PDFs have long been the go-to format for sharing documents and for good reason. They cling to their structure like it’s their job (because, well, it is), making them easy to view, read, and share across virtually any device. PDFs aren’t just for sharing your work; you’ll also be on the receiving end. Say you’re a student, and your teacher forwards you a math problem in PDF format. But the plot twist is you’re an exchange student, and the entire thing is in a language that might as well be a Morse code. On top of that, some PDFs make it impossible to even select the text to copy-paste into a translator.
That’s exactly where a solid PDF translator comes in clutch. In this article, I’ll walk you through the top 4 PDF document translators that will translate your text cleanly, efficiently, and without turning your doc into a formatting crime scene.
Best Free PDF Translators
These are the top 4 tools to try if you're looking for a PDF translator free of charge, before settling for just any option.
SmallPDF
If you’ve ever had to compress, convert, or edit a PDF, chances are you’ve stumbled across SmallPDF. It’s basically the Swiss Army knife of third-party PDF tools designed to fill in the gaps your regular PDF viewer never could. From merging files to adding e-signatures, SmallPDF does it all – including translation.
Tucked under its AI-powered tools, SmallPDF includes a PDF Translator that lets you choose whether to translate the entire document or just a summary. And while its user interface is sleek, modern, and incredibly beginner-friendly, the results are a bit of a mixed bag.
On the plus side, it handles text-only PDFs fairly well, giving decent translations in 20+ major languages. But once you add in images or complex formatting, it starts to lose the plot, sometimes ignoring formatting altogether. And if you're hoping for accurate paragraph flow or visually polished results, the results get the job done.
Still, for quick and casual translations, especially if you only need the gist of a PDF—SmallPDF holds its ground as a handy, AI-powered add-on in your digital toolbox.
Features
Compresses, converts, and edits PDFs
AI-powered PDF translator
Option to translate entire document or just a summary
Simple and modern interface
Supports 20+ major languages
Pros
No sign ups required
Very beginner-friendly
Quick summary translation feature is helpful
Great for text-only PDFs
Web-based, no installation needed
Cons
Struggles with complex formatting or images
Limited language selection
Translation quality is basic and inconsistent
No advanced customization or AI model selection
Sider AI PDF Translator
Sider AI is packed with three different translation tools: Image Translator, AI Translator, and PDF Translator. Naturally, with AI running the show, expectations are high, and surprisingly, Sider AI meets most of them with style.
One of its best features is that it’s incredibly format-friendly. While it supports various file types, I went straight in with a PDF, and the process was smooth. After uploading, it takes a quick moment to analyze the file and later you’re presented with a clean side-by-side view of the original and translated versions. A download button at the top ensures you don’t waste time when you're ready to save your file.
In terms of formatting, it actually performed better than expected. Sure, there were a few hiccups here and there, but overall, the layout held up beautifully which is a rarity in the world of document translation. Another neat feature was that you get to choose between Bing or Google Translate models, giving you a little more control over tone and accuracy.
SideAI makes a strong case for itself, not just as a translator, but as a well-rounded AI companion that keeps convenience, clarity, and customization at the core of its experience.
Features
AI-powered PDF Translator
Accepts multiple file formats besides PDF
Three translation tools: PDF translator, image translator, and AI text translator
Side-by-side view for original and translated content
Option to choose between Bing or Google Translate engines
Pros
Impressive formatting retention
Fast translation with a clean output
Instant download button for convenience
Lets you compare two engines for better accuracy
Cons
Requires sign up
AI model choices are limited (only Google and Bing)
Occasional formatting slips with highly styled content
May lag slightly during file analysis
Monica AI PDF Translator
From PDF converters and ChatPDF to summarizers and a dedicated AI translator, Monica has a little bit of everything under its digital belt. Its AI translator feature takes your uploaded PDF and converts it into the language of your choice using a specific translation engine and it doesn’t disappoint. The translation quality was impressive, with strong formatting retention that didn’t complicate the layout after translation.
A side-by-side view lets you track what’s being translated in real time which is great for nitpickers and perfectionists alike. Plus, you can click on any translated text to explore further: translate again into another language, get insights, chat with the AI, or even ask it to explain the content.
The catch is Monica only translates the first five pages for free. After that, you’ll need to sign up. But for a quick, stylish, and interactive translation experience, Monica AI definitely earns its spot on this list.
Features
Multifunctional AI PDF toolkit (ChatPDF, summarizer, converters, etc.)
AI-powered PDF translator
Allows clicking on translated text for chat/explanation
Retains formatting and delivers side-by-side views
Translate, summarize, and interact with content
Pros
Interactive post-translation features
Decent formatting and translation quality
Good for learning or exploring content deeper
Modern AI-enhanced tool environment
Cons
Free version only translates the first 5 pages
Requires signup to unlock full features
Limited to one engine with no choice in translation model
Translation speed is slower compared to others
AnyDoc Translator
AnyDoc Translator is part of the Toolsmart AI suite, an ever-evolving hub of intelligent tools designed to make your digital life easier. And with AnyDoc, Toolsmart has delivered a translation powerhouse tailored specifically for documents. From PDFs to a wide range of file formats, AnyDoc welcomes them all with open arms. and no formatting fiascos in sight.
Let’s talk formatting: I’ve been lenient with the others, but AnyDoc left no room for criticism. Every margin, line break, and header stayed put like it was never touched. It honestly outshined the rest.
