5 Best PDF Readers with Translator in 2026

A good PDF reader with a translator should let you understand a foreign-language document without repeatedly copying text into another app. The right choice depends on whether you need to translate a selected sentence, a complete PDF, or a scanned document.

Quick answer: UPDF is the most complete option in this comparison because it combines PDF reading with selected-text translation, full-document translation with layout retention, and OCR-assisted translation for scanned PDFs. The alternatives below may suit users who only need lightweight selection translation or a browser-based tool.

Start with the comparison table, then use the detailed reviews to check platforms, translation workflow, OCR support, and important free-use limitations. If you are new to document viewers, see our guide on how to read a PDF.

Which PDF Reader with Translator Suits You Best?

Here are the 5 best PDF tools with translator capabilities! They all offer some excellent features, but choosing the right one can be difficult. But don't worry! Let's help you find the best one using the comparison below.

PDF Reader	Best for	Translation workflow	Whole PDF	Scanned PDF / OCR	Platforms
UPDF	Reading, translating, and editing in one workflow	Selected text, AI chat, pages, or full document	Yes, with layout retention	Yes, with OCR	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and online
SumatraPDF	Lightweight selection translation on Windows	Sends selected text to services such as Google or DeepL	No	No	Windows
PDF Book Translator	Side-by-side reading of long text-based PDFs	Extracts and translates PDF text	Yes	No built-in OCR	Windows
Foxit Reader	Users already working in the Foxit ecosystem	AI-assisted selected-text or document translation	Yes, subject to AI credits	Supported through Foxit AI/PDF Editor plans	Windows, macOS, mobile, and web
DeftPDF	Occasional browser-based translation	Upload and translate online	Yes	Limited; verify the source PDF first	Web

Quick Decision Guide:

• Choose UPDF for selected-text, page, and full-document translation, especially when you also need OCR, layout retention, annotation, or editing.
• Choose SumatraPDF for lightweight Windows reading and occasional translation of selected text through an external service.
• Choose PDF Book Translator for a simple side-by-side view of long, text-based PDFs on Windows.
• Choose Foxit if you already use its PDF ecosystem and accept the separate AI-credit terms.
• Choose DeftPDF for an occasional browser-based translation when installing software is not practical.

UPDF is the strongest all-round option here because it supports the most translation workflows without separating reading from the rest of the PDF task. You can translate, verify the result against the source, annotate important passages, and continue editing or converting the same document.

💡UPDF is the best all-rounder for students, researchers, and professionals who need accurate translation + full PDF editing + cross-platform support. Let's go through them one by one, starting with the UPDF.

5 Best PDF Reader with Translators

After reviewing the best PDF tools, we have carefully picked the ones with efficient translation features. These tools can help you simplify your reading process. You can also minimize the time spent switching to platforms like Google Translate to understand foreign languages.

Are you ready to handle your PDFs more productively? Let's explore the best tools for it below!

1. UPDF - Best PDF Reader with Translator on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Online

UPDF combines a full PDF reader with AI translation, so you can understand a document and keep working with it in the same app. Translate selected text while reading, ask AI to translate specific pages, or create a translated copy of the complete PDF while retaining its original layout. For image-based files, UPDF can first recognize the text with OCR and then translate it.

The short video below shows the reading and AI workflow in UPDF 2.5. You can use the desktop or mobile app when you want translation beside the original PDF, or open UPDF AI Online for a quick browser-based translation without installing software.

Now, let's explore the standout features of UPDF for reading and translating your PDFs.

Key Translation Features:

• Translate by Selection (Reader Mode): Highlight any text in the PDF and get an instant translation popup. No copy-paste needed.
• Translate with AI Chat: Ask UPDF AI to translate a passage or specified pages, then follow up to clarify terminology or context while the source PDF remains available beside the conversation.
• Translate Scanned PDFs: Built-in OCR recognizes text in image-based PDFs, then translates the extracted text.
• Full-PDF Translation with Layout Retention: Translate the complete document and download a translated PDF that retains the original structure, including tables, images, and multi-column layouts.
• Explain Translations: Ask UPDF AI to explain complex terms or context, not just translate them.

Other Reading Features:

• Single/double page view, slideshow mode, bookmarks, annotations, and highlights
• Read-aloud mode (iOS) and dual-screen comparison (iPad)
• Cross-platform sync via UPDF Cloud

Let's move ahead now and discover some pros and cons of using UPDF.

If you regularly read research papers, contracts, manuals, or reports in another language, UPDF reduces the need to switch between a reader, OCR tool, translator, and editor. Download it below to try the workflow for free, or review UPDF pricing when you need higher AI limits and the complete PDF toolkit.

2. SumatraPDF - The Free PDF Reader with Google Translate

SumatraPDF is a free, open-source PDF reader for Windows. It can send selected text to services such as Google Translate or DeepL from its Selection menu, but the translation relies on the chosen external service rather than a full-document translation engine inside the reader.

