Linguin

What is Linguin?

Linguin is an instant translation app powered by Google Gemini AI. It translates text into 100+ languages in under a second, and works across Mac, iPhone, and as a browser extension for Chrome and Safari.

Unlike browser-based translators that require copy-pasting or switching tabs, Linguin lives in your menu bar on Mac or your iPhone share sheet, making translation part of your natural workflow. It is designed for people who work across languages daily.

Who is it for?

• Remote workers and freelancers communicating in multiple languages
• Language learners who want instant lookup while reading
• Travelers needing quick translation on iPhone
• Chrome or Safari users who want in-browser translation without Google Translate
• Mac power users who prefer a menu bar utility over a website

Key Features

• 100+ languages via Gemini AI: All major world languages supported with high-quality neural translation.
• Sub-second speed: Translations typically appear in 500-900ms, fast enough for conversational use.
• Multi-platform: Native iOS app, macOS app (menu bar), Chrome extension, and Safari extension. One account, all platforms.
• Dark mode: Full dark mode support across all platforms.
• No sign-up for casual use: 3 free daily translations without creating an account.

Pricing

Linguin offers 3 free translations per day without registration. Signing up unlocks a free tier with higher daily limits. A Pro subscription is available for unlimited translations. Pricing starts from a few dollars per month.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fast and accurate translations powered by Gemini AI
• Works on Mac, iPhone, Chrome, and Safari in one app
• No need to open a browser tab to translate
• Minimal, clean UI that stays out of your way
• Free tier available

Cons / Limitations

• Free tier limited to 3 translations/day without sign-up
• No Android version
• No document or image translation

Alternatives

Google Translate is the obvious comparison: free, powerful, but requires switching to a separate tab or app. DeepL offers higher quality for European languages but lacks native Mac/iOS integration. Linguin's advantage is native platform integration, making it faster to access in the middle of real work.