What ITransBook Does

ITransBook is a Windows desktop translation and AI assistant that combines text translation, document translation, and multi-model AI chat in one application. It is aimed at anyone regularly working with multiple languages, especially users who want to compare translation engines or use services such as OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, and local AI models without keeping a dozen browser tabs open. There is a free version, while paid plans unlock unlimited file translation and other features.

ITransBook handles regular text translation, translates complete documents while attempting to preserve their original formatting, and provides an AI chat interface that can work with several different models. It supports cloud services using your own API keys, ITransBook credits, or local AI models if you would rather keep processing on your own computer.

The ability to compare results is one of its better ideas. Instead of accepting whatever one translation engine spits out, you can compare results from Google, DeepL, OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, LocalAI, and other supported services.

Why Someone Would Use This Tool

Though there is a normal chat option, the obvious audience is anyone who translates more than the occasional sentence.

Copying paragraphs into a web translator is tedious, and converting the document first can mess up tables, fonts, and images. With ITransBook, you can enter the text into the program, choose how you want it translated, and let it process the file while retaining the document structure.

That drag-and-drop workflow was one of the things we really were looking forward to, but that is behind a paywall. Please include at least a sample of that feature in the free version, as it is very handy for those looking for a product like this.

It is also handy when wording matters. A DeepL translation might read more naturally while Google or an AI model interprets a technical phrase differently. Having several versions sitting next to each other makes those differences much easier to spot.

Multi-Model AI Chat Is More Interesting Than It First Appears

ITransBook also includes an AI chat interface supporting OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, LocalAI, and other compatible services.

You can use different models in the same application and compare their answers. That is useful if you already find yourself asking the same technical or research question to two or three AI services to see which one gives you the least ridiculous answer.

Setting up API keys is pretty straightforward, especially if you have done this sort of thing before. There was, however, one part that tripped us up.

After adding an API key, we still could not get the chat to work.

It turns out that configuring the API provider is only part of the process. Inside the chat, you need to click "Edit Chat" and select which model that particular chat should use.

That was confusing at first, and the interface could do a better job of making this obvious. Once we understood why it worked that way, though, we actually liked the idea. Different chats can use different models, so you can have multiple conversations running with multiple AI models in the same window instead of locking the entire program to one provider.

Hover Translation Is Handy for Everyday Use

Hover Translation saves you from constantly switching applications. Select text in another program and ITransBook can display translations from multiple engines (if you have them set up) without requiring you to copy the text, open a browser, paste it into a translator, and then wander back to whatever you were doing.

It works with common browsers, Office applications, PDF readers, text editors, chat programs, and other applications using standard text rendering. Global keyboard shortcuts can also be customized.

If you regularly read foreign-language websites, emails, manuals, or documentation, this may end up being the feature you use most.

Local AI and Privacy

ITransBook has a useful local-first approach that deserves mentioning.

With supported LocalAI models, document parsing, translation, and AI processing can remain on your computer. Chat history, translation history, documents, settings, and API configurations are also stored locally.

If you choose OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, Google, DeepL, or another online provider, obviously some information has to reach that service for it to do anything. ITransBook says that in this mode it sends extracted text through the API while the original document itself remains on your computer.

That distinction matters if you are dealing with documents you would rather not upload to somebody else's server or have AI train on your data.

More Than 100 Languages, Including Esperanto

ITransBook supports more than 100 languages, covering the usual major languages along with some less common choices.

We got a laugh out of discovering Esperanto in there. Apparently somebody is keeping the dream alive.

Sadly, we couldn't find Klingon. Come on, guys. If you are already supporting more than 100 languages, tlhIngan Hol feels like the obvious 101st choice. ; )

ITransBook Pricing

ITransBook has a free plan, so you can try the basic translation and AI features without buying a subscription. The free version can use your own API keys or local models, and optional credit packs are available if you do not want to configure your own cloud API access.

At the time of writing, the plans are:

• Free: $0 per year. Includes AI chat, text translation, hover translation, and shortcut translation. According to the site's FAQ, unlimited file translation requires a paid plan.
• VIP: $99 per year. Adds unlimited file translation and advanced features while still allowing you to use your own API keys or local models.
• VIP Plus: $129 per year. Includes the VIP features plus 50,000 credits, making it easier to use cloud services without configuring your own API keys.

You can also buy credits separately. Current packages are 10,000 credits for $15, 30,000 for $30, or 300,000 for $260. ITransBook says purchased credits do not expire.

One thing worth understanding before paying is that using your own API keys may mean paying the AI or translation provider separately. ITransBook is acting as the desktop client in that setup, so your OpenAI, Claude, DeepL, or other API usage is subject to whatever that provider charges.

Useful Features Worth Knowing

• Side-by-side translation using multiple engines
• PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, subtitle, TXT, and CAT file support
• Drag-and-drop document translation with paid plans
• Original document layout and formatting preservation
• Multi-model AI chat
• Different AI models can be assigned to different chats
• Hover and selection-based translation
• Custom global keyboard shortcuts
• LocalAI support for offline processing
• Locally stored conversations and translation history
• Batch document processing
• More than 100 supported languages

Limitations and Things We Would Change

The biggest stumbling block we encountered was AI chat configuration. Adding an API key makes you think you are finished, but you still need to edit the individual chat and assign a model. Once you know that, it makes sense. Until you know it, you can spend time wondering whether your API key is broken.

A simple prompt such as "No model selected for this chat" would make the process much clearer.

The other consideration is that ITransBook may be more software than you need. If you translate three sentences a month, opening Google Translate or DeepL in a browser is easier. The value here comes from document translation, comparing engines, repeated translation work, local processing, and having several AI services available from one desktop interface.

Geek Verdict

ITransBook turned out to be more interesting than another desktop wrapper around online translation services.

Multi-model AI chat is also well thought out once you figure out the slightly confusing model selection system. We would like to see that setup explained more clearly inside the program, but assigning different models to individual chats makes sense after you understand what it is doing.

The free version gives you enough to decide whether the workflow suits you, while the $99 VIP plan makes more sense for people regularly translating complete documents. VIP Plus at $129 is aimed more at users who would rather buy included credits than mess around configuring API services themselves.

If you work with multilingual documents every day, compare translations regularly, or already pay for several AI services and want them accessible from one Windows application, ITransBook is worth a look.

Starfleet Klingon translators will have to remain patient.