How Translation Works:

• Select any text in the PDF
• Right-click and choose "Translate with Google Translate" (or DeepL)
• Your browser opens with the translated text automatically

Let's dive deeper into the key features of this PDF reader with Google Translate!

Key Features:

1. Translate from Selection: Sumatra lets you translate PDFs from selected text. You can find the translation option from the right-click context menu.
2. Online Translation: Sumatra does not have a built-in translation feature. But it lets you automatically open your browser to use Google Translate and DeepL.
3. Extensive Language Support: You can translate from over 175 languages with online Google translation support.

Now let's look at the pros and cons of using SumatraPDF

Let's move forward and explore the following tool to read and translate PDFs.

3. PDF Book Translator - Simple PDF Book Reader with Translator

PDF Book Translator is a Windows app designed for reading and translating entire PDF documents — especially ebooks and long reports — with a single click. It extracts all text from the PDF, translates it, and displays the original and translated versions in a split view.

Here are the essential PDF reading and translating features it has to offer.

PDF Reading Features:

1. Line Focus: It highlights a selected number of lines to help you read with more focus. You can choose to focus on single, double, and triple lines at a time.
2. Page Themes: Change the background colors of your PDF with 23 color themes. Choose from bright hues to sleek black and white.
3. Zoom Display: You can zoom in and out of the page to read through areas with smaller text and images.
4. Personalize Text: It lets you change the text size, spacing and style to enhance your reading.

Translating Features:

1. Automatic Translations: It translates text and entire PDF documents automatically. No need to search for a translation option!
2. Translate Specific Text: You can select a particular part of the text and get instant translation. No manual navigation is involved.
3. Translate Whole PDFs: It extracts all the PDF text once uploaded and translates the entire document to another language.
4. Edit the Translation: The cool thing is the ability to edit and rewrite the translation as required.

Now, let's move on to our next PDF reader!

4. Foxit Reader - The PDF Reader with Translation Feature

Foxit PDF Reader offers AI-assisted translation for selected text, while broader document translation and scanned-file support depend on Foxit AI/PDF Editor access. Foxit provides a limited monthly AI allowance, and higher usage requires a separately priced AI plan, so users should check current credits before choosing it for frequent translation.

Let's review its main features before discussing its pros and cons.

PDF Reading Features:

1. PDF View Options: Personalize the layout to text-only view, rotate view, read view, and auto-scroll mode.
2. Read Aloud: You can select a part of the text to get read out loud by a robotic voice.
3. Zooming the Page: It lets you zoom in on the page up to 6400% for enhanced reading. You can also hyper-zoom out using your mouse.
4. Night Mode: It offers a night mode that turns your PDF background dark grey. It lets you read PDFs easily in areas with low light levels.
5. Add Bookmarks: You can add bookmarks for specific pages to easily find them later.

Translating Features:

1. Translate from Text: You can select a specific text for translation. Just choose a language and send the text to the AI assistant. It will convert the text into your preferred language.
2. Translate Entire Document: You can select a specific page range or all the document pages for translation.

Now let's find out the pros and cons of this PDF reader.

Warning: Foxit's AI translation sends your document text to Foxit's cloud servers. Do not use it for highly confidential documents unless you have verified your organization's data compliance policy.

5. DeftPDF - The Best Online PDF Reader with Translator

DeftPDF is a browser-based PDF tool that translates entire documents without requiring any software installation. You upload a PDF, select the target language, and download the translated file — all within your web browser.

PDF Reading Features:

1. Write New Text: You can take notes by writing the text directly over your PDFs.
2. Annotation Tools: It lets you strikethrough, highlight, and underline. You can also use a free drawing tool for unlimited creativity.

Translating Features:

1. Translate PDF Entirely: You can translate an entire PDF document to a different language in a few clicks.
2. Automatic PDF Translation: DepftPDF automatically analyzes and translates the document after uploading the file. You can then save the document for free.
3. Choose the Language Type: You can choose from a wide range of languages for translating your text.

Now, let's look at the lowdowns of using DeftPDF.

Because DeftPDF is browser-based, review its privacy policy before uploading contracts, medical records, or other confidential documents. The same caution applies to any AI translation service: confirm the provider's data-handling terms and remove sensitive information when appropriate.

That's all about the best PDF readers with translation capabilities!

FAQ: PDF Reader with Translator

Final Thoughts

The best PDF reader with translator depends on how you work. If you only need to translate a word or sentence while reading, SumatraPDF or Foxit Reader handle it for free. If you read entire foreign-language books or reports, PDF Book Translator's split view is ideal. For quick one-off translations without installing anything, DeftPDF works in any browser.

If you regularly work with foreign-language PDFs—especially scanned documents, contracts, manuals, or research papers—UPDF provides the most complete workflow in this list. It handles selected text, specific pages, and full-document translation, supports OCR for scanned files, and lets you verify, annotate, edit, or convert the result without rebuilding your workflow in another app.