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Simple Translate Chrome extension

Simple Translate pops up a quick translation of whatever text you highlight or type, using Google Translate or DeepL. It's best for people who want a fast lookup tool without full-page translation. The catch: DeepL support needs your own API key, which adds a setup step for non-Google users.

  • PriceFree
  • CategoryProductivity
  • Works inChrome, Edge, Brave (desktop)
  • ✓No account needed
  • ✓Open source

Last checked against the Chrome Web Store listing · Independent, not affiliated with Google

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Pros

  • simple popup interface with no page reload
  • supports both Google Translate and DeepL as translation sources
  • works on selected text or manually typed text
  • lightweight with a narrow, focused feature set

Cons

  • using DeepL requires registering for and entering your own API key
  • does not translate a full page layout, only selected or typed text
  • translation quality and limits depend on the chosen engine's own API

Best for

  • quickly translating a highlighted word or sentence on any page
  • typing text into a popup to translate before pasting elsewhere
  • choosing between Google Translate and DeepL as the engine
  • users who want a lightweight tool instead of a full page translator

Skip it if

  • translating an entire webpage at once
  • users who don't want to set up a DeepL API key for DeepL translations

Key features

  • popup translation of selected text on any webpage
  • manual text entry box for typing text to translate
  • choice between Google Translate and DeepL API as the engine
  • keyboard shortcut support for quick access

What Simple Translate does

Simple Translate adds a small icon next to text you select on a webpage. Clicking it opens a popup with the translation, so you don't leave the page or reload it. You can also open the extension directly and type text into it to translate on the spot, using either Google Translate or the DeepL API as the source.

Simple Translate free vs DeepL setup

The extension itself is free to install and use with Google Translate out of the box. Switching the engine to DeepL is also free to configure, but it requires signing up for a DeepL API key separately and entering it in the extension's settings, since DeepL access isn't bundled in.

Is Simple Translate safe?

The extension needs to read text on pages you select so it can send that text to the translation engine you choose. If you use DeepL, your selected text is sent to DeepL's API using your own key rather than Google's service. Only translate text you're comfortable sending to the chosen provider.

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Simple Translate: FAQs

Is Simple Translate free?

Yes, the extension is free to install and use with Google Translate. Using DeepL instead is also free to set up but requires your own DeepL API key.

Is Simple Translate safe to use?

It reads the text you select or type so it can send it to Google Translate or DeepL for translation. Avoid selecting sensitive text if you're cautious about what gets sent.

How do I use Simple Translate?

Highlight text on a page and click the translate icon that appears, or open the extension and type text directly into its popup.

How do I set up DeepL in Simple Translate?

Open the extension's options, switch the translation source to DeepL, and paste in an API key from a DeepL account you register separately.

Does Simple Translate translate whole pages?

No, it translates selected or typed text in a popup rather than replacing the whole page layout with a translated version.

What are Simple Translate alternatives?

Google Translate's own extension and DeepL's browser extension are common alternatives if you want full-page translation or a dedicated single-engine tool.

Can I set a keyboard shortcut for Simple Translate?

Yes, Chrome lets you assign a keyboard shortcut to the extension from the browser's extension shortcuts settings page.

Why isn't the translate icon appearing when I select text?

Check that the extension is enabled for the current site and that you're selecting text within the page body rather than inside a restricted element like a PDF viewer.

Simple Translate vs Google Translate extension: what's the difference?

Simple Translate offers a choice between Google Translate and DeepL as the engine, while Google's own extension only uses Google Translate.

Does Simple Translate support many languages?

Language support depends on the chosen engine: it inherits whatever languages Google Translate or DeepL themselves support.