Lokalise vs Smartling
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Lokalise | Smartling |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid (plans from $120/mo, custom enterprise) | Contact sales (custom pricing) |
| Best for | Product & marketing teams shipping software globally with continuous releases | Enterprises centralizing translation across marketing, product, and support |
| AI Translation | Custom AI Profiles, orchestration across multiple LLMs, context-aware translation | LLM & MT options with LQA Agent for quality evaluation |
| Integrations | 60+ (Figma, GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Contentful, Webflow, WordPress) | 50+ (WordPress, Adobe Experience Manager, Contentful, Drupal, Sitecore, Salesforce, Zendesk, Marketo, HubSpot, GitHub, Bitbucket, Google Drive) |
| Human Translation | Available but not highlighted (marketplace optional) | 4,000+ linguists with satisfaction guarantee and free revisions |
| Key Differentiator | Continuous localization with OTA updates, 95 API endpoints, MCP connectivity | Translation proxy for web, 99% workflow automation, certified project managers |
For teams prioritizing continuous software localization with deep API/CI-CD integration, Lokalise offers superior automation and developer tooling. However, if your organization requires a strong human translation network with project management support and a translation proxy for web content, Smartling is the better fit. Both are enterprise-grade, but Lokalise excels for product-led companies, while Smartling suits marketing-heavy, multi-channel enterprises.
Feature-by-feature
Lokalise and Smartling are both enterprise localization platforms, but they differ in focus. Lokalise emphasizes AI-driven automation with Custom AI Profiles, AI orchestration across multiple LLMs, and automated quality control via AI Scoring. It also offers 95 API endpoints, CLI access, and 10 pre-built SDKs, making it highly developer-friendly. Continuous localization with OTA updates is a standout for mobile and web apps. On the other hand, Smartling positions itself as a full-service translation management platform, combining AI (LLM/MT) with a network of 4,000+ linguists and certified project managers. Its LQA Agent provides instant AI quality evaluation. Smartling's translation proxy simplifies web content translation without code changes. It also boasts 99% workflow automation and built-in review workflows. Both platforms integrate extensively, but Lokalise’s 60+ integrations include Figma, GitHub, GitLab, Jira, and Webflow, while Smartling’s 50+ cover CMSs like WordPress, Adobe Experience Manager, and Drupal, plus CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. Smartling offers satisfying guarantees with free revisions, appealing to marketing teams. Lokalise’s strengths lie in developer-centric features and continuous deployment, while Smartling excels in managed human translation and web proxy capabilities.
Pricing compared
Lokalise offers transparent, self-serve pricing starting from $120/month (Pro plan) with custom enterprise pricing. This is suitable for scaling teams that want predictable costs. In contrast, Smartling’s pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires contacting sales, which indicates a sales-led engagement model typical for enterprise deals. Smartling’s pricing likely includes a base platform fee plus costs for human translation services (per word or managed) and certified project managers. Lokalise also charges for additional translation units beyond plan limits, but offers a free trial. For small to mid-sized teams, Lokalise provides more upfront pricing clarity. For large enterprises, Smartling’s bundled services may offer cost efficiency if human translation volume is high, but custom quoting lacks transparency.
Who should pick which
- Developer building a SaaS product with CI/CD pipelinePick: Lokalise
Lokalise offers 95 API endpoints, CLI access, 10 SDKs, and integrations with GitHub/GitLab/Jira, ideal for continuous localization and OTA updates.
- Marketing manager launching campaigns in multiple languagesPick: Smartling
Smartling provides a translation proxy for web content, integrations with CMSs like WordPress and AEM, and a network of 4,000+ linguists with free revisions.
- Enterprise localization manager seeking managed human translationPick: Smartling
Smartling includes certified project managers, satisfaction guarantees, and 99% workflow automation, ensuring quality and oversight at scale.
- Product team shipping frequent mobile app updatesPick: Lokalise
OTA updates and continuous localization support fast deployment cycles, while AI orchestration and automated quality control maintain consistency.
- Small business needing simple, affordable translationPick: Lokalise
Lokalise offers transparent pricing starting at $120/mo with a free trial, whereas Smartling requires a sales contact and likely higher minimums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has better AI translation capabilities?
Lokalise offers Custom AI Profiles and orchestration across multiple LLMs with context-aware translation, while Smartling uses LLM/MT with LQA Agent for instant quality evaluation. Both are strong, but Lokalise provides more granular AI control.
Can I use human translators on both platforms?
Smartling includes a network of 4,000+ linguists with certified project managers and free revisions. Lokalise offers a translation marketplace but does not emphasize managed human translation.
Which integrates better with my tech stack?
Lokalise has 60+ integrations including Figma, GitHub, GitLab, Jira, and Webflow. Smartling has 50+ integrations with a focus on CMSs (WordPress, AEM, Drupal, Sitecore) and CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot). Choose based on your primary tools.
Which platform is more developer-friendly?
Lokalise offers 95 API endpoints, CLI access, 10 SDKs, and deep CI/CD integrations, making it more developer-centric than Smartling.
Which is better for web content translation?
Smartling's translation proxy allows translating web content without code changes, ideal for marketing websites. Lokalise focuses more on continuous localization for apps and software.
Do both platforms support mobile app localization?
Yes, but Lokalise provides OTA updates for mobile apps, enabling continuous deployment without app store resubmission, which is a key differentiator.
What about pricing transparency?
Lokalise has transparent, self-serve pricing from $120/mo. Smartling requires contacting sales, typical for enterprise deals with custom pricing.
Which platform is better for enterprise compliance?
Both target enterprises. Lokalise highlights role-based approvals and security features; Smartling offers certified project managers and satisfaction guarantees. Compliance details may require direct vendor confirmation.
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