Why is it paid?
The free-key setup was inconsistent and often unusable when Google's free quota or access limits got in the way. The paid version includes hosted API access and server costs, so you do not need to create, configure or troubleshoot your own key. You can test it in your own games during the 3-day trial.
Incoming translations work, but Ctrl+Enter does nothing. How do I fix it?
If Dota is running as administrator, Windows can block Dota Translator from entering your translated message. Quit Dota Translator from its tray icon, then right-click its shortcut and choose Run as administrator. Open Dota's chat, type your message and try Ctrl+Enter again.
The translator needs the same permission level as the game. Administrator access is only needed when Dota is running as administrator, including when it was launched by an elevated Steam.
Will it slow my game down?
It should not. The game sends its chat to the app once a second; the app does not search or read the game at all. When somebody new speaks it compares one thumbnail-sized picture, which takes about 30 milliseconds.
Is the download safe? It is an unsigned .exe from a stranger.
Each installer is built by GitHub Actions and has a published SHA-256 fingerprint. A VirusTotal report is linked when available. Installation needs no administrator rights. The app uses Valve's chat feed, our hosted translation service, GitHub for updates and Valve's image server for missing portraits. See the download checks.
Can I get banned?
Dota Translator uses Valve's Game State Integration (GSI), the feed used by streaming and overlay tools. It does not read Dota's memory or inject code. It sends a translated reply into chat only when you press Ctrl+Enter.
Where does my chat go?
Only the lines needing translation are sent to our hosted service and then Google's paid Gemini API. English lines stay on your PC. Chat text is not saved in server logs or the account database. Hero portraits are read from your Dota install or Valve's image server. Read the privacy details.
Can I answer them in their language?
Yes. Type English in Dota's chat and press Ctrl+Enter instead of Enter: the chat closes at once and the line is sent in your teammates' language about a second later - the one you picked under "Your teammates write" in the settings (Russian, Spanish or Chinese), or whichever of those they turn out to be typing. A setting turns it round (their language → English). The translation is a model's, tuned for Dota chat; if somebody who speaks the language tells you a line is off, email support@dotatranslator.live - that is how it gets better. See answering.
Sometimes lines stay in Russian. Is it broken?
If the translation service is temporarily busy, the original line stays visible and the app retries later. Check that your account has an active trial or subscription and that your internet connection works. Contact support if translation keeps failing.
Which languages does it translate?
Russian is what it was built for, and what it does until told otherwise. Spanish works the same way for US servers: pick "Spanish" under "Your teammates write" in the settings and their Spanish is shown in English, and Ctrl+Enter sends yours in Latin American Spanish. And Chinese for SEA servers: pick "Chinese" there and your Chinese teammates' chat is shown in English, and Ctrl+Enter answers them in Chinese. Chinese pasted into chat anywhere else, voice lines above all, is translated out of the box. Greek, Korean, Arabic and Thai can be switched on in the settings; those are less tested.
Does it update itself?
Yes. It looks for a new version when it starts and every few hours after, downloads it quietly, and installs it the next time you close the app - never in the middle of a match. The version you are running is in the tray icon's menu.
Can I check what it does?
Installer downloads, SHA-256 fingerprints and available VirusTotal reports are on the public releases page. The application and server source are private. See what the app does on your PC.
Can I ask for a change?
Yes. Email support@dotatranslator.live about a bug, a wrong translation, text in the wrong place or a language you want. You can open an email from the app's tray menu too.
What does it cost?
Your first successful sign-in using an email link or code starts a 3-day free trial. After that, access costs €7 for 3 calendar months. Each purchase extends your access; there is no automatic renewal. One account is bound to one PC at a time, with a device reset available once per 24 hours.
