BubbleTranslate
Select text anywhere. Read the translation in a bubble.
BubbleTranslate is a small desktop app that watches what you select. Highlight text in a PDF, a terminal, a browser, or an editor, and a bubble appears right at your cursor with the translation. It detects the language for you — you never say what you're reading — and translates into the language you chose. No copy-paste, no switching windows.
Free · 10 translations a day · Pro from $2/month for unlimited
▶ A real screen recording — select text, read the bubble.
New experience in translation, no interruption while foreign docs and readings.
The window is somewhere to visit, not somewhere to live. The app just watches your selections and answers.
Works in every app
Select text in a PDF, a terminal, a browser, or an editor. If you can highlight it, BubbleTranslate can read it.
Bubble at your cursor
The translation appears right where you're reading, then auto-hides. No new tab, no window to hunt for.
Three backends, in order
Google, then MyMemory, then DeepL — tried until one answers. When all refuse, the bubble tells you why.
Lives in the menu bar / tray
A globe in the macOS menu bar or the Linux tray. Closing the window doesn't quit; it keeps watching.
One permission
Accessibility on macOS, so the app can see what's selected. That's the only thing it asks for.
Yours to tune
Target language, provider order, text size, and auto-hide delay — all editable, saved the moment you change them.
You never pick the source language
BubbleTranslate figures out what you're reading on its own. Select text in any language and it detects it, then shows the translation in the language you chose. The bubble even tells you what it detected — like Japanese → English.
Translate into any of these 17 languages
Those are one click away in the bubble. Need another? Any language code the providers accept works too — just set it in the config.
Three steps, then it's automatic
Set your language once. After that, you just select text.
Select some text
Highlight anything in any app. BubbleTranslate notices the moment your selection settles.
Read the bubble
A small bubble pops up at your cursor with the translation, and quietly hides itself after a few seconds.
Keep working
It stays in the menu bar or tray and translates the next thing you select. Change the target language from the bubble's ⚙ menu.
Simple pricing
Start free with 10 translations a day. Go unlimited when you need more.
Free
For light, everyday reading.
- ✓ 10 translations per day
- ✓ Works in every app on macOS & Linux
- ✓ Google, MyMemory & DeepL backends
- ✓ Bubble at your cursor, menu bar / tray
- ✓ No account, no sign-up
Pro
or $20 / year — two months free.
- ✓ Unlimited translations
- ✓ Everything in Free
- ✓ Use on up to 3 machines
- ✓ One licence key, no re-buying
- ✓ Supports the app's development
Download BubbleTranslate
Free to install, with 10 translations a day. Upgrade to Pro anytime for unlimited.
macOS
Apple Silicon · macOS 11 or later · 7 MB
Download DMGxattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/bubbleTranslate.appLinux
x86-64 executable · needs glibc 2.43+ · 20 MB
Download binarychmod +x bubbleTranslate-linux-x86_64
./bubbleTranslate-linux-x86_64Windows
It is coming soon.
Coming soonSource, build instructions, and full docs live on GitHub.
Frequently asked questions
Everything worth knowing before you install.
Is BubbleTranslate free?
Yes. You get 10 translations a day for free, on macOS and Linux, with no account or sign-up. If you need more, Pro removes the daily limit for $2/month or $20/year.
What do I get with Pro?
Unlimited translations on up to three machines, for $2/month or $20/year (the yearly plan is two months free). One licence key covers all your machines, and it supports the app's ongoing development.
How do I pay for Pro?
Monthly or yearly. In Turkey billing goes through PayTR; everywhere else through Paddle, the merchant of record. You can cancel anytime.
Which systems does it run on?
macOS and Linux. There's no Windows build yet. On Linux you need glibc 2.43 or newer for the prebuilt binary; on an older distribution, build from source.
Does it need an internet connection?
Yes. Translations come from online providers — Google, MyMemory, and optionally DeepL — tried in order until one answers. Only the text you select is sent, and only to translate it.
What permission does it need?
On macOS, Accessibility — that's how the app sees what you've selected. It's the only permission it asks for. On Linux nothing extra is required on most X11 and Wayland sessions.
Read the world without leaving your work
Download BubbleTranslate free and translate anything you can select.
↓ Get BubbleTranslate free