Anyone looking to expand their reach into international markets will know the scale of the task ahead. From intensive research to managing a multi-partner project, finding the right translation and localization tool can mean the difference between success and failure.

Transifex is a popular translation platform for companies of all shapes and sizes. Its use of AI, large language database, and effective automation offer streamlined workflows and fast performance. However, although the tool’s capabilities make it one of the most powerful on the market, it may not be the best fit for all business needs.

We’ve tested Transifex alongside some of the other leading players in the industry, focusing on key features, use cases, and price points. Here, we’ll take a look at the top Transifex alternatives so you can source the best option for your own localization project.

A Comprehensive Overview of Transifex

A leading provider in its field, Transifex has been used to translate everything from website and app content to videos and online gaming.

Thanks to its range of powerful features, the tool is utilized by marketing teams, translators, and developers alike. Here’s a glimpse of some of Transifex’s key strengths.

Transifex AI

Using AI across its interface enables whole websites to be translated in a single click. AI add-ons enable further accuracy, allowing you to fit translations into set design spaces and heightening the user experience. All translations are made with full consideration of SEO, maximizing your chances of appearing on foreign Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

Language Support

Transifex supports more than 500 languages at the time of writing this article. Any business looking to enter a specific overseas market will likely find its translation needs catered for.

A Centralized Platform

Collaboration between developers, marketers, and translators is achieved through a simple user interface, making for easy project management. You can also view the completion status of separate tasks and download reports to fine-tune your efficiencies.

Multiple Integrations

The Transifex Application Programming Interface (API) integrates with a range of communication and development tools, allowing you to manage translation workflows from the same place. From GitHub to JavaScript, and a variety of content management systems, Transifex allows full control over project access without impacting communication.

Automation

Timescales are reduced through automated language detection, and the platform memorizes preferred translations, ensuring brand consistency across your project.

Pricing

Transifex has a pricing plan suitable for all businesses from start-ups to enterprises. Their Starter plan comes with a 50,000 word limit and $120 price tag, with options for extra word bundles. Larger teams can take a Growth plan, with additional automations and a 200,000 word limit. Enterprises needing 1 million words or more can discuss custom pricing, which also comes with additional support and reporting tools.

Comparing Transifex with Other Top-Rated Translation Management Systems (TMS)

Transifex has enabled countless businesses on their road to international expansion. But if you’re in the process of putting together your own localization strategy, it’s important to find software that’s right for your own circumstances.

Get it wrong at this stage and you can end up way over budget. You may also gain a suite of features that’s either too small or too large for your needs. Let’s take a look at some of the best Transifex alternatives currently on the market.

Weglot

Simple to use, Weglot is capable of managing website localization projects from beginning to end. With no coding required, the platform integrates with your preferred communication tools and content management systems.  Dedicated plugins are available for WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, and many other popular options, but Weglot is CMS-agnostic, meaning that it'll work with your website regardless of which content management system you use.

Once installed, automatic content detection translates the entire contents of your website instantly. As soon as any new content is added to your site, Weglot will handle this too, with no user input required.

The software has also been crafted with SEO in mind. This ensures that a translated site can compete on foreign SERPs the moment it goes live, with:

• Metadata translated into the local language.
• Image text identification.
• Automatic hreflang tag implementation for multilingual sites.

Weglot’s multilingual SEO features aren’t limited to helping your site rank in Google search results, either; the tool is built to maximize the performance of your content across the world’s most popular search engines, including Yandex and Baidu.

A computer-aided translation (CAT) tool ensures greater accuracy over time. Further fine-tuning can be achieved by hiring expert translators directly through the Weglot Dashboard or at your own discretion.

Use Cases

Weglot caters to all types of users and businesses, with competitive price points to match. Given its simple-to-use interface, users can deal with everything from a simple blog to an enterprise-level website with Weglot.

The platform’s true talents lie in its versatility, and by providing a comprehensive translation service. Following automatic translation, human experts can be used to refine word choice in line with cultural nuances. Words and phrases can then be added to a translation glossary, which keeps a check on preferences, remembering them for future use.

Such language consistency makes Weglot a localization enabler, as opposed to a tool solely fixed on providing accurate translations.

Pricing

Weglot comes with a simple pricing structure. A free version with a 2,000-word translation limit is a great way of getting to know the platform. Paid plans start at $17 with a 10,000 word limit, scaling up to a no-limit enterprise account. The platform’s most popular plan is the Pro version, which comes with 200,000 words and five languages.

Lokalise

Primarily intended for creatives, Lokalise has an intuitive interface, allowing for smooth collaboration between all members of your localization team. Large-scale projects requiring input from designers, translators, and marketers can be handled with ease. All communication takes place within the platform.

Its ability to translate text straight from images removes the need for transcriptions which can be a real boon for those working on software development.

The platform also comes with machine translations and a built-in memory, although without editing power. For the most accurate text interpretations, you’ll have to hire recommended human experts, familiar with your chosen industry.

Use Cases

For SaaS companies, Lokalise is well-equipped to deal with the challenges that app development and mobile devices can bring. Developers can implement translations in real-time, alongside the development of new pages, to enhance user experience.

Although it can be used to translate any site, the platform’s advanced SaaS-related features mean that eCommerce firms may find other tools better suited to their needs.

Pricing

Lokalise’s starting pricing plan of $120 per month reflects its niche as a design-rich tool for software. Intended for start-ups, the plan comes with 5,000 translation keys and unlimited projects.

To benefit from the platform’s AI features and reporting, you’ll need to take on an Essential, Pro, or Enterprise plan. These include further integrations and design-related plugins.

