OverLens vs OS Translator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
OverLens
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OverLens is a floating translation lens. Point it at any app — games, manga, chats, menus — and read the translation right where the original text was. HOW IT WORKS 1. Tap "Start Translating" and confirm the system screen-broadcast prompt. 2. A small lens floats over whatever app you're using. 3. Text next to the lens is recognized, translated and redrawn inside the lens — live, as you scroll. WHY OVERLENS • Works on top of ANY app — no copy-paste, no switching apps, no screenshots • Fully on-device: screen content never leaves your iPhone • Works offline once language packs are downloaded • 20 languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and more • No account, no tracking of your screen, no cloud PRICING • Free full-featured trial — feel the real thing before you pay • After the trial, 5 free minutes every day • OverLens Pro: one-time purchase, unlimited time, all language pairs. No subscription — pay once, never pay again OverLens uses Apple's on-device translation. Language packs are downloaded through iOS and managed in Settings. Privacy Policy: https://twelvefold.co/overlens/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
OS Translator
Instantly translate text directly on your screen while using other apps. Supports games, comics, and online shops with two viewing modes and offline translation. All features are free, with an optional ad-removal purchase.
- Real-time on-screen translation
- Picture-in-Picture window
- Mirror mode for text overlay
- Subtitles mode for dialogue lists
- Offline translation support
- Supports 20 languages
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The translation, right where the original text was. Play a Japanese game, read a Chinese comic or browse an overseas shop, and OS Translator reads the text on your screen and translates it on the spot. While you use any other app, OS Translator reads your screen and shows the translation in a Picture in Picture window. When the screen changes, the translation follows within about a second. No screenshots, no copy and paste. TWO WAYS TO READ • Mirror mode — Place the PiP window at the top or bottom of the screen, and it mirrors the other half with the translation laid over the original text. Speech bubbles and product pages read just as they look. • Subtitles mode — Game dialogue, menus, chat and captions burned into videos appear as a list in the PiP window, starting with the paragraphs closest to what you're reading. • On iPad, put another app next to OS Translator in Split View or Stage Manager. The app mirrors it and lays the translation right over the original text. HOW IT WORKS • Pick the language to read and tap Start Translating. • Share your entire screen when iOS asks, then go to your game, comic or app. • Move and resize the translation window as you like. Stop anytime from the app or the screen recording indicator. GREAT FOR • Dialogue and quests in Japanese games • Manga, webtoons and web novels that haven't been translated yet • Product names, options and details in overseas shops • Social media and forums in other languages • Captions burned into videos ALSO • Reading direction for vertical manga • Choose whether to show the original text • Recent Translations keeps what you read so you can view and copy it again EVERY FEATURE FREE No limits on time or number of translations, and every feature is free. A short ad may play before you start translating. The only purchase is Remove Ads — buy once and it's yours for good. TRANSLATED ON YOUR DEVICE Reading the screen and translating both happen on your device with Apple's built-in text recognition and translation. What's on your screen is never sent anywhere or saved. Once a language is downloaded, translation works even in Airplane Mode. LANGUAGES Translate between 20 languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, Thai, Vietnamese and more.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: OverLens at none against OS Translator's shown. OverLens also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 27.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. OverLens sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and OS Translator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
OverLens ships an update every 3 days, OS Translator every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | OverLens | OS Translator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 27.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Twelvelefold Limited | Sunghyun Kim |
In-app purchases
OverLens
- OverLens Pro$12.99
OS Translator
- Remove Ads$3.99
Questions
Is OverLens free?
Is OS Translator free?
Do OverLens or OS Translator have ads?
Which is updated more often, OverLens or OS Translator?
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