Google Translate suits quick, free translation of words, websites, signs through your camera and short documents, in a huge range of languages. DeepL suits businesses translating documents and client-facing text, with glossaries to keep terms consistent and a promise that paid users' text is never used to train its models. For everyday lookups use Google Translate; for business documents you'll send out, use DeepL.
Both translate text and documents well, and both now run on AI. The difference shows up in file limits, formatting and what happens to your text. I read DeepL's translator and plans pages and Google Translate's help centre.
DeepL and Google Translate side by side
| DeepL | Google Translate | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free version, 1 file translation a month | Free |
| What it handles | Text, files and speech | Pasted text up to 5,000 characters at a time |
| Documents | PDF, Word and PowerPoint, formatting kept | .docx, .pdf, .pptx, .xlsx up to 10 MB |
| Consistency | Glossaries and Rules | Not covered on the pages I read |
| Business privacy | Paid text never used to train models | Not covered on the pages I read |
| On the go | Desktop app, browser extension, mobile | Camera translation, app works offline |
The limits that matter for documents
Google's help centre says you can translate documents up to 10 MB in .docx, .pdf, .pptx and .xlsx, and paste up to 5,000 characters at a time. It adds a catch: text inside images and scanned PDF pages appears in the output but isn't translated. So a scanned contract or a brochure full of images will come back half done.
DeepL's plans page lists file translations by plan: one a month on the free version, then 3, 20 or 100 for each user on its paid plans, with files up to 30 MB. It translates PDF, Word and PowerPoint files while keeping the original formatting, which saves hours of fixing layouts.
What happens to your text
For business use, this is often the deciding point. DeepL says text from its Pro subscribers is stored only as long as needed to provide the service, then deleted, and is never used to train its AI models. It also lists ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certification. If you translate client contracts, HR documents or anything confidential, read your tool's data terms before you paste.
A simple way to use both
- Quick lookups, menus, signs and travel: Google Translate's free app and camera.
- Reading a foreign website: Google Translate's website option where it's available.
- Client documents, proposals and contracts: DeepL with a glossary of your terms.
- Anything published: a native speaker's final read, whichever tool you use.
My roundup of AI translators covers more options, and this guide to business translation mistakes shows what to check before you publish.
Keeping your terms consistent
If your business has product names, service names or phrases that must never be translated loosely, consistency matters more than raw accuracy. DeepL's translator includes Glossaries and Rules on its paid plans, so your terms come out the same way every time, and its base paid plan includes one glossary. Google Translate's help centre focuses on quick lookups instead: for selected languages you can check definitions, examples and other translations for a result. Build a short glossary of your key terms before your first big document, and you'll save hours of corrections later.
My advice on DeepL or Google Translate
Use Google Translate freely for understanding things. Use DeepL when the translation will carry your name: set up a glossary for your product and service terms, keep document formatting, and choose a paid plan if your text is confidential. Then ask a fluent reader to check anything important before it goes out.
Do you make translation or AI writing tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is DeepL free?
DeepL has a free version, which includes one file translation a month. Paid plans add more file translations and data protections.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
How much text can Google Translate handle?
Google says you can translate up to 5,000 characters at a time when you paste text, and documents up to 10 MB.
Can Google Translate handle scanned PDFs?
No. Google's help says text in images and scanned PDF pages appears in the output but isn't translated.
Does DeepL use my text to train its AI?
DeepL says Pro subscribers' text is never used to train its models and is deleted after processing.
Which keeps document formatting?
DeepL says it translates PDF, Word and PowerPoint files while keeping the original formatting and layout.
Can Google Translate work offline?
Yes. Google says you can download the app to translate with no internet connection.
Which files does Google Translate accept?
Google lists .docx, .pdf, .pptx and .xlsx files up to 10 MB.
How large can DeepL files be?
DeepL's paid plans list files up to 30 MB.
