General translator
Best for translating a page, a paragraph, or a one-off word. The result is useful immediately, but it usually disappears when the tab closes.
Comparison
Hassala vs. a general translator extension
If you need one translation and then move on, a general translator is the right tool. If you want the words you look up to still be there next week, the workflow matters more than the lookup.
Free · Open source (MIT) · No account
The short version
TL;DR
General translator
Translate → close tab → forget
Hassala
Translate → save → review
Same word, different destination
A private word bank inside the extension, exportable to Markdown whenever you want.
The difference is what happens after the translation.
The core difference
A lookup tool vs. a memory tool
General translator extensions are optimized for the moment of translation. Hassala is optimized for the moment after: keeping the word, finding it again, and reviewing it without maintaining a second app.
Hassala
Best for words you want to remember. It translates in place, saves the pair to a local folder, and skips duplicates so your list stays clean.
Manual notes
Maximum control, minimum speed. Copying every word and translation by hand works, but most people stop after a few days.
Side by side
What each workflow gives you
| Capability | Hassala | General translator extension | Manual notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic ↔ English translation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Translate selected text on any page | Yes | Yes | No |
| Floating translator on any page | Yes | Varies | No |
| Save word + translation with one click | Yes | Varies | Manual |
| Duplicate detection | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Private local word bank with folders | Yes | Varies | Manual |
| Export Markdown, TXT, CSV, or JSON | Yes | Rarely | Manual |
| Works with Obsidian, Logseq, VS Code | Yes | Rarely | Yes |
| Word-level interactive YouTube captions | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Pronunciation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Account required | No | Varies | No |
| Tracking or analytics | None | Varies | None |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | Varies | — |
| Price | Free | Free–paid | Free |
General-purpose translator extensions vary by product. This table describes typical workflows, not a specific competitor. Last reviewed November 2026.
Choosing
Which one should you use?
Choose a general translator if…
You mostly translate whole pages or documents, you do not want to keep a vocabulary list, or you already have a study system that handles review for you.
Choose Hassala if…
You look up words while reading or watching videos and want a clean, local list that grows automatically — especially if you already use Obsidian, Logseq, or Markdown notes.
You do not have to choose one forever. Use a general translator for documents and Hassala for the words you want to keep.
Most people use both, for different jobs.Ready to try the word bank workflow? Read the step-by-step guide →
Honest limits
What Hassala does not do
A recommendation is only useful if it is accurate. Hassala is not a full learning platform, and it does not try to be one.
No spaced repetition yet
Hassala captures words but does not schedule reviews. Spaced repetition, flashcards, and quizzes are on the public roadmap. Until then, export Markdown for Obsidian or CSV for Anki and other tools.
No whole-page translation
Hassala focuses on words, selected text, and subtitles — not on translating an entire website. Use a general translator for that.
Translation needs a connection
Text is sent to translation providers only when you request a translation. Your saved word bank stays local and works offline.
Export is a deliberate step
Words stay inside the extension until you choose to export them. That keeps the extension away from your filesystem and puts you in control of every downloaded copy.
FAQ
Comparison questions
Is Hassala a replacement for Google Translate?
Not exactly. Hassala is built for a different job: translating Arabic and English words and keeping them in a private local word bank with folders and export. A general translator is better for translating whole documents or pages. Many people use both.
Is Hassala a flashcard or spaced repetition app?
No. Hassala captures and stores words; it does not schedule reviews yet. Spaced repetition and flashcards are on the public roadmap. You can export Markdown for Obsidian or CSV for Anki in the meantime.
Why export to Markdown instead of keeping words only inside the extension?
The extension is the working copy; Markdown is your portable copy. A Markdown file is readable in any text editor, works with Obsidian, Logseq, and VS Code, and does not lock your vocabulary into a proprietary service. You can back it up, sync it, or edit it by hand.
Does Hassala work without an internet connection?
Translation requires an internet connection because Hassala sends the requested text to translation providers. Your saved word bank is local, so you can browse and manage it offline.
Keep the next word you look up.
Install Hassala, translate a word, and give it a folder. Export a copy whenever you want, in a format you already know.