Why it's a strong pick

DeepL is a translation service first and an extension second. The extension is made by DeepL itself, so you are not trusting a third-party wrapper. It also works in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. The trade-off is the plan split: on the free tier you translate selected text, and instant full-page translation needs Pro. Also, text you translate goes to DeepL's servers.

What it does

The extension puts DeepL's translator inside your browser. On the free tier, you select text on a page and click the DeepL icon. A small window opens, and you can move it around. DeepL says Pro adds instant full-page translation and translating as you read and write, with formality settings. You need to log in with your DeepL account to use your plan's benefits.

Key features

Selected text translation. Select text, click the DeepL icon and read the result in a small movable window. DeepL lists this as a free feature.
Full-page translation on Pro. DeepL says instant full-page translation is part of the Pro plan.
Translate as you write. DeepL says Pro lets you translate text as you write, with formality settings.
Screenshot translation. On Chrome and Edge, DeepL says you can capture text from an image with OCR and see it in the sidebar.
Works with popular sites. DeepL's help pages list integrations such as Gmail, Google Docs, X, WhatsApp Web, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Three browsers. The extension is available for Chrome, Edge and Firefox.

Who it's for

DeepL suits people who already use DeepL, or who translate short passages and want a result from a dedicated translation service. It fits well if you only need selected text on the free tier. If you want whole pages translated at once, plan for Pro or look at TWP or Immersive Translate. For a side-by-side view of your own text, try the same passage in two tools.

Is DeepL's extension free?

The extension is free to install, and DeepL has a free tier and a paid Pro plan. On the free tier you translate selected text. DeepL says full-page translation and translating as you write are Pro features. We do not print prices because they change. Check DeepL's Pro page for the current plan details.

Do you need a DeepL account?

DeepL's help pages say you log in with your DeepL account in the extension to use your plan. You can log in with an email and password, or with single sign-on. We could not confirm whether free text translation works without logging in. Open the extension after install and see what it asks for.

What does DeepL do with the text you translate?

The text you translate is sent to DeepL. DeepL says Pro texts are not stored permanently and are deleted after translation, and that the free version does not get that protection. Its terms say not to use the free version for personal data. Read DeepL's data security page before you translate anything private.

What permissions does DeepL ask for?

We could not find a published permission list for the extension. A translator that works on pages usually needs access to the sites you use it on, so expect a broad prompt. Check the install prompt for the current list before you install, since permissions can change between releases.

FAQ

Does DeepL translate whole pages? Yes, on the Pro plan. DeepL says instant full-page translation is a Pro feature. The free tier translates selected text.

Which browsers does it support? Chrome, Edge and Firefox, according to DeepL.

Is it the same as DeepL Write? DeepL Write is a separate DeepL product. The extension's writing feature, per DeepL, is translating as you write with formality settings.

Good to know

Do not translate contracts, medical notes, passwords or other sensitive text with any translation extension unless you have read the vendor's policy. On DeepL's free tier, its own terms advise against personal data. Test the extension on a harmless paragraph first and see whether the plan you have does what you need.

Other translation tools to compare

DeepL is one of 11 picks in our translation tools guide:

Google Translate: Google's own extension for translating selected text in a popup. Whole-page translation is built into Chrome now.
Immersive Translate: Bilingual translation for web pages, PDFs and video subtitles. The original text stays next to the translation.
OpenL Translate: One extension for selected text, bilingual web pages, a sidebar for longer text and image translation. Free plan with daily limits.
TWP - Translate Web Pages: An open-source, free page translator from an individual developer. It translates pages in place with the engine you pick.
Mate Translate: A translator and dictionary in one extension, from Gikken. Free to install, with a paid tier.
Simple Translate: An open-source extension that translates the text you select or type, without leaving the page.
Read Frog: Open-source AI page translator that works with the providers you connect using your own API keys.
XTranslate: Translate words, selections and full pages with Google, Bing or an AI provider you add with your own API key.
KISS Translator: Shows translations beside the original text on any page, with many engines to choose from. Open source.
Yomitan: A pop-up dictionary for language learners. You import the dictionaries yourself. Open source.