Crowdin
Localization & translation management platform for apps, websites and docs
LibreTranslate
Self-hosted free API for high-quality machine translation
LibreTranslate offers a free, self-hosted translation API powered by Argos Translate, enabling offline, privacy-focused language conversion without reliance on proprietary services.
Overview
Highlights
Self-hosted, no external API calls
Supports multiple languages via Argos Translate
RESTful API with simple endpoints
One-click Docker deployment
Pros
- No vendor lock-in or usage fees
- Data never leaves your infrastructure
- Free under AGPL-3.0
- Quick Docker setup
Considerations
- Language coverage smaller than commercial services
- Performance depends on host hardware
- Requires you to maintain the server
- AGPL license may restrict proprietary redistribution
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Fit guide
Great for
- Developers needing on-premise translation
- Organizations with strict data‑privacy policies
- Teams looking for a cost‑free solution
- Projects that require offline language processing
Not ideal when
- Enterprises demanding massive, globally distributed scaling
- Use cases requiring rare or niche language pairs
- Teams preferring a fully managed cloud service
- Organizations unable to manage server infrastructure
How teams use it
Website localization
Translate site content on demand while keeping all data in‑house.
Chatbot multilingual support
Provide real-time translation for user messages without external API calls.
Document batch translation
Process large text files offline, ensuring confidentiality and speed.
Mobile app language fallback
Serve translated strings from a self-hosted endpoint, reducing latency.
Tech snapshot
Python74%
HTML11%
Dockerfile6%
CSS6%
Shell1%
Batchfile1%
Frequently asked questions
How do I install LibreTranslate?
You can run it via Docker with a single command or install the Python package and start the server manually.
Which languages are supported?
LibreTranslate supports the languages provided by the underlying Argos Translate models; the list grows as new models are added.
Does the service require an internet connection?
No. Once installed, it runs entirely offline, making it suitable for private environments.
Can I use LibreTranslate in a commercial product?
Yes, under the AGPL-3.0 license, but you must comply with its terms, including providing source code for modifications.
Is there a managed cloud version?
LibreTranslate is self‑hosted; there is no official managed cloud offering, though third parties may provide hosted instances.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 13,574
- Watchers
- 13,574
- Forks
- 1,407
LicenseAGPL-3.0
Repo age5 years old
Last commit3 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languagePython
Last synced 3 hours ago