Why it's a strong pick

Mate Translate mixes translation, a dictionary and a phrasebook in one extension. It comes from Gikken, a Berlin company named on the store listing, which also makes Mate Translate apps for macOS and iOS. It covers many languages. The trade-off is data: Mate's own privacy policy says it collects the URLs you visit.

What it does

Double-click or select text and Mate shows a translation. Mate's Chrome page also describes translating web pages and PDFs, and translating Netflix subtitles. A dictionary is included, and a phrasebook that syncs across devices. Mate says it uses Google Translate and Bing Translator for some languages, so the text you translate may be passed on to those services.

Key features

Double-click or select to translate. Select text and the translation appears.
Web pages and PDFs. Mate's Chrome page describes translating web pages and PDF files.
Netflix subtitles. Mate's Chrome page lists subtitle translation on Netflix.
Dictionary. Look up the meaning of a word, not just a translation.
Phrasebook. Mate says the phrasebook syncs across devices.
Many languages. The store listing and Mate's own site give different language counts, so we state neither.
Other browsers and apps. Mate also offers Firefox, Edge, Opera and Safari versions, plus macOS and iOS apps.

Who it's for

Mate Translate suits people who like double-click lookups, want a dictionary beside the translator and use more than one device. It can fit language learners who save phrases. If the URL collection is a problem for you, skip it. Compare DeepL and Google Translate as well.

What does Mate Translate say it collects?

Mate's privacy policy says it collects the URLs you visit and the URL you visited just before, with the time and date. It may also ask permission to access all visited pages so it can insert translation scripts, and it uses analytics services. That is Mate's own description. Read the full policy at gikken.co before you install.

Is Mate Translate free?

The extension is free to install. Mate also has a paid tier. We do not list prices or the tier name, since they differ by app and change. Check Mate's Chrome page for the current plan. You may also need an account for the synced phrasebook, but we could not confirm that.

Where does the text you translate go?

The text goes to a translation service. Mate's policy says it uses Google Translate and Bing Translator, which it describes as anonymous, for some languages. So your text leaves your device. Do not translate sensitive text, such as legal, medical or financial details, unless you have read Mate's policy and the policies of those services.

What permissions does it ask for?

We could not find a published permission list. Mate's own policy says it may ask for access to all pages you visit to insert translation scripts, so expect a broad request. Check the install prompt for the current list before you install, since permissions can change between releases.

FAQ

Who makes Mate Translate? Gikken, listed on the store as based in Berlin.

Does it work on other browsers? Mate lists versions for Firefox, Edge and Opera, and apps for macOS, iOS and Safari.

Does it translate whole web pages? Mate's Chrome page says it translates web pages. Test it on a harmless page first.

Good to know

Because Mate's policy says it collects visited URLs, avoid using it on pages with private addresses or tokens in the link, such as account pages and shared documents. If that is a worry, turn it off on those sites or choose another tool. Read the policy first either way.

Other translation tools to compare

Mate Translate 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.
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.