QTranslate is a compact, free translator for Windows that overlays hotkeys, a pop-up bubble, multi‑engine translation, OCR, TTS, history, and offline dictionaries on top of any app to speed up understanding without switching contexts. It supports portable and installer builds, making it simple to run on a wide range of PCs while keeping resource use light for everyday workflows.
Key features
Use the QTranslate keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+Q and Double Ctrl to show the pop‑up bubble or bring text into the main window without breaking your reading flow.
Enable the QTranslate pop‑up translation bubble option to click a small icon near selected text and view results inline if you prefer mouse‑driven actions.
Switch QTranslate translation engines across Google, DeepL, Yandex, and Microsoft to compare outputs on‑the‑fly for tricky sentences or domain terms.
Run QTranslate OCR screen translation for Windows to extract text from images or non‑selectable UI elements before translating the recognized content.
Configure the QTranslate OCR.space API key setup to boost OCR reliability and limits under Options → Advanced using a free key from the provider.
Adjust QTranslate text to speech TTS settings to listen to source or translated text for pronunciation checks and auditory proofreading.
Keep QTranslate translation history and spell check turned on to review past results, maintain consistency, and fix typos as you work.
Confirm QTranslate Windows compatibility and system requirements if deploying on older or mixed environments across a team.
Stability and service fixes ensure reliable responses across engines like Yandex, Promt, and others, while SSL and libcurl updates improve compatibility.
Engine tweaks align Google and other services more closely with current web behavior for consistent outputs day‑to‑day.
6.9.0
Service maintenance and compatibility updates keep core features—engines, OCR, dictionaries, and history—operating smoothly on modern Windows builds.
Engines and dictionaries
QTranslate supports major translation engines including Google, Microsoft/Bing, and DeepL, plus others like Promt and youdao, giving you multiple perspectives on the same text with one click. To switch engines quickly, select another service tab or menu entry to retranslate the same input and cross‑check nuance or terminology instantly.
If you want to find more programs for working with text, we recommend visiting our Office & Productivity section.
OCR, TTS, and extras
OCR is integrated through OCR.space, allowing capture of text from screenshots, scanned PDFs, or applications that don’t expose selectable text. For higher limits and reliability, paste a free API key in settings to avoid “no data returned”‑type rate‑limit issues during heavy use.
Configure the QTranslate OCR.space API key setup via Options → Advanced with a free key to improve throughput and accuracy.
Enable QTranslate text to speech TTS settings to hear results via the headphone icon or shortcut for pronunciation and accessibility.
Keep QTranslate translation history and spell check enabled to revisit past work and reduce errors in repeated phrases.
Comparison With CopyTranslator and ScreenTranslator
Hotkeys and flow
QTranslate: QTranslate keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+Q and Double Ctrl minimize interruptions and keep you in the current app.
CopyTranslator: clipboard‑first behavior can be efficient, but it may feel slower than hotkey‑led pop‑ups for continuous reading.
ScreenTranslator: focused on screen OCR overlays, while QTranslate bundles OCR with multi‑engine translation in one panel.
OCR and images
QTranslate: built‑in OCR via OCR.space with optional free key helps process screenshots and locked UI text reliably.
CopyTranslator: useful when most content is already text, with fewer OCR‑heavy workflows required.
ScreenTranslator: strong for frequent on‑screen extraction, but compare post‑OCR translation depth against QTranslate’s engines.
Engines and offline
QTranslate: broad engines plus the QTranslate offline XDXF dictionaries feature deliver resilience and breadth in mixed connectivity.
CopyTranslator: evaluate engine variety if you often validate nuanced language across multiple providers.
ScreenTranslator: compare OCR‑first flows with multi‑engine verification to reduce ambiguity after recognition.
Pro Tips Answers
How to use QTranslate hotkeys on Windows 11: map Double Ctrl for the main window and Ctrl+Q for the bubble to balance depth vs speed.
How to switch translation engines in QTranslate Google DeepL Yandex: click the next engine to re‑run the same text and verify meaning.
Does QTranslate work offline with XDXF dictionaries: yes, add dictionaries to continue lookups without internet access.
How to enable text to speech in QTranslate: use the headphone icon or the playback shortcut to listen hands‑free.
How to change QTranslate input and output languages: select them in the main window before or after pasting text.
How to customize QTranslate keyboard shortcuts: open settings and remap hotkeys to match your reading or editing style.
Is QTranslate safe and free for Windows: it’s freeware with a portable build widely distributed by reputable software catalogs.
How to translate text in any app using QTranslate: select text anywhere and trigger the hotkey for instant results inline.
How do I translate selected text with QTranslate pop‑up: enable the bubble and press Ctrl+Q to keep context while reading.
System requirements
QTranslate Windows compatibility and system requirements include modern and legacy Windows, with both installer options available.
Internet is required for online engines and OCR, while offline XDXF dictionaries continue to work without a connection.
Keep TTS and engine features enabled as needed. Features depend on available online services and local settings.
Conclusion
QTranslate combines fast hotkeys, an unobtrusive pop‑up bubble, multi‑engine switching, OCR via OCR.space, TTS, history, and offline XDXF dictionaries to deliver a complete translation workflow inside any Windows app. Used well—especially by comparing engines and adding an OCR API key—it balances accuracy and speed for daily reading, research, and drafting without constant context switching.
Frequently Asked Questions about QTranslate
Is QTranslate free or subscription-based?
QTranslate for Windows is free donationware with no subscription or one-time purchase required.
Can it translate selected text in any app, and how?
Yes. Select text and press Ctrl+Q to show a popup translation, then pick the engine and target language.
Which translation engines does it support?
It integrates multiple online engines like Google, Microsoft/Bing, DeepL, and others that you can switch between.
Does QTranslate work offline?
No, it needs an internet connection because it relies on online translation services.
What other features does it have?
It offers text-to-speech (press Ctrl+E) and dictionary lookup (press Ctrl+Shift+Q), plus history and hotkey customization.