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We make Espero, so it is listed first. Check our claims against the sources below.
In 2026, many messaging apps can translate messages. Some translate only when you tap a message. Others translate every message automatically for each reader. This guide compares seven apps: who can join, which languages work, what is translated, what it costs and where the translation happens. For each app, we read the provider's own public pages on 14 November 2026. We did not test translation quality. Features and prices change, so check the app before you decide. "Not stated publicly" means that we did not find the information on the pages listed in the sources.
Best for: families and relatives in different countries, couples who speak different languages, workplaces and teams where many languages are spoken, schools and parents, churches, associations and hobby groups, language learners, and entrepreneurs and content creators who share videos in several languages. Each person gets every message, also voice messages, photos and videos, in their own language on any phone, and event organizers can stay in touch with their guests after the event.
Best for: groups that already use WhatsApp and need help with a message now and then.
Best for: large groups and channels that already use Telegram, and users who pay for Premium.
Best for: people who all use recent iPhones and speak one of the supported languages.
Best for: groups and communities that already use Viber and need a translation now and then.
Best for: workplaces that already use Teams.
Best for: families and groups of friends on phones who want voice messages in a voice that sounds like the sender.
| App | Espero | Telegram | Apple Messages | Viber | Microsoft Teams | FlaiChat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-up | EsperoEmail code or Apple. No phone number | WhatsAppPhone number | TelegramPhone number | Apple MessagesBuilt into Messages on iPhone | ViberPhone number | Microsoft TeamsTeams account. Your IT admin controls the feature | FlaiChatGoogle or Apple login |
| Languages | Espero100+ | WhatsAppAt launch: 6 on Android, 19+ on iPhone | TelegramNot stated publicly | Apple Messages16 languages and variants | ViberNot stated publicly | Microsoft Teams100+ in Microsoft's list | FlaiChat40+ |
| Automatic for each reader | EsperoYes | WhatsAppPartly or with conditions: Tap to translate. On Android, automatic for a chat | TelegramPartly or with conditions: Tap to translate. Whole chats with Premium | Apple MessagesYes, after you turn it on for a conversation | ViberNo: Tap to translate | Microsoft TeamsPartly or with conditions: Tap to translate, or turn on auto-translation | FlaiChatYes |
| Groups | EsperoYes | WhatsAppYes, also channel updates | TelegramYes, also channels | Apple MessagesYes: Set per conversation, contact or group | ViberYes | Microsoft TeamsYes: Chats. On mobile also channels | FlaiChatYes |
| What is translated | EsperoText, voice messages, images (also text in images), video | WhatsAppMessages. Not locations, documents, contacts, stickers or GIFs | TelegramText messages | Apple MessagesText messages | ViberMessages | Microsoft TeamsChat messages. Short messages are not auto-translated | FlaiChatText and voice messages |
| Listening in the sender's own voice | EsperoYes, an AI voice made from the speaker's voice; conditions below | WhatsAppNot stated publicly | TelegramNot stated publicly | Apple MessagesNot stated publicly | ViberNot stated publicly | Microsoft TeamsNot stated publicly | FlaiChatYes, for voice messages |
| Video translation and sharing to other apps | EsperoYes. Share translated on iPhone and Android: video up to 60 seconds, up to 5 languages, captions and an optional translated voice; save or share in another app | WhatsAppNot stated publicly | TelegramNot stated publicly | Apple MessagesNot stated publicly | ViberNot stated publicly | Microsoft TeamsNot stated publicly | FlaiChatNot stated publicly |
| Price of translation | EsperoWritten messages and their translations free. Voice, images and video use credits, 100 free each month. Espero+ from €5.99 per month | WhatsAppNo price stated | TelegramSingle messages free. Whole chats need Telegram Premium | Apple MessagesNo separate fee stated | ViberFree with a daily limit. Higher limit with a ChatGPT account | Microsoft TeamsNot stated publicly | FlaiChatFree. Premium mode for some features |
| Platforms | EsperoiPhone, Android, web | WhatsAppAndroid, iPhone | TelegramAndroid, iOS, macOS, desktop, web | Apple MessagesiPhone with Apple Intelligence, also iPad and Mac | ViberPhone and desktop | Microsoft TeamsDesktop, iOS, Android | FlaiChatiOS, Android |
| Where translation happens | EsperoIn the cloud. Account and message records in the EU (Ireland). Some AI processing in the US | WhatsAppOn the device | TelegramIn the cloud. Google or Microsoft may translate. EEA and UK data in the Netherlands | Apple MessagesOn the device | ViberSent to ChatGPT (OpenAI) | Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft No-Trace Policy. Location not stated | FlaiChatHosted in the United States |
Espero is a messaging app built around translation. Each person writes and reads in their own language, also in groups where many languages meet. Espero translates messages, voice messages, images (also the text in images) and videos, and the original message stays available. Written messages and their translations are free. Voice, image and video features use credits. Every user gets 100 free credits each month, and Espero+ costs from €5.99 per month or €59.99 per year (as of ). No phone number is needed: you sign in with a one-time code by email, or with Apple. Espero works on iPhone, Android and in the browser. In the face-to-face mode, two people share one phone, and each speaks their own language.
