How to translate a Google Meet call in real time
You have three options. Google Meet's translated captions show translated text on paid Workspace plans. Google Meet's speech translation speaks for you, but only between English and six languages on paid plans. SottMeet, a Chrome extension, translates voice and subtitles both ways for any pair of 19 languages on any Google account, including free Gmail.
Your options at a glance
Pick based on your languages, your Google plan and whether the other side needs to hear a voice.
Google Meet translated captions
- What it does
- Shows the other person's speech as translated text on your screen. No voice.
- Who can use it
- Google Workspace Business Standard and above. Not available on free Gmail.
- Languages
- Many languages, translated to and from each other.
- Limits
- Text only — the other side never hears a translation of you.
Google Meet speech translation
- What it does
- Speaks a translation of each person in a voice similar to theirs.
- Who can use it
- Google AI Pro or Ultra, or Workspace Business Standard and above.
- Languages
- English ↔ French, German, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish.
- Limits
- One language pair per meeting. 90 minutes per meeting.
SottMeet (Chrome extension)
- What it does
- Speaks your words in the other person's language and theirs in yours, with live subtitles for both.
- Who can use it
- Anyone with Chrome and a Google account, including free Gmail. Only you install it.
- Languages
- Any pair of 19 languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese. Understands 70+.
- Limits
- Google Meet in Chrome only. Prepaid per minute after the free minutes.
How to set up SottMeet in Google Meet
Install the extension
Open the Chrome Web Store page for SottMeet and click Add to Chrome.
Sign in and allow access
Click the SottMeet icon and sign in with Google. Allow the one-time permission so your free minutes can be added.
Join your Google Meet call
Open the meeting as you normally would. Wait until you are in the call.
Choose two languages
In the SottMeet popup, set My language (what you speak) and Meeting language (what the other person speaks).
Press Enable Translation
Start talking. The other person hears you in their language; you hear them in yours. Subtitles appear on screen.
Tips for the best translation
- Wear headphones. If your speakers play the translation, your mic picks it up again.
- Speak in short, complete sentences and pause briefly between them.
- Set the meeting language to what the other person actually speaks.
- Use a stable connection. A status note appears if the network is slow.
- Names and product terms are easier to catch if you say them clearly once.
Troubleshooting
The popup says to refresh the Google Meet tab
Reload the Meet tab once, then press Enable Translation again. This happens after the extension updates.
The other person hears an echo
Your speakers are feeding the translation back into your mic. Use headphones.
It says my free minutes are used up
Add a card in the popup to get 30 more free minutes. Adding a card does not charge you.
Translation is slow or choppy
Check your network. Close heavy tabs or video streams running at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I translate Google Meet for free?
Google Meet's own translation needs a paid plan. SottMeet gives you 5 free minutes with no card and 30 more when you add a card, then charges per minute.
Does Google Meet translate Chinese, Japanese or Thai by voice?
Google Meet's speech translation currently covers English with French, German, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. SottMeet covers Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and 15 more languages.
Do all participants need SottMeet?
No. Only the person who needs translation installs it. Everyone else uses Google Meet normally.
Can I use two different language pairs in one meeting?
With SottMeet each user chooses their own pair. Google Meet's built-in feature uses one pair for the whole meeting.
Is the meeting recorded?
SottMeet does not record. Audio is translated live and discarded.