Comparison
Oralingo vs WhatsApp and Telegram translation
WhatsApp and Telegram have added translate buttons to apps built for people who share a language. Oralingo is built for people who don't. Here is what that means in practice.
The short answer
If you mostly share a language with someone and only need the odd message translated, the translate option in the app you already use may be enough. If every message needs translating, in both directions, and you want to send voice messages and make calls across the language barrier, Oralingo is made for that.
Side by side
| Oralingo | Telegram | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| How translation starts | Automatically, for every message, as soon as each person has picked their language | Long-press a message and tap Translate. Automatic translation of a whole chat started on Android | Tap Translate on a message for free. Translating whole chats automatically needs Telegram Premium |
| What gets translated | Text messages, voice messages and live call captions | Text messages | Text messages |
| Voice and video calls | Live translated captions while you hear the real voice | No call translation | No call translation |
| Languages | 100+ | Launched in 2025 with 6 languages on Android and 19 on iPhone | Many languages |
| End-to-end encryption | No. Messages are encrypted in transit and when stored, but translation happens on our servers | Yes. WhatsApp translates on your phone, so chats stay end-to-end encrypted | Only in Secret Chats, which are not the default |
When WhatsApp or Telegram is the better choice
- You share a language most of the time and translation is an occasional extra.
- You need group chats. Oralingo is built for one-to-one conversations.
- End-to-end encryption is a requirement. WhatsApp keeps it with translation switched on; Oralingo does not offer it, because it translates on the server.
When Oralingo is the better choice
- You don't share a language. Every message needs translating, both ways, and neither of you should have to remember to press a button.
- You would rather talk than type. Send voice messages, or use hands-free voice mode, and the other person reads or hears them in their language.
- You want to call. Voice and video calls show what the other person says as live captions in your language.
- The other person isn't technical. They pick their language once when they sign up, and that's it.
Can I use both?
Yes. Plenty of people keep WhatsApp for friends who speak their language and use Oralingo for the conversations where language is the barrier. Send the other person an invite link from the Oralingo app to get started. More answers in the FAQ.
The details about WhatsApp and Telegram come from their own announcements and help pages, as of September 2026. Both apps change often, so check their current features too. Some phones, such as recent Samsung Galaxy models, can add live translation to calls in any app at the system level; that is a feature of the phone, not of WhatsApp or Telegram.
Try Oralingo for free
Download the app, pick your language, and start your first translated conversation in a minute.
