Comparison · checked 19 October 2026
Panelift vs Google Lens
Google Lens for a free, instant gist of one page; Panelift for chapters you want to actually read.
Google Lens and the Google Translate camera are free and translate the text in one image at a time, laying the translation over the picture. They are the quickest way to get the gist of a page. Panelift is built for reading manga: it translates the whole chapter with the story around each bubble, keeps names and genders consistent, erases the original lettering, paints the art back and letters the English into the bubble.
Side by side
| Feature | Panelift | Google Lens |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Website: upload pages, a ZIP or a chapter link; read and edit in the browser | Free image translation in Google Lens and the Google Translate app |
| How it changes the page | Erases the original lettering, paints the art back and letters the translation inside each bubble | Lays the translated text over the image; the original lettering stays underneath |
| Story context | Reads the whole chapter first: a cast list with names, genders and forms of address, kept for the next chapter of the series | One image at a time |
| Checks and failed pages | Checks every page (Fast); pages that fail a check are held for you and refunded | None |
| Languages | Japanese, Korean and Chinese into English | Over 100 languages |
| Editing | Page editor with the chapter script beside the page, AI rewordings for any line, fonts and colours | None |
| Pricing | Fast: 10 credits a page (US$0.05–0.12, ₹4.2–7, depending on plan or pack); 100 free credits on sign-up | Free |
Which to pick
Pick Google Lens for
- Free and instant, on any image, in over 100 languages.
- Nothing to upload: point the camera at a printed page.
Pick Panelift for
- Reads like a translated manga: the art is painted back and the English is lettered into the bubbles, in reading order.
- The chapter as one story: who is speaking, names, genders and forms of address are worked out from the whole chapter.
- Sound effects captioned beside the art, and every line editable afterwards.
Questions
Can I translate manga with Google Lens?
Yes, for the gist of a page: it translates the text in one image and lays it over the picture. For chapters you want to read, Panelift translates with the whole chapter as context and letters the English into the bubbles over repainted art.
Why use Panelift instead of a free translator?
Free image translators work page by page, so names, genders and tone drift, and the translation sits on top of the art. Panelift reads the chapter first, keeps the cast consistent, repaints the art and checks every page; pages that fail are refunded.
Sources
Google Lens details are from Google Lens's own pages as of 19 October 2026; prices and features change, so check them before you buy. “Not stated” means we could not find it on those pages. Panelift details are from this site and its live prices. Google Lens and Google Translate is a trademark of its owner; this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