Now, for the translation itself, it’s safe to say AnyDoc did a phenomenal job. While most tools rely on one or two engines, AnyDoc gives you the freedom to choose from multiple engines, including Google Translate, ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Translator, Yandex, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, and Claude Haiku.
The only downside to it is that it’s a paid tool if you want to translate more than two pages. But for the quality, flexibility, and formatting finesse it brings to the table, AnyDoc Translator is more than worth the price of admission.
Features
Accepts a wide variety of document formats including PDF
Side-by-side translation view
Top-tier formatting retention
Choice of multiple AI translation engines: Google Translate, ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Translator, Yandex, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, Claude Haiku
Part of the Toolsmart AI suite (includes AI Writer, AI Presentation, Spellcheck, and more)
Pros
Exceptional formatting preservation
Unmatched flexibility with engine selection
Output is highly accurate and contextually rich
Professional-grade translation quality
Seamless integration with other AI-powered document tools
Cons
Only first 2 pages are free, rest is paywalled
Might be overwhelming for someone looking for a super-simple tool
Currently web-based—requires internet access
How to Use AnyDoc Free PDF Translator
If you’re ready to experience the excellence of AnyDoc Translator for PDF translation firsthand, here’s how you can get started:
Step 1: Open your browser and visit the official AnyDoc Translator website.
Step 2: On the homepage, click on the “Translate File” option to begin.
Step 3: Use the "Language" dropdown to choose the language you want your file translated into.
Step 4: Upload your PDF document by clicking “Select from your Computer” or by dragging and dropping the file into the upload area. Supported formats include PDF, DOC, PPT, XLS, and many others.
Step 5: Give it a moment while the system processes your file and generates the translation.
Step 6: Use the split-screen view to compare the original and translated content side by side. Hover your cursor over any section to see both versions.
Step 7: To focus only on the translated text, enable the “Hide Original” option, which displays the translated file in full screen.
Step 8: When you're ready to save the file, click the “Download” button. You’ll be able to choose between downloading a bilingual version or just the translated document.
Feature Comparison of Top 4 Free PDF Translators
Here’s a simple and clean table comparison of the top PDF translators to help you quickly spot the strengths and weaknesses of each tool:
Feature / Tool | SmallPDF | SideAI | Monica AI | AnyDoc Translator |
---|---|---|---|---|
File Format Support | Primarily PDF | PDF, images, and text files | PDF only | Supports wide range (PDF, DOCX, TXT, etc.) |
Translation Accuracy | Decent for general text, but struggles with nuance or technical language | Reliable for general use; Google/Bing options offer familiarity | Accurate for basic content; can fumble with complex or idiomatic expressions | Extremely high, thanks to access to 6+ engines including ChatGPT-4 and Claude Haiku |
Formatting Retention | Basic—often loses styling and layout in translation | Maintains columns and images decently | Good, especially with clean PDFs; minor misalignments happen | Near flawless; retains complex formatting, images, headers, and spacing with finesse |
Language Options | ~20 major languages only | Global language support via Google & Bing | Covers most widely spoken languages | Extensive—depends on engine used (DeepL, Gemini, ChatGPT, etc.) |
Best For | Quick fixes, schoolwork, one-time tasks | Translating visual documents & images effectively | Light research, academic summaries, casual users | Business users, professionals, multilingual publishing, long/complex documents |
Toolsmart: Smart Access to PDF Tools and Translators
AnyDoc, as mentioned, is a product of Toolsmart—a platform that’s earned its popularity for all the right reasons, especially thanks to its powerful AI. While many tools claim to integrate AI, only a few truly deliver. Toolsmart doesn't just integrate AI—it maximizes its potential by ensuring you're powered by top-tier engines, with no compromises.
What makes Toolsmart stand out is that it’s not a one-trick pony. It’s an all-in-one AI hub offering everything from AI writers and presentation builders to paraphrasers and, yes, translators that go far beyond simple sentence swaps. We're talking seamless document translation—PDFs, Word files, presentations—preserved formatting and all. It’s built not just for translating, but for elevating the way you work with documents.
FAQs
1. Can I translate an entire document (PDF, DOC, Excel) from one language to another?
Yes, you can translate entire documents such as PDFs, Word (DOC/DOCX), and Excel (XLS/XLSX) files from one language to another using various online tools. Many free and AI-powered platforms, like AnyDoc Translator, support full-document translation while preserving the original layout and formatting. Just upload your file, select the source and target languages, and the tool will generate a translated version of the document.
2. Is PDF translation possible?
Yes, PDF translation is absolutely possible. AI-based tools like AnyDoc Translator, Google Translate, and DeepL support direct PDF uploads and can translate the content while preserving formatting.
3. Why do I keep getting a "Can't translate scanned PDFs" message on Google Translate?
This error appears when your PDF is image-based (scanned), not text-based. Use an OCR tool first to convert it to readable text, then upload it again for translation.
Smart Translation with AnyDoc PDF Translator
PDFs are great for viewing and reading, but translating them can usually get messy. Nobody wants to copy-paste text line by line into Google Translate and cross their fingers for decent results. It's tedious, time-consuming, and often disappointing.
That’s exactly where Toolsmart's AnyDoc Translator steps in as a phenomenal solution to a frustrating problem. It eliminates the manual hassle and delivers high-quality, AI-powered translations while preserving your document’s original layout. No more butchered formats or broken sentences—just smooth, accurate translations that actually make sense.