Naver Papago - AI Translator icon
Naver Papago AI Translator: Comprehensive Review of Features and Performance

by NAVER Corp.

4.7
IOSReference
Naver Papago offers real-time translation across 14 languages using AI technology. The app serves travelers, language learners, and professionals needing accurate translations with contextual understanding and multimodal input options.

Detailed Review

Naver Papago represents NAVER Corp.'s entry into the competitive translation app market, positioning itself as an AI-powered solution for multilingual communication. The application distinguishes itself through support for 14 languages including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese (both simplified and traditional), Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Russian, German, Italian, and Arabic, covering most major global languages. The core functionality centers around real-time text translation with contextual AI that analyzes sentence structure and meaning rather than word-for-word substitution. Additional features include voice translation for conversational use, image translation through optical character recognition, and a unique slide-over function that enables translation from other applications without switching screens. The handwriting recognition feature allows users to draw characters directly for translation, particularly useful for Asian languages with complex character systems. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with a clean interface prioritizing accessibility. The main translation screen presents minimal distractions while advanced features remain easily accessible through intuitive icons. Real-world usage patterns show particular strength in travel scenarios where users need quick menu translations, business meetings requiring real-time conversation translation, and academic contexts where precise language understanding is critical. The slide-over functionality, as demonstrated by user Burnt_journal on April 29, 2025, enables seamless translation from other applications like GoodNotes without interrupting workflow. User feedback consistently praises translation accuracy and practical features. Reviewer Did it papa (April 6, 2025) notes the app's effectiveness for international communication, while isnduajdns (February 16, 2025) highlights its value for Korean language beginners. Multiple reviews mention the superiority over other translation tools, with miomikasa (February 6, 2025) calling it 'the best translation app I have ever used.' Some users like Ñåø (April 8, 2025) express desire for more explanatory content about translation variations. The application demonstrates particular strength in Asian language pairs involving Korean, Japanese, and Chinese, leveraging NAVER's regional expertise. Limitations include occasional contextual misunderstandings in complex sentences and dependency on internet connectivity for full functionality. The app excels most for travel communication, language learning supplementation, and professional scenarios requiring quick, reliable translations rather than literary or highly technical translations where human nuance remains superior.

Key Features

  • Real-time text translation across 14 languages using contextual AI analysis for accurate meaning preservation
  • Image translation through OCR technology that extracts and translates text from photos or screenshots
  • Slide-over functionality enabling translation from other apps without switching between applications
  • Voice translation feature supporting conversational translation with speech recognition capabilities
  • Handwriting input allowing users to draw characters for translation, particularly effective for Asian languages
  • Phrasebook functionality containing common travel expressions and saved translation history for quick access

Why Users Love It

Superior Asian language accuracy
Innovative multimodal input options

Perfect for: Travelers, language students, and professionals needing multilingual communication

Screenshots

Naver Papago - AI Translator screenshot 1Naver Papago - AI Translator screenshot 2Naver Papago - AI Translator screenshot 3Naver Papago - AI Translator screenshot 4Naver Papago - AI Translator screenshot 5Naver Papago - AI Translator screenshot 6

User Reviews

ElGuapz
Sep 6, 2025

I’ve tried all of the main translating apps and this is easily the best one!! Thank you! Best App I’ve found I’ve tried all of the main translating apps and this is easily the best one!! Thank you!

Burnt_journal
Apr 29, 2025

I downloaded this app to try to translate a Chinese watercolor book I wanted to read. With this apps slide over feature I’m able to: have the Chinese book open in GoodNotes, circle the text I want to translate, “screenshot” the text, drag the screenshot over to the Naver window and translate! It allows me to drag a photo right into it and it translates in less than 15 seconds and replaces the Chinese with English, and it’s translating so well I’m having no problem reading/understanding it! Then I simply save the translated photo and add the photo back into my GoodNotes, and I basically am creating an English translation of the book page by page! HIGHLY recommend this app. No fuss, no sign in. It’s perfect. Thank you!! Perfect translator to help me read books! I downloaded this app to try to translate a Chinese watercolor book I wanted to read. With this apps slide over feature I’m able to: have the Chinese book open in GoodNotes, circle the text I want to translate, “screenshot” the text, drag the screenshot over to the Naver window and translate!It allows me to drag a photo right into it and it translates in less than 15 seconds and replaces the Chinese with English, and it’s translating so well I’m having no problem reading/understanding it!Then I simply save the translated photo and add the photo back into my GoodNotes, and I basically am creating an English translation of the book page by page! HIGHLY recommend this app. No fuss, no sign in. It’s perfect. Thank you!!

Ñåø
Apr 8, 2025

I like how it gives me straight answers that is simple and not outdated. Using this gives straight answers although I find it that I wish it could give a meaning why is there so many ways to say it. Overall good. So amazing I like how it gives me straight answers that is simple and not outdated. Using this gives straight answers although I find it that I wish it could give a meaning why is there so many ways to say it. Overall good.

Did it papa
Apr 6, 2025

I think Papago is really good . It helps me communicate on different county’s and around the world I think this is was a really good idea! I would totally recommend this app too more people who would need it. Thank you, Papago I think Papago is really good . It helps me communicate on different county’s and around the world I think this is was a really good idea! I would totally recommend this app too more people who would need it. Thank you,

JabberW
Jan 29, 2025

Great app but why do you have an age restriction for a translator app? Age restriction Great app but why do you have an age restriction for a translator app?

App Details

Developer

NAVER Corp.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

10/18/2025