Comparison
Piou is not the only way to chat in another language. Here is what each option does, without exaggeration.
| Criterion | Piou | Google Translate | WhatsApp built-in translation | DeepL | Apple Translate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of tool | Messaging app (chats, groups, calls) with built-in translation | Translation app and website | Translation feature inside the WhatsApp messenger | Translator (website, apps, extensions) | Apple's translation app and translation built into the system |
| Translation of messages received in a chat | Automatic, with no action needed (Premium); the original stays available | Not built into a messenger: copy the text, then translate it ("Tap to Translate" on Android) | Long-press, then "Translate"; automatic translation of a whole chat on Android only | Not built into a messenger: copy and paste | Live Translation in Messages with Apple Intelligence (iOS 26 or later, compatible iPhone) |
| Where the translation is computed | On the recipient's device, never on our servers | Copied text is sent to Google for translation; offline, on the device with downloaded languages | On the device, according to WhatsApp | On DeepL's servers; with the free version, texts may be used to train its models (according to its privacy policy) | On the device (Apple models that run entirely on the device for Live Translation) |
| Works without a connection | Yes for translation and face-to-face mode, once languages are downloaded; sending and receiving messages requires a connection | Yes with downloaded languages; live speech translation offline only on Pixel 9, 10 and 11, for 10 pairs with English | Not specified in the official announcement | Not verified | Yes in the Translate app, with downloaded languages |
| Voice messages | Transcribed on the device, then translated (Premium); the original audio can still be played | Not applicable (not a messenger); speech translation in the app | Voice message transcription on the device (separate feature, limited languages); translation of these transcripts not mentioned | Not applicable (not a messenger) | Not verified |
| Calls with translation | Audio and video calls with translated subtitles on your device (Premium) | No calls; live speech translation in the app | Not mentioned in the official announcement | DeepL Voice for Meetings: translated subtitles in Teams, Zoom and Google Meet (separate subscription) | Live Translation in Phone and FaceTime, one-on-one calls, limited languages (Apple Intelligence) |
| Face-to-face conversation | Face-to-face mode: one phone placed between two people, translation shown and read aloud, offline once languages are downloaded (Premium) | Live speech translation in the app | Not applicable | DeepL Voice for Conversations (iOS, Android and web) | Yes, in-person conversations in the Translate app |
| Languages | 20 languages | Over 200 languages | Android: 6 languages; iPhone: 19 or more languages (announcement of September 23, 2025) | Over 100 languages (official API list) | 19 languages in the Translate app; fewer for Live Translation |
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 18 or later), Android, installable web app | Android, iPhone, web | Android and iPhone | Web, desktop, Android, iPhone, iPad | Apple devices only |
| Do both people need the same app? | Yes to chat (both on Piou); only the person who wants to read translations needs Premium; no for face-to-face mode | No, individual tool | Yes, both on WhatsApp; each person translates on their own side | No, individual tool | Not verified for Messages; no for the Translate app |
| Price | Free messaging; translation with Piou Premium: €4.90/month or €39/year in the euro area, 7-day free trial, price adapted to each country | No subscription mentioned in the official help | No cost mentioned in the official announcement | Limited free version (50,000 characters per month); DeepL Pro from €7.49/month billed annually (price shown for Germany) | Built into Apple devices |
- Comparison based on each publisher's official pages, checked on October 18, 2026; these features change often.
- "Not verified" means we did not find the information in an official source.
- Piou is not affiliated with any of these publishers; the brands mentioned belong to their owners.
- Piou's strength is automatic translation inside the conversation, done on the device; its limits: 20 languages, and both people need Piou to chat.
Updated on October 18, 2026