Your own voice and translated videos. With a ready My voice and a personal subscription, others hear translations of your messages in an AI voice made from your voice. You record your voice with your consent. Voice messages are transcribed, translated and read aloud in the recipient's language, and a video message can include a translated voice. With Share translated, you press and hold a video of up to 60 seconds in a chat and choose Share translated. Espero makes a copy for each language you choose, up to 5, with captions and, if you want, a translated voice. You can save the copy on your phone or share it in another app. For example, record a video of yourself and share captioned versions with an AI voice made from your voice in the languages you choose. This AI voice is used when you sent the video yourself and only you speak in it: Espero checks the audio, and you confirm it. Share translated works on iPhone and Android and uses credits (prices).
Espero also works at events. Espero runs live captions for events, and every event has its own group conversation before, during and after the event, in each person's own language. During the event, guests send questions in their own language, and the organizer can show a question on the screen without the sender's name. After the event, guests keep talking, ask the speaker questions and share images, videos and voice messages, which Espero translates for each member. One interpreter is enough: Espero works alongside the interpreter and brings in all the other languages. Listeners can hear the translation read aloud. A speaker who meets the conditions in the event comparison below can have it read in an AI voice made from their own voice. The event does not end when the captions stop. Compare event tools
Translation runs in the cloud. Espero says that the primary account and message records are stored in the EU (Ireland) and encrypted at rest. Some AI processing happens in the United States under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework or Standard Contractual Clauses.
WhatsApp added message translations in September 2025. You tap and hold a message and choose Translate. This works in one-to-one chats, groups and channel updates. On Android, you can turn on automatic translation for a whole chat, so that new incoming messages are translated. Translation happens on your device, where WhatsApp cannot see it. You download each language once. WhatsApp says that translation is only available on certain devices and may not be available to everyone yet.
All Telegram users can translate a single message: select it and tap Translate. Telegram Premium users can translate whole chats, groups and channels in real time with the Translate bar. Telegram's privacy policy says that it may use Google or Microsoft for translation, so the text you translate may be shared with them. For users who signed up in the EEA or the UK, Telegram stores data in data centers in the Netherlands. Telegram uses phone numbers as account identifiers.
Live Translation in Apple Messages translates automatically after you turn it on for a conversation. The translation appears as you type, and the other person receives both the translation and your original message. Messages you receive are translated as well. Live Translation runs entirely on the device. It needs an iPhone with Apple Intelligence and works in 16 languages and variants. Apple says that it might not be available in all regions or languages.
In Viber, you long-tap a message and choose Translate. The translation appears below the original message. On desktop, you right-click the message. Viber sends the message you choose to ChatGPT (OpenAI) for the translation. There is a daily limit on ChatGPT features, including translations. You can get a higher limit by connecting a free ChatGPT account. Viber says that these features may not be available in all regions.
Microsoft Teams can translate a chat message into your preferred language. You can also turn on auto-translation for received messages. On desktop, translation suggestions and automatic translation work in chats. On iOS and Android, chat and channel messages can be translated. Short messages are not translated automatically. Your IT admin controls whether translation is turned on. Microsoft says that translations in Office applications are protected under its No-Trace Policy.
FlaiChat is a messaging app built around translation. Messages in a group are translated automatically into each member's own language. When others translate your voice messages, they hear an AI voice made from your voice speak their language. FlaiChat supports 40+ languages and runs on iOS and Android. You log in with Google or Apple. FlaiChat is free to download and use. A premium mode adds some features, such as Speak Together for conversations in person. Its services are hosted in the United States.
Ask these questions before you choose an app:
Espero and FlaiChat translate every message automatically for each reader. Apple Messages translates automatically after you turn it on for a conversation. WhatsApp on Android and Microsoft Teams can translate incoming messages in a chat automatically. Telegram translates whole chats for Premium users. In Viber, you tap a message to translate it.
Yes. In Espero and FlaiChat, each member reads the group in their own language without extra steps. Espero also translates voice messages, images (including the text in them) and videos for each member, so a group can share material in many languages. In WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber, each member can translate group messages on their own phone.
In Espero, yes, with a ready My voice and a personal subscription: others hear translations of your messages in an AI voice made from your voice. You first record your voice and accept the consent text. FlaiChat says that when others translate your voice messages into their language, they hear an AI voice made from your voice.
Yes, in Espero on iPhone and Android. Press and hold a video of up to 60 seconds in a chat and choose Share translated. Espero makes a captioned copy for each language you choose, up to 5, with a translated voice if you want. An AI voice made from your voice requires a ready My voice and a personal subscription; you must have sent the video yourself and be the only speaker in it. Espero checks the audio, and you confirm it. Save the copy on your phone or share it in another app. The feature uses credits; see the personal subscription page for prices.
In Espero, written messages and their translations are free, and voice, image and video features use credits. WhatsApp and Apple do not state a separate price. In Telegram, single messages are free and whole chats need Premium. Viber is free with a daily limit. FlaiChat is free, with a premium mode for some features.
WhatsApp and Apple Messages translate on the device. Telegram may send the text to Google or Microsoft, and Viber sends it to ChatGPT. Espero translates in the cloud through AI providers bound by EU data protection terms, and stores account and message records in the EU (Ireland). If privacy matters to you, read each app's privacy policy.
WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber use your phone number. Espero signs you in with an email code or with Apple. FlaiChat uses Google or Apple.
All pages were checked on 14 November 2026.