We're often asked which online translation tools we typically use.
- For a quick and rough translation that doesn't consider language nuances, use Google Translate. You can't specify whether to use formal "usted", informal "tu", or plural "vosotros" in the translation there, but it's fast and widely available.
- DeepL seems to do a better job than Google Translate for most translation tasks, and it's also easy to use. It has both a free and a paid version. The paid version allows you to specify the level of formality and other context-related settings that can help you with the translation. However, it's a bit too expensive, and I don't think it's worth it unless you use it for business. The free version is better than Google Translate anyway. It also has Android and iOS apps.
- If you need a refined translation and are willing to spend some time on it, use ChatGPT. It's not a translator, but it can translate. Please treat ChatGPT as if you're talking to a human. For example, you can say, "Hi mate, could you please translate this text for me: '.....'. The context is an email to my co-workers in Argentina, so please use Argentinian Spanish and make sure the translation uses the formal 'usted' and is appropriate for office conversation." After you receive your translation, you can ask for clarification or request changes. Just pretend you're talking to a helpful friend. It's also free to use and has apps for Android/iOS.