Google or Bing: which is the best translator?

Anyone who browses the Internet has certainly come across a page or text in a language they don't know. It is at these times that one uses the best translation apps, among which are Google and Bing.

Read on to check out our comparison between the two to see which is best for you!

1. What are they?

The first step in a comparison between two products involves an understanding of what they are and this is also valid when comparing the two translation services, the first offered by Google and the second by Microsoft, which is called Bing.

Google translator

Google Translate is a free, multi-language neural network translation service made by Google. It is used to translate websites, texts, audio recordings, documents, images and more between two languages.

It has a web version, which can be used in any of the best internet browsers and translation applications for smartphones, whether Android or iPhone.

Today, it supports 109 different languages ​​at various capacity levels, with over 500 million users and over 100 billion words translated each day.

It was launched in 2006 and used documents and transcripts from the European Parliament and the United Nations to gather linguistic data. Initially, I translated everything into English before the target language, so the translations were not very good.

However, it has been updated so that it translates directly between the two languages ​​in most cases. Another evolution that occurred in 2016 was the fact that it started to translate entire sentences, unlike the original mechanisms that translated word for word.

Bing Translation

Also known as Microsoft Translator, Bing Translator is one of the best known and best alternatives to Google Translate, developed by Microsoft. It is completely free and, as a great benefit, it integrates with several of the company's services.

As in the case of the competitor, it has web versions, which can be used in any browser, and applications for your smartphone, be it an Android or an iPhone.

Also using neural networks for its translation, it has support for only 73 languages, compared to 109 for Google Translate, translating texts, websites, recordings and more.

The quality of the translation is comparable to that of the competitor, even surpassing him on several occasions.

2. What do they offer?

Bearing in mind the history of both Bing and Google Translate, we will now compare the features offered, listing first what Google offers and then what Bing has in response.

Google translator

Google's translation service can translate several different forms of text and media, including written text, speech and even text in images. In several of the language pairs, it is even possible to see words and phrases that correspond between the source and target texts.

In addition, it shows dictionary information with word-by-word translations. In the web interface, users can suggest alternative translations, including technical terms or correcting errors, possibly included in updates.

Many of the most common languages ​​offer translation audio, so you can know exactly how the pronunciation is. Unfortunately, it is not always real audio, with cases in which it is generated robotically.

It also has an extension for Chrome that makes it even easier to translate your texts and pages in languages ​​you don't know.

Below, you can find a list of all Google Translate features and tools:

• Translation of texts: At Google, as well as Bing Translator, it is possible to translate 109 languages ​​by typing words or texts;
• Website translation: Allows the translation of an entire page into a target language;
• Document translation: Translates documents that the user uploads, which can be in any of the following formats: .doc, .docx, .odf, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .ps, .rtf, .txt, .xls, .xlsx ;
• Speech translation: You can record audios both on your computer and in your applications so that they can be fully translated;
• Translation within apps: Allows translation by touch within other apps, so that you can translate a section of a book or page without having to switch to the Google Translate app;
• Handwriting: It is possible to write by hand what you want to translate, either through the touchscreen of your smartphone or on the virtual keyboard, with the mouse;
• Conversations: If you travel somewhere that doesn't know the language, you can count on Google Translate, as it translates conversations dynamically;
• Photos: Take photos or import them from your gallery to translate your texts;
• Translator camera: Translate from your camera, without having to take a picture;
• Offline: On your smartphone, you can download languages ​​to access them offline;
• List of phrases: Star and save words and phrases for easier access to them in the future;
• Synchronization between devices: When you log in, you will have access to your Phrase List on any platform.

Bing Translation

Bing Translator is a translation service comparable to Google Translate. It is integrated with many Microsoft products and services, making it very attractive for those who use Windows exclusively.

It is a cloud-based service and is free for those who do translations with less volume, having several paid plans for those who demand more bandwidth.

Below are listed all the features offered by this service:

• Translation of texts: It allows the translation of texts written in more than 60 languages, both online and offline;
• Camera translation: Translates directly from your camera, so that foreign signs and signs are always understood;
• Voice translation: Translate what you speak into a target language, being able to do this for two people at the same time;
• Conversation translation: Here, Bing is superior to Google. It allows up to 100 people to talk simultaneously, translating what they say in multiple languages;
• Phrase book: With pronunciation guides and complete phrases to use when traveling, the Phrase Book is very useful;
• Offline: Allows you to download the languages ​​offered to be able to translate when you do not have access to the internet;
• Listen to translations: On Bing, as on Google, you can hear the translation results, to know how to pronounce;
• Sharing translations: It is possible to share what you have translated with other apps, to send to friends;
• Translation within other apps: Translate excerpts of texts you are reading without having to switch to the translator.

Did you like our comparison between Google or Bing?

Leave in the comments if you knew both and which is your favorite, saying if we help you choose one or the other. Don't forget to also check out the best translation apps for Android and the best extensions for Google Chrome!