Google Cloud Translation
by Google Cloud
Pay as you go translation API from Google Cloud
Reviewed by the the30top research team · Last reviewed 2026-10-27
Overview
Cloud Translation offers Basic and Advanced editions, neural machine translation, custom models, LLM-based adaptive and text translation, glossaries, and batch and document translation through an API. Billing is per character with the first 500,000 characters a month free. It is a developer building block with no editor, review workflow or translation memory, so teams that want a managed localisation process need a separate platform on top.
Our verdict
A solid, transparent API for teams already on Google Cloud. It translates well at scale but leaves workflow, review and quality control to you.
Best for
Developers who need a scalable translation API inside their own product or pipeline.
Avoid if
You want a ready-made interface for translators and reviewers.
Pros
- Free monthly allowance of 500,000 characters
- Public per-character pricing
- Custom models and glossaries for domain terms
Cons
- Needs engineering effort to use
- No built-in review or editing workflow
- Costs scale with volume and are hard to forecast
Key capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Cloud Translation free?
The first 500,000 characters each month are free, applied as a monthly credit. Beyond that it is billed per character.
How much does Cloud Translation cost?
The pricing page lists neural machine translation at USD 20 per million characters above the free allowance, with custom models and LLM options priced separately.
Can it translate documents?
Yes. The Advanced edition supports document and batch translation through the API.