Typeferry and DeepL: two ways to translate on a Mac
Both translate text on your Mac, at different points in your work. DeepL works with text you already have: you select it, capture it from the screen or upload a file. Typeferry works with text you are writing, in a chat, an email or another text box: you type in your own language, check the translation and press Enter to place it where you are typing.
The short answer
For documents, long texts and polishing what you have written, DeepL is built for that. For writing and reading messages in another language, from WhatsApp and Telegram to Slack and email, and in most other apps where you type, Typeferry is built for that.
How they compare
| Task | Typeferry | DeepL |
|---|---|---|
| Writing a message | Start typing in your own language in a chat, an email or another text box. Typeferry’s bar shows the translation as you type, and Enter places it where you are typing. | In the Mac app, select text and press ⌘C twice; the translation opens in a small window or in the DeepL app. In the browser, the DeepL extension translates text you have written: select it and click the DeepL icon. In WhatsApp Web, it can replace a message you have written with its translation. |
| Checking a translation | A back-translation into your language under every translation. When Typeferry spots a number or a day of the week that doesn’t match, the line turns amber. | Improve wording with DeepL Write. In WhatsApp Web, the browser extension links to alternative translations on DeepL.com. |
| Reading a reply | Frame a window, such as a chat, and messages are translated in place as they arrive (Pro), or take a screenshot and the translation is laid over the original. | Select the text and press ⌘C twice, or capture an area of the screen (available to all users); the text is translated in the DeepL app. In WhatsApp Web, hovering over a message shows a DeepL icon that translates it below the message. |
| Documents | Doesn’t translate files. When you write an email or a document yourself, you can still type in your own language and place the translation as you go, in most apps where you type. | Translates whole files in the app. |
| System | macOS 15 or later | DeepL for Mac: macOS 14 or later |
| Price | Free: unlimited on-device translation, up to 20 online AI translations and 3 online screenshot translations a day. Pro is $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year. | A free version with 50,000 characters of text translation a month, and paid DeepL Pro plans. See DeepL’s pricing page. |
DeepL column from DeepL for Mac, DeepL for Chrome, DeepL Pro plans, DeepL’s desktop app guide and the DeepL Help Center articles on desktop shortcuts, screen capture and WhatsApp Web, checked on 12 November 2026. Features and prices may have changed since.
DeepL is a trademark of its respective owner. Typeferry is not affiliated with or endorsed by DeepL.
When DeepL fits better
- You translate documents, slides or long texts and want the file back in the other language.
- You want help rewriting your own text in the same language, with DeepL Write.
- Your team needs shared glossaries and admin controls.
- Most of your work happens in the browser and you already use the DeepL extension there.
When Typeferry fits better
- You spend the day answering customers, suppliers or colleagues in chat apps on your Mac.
- You want to write in your own language and stay in the conversation, with no copying and pasting between windows.
- You want to check each translation in your own language before you press send.
- You need replies translated where they appear, including new messages as they come in.
- You prefer to keep some conversations on your Mac: with On-device only, none of your text is sent.
How Typeferry works in a chat
After setup, Typeferry is on: its menu bar icon is filled in. Click into a chat and type in your own language, with the keyboard and input method you already use. Pause for a moment and the translation appears, with a back-translation beneath it. Press Enter to place the translation in the message box, then Enter again to send. Typeferry never presses send for you. See it step by step in WhatsApp
Questions
Is Typeferry a DeepL alternative?
For messages, yes. If what you need is to write and read messages in another language on your Mac, Typeferry does that inside the apps you already use, from chat apps to email. For translating files and long texts, DeepL is the better fit.
Can I use both on the same Mac?
Yes. They are separate apps with their own shortcuts.
Is Typeferry free?
Typeferry is free to start, with unlimited on-device translation, up to 20 online AI translations a day and up to 3 online screenshot translations a day. Pro adds window translation and voice input, and online translation with no daily count: up to 300,000 characters a day and 2,000,000 a month. See pricing
Which languages does Typeferry support?
21 languages. Online translation works between any two of them. See the full list