Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Is it worth paying for

Speak & Translate

45
Value score / 100 Worth paying? No Skip it

Speak & Translate offers accurate translations when it works, but frequent technical issues, slow loading times, and an aggressive paywall make it a questionable value, especially given the high subscription costs.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $1400 4.5★ lifetime (257,446) since 2014

Speak & Translate is praised for its accuracy and ease of use when functional, but many users report significant problems with slow loading, frequent crashes, and an inability to use basic features without a subscription. The app's monetization strategy, including high weekly charges and persistent review requests, is a major point of contention.

Free vs paid

Based on user reviews, the free version of Speak & Translate appears to be severely limited, with many core translation features, including text translation, blocked behind a paywall R31R86R201R51. Users report being unable to do "anything" or even translate simple phrases like "hello" without paying for a subscription R31R86. The app is described as having a "bait and switch" model, automatically creating subscriptions after a free trial R30R50. The paid version, while offering accurate translation and offline capabilities, is plagued by performance issues and requires an internet connection just to launch, even for offline use R44R155R503.

Value complaints

  • The app is not truly free, with essential features blocked behind a paywall, requiring a subscription even for basic text translation.R31R86R201R51
  • Users report being automatically charged for subscriptions, sometimes weekly at $9.99, after free trials without clear consent or easy cancellation.R30R50R336R402
  • The app frequently asks for reviews, sometimes blocking usage, which users find annoying and unprofessional.R19R24R80R55
  • Despite paying for subscriptions (e.g., $99/year, $59.99), users experience persistent technical issues like white screens, crashes, and slow loading, making the app unusable.R90R44R155R74
  • Offline mode is limited and still requires an internet connection to launch the app, which is misleading for users who paid for offline capabilities.R503R806

Where it delivers

  • When it works, the app provides accurate and complete translations for both speech and text.R12R10R41R62
  • It is effective for long and complicated conversations, making communication easier in different languages.R9R32
  • Some users find it easy to use and helpful for learning new languages or communicating in foreign countries.R29R46R105R61
  • The app can be fast and efficient for translations when functioning correctly.R9R41R67
Worth paying if

You might consider paying if you need a translator for specific languages like Spanish or Korean and are willing to tolerate frequent app crashes, slow loading, and the need to reinstall the app regularly R9R32. It could be useful if you prioritize translation accuracy above all else and are prepared to troubleshoot technical issues frequently R12R41R62R10.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip this app if you expect a reliable, fast, and consistently functional translation tool R13R7R44. Users who are sensitive to aggressive monetization tactics, such as forced subscriptions and constant review requests, should also avoid it R30R50R19R24. If you need offline translation, be aware that the app still requires an internet connection to launch and has limited offline language options R503R806.

Evidence note: Recent reviews (within the past year) are heavily skewed negative, focusing on technical issues and monetization complaints, despite a high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are short and lack detail, or are from users who have not encountered the reported issues yet.

