Why Linguist?

June 7, 2026 · View on GitHub

Linguist is a powerful browser extension built to replace commercial translation services — private, fast, and under your control.

Translate web pages, highlighted text, subtitles (including Netflix), and private messages; hear translations via TTS; and save entries to a personal dictionary. Supports 130 languages.

Why Linguist?

Linguist is a standalone translation system — not a thin wrapper around a commercial widget. Translate privately and offline on your device, or plug in any backend you choose (including your own; see Custom translators). See a custom translators list for popular bindings.

Linguist is free, open-source, and collects no personal data.

Features

Most important features

  • Modular translators system
    • You can use any translation service like Google, Yandex, Bing, DeepL, ChatGPT, etc.
    • Custom translators: you can use your own translator module
    • Offline translation. With embedded Bergamot translator, you can translate texts right on your device. Keep your privacy
  • All-in-one translation solution
    • Full-page translation with flexible auto-translation configuration
    • Highlighted text translation
    • Translate any text input
  • Dictionary with saved translations
  • Translations history, to remember recently translated words
  • Text-to-speech (TTS)

Installation

Get the addon for your browser:

If you have another browser, check out the GitHub Releases page. Download the package and install it manually in development mode.

Android

This addon can be used on mobile browsers with Firefox Nightly (Recommended), or with any chromium browser that supports extensions.

To try it on Firefox, you have to add the Linguist add-on to a custom add-on collection and use this collection to install the extension.

To try it on a chromium browser, download the normal extension for Chrome.

Screenshots

See more info on https://linguister.io

Development

See development docs to get info on how to build and debug.

Contribute to Linguist: file issues, suggest features, and submit pull requests. See the "help wanted" label for high-impact tasks.

Donations

Linguist is free, open-source, and collects no user data. If you rely on Linguist, back its independence and development.

How you can support:

  • Star the repository to increase visibility and attract contributors
  • File issues and suggest improvements: new issue
  • Help translate the UI (see the internationalization guide) and send a pull request
  • Contribute artwork or UX design
  • Reproduce and test unconfirmed bug reports: recheck
  • Fix bugs or implement features (TypeScript experience helpful)

Donate to vote with your money: prioritize fixes, commission features, or speed up important work. After donating, send transaction details and the issue/feature reference to support@linguister.io or add them in the issue comments. For significant donations, we will begin work on your request immediately.

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Supporters