Lokalise
Lokalise is a cloud-based localization and translation management system designed to help agile teams automate their software internationalization process and manage multilingual content across web and mobile applications.
Smartcat
Smartcat is an AI-powered translation platform that connects businesses with a global marketplace of freelancers and automated tools to streamline multilingual content creation and management across all digital channels.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lokalise | Smartcat |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lokalise.com | smartcat.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $120/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2017 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Dover, USA | Boston, USA |
Overview
Lokalise
Lokalise helps you take your product global by streamlining the entire translation and localization process. Instead of passing spreadsheets back and forth, you can manage all your language strings in one centralized hub. You can integrate it directly into your development workflow, allowing your designers, developers, and translators to work together in real-time without stepping on each other's toes.
The platform solves the headache of manual content updates by automating the exchange of data between your code repository and the translation interface. You can preview how translations look in your actual app design before they go live, which prevents layout breaks and ensures a high-quality user experience in every language. It is built for fast-moving teams who need to ship multilingual products quickly and accurately.
Smartcat
Smartcat provides you with an all-in-one environment to manage translations, automate workflows, and hire linguists. You can upload documents in dozens of formats and use AI translation engines to get instant results, which you can then refine yourself or assign to professional editors. The platform eliminates the need for separate CAT tools, project management software, and payment systems by consolidating everything into a single cloud-based workspace.
You can scale your global content operations without worrying about seat licenses, as the platform allows for unlimited users. Whether you are a small startup localizing an app or a large enterprise managing complex documentation, you can automate the entire lifecycle from initial draft to final payment. It solves the problem of fragmented translation processes by providing a centralized hub for your internal teams and external vendors.
Overview
Lokalise Features
- Over-the-Air Updates Send translation updates directly to your mobile users' devices instantly without waiting for App Store or Google Play approvals.
- Adobe XD & Figma Plugins Connect your design tools to preview how different languages fit into your layouts before you even start developing.
- Automated Workflows Set up custom rules to automatically assign tasks, move projects forward, and notify team members when translations are ready.
- In-Context Editor Edit translations directly on your web application interface so you can see exactly how the text looks in its final environment.
- Machine Translation Speed up your initial drafts by using integrated engines like Google Translate, DeepL, or Microsoft Translator for instant suggestions.
- Translation Memory Save time and money by reusing previous translations for identical strings across all your different projects and platforms.
Smartcat Features
- AI Translation Drive. Generate instant translations using the best-performing engines for your specific content type and language pair automatically.
- Collaborative Editor. Work with your team or freelancers in real-time using a web-based tool featuring translation memories and glossaries.
- Freelancer Marketplace. Access a vetted network of over 500,000 linguists and hire them directly within your project workflow.
- Automated Payments. Pay all your global contributors with a single invoice, regardless of their location or preferred currency.
- Translation Memory. Store your previous translations in a database to reuse them in future projects and maintain brand consistency.
- Project Automation. Set up automated workflows that move tasks from translation to editing and proofreading without manual intervention.
- Website Localization. Translate your entire website visually using a proxy solution or direct integrations with your CMS.
- Quality Assurance. Run automated checks to catch formatting errors, terminology inconsistencies, and punctuation mistakes before you publish.
Pricing Comparison
Lokalise Pricing
- Unlimited projects
- Unlimited users
- Translation memory
- Glossary
- Adobe XD, Figma, and Sketch plugins
- API and CLI access
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Automated workflows
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket integrations
- Screenshots and visual context
- Customizable project statuses
Smartcat Pricing
- Unlimited users and projects
- Access to Marketplace
- Basic AI translation
- Standard CAT tool features
- Single user payment system
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 150,000 Smartwords per year
- Email support
- Translation memory management
- Glossary support
- Project management automation
Pros & Cons
Lokalise
Pros
- Excellent integration with modern developer tools and repositories
- Intuitive interface makes it easy for non-technical translators
- Visual context features prevent layout issues before deployment
- Responsive customer support helps resolve technical integration issues
Cons
- Starting price point is high for very small startups
- Steep learning curve for complex automation rule setups
- Mobile app functionality is limited compared to web version
Smartcat
Pros
- Unlimited user seats allow for easy team scaling
- Centralized payment system simplifies freelancer management
- Intuitive interface requires very little technical training
- Strong AI translation integration speeds up initial drafts
Cons
- Advanced project filtering can be difficult to navigate
- Occasional lag when working with very large files
- Marketplace communication tools can feel somewhat limited