Crowdin

Next on our list of Transifex alternatives is Crowdin, another popular translation and localization solution for software companies. Those working in the gaming, app building, or technical industries will benefit from its mass file-format integrations, including CSV, iOS strings, and YAML.

Crowdin integrates with more than 600 tools, including Figma, HubSpot, and GitLab, alongside various translation apps. Such integrations make it easy to manage projects with large teams, bringing them together on the same workflow.

The platform comes with options regarding translation sources, allowing you to add your own experts, hire directly through Crowdin, or utilize the software’s AI.

Use Cases

Although Crowdin can be used for standard B2B or B2C website translation, its features are best sourced within the SaaS world. The specific needs of game localization are taken care of, and the platform can handle multiple language translations at once.

With a free version and competitive pricing, Crowdin covers the needs of everyone working on SaaS localization, from freelancers to enterprises.

Pricing

Crowdin has one of the best free versions around, with a 60,000 word limit and most of the translation tools you’ll need to embark on a project. To gain the benefits of the tool’s AI assistant, you’ll need to take out one of the paid plans, starting at $50 per month.

Phrase

Fully-equipped to deal with multi-faceted teams, Phrase is built for those working on quick-to-market products. An integrated localization management tool, it helps project leaders easily oversee vast localization campaigns in real time.

Self-service reporting enables anyone to build a bespoke analytics dashboard, minus any technical know-how. You’ll be able to keep checks on performance and track progress, using whatever data you need to refine your localization strategy.

For brands in the gaming world, over-the-air analytics allow you to note user feedback as it happens. Gameplay problems can be handled before they become a major issue, and you can also keep up with language-use statistics.

Use Cases

Originally built for developers, Phrase is aimed at larger software firms. Together with gaming and apps, the platform excels in translating highly technical user guides and documentation.

Phrase meets the needs of agile teams, allowing for real-time updates through continuous localization. Designers can make updated versions live as soon as they’re required – a huge advantage in the software arena.

Pricing

Phrase offers freelancer plans for lone workers, and business plans start at $135 per month. Advanced plans introduce greater customization, integrations, and multiple AI models. Phrase’s pricing structure is in keeping with its status as a tool designed for large businesses working on multiple translation projects.

POEditor

Simplifying the process throughout, POEditor comes with a suite of excellent features for both freelancers and teams working on localization projects.

There’s less user freedom regarding translations than on other apps – there’s a built-in translation tool or the platform’s recommended experts to choose from. However, those with translation contacts of their own will need to look elsewhere.

However, POEditor’s crowdsourcing option is a real stand-out, allowing you to tap into local markets prior to product launch.

Given the importance of connecting with your target audience, this feature is an excellent way of opening communication lines. A link can be shared via social media or online forums, and local contributors can then join your project. Crowdsourcing can be a great help when it comes to learning cultural nuances or the latest trends.

Use Cases

Created with software localization in mind, POEditor is capable of managing localization projects for technical sites, games, and apps. The platform comes with a suite of integrations, including Bitbucket, Slack, and GitHub, so translation strings can be easily shared.

Furthermore, an excellent range of price points – combined with the research a crowdsource can deliver – means teams don’t need a large budget to begin their expansion.

Pricing

A free plan comes with a 1,000-word limit, with paid options starting at $12.74, including translation memory and integrations. Competitive price points are matched to different levels of business growth, minus the huge jumps in cost found in many of POEditor’s competitors.

Smartling

One of the most famous service providers in the localization industry, Smartling’s focus is on high-quality translations.

With this platform, you can use both machine translations and expert translators within your price point. You can also find average timescales taken, allowing full control over your budget. An excellent analytics suite keeps a check on workflow efficiencies.

Smartling’s 100% translation quality guarantee has led to a 42% faster time to market for its users. The brand’s emphasis on quality of service is backed up by an excellent support team.

Use Cases

Smartling can handle a large range of translation projects, from basic docs to eCommerce websites and apps. Its range of integrations makes for easy management of projects that require multiple contractors.

Smartling can also be used by translation companies and those wanting a global expansion tool. For a more detailed comparison of Smartling and four other leading TMS solutions, take a look at our guide to Smartling alternatives.

Pricing

The platform has no published pricing structure, working on custom quotes only, with considerations towards businesses of all sizes.

• Core: for basic projects.
• Growth: for mid-sized teams.
• Enterprise: for large teams.

Transifex vs. Alternatives: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Next Step: Upgrading Your Translation Process

Transifex’s reliable reputation is well-earned. The software offers a premium translation and localization solution for websites, with a huge range of languages for those going global.

Its use of AI allows businesses to scale at speed, and its attention to design is valuable in ensuring localized accuracy. Innovative automation and a growing number of integrations streamline project performance, allowing for better management of budgets.

Nevertheless, what works for some companies won’t necessarily work for all. When running a localization project, finding the tool that best fits your brand is no less important than finding the right translators. Success overseas is down to many factors. The right software serves as an extension to your human elements, improving efficiencies across the board.

"In the age of globalization, the ability to communicate with a diverse audience in their native language is fundamental. The choice of your translation and localization tool can directly impact your business growth. It's not just about the capability of translating words but also about the user-friendliness, integration simplicity, and the quality of support you receive. Every detail matters when choosing a solution that fits your purpose."

Jeanne Fricaudet, Product Manager at Weglot

We’ve studied some of the market leaders in the translation and localization world and discovered advantages on every platform. But only Weglot stands out as a tool for all eventualities, designed for complete beginners as well as advanced tech specialists.

Discover Weglot by starting a free trial today and see for yourself how our intuitive platform can help your business go global.