$9.99Starting price
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About Awnsy

Awnsy is a menu-bar application for macOS designed to translate text or images directly from the screen. It supports macOS 15 or later and is optimized for Apple silicon. Users can select text or draw a box around an area containing text—such as a photo, PDF, game, or subtitle—to receive an instant translation. The app reads the screen itself using on-device text recognition, enabling translation of content that cannot be selected normally. Translations appear live after a single keystroke or custom hotkey, with options to switch languages or models within the interface. Awnsy offers both on-device and cloud-based translation options, including support for custom OpenAI or Anthropic API keys for higher quality results. The built-in model operates entirely offline, ensuring privacy without requiring an account or collecting telemetry. The app is lightweight, written in pure Swift, and runs in the menu bar without cluttering the Dock.

Key features

  • Live screen translation via keystroke
  • On-device text recognition from images and videos
  • Custom OpenAI or Anthropic API key support
  • Offline translation with built-in model
  • Language and model switching in interface
  • Menu-bar only, no Dock clutter
  • Pure Swift implementation
  • Privacy-focused with no telemetry

Use cases

  • Translating subtitles in videos or games
  • Extracting and translating text from PDFs or screenshots
  • Reading foreign text in apps or web pages without copy-paste

Pros

  • Menu-bar interface with minimal footprint
  • Supports on-device text recognition for unselectable content
  • Offline operation with optional cloud API integration
  • Customizable hotkey for quick access
  • Lightweight native macOS app without Electron

Cons

  • Requires macOS 15 or later
  • Pro version needed for unlimited translations
  • No Windows or Linux support
  • Limited to Apple silicon and Intel Macs

Frequently asked questions about Awnsy

What is Awnsy and what does it do?

Awnsy is a menu-bar application for macOS that translates text or images directly from the screen. It supports macOS 15 or later and uses on-device text recognition to translate content that cannot be selected normally, such as photos, PDFs, games, or subtitles.

Who is Awnsy designed for?

Awnsy is designed for macOS users who need quick and private translations of on-screen content. It suits individuals, professionals, or anyone requiring seamless translation without disrupting their workflow.

How does Awnsy work?

Users can select text or draw a box around an area containing text to receive an instant translation. The app reads the screen itself using on-device text recognition and displays translations live after a single keystroke or custom hotkey.

Does Awnsy require an internet connection?

Awnsy offers both on-device and cloud-based translation options. The built-in model operates entirely offline for privacy, while users can optionally use custom OpenAI or Anthropic API keys for higher quality results.

Is Awnsy free to use?

Awnsy is free to download from the Mac App Store, but Awnsy Pro unlocks unlimited screen translation. The free version may have limitations on the number of translations or features available.

Can I use my own translation models with Awnsy?

Yes, Awnsy allows users to bring their own OpenAI or Anthropic API keys for custom translation models. These keys are stored securely in the user's Keychain.

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