The 2023 localization platforms overview

Almost every product with more than one language in its interface has faced localization challenges. Previously, when companies needed to translate something, they had to send Excel files to the translators, test them, add corrections, and retest them. This approach provoked back-and-forth iterations between developers, designers, and translators. As a result, the customer got the localized product but wasted more time and money.

The next step of localization evolution was computer-aided translation (CAT) tools, a huge step forward. These programs are still usable but target more translation automation and don't include the management component. Here is where LMS and TMS (Localization Management Systems and Translation Management Systems) entered the scene. Unlike CAT tools, these applications often run in the cloud and have high flexibility, bringing clear benefits to the client and saving time for localization.

Nowadays, the market provides many different systems, so choosing the best solution has become challenging. This article aimed to showcase popular localization platforms such as Lingohub, Crowdin, Lokalise, Phrase, and Transifex to review the pros and cons. Let's take a look closer at each.

Localization platforms: first overview

To help you better understand the differences between the platforms presented in this article, we prepared the detailed table below this paragraph, where we overviewed the CAT tools, pricing policy, additional abilities, etc. But we highly recommend reading the entire article as you can find the insights and comparison of possibilities that may be helpful for you. Long story short - let's go.

Lingohub

The first application we want to start with is Lingohub. It is a SAAS cloud-based platform that combines features required for fast translation, quality assurance, and entire localization process management. Thus, you can store, handle, translate content and simultaneously control the project's progress, communicate, and manage finances — all in a single location.

Lingohub provides seamless integrations with the most popular services, like GitHub, Gitlab, Azure, Bitbucket, Figma, etc., to build continuous CI/CD processes for localization. Add to all of the above the support of over 40 file formats/technologies and 100+ languages, intuitive UI, and non-stop improvements, and you will get one of the leading translation and localization management platforms.

Phrase

Phrase is a translation management system that supports more than 40 integrations for development, design, translation, and content management. Phrase has different products — Phrase TMS and Phrase String. The TMS has more management abilities like billing, invoicing, workflow, etc while Phrase Strings target localization.

*price per project manager

Transifex

Transifex is a cloud-based platform for facilitating the process of localizing websites, web applications, and mobile applications. Transifex provides a free plan for Open Source projects without funding, revenue, or commercialization.

Lokalise

Localization and translation software tool. Besides standard features, Lokalise provides Real-time chat translation for Hubspot, Intercom, and other communication applications. As well as Transifex, Lokalise is free for academic and open-source projects.

Crowdin

Crowdin supports various translation formats, catering to popular mobile platforms, desktops, office applications, and other components. The number of integration accessible to customers depends on their chosen pricing plan, with the Free, Pro, and Team Plans offering 1-3 integrations accordingly and the higher-tier plans (Team + and Enterprise) providing unlimited integration options.

Comparison of the Translation Management Systems

We didn’t include Phrase in this comparison as they split their translation abilities into two products - Phrase TMS as a translation management system and Phrase Strings as an app localization platform. Thus, for some tasks, you will need to use two products simultaneously.

*Figma integration is among the most required for designers and translators during localization.

*Zendesk integration allows to serve your help center in various languages.

Lingohub provides the Figma plugin/Zendesk integration as a paid Add-on for €49 per month - you can buy it for any pricing plan for any period.

Lokalise provides the Figma plugin/Zendesk integration only in the Pro plan and above, and the price for the Pro plan starts from $825 monthly.

The pricing for add-ons in Transifex is closed, and you need to contact their team to get this information.

Regarding Crowdin - you can get any one integration from their store in the free plan, besides GitHub/GitLab Enterprise and a few additional. That means that you will have only 1 integration. If you need Figma + Zendesk (2 integrations), choose the Pro plan, which will cost $50.

How much does it cost to localize with different TMS?

At this stage, you have already familiarized yourself with the main features of the translation management platforms. Let's now calculate how much it will cost to localize products with them. For this question, we prepared a list of organizations with requirements. Be aware that some companies count the price based on the number of words for translation - others use characters.

Organization A needs three user seats and five projects. They are looking for GitHub and GitLab integrations. The total languages for translation are three, requiring 126000 characters (21K words or 4200 segments). Let's count prices for the remaining four companies.

The Lingohub plan which will cover all the requirements is called Starter and costs €49 per month (or cheaper in case of annual billing.)

The basic plan in Lokalise is $120 and it covers all of the requirements. Take into account that Lokalise provides hosted keywords for the projects. This quota controls how many translation keys a total customer can store in all projects. If you surpass the limit, the account will simply be charged on the next payment cycle for the extra amount of keys, but you will not be limited in any way.

By using Transifex you need a Basic plan which will cost 80$

In the case of Crowdin, if you need five private projects, you should choose a Team plan, otherwise the part of your projects will be public. It costs in general $150 and covers all of the requirements of the organization.

The next - Organization B has more wide needs. They are looking for 12 user seats and seven projects. The total languages for translation are four, and they require ~ 220000 words for translation. Also, additionally to GitHub and Gitlab integrations, Organization B needs Figma and 25.000 MAU or 375.000 requests.

Lingohub provides all the essentials in the Team plan - €119 additionally you need to pay for the Figma plugin and additional segments. So the total monthly cost will be:

Lokalise provides Figma integration only in the Pro plan. The pricing is $825, and it includes 30,000 hosted keys.

In the case of Transifex, you can use a Figma, starting from the Premium plan. Also, for this plan, you need to buy the extra words, and the final price will be $525 + the price for the Figma add-on.

Crowdin. To plug three integrations, the customer should choose at least Team Plan and pay for additional hosted words. The approximate cost is around $204 based on the Crowdin internal calculator.

The sum up

Choosing a translation management platform is a complex question that includes considering the TMS's abilities, customers' requirements, and how these things match each other. The two examples of the organizations' requirements presented above show that Lingohub became a more profitable solution than others regarding provided tools and price.

When selecting a TMS, it is essential to keep in mind the current needs and the potential for future growth and expansion. By choosing a TMS with scalability in mind, you can ensure that it will continue to meet your needs as your business grows. We at Lingohub are always ready to help and discuss the project's requirements and your localization needs - schedule a short demo call, and let's grow together.

Disclaimer

The owners' property is all the product information (logo, name, brands). All service names and data are for identification purposes only. All the information on this page is published just for an acquaintance without the intention to endorse the Lingohub product to any third parties and without any guarantees. The information on this page is provided from publicly available sources and is valid as of 01.10.2023. Lingohub is not responsible for changing data on the sources and warns that the actual data can differ. To report issues, contact us - at [email protected].