How I Built a Free AI Translator in a Weekend Using Next.js and AI APIs

I needed a quick translation tool for multilingual content. Existing options like DeepL charge $9/month. So I built one in a weekend.

The Problem

Every translation tool I found either:

• Required a paid subscription for decent usage
• Had clunky interfaces with ads everywhere
• Didn't support the languages I needed

What I Built

A free AI-powered translator at aisense.top/tools/ai-translator that:

• Supports 10+ languages out of the box
• Uses AI for context-aware, natural translations
• Has zero signup requirement
• Works instantly in the browser

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Next.js + Tailwind CSS
• AI Engine: Direct API integration with LLM
• Deployment: Vercel + Cloudflare

Key Decisions

1. No auth required - friction kills conversion. Users can translate immediately.
2. Server-side AI calls - keeps API keys secure, no CORS issues.
3. Minimal UI - just a text box and language selector. Nothing else.

Results

The tool handles 10+ languages with surprisingly good quality thanks to modern LLMs. The context-awareness of AI translations beats traditional statistical methods.

What's Next

• Adding more language pairs
• File upload for batch translation
• Browser extension for in-page translation

Try it free: https://aisense.top/tools/ai-translator

Would love feedback from fellow devs!