KISS Translator icon

KISS Translator

An open-source extension that shows translations beside the original text on any page.

Reviewed by Xplorekit's independent developer · Last checked · How we choose

Add to Chrome Open source · Chrome Web Store · Source

Why it's a strong pick

KISS Translator gives you a side-by-side view and your choice of engine. It is open source under GPL-3.0, and its code is public on GitHub. It uses Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension format. Its latest release, v2.1.0, came on 24 September 2026.

What it does

The README calls it a simple, open-source bilingual translation extension and userscript. It translates whole pages next to the original text. It also translates selected text, input boxes and YouTube subtitles. You pick the engine that does the work, from online services to AI models.

Key features

  • Bilingual pages. Read the translation beside the original.
  • Many engines. Google, Microsoft, Tencent, Volcengine, DeepL, Azure AI and Cloudflare AI.
  • AI models. OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, Ollama, DeepSeek and OpenRouter, plus Chrome's built-in AI translation.
  • Other uses. Translate selections, input boxes and YouTube subtitles.
  • Rules and sync. Custom rules, rule subscriptions, and sync through WebDAV or KISS-Worker.
  • Shortcuts. Alt+Q translates, Alt+D opens a separate window, Alt+K opens settings.

Who it's for

KISS Translator is for people who read a lot of foreign-language pages and want a side-by-side view with a choice of engine. That includes people who want to use their own AI service or a local Ollama.

What permissions does KISS Translator ask for?

The manifest lists storage, tts, contextMenus, scripting, declarativeNetRequest and declarativeNetRequestWithHostAccess. It asks for access to all sites, and its content script runs on all pages and file URLs. That is broad, as it must read pages to translate them. Check the install prompt.

Where does my text go when I translate?

To the engine you choose. We did not find a privacy statement from the developer, and our inference is that online engines receive the text you translate. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing.

Does KISS Translator work offline?

Not by default. The engines in the README are online services. The exceptions are Ollama and Chrome's built-in AI translation, which you set up yourself. We did not test those setups, so we cannot say how well they work. If you need translation with no connection, check how each of those two options is configured before you rely on it.

How is it different from Yomitan?

They do different jobs. KISS Translator translates whole pages and passages. Yomitan is a pop-up dictionary for learners, and it looks up words as you read. Choose by the task: translate a page with KISS Translator, or look up words while you read with Yomitan. Yomitan has its own page in this guide.

FAQ

Is it open source? Yes, under GPL-3.0.

Does it use Manifest V3? Yes.

Is there an English README? Yes, README.en.md, though the project is Chinese-first.

Good to know

First setup can feel busy, because there are many engines and settings. Pick one engine, translate one page, and change settings after that. The project documentation is mostly Chinese-first.

Other translation tools to compare

KISS Translator 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.
  • DeepL: DeepL's own browser extension. Free for selected text, with full-page translation on the paid Pro plan.
  • 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: Translate selected or typed text on any page with Google Translate or the DeepL API. Open source.
  • 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.
  • Yomitan: A pop-up dictionary for language learners. You import the dictionaries yourself. Open source.

This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.