Frequently asked

Is Speak & Translate truly free to use?
No, Speak & Translate is not truly free; many core translation features, including text translation, are blocked behind a paywall, and users report being unable to do anything without paying for a subscription R31R86R201R51.
Does Speak & Translate have a free trial, and is it easy to cancel?
Speak & Translate offers a free trial, but users report it automatically creates a subscription, sometimes charging $9.99 per week, and cancellation can be difficult R30R50R377R723.
Are there common technical issues with Speak & Translate?
Yes, common technical issues include very long loading times, frequent crashes, the app opening to a blank white screen, and freezing, even for users who have paid for a subscription R13R7R44R155.
How accurate is Speak & Translate?
When it works, Speak & Translate is generally found to be accurate and complete for both speech and text translations, with some users praising its ability to handle complicated conversations R12R10R41R62.
Does Speak & Translate work offline?
While the app offers an offline mode, it still requires an internet connection just to launch, and the selection of languages available for offline download is limited, which users find misleading R503R806.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R31] 1/5 · US you cant do anything without paying: you literally cant do anything in this app if you dont pay for a subscription. NOT EVEN TEXT. google translate is better than this because at least you can translate something without needing to pay a monthly subscription. dont get this app
  2. [R86] 1/5 · US 100% blocked behind a paywall: 100% of the features of this app are blocked behind a $10 a week (but only $30/year??) paywall. can't even translate hello to hola without paying 🙄
  3. [R201] 3/5 · US google: i downloaded this and undownload it so fast why do you have to pay to translate i am gonna stick to google🤦🏽‍♀️
  4. [R51] 1/5 · US NOT FREE: can't use it at all without having to pay
  5. [R30] 1/5 · US Bait and Switch: Did not realize this was automatically going to create a subscription and charged me $9.99 plus tax per week for almost two months. Unfortunately I did not realize as it was subtracting from my Apple balance which I do not monitor that closely. Reached out to Apple to refund who has provided little/no help so far. Read the other reviews! I expect more from this company and App
  6. [R50] 1/5 · US This is not free at all.: Apps with a seven day free trial should say “free trial” not “get”. After seven days this app cost $10 a week and of course you’re required to put your credit card in to start the free trial, but this is only after you’ve spent some time setting up the app
  7. [R336] 3/5 · GB Never download this app , worst taking £59.99as soon you want to download it , worst app ever 👎👎: Never download this app , fake . £59.99 taken out of your account as soon as you download this app 👎worst app ever
  8. [R402] 3/5 · GB My son installed this app: Dear Developer My son installed this app the free version was great but he upgraded to premium and paid a subscription for a year without realising it . I cancelled it within the 14 day time limit but I have still been charged . Please give me an e mail address that I can contact you on please to sort this out Thank you
  9. [R19] 3/5 · US Review Request with each use?: Why does the app ask for a review every time you open the app?
  10. [R24] 3/5 · US It is ok: I am asked to rate too often The app does better on writing than speaking You are forced to do reviews - it is very annoying. It beats nothing. I guess I have to say something nice it or I can’t get off this screen. It is better than other translator apps I have tried.
  11. [R80] 1/5 · US Stop with the banners: I hate that I can’t use the app without a banner popping up, asking for a review. If the speech to text was worth a damn maybe I would have more time to write you a review? Maybe if a banner didn’t pop up every time I used it I would feel more like sharing my experience. Maybe if it was more affordable and streamlined I would feel like sharing. It’s not, so I don’t.
  12. [R55] 1/5 · US B: The request for a review is annoying constant request for a review when I've already are unprofessional and indicate disorganization
  13. [R90] 2/5 · US Does not work: I am not very pleased with this app. About half the time when I open the app all I get is a blank white screen. I’m paying $99 per year for an app that doesn’t work most of the time. I use it for business so I don’t have time to reinstall it every time I need to use it.
  14. [R44] 3/5 · US Paid for it because it was great at first but now if I need it quickly it takes 4 minutes of buffer: When I first got it, it was great and fast. But now everytime I open the app, it goes straight to a white screen that takes like 2 minutes to load to the actual app. No updates I needed tried to close the app and reopen. Still happens. And then once the app opens, it lags when I change from voice t
  15. [R155] 3/5 · US Great when it works.: When functioning the app works fantastically. The issue I have is after using it for a couple months it now refuses to open. I go to open it I get a white screen and then the app disappears. So I haven’t been able to use the app that I paid a yearly subscription for. I have a iPhone 13.
  16. [R74] 1/5 · US App doesn’t open: I cannot get app to open, paid for the year and no one available for support. It used to work beautifully, but now not at all so disappointed don’t waste your money.
  17. [R503] 3/5 · CA App is ok: I’m in Italy and there’s many times I have bad connections roaming. The app is slow so I tried to download Italian and then use the offline mode. The problem is you need an internet service just to launch the app so offline mode is garbage. Plus you’re limited to typing in offline mode only.
  18. [R806] 3/5 · AU Little Bit Disappointed: Good app but I bought it to use offline, however in offline mode it only has about 10 languages you can download, none of which are the language I need. The app didn’t disclose this prior to purchase. So 3 stars for a good app I can use online but you lose 2 stars for being sneaky.
  19. [R12] 5/5 · US Great help: Translate very accurately
  20. [R10] 5/5 · US Complete and correct: Found this app to be useful both in speech and text.
  21. [R41] 5/5 · US Excellent Translator: Very fast and accurate!
  22. [R62] 5/5 · US Easy and accurate: The app is great. Very user friendly.
  23. [R9] 5/5 · US Fast and good for long conversations: I was skeptical at first, but having tried it with my Spanish-speaking loved one it makes life very easy in translating very complicated conversations in in a very efficient way
  24. [R32] 5/5 · US Great speaking translation app: Helped so much to be able to communicate in Korea! English <> Korean!
  25. [R29] 5/5 · US Intuitive: Very easy to use.
  26. [R46] 5/5 · US So easy to use: It does a great job of translating and very easy to use.
  27. [R105] 3/5 · US Review: This app is very easy to use and using it helps t learn prper Italian
  28. [R61] 5/5 · US Wonderful Help!: I’m teaching English to new learners and this is very helpful! It works quickly too.
  29. [R67] 5/5 · US Sorprendente: Fácil, práctico y rápido .
  30. [R377] 3/5 · GB Functions fine: I never trust the apps where u r encouraged to take out a free trial then make it really difficult to do that??? On the app the “manage subscription” link does NOTHING ! Beware !!!
  31. [R723] 3/5 · CA Payment: How do I cancel my trial
  32. [R13] 3/5 · US Long App Load Time: The app takes a very long time to load, which makes it difficult if you are trying to start or answer in a conversation
  33. [R7] 2/5 · US Good app once it loads: The app still takes a long time to load

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store