, but its help pages don't describe keeping a conversation transcript, speaker labels or summaries.
TLDR: Slate wins when the conversation matters afterwards: it labels each speaker, keeps a transcript with an AI summary you can question, and records Mac video calls too. Microsoft Translator is better if you want a free app, translations played aloud in supported languages, a split-screen mode on one phone, or offline packs for text and photos.
Slate is built for conversations you want to keep: it shows what was said next to its translation, marks who said it, and saves the whole exchange so you can read the AI summary or put a question to Ask AI later. Share it as text or PDF when you're done.
Slate runs on any iPhone with iOS 18 or later, without Apple Intelligence, and translates live in 60+ languages. On a Mac it records Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Webex calls with no bot in the meeting. Start on the free plan with 100 minutes a month, or compare plans on pricing.
| Feature | Slate | Microsoft Translator |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | ||
| Languages | 60+ languages live; 99 for recordings | The languages marked for speech on its language list; one, Arabic (Levantine), is marked Android only |
| Live translation | ||
| Shows the translation as text | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shows the original and the translation together | ✓ | ✕ |
| Labels who is speaking | ✓ | ✕ |
| Speaks the translation aloud | ✕ | ✓ Some languages |
| 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 Microsoft Translator's own pages. Microsoft Translator facts from Microsoft Translator's own pages, checked November 4, 2026.
Questions about Slate and Microsoft Translator.
Can Microsoft Translator read the translation out loud?
Yes, for languages with text-to-speech: tap the speaker icon under a translation. Slate gives you the translation as text, with the original beside it.
Does Microsoft Translator save the conversation?
Its iPhone help describes starring single translations as Favorites, not saving a conversation transcript. Slate keeps every conversation with a transcript, speaker labels, an AI summary and Ask AI.
Does Microsoft Translator translate speech without internet?
No. Microsoft says speech translation works only while online; its offline packs cover text and photos. Slate can record offline, but it also needs internet to transcribe and translate.
How many languages can Microsoft Translator translate by voice?
Microsoft's language list marks which languages work with speech, and one of them, Arabic (Levantine), is Android only. Slate translates live in 60+ languages and transcribes recordings in 99. See every language.
Is Microsoft Translator cheaper than Slate?
Microsoft says the Translator app is free of charge. Slate has a free plan with 100 minutes a month, and Pro is a paid upgrade; see the table above.
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. Microsoft Translator is a trademark of its owner. Slate is not affiliated with Microsoft Translator.
Updated