How to translate a Microsoft Teams call in real time
Short answer: Teams has two built-in options, and both need a paid add-on. Translated captions need Teams Premium or Microsoft Copilot. The Interpreter agent, which speaks the translation, needs a Microsoft Copilot license and covers 9 languages. Without those, you can use SottMeet in Chrome on Teams for the web: you speak your language, the other side hears a translated voice in theirs, and only you install anything.
Your three options
| Teams translated captions | Teams Interpreter agent | SottMeet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What the other side gets | Text captions in their language | A translated voice (simulated or preset) | A translated voice, plus live subtitles for you |
| License | Teams Premium or Microsoft Copilot (if the organizer has it, everyone gets captions) | Microsoft Copilot + an eligible Microsoft 365 and Teams license | None. Any Google account, prepaid minutes |
| Languages | 50+ caption languages | 9: Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish | Speaks 19, any pair (e.g. Thai ↔ Japanese); understands 70+ |
| Where it works | Teams meetings | Teams desktop, web, mobile, Rooms; not Teams free or events | Teams on the web in Chrome (teams.microsoft.com, teams.live.com) and Google Meet |
| Who installs | Admin/licensing | Admin/licensing | Only you (Chrome extension) |
How to set up SottMeet on Teams (about 1 minute)
Add SottMeet to Chrome
Sign in with your Google account. You get 5 free minutes.
Allow it on Teams once
Open the SottMeet popup and click “Allow on Teams”. Chrome asks to let SottMeet run on Teams; allow it and the tab reloads. Do this before you join.
Join the meeting in Chrome
In the Teams invite, choose “Join on the web”. The Teams desktop app isn't supported for you, but your guests can use any Teams app.
Pick two languages
In the popup, set “I speak” to your language and “They speak” to theirs.
Press Enable Translation and talk
They hear you in their language about a second after each phrase. You hear them in yours, with subtitles for both sides.
Tips for a smooth Teams call
- Wear headphones, so the translated voice doesn't feed back into your mic.
- Speak in short, complete sentences with brief pauses. Long monologues make the translation fall behind.
- Use the stop button on the SottMeet bar to cut a long translation short, and the Voice Mix slider to hear more of the person's real voice.
FAQ
Does everyone in the Teams meeting need SottMeet?
No. Only you install it. Guests join as usual, even from the Teams desktop or mobile app.
Does it work with Teams free (personal)?
Yes, on the web at teams.live.com in Chrome. Microsoft's Interpreter agent isn't supported in Teams free.
Can I use it in the Teams desktop app?
Not yet. Join the meeting from Chrome with “Join on the web”. Zoom isn't supported yet either.
Is SottMeet the same as Microsoft's Interpreter agent?
No. Both speak the translation, but Interpreter is part of a Microsoft Copilot license and works with 9 languages. SottMeet is a separate Chrome extension with no Microsoft license, 19 spoken languages in any pair, and pay-per-minute pricing.
How much does it cost?
Start with 5 free minutes, up to 30 free minutes in total, with no charge. Then from US$10 for about 65 minutes. No subscription; you pay only while translation is on.
Translate your next Teams call
Add SottMeet to Chrome and join Teams on the web. 5 free minutes, no card needed.
Add to ChromeYou're using Microsoft EdgeBraveOperaFirefoxSafari. SottMeet works in Google Chrome only for now — open this page in Chrome to install it.- Microsoft Learn, “Manage Interpreter agent for your organization” (updated 2026-10-08)
- Microsoft Support, “Use live captions in Microsoft Teams meetings”
- SottMeet help center (setup, Teams on the web)