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Read Frog

An open-source AI extension that translates web pages and helps you learn languages.

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

Add to Chrome Open source · Chrome Web Store · Source on GitHub

Why it's a strong pick

Read Frog lets you choose the engine behind your translations. It supports 20+ AI providers, plus Google Translate, Microsoft Translate and DeepLX. It is open source under GPLv3, and its code is public on GitHub. It uses Manifest V3. The repo's latest release, v1.49.3, is dated 2026-10-01.

What it does

The README calls it "an open-source AI-powered language learning extension for browsers." It supports immersive translation, which shows the translation next to the original text, and article analysis. You can also use translation-only view. A toolbar translates text you select on a page.

Key features

  • Bilingual or translation-only view. Read the original and the translation together, or the translation alone.
  • Selection translation. A toolbar translates the text you select.
  • Context-aware translation. It sends the page title and a short Markdown version of the page to the AI, for better context.
  • YouTube subtitle translation. Translate subtitles on YouTube videos.
  • Text-to-speech. It uses Edge TTS.
  • Many providers. OpenAI, DeepSeek, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Mistral, Ollama and others, with custom endpoints and API keys.
  • Request batching. It groups requests.

Who it's for

Read Frog is for language learners and heavy readers of foreign-language pages. It suits you if you want an open-source tool and you are happy to set up your own AI provider. If you want a translator that works with no setup, look at the other picks in this category.

Do I need my own API key?

For AI providers, yes. The README says you configure custom endpoints and API keys, so you bring your own key, and the provider may charge you. The README also lists Google Translate, Microsoft Translate and DeepLX as free translation options. Check each provider's terms yourself.

Where does my page text go?

To the provider you pick. Text you translate is sent to that translation or AI provider. In context-aware mode, it also sends the page title and a Markdown version of the page. The README lists Ollama as a provider. If you want text kept on your own machine, that is the option to look into.

What permissions does Read Frog ask for?

The repo's build config lists storage, unlimitedStorage, tabs, alarms, cookies, contextMenus, identity, scripting and webNavigation. Non-Firefox builds add offscreen and sidePanel. It also asks for access to all sites. This list comes from the repo's config, not a built manifest, so check the install prompt too.

What about privacy?

The README does not state a telemetry position, and neither do we. It does say your text goes to the provider you choose, so your choice of provider decides who sees what you translate. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing, along with your provider's own policy.

FAQ

Is it open source? Yes. The extension is under GPLv3. The README says it is dual-licensed under GPLv3 and a commercial license.

Which translators does it support? 20+ AI providers, plus Google Translate, Microsoft Translate and DeepLX.

Does it translate YouTube subtitles? Yes, per the README.

Good to know

Translation quality and cost depend on the provider you connect. Start with one of the listed free options to see how it works, then try an AI provider on a short page. The project moves fast, with releases several times a week, so features and menus may change.

Other translation tools to compare

Read Frog 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.
  • 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.

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.