D
DGoogle Translate vs Smartling
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
G
Choose Google Translate if…
- you work on iOS, Android
- you're in its core audience: travelers, students
S
Choose Smartling if…
- you need an API to build on
- you're in its core audience: enterprise localization teams, software developers
Side by side
Feature Google Translate Smartling
Pricing modelFreeFreemium
Starting priceFree—
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Trains AI on your content—Yes, unless you opt out
Data retention—Kept as long as necessary for the purpose collected; may retain for business or legal reasons
Security and compliance—SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 42001, PCI DSS
Glossaries—
Translation memory—
AI quality scoring—
Human translation—
Repo & design integrations—
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, API
CategoryTranslationTranslation
CompanyGoogleSmartling, Inc.
Based in—United States
Founded—2009
Part of——
Key features
G
- Text translation across many languages
- Document translation that keeps formatting
- Website translation by entering a URL
- Camera translation of text you point your phone at
- Conversation mode for talking with someone in another language
- Transcribe for translating speech as it is spoken
- Offline translation with downloaded languages
- Voice and handwriting input
S Smartling
- Translation management system with customizable workflows
- 50+ connectors for CMS, CRM, code repos and design tools
- LQA Agent scoring AI translations with MQM
- Auto Select LLM chooses a model per language pair
- Website translation proxy (Global Delivery Network)
- CAT tool with visual context and translation memory
- Open APIs, SDKs and CI/CD integration
- Professional translation from 4,000+ linguists
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
Google Translate
Free. Plan details aren't published.
Smartling
CoreFree to start
EnterpriseCustom
Machine TranslationFrom $0.0075/word
AI TranslationFrom $0.06/word
AI Human TranslationFrom $0.12/word
Human TranslationFrom $0.20/word
Strengths and limitations
Google Translate
- Available on the web, Android and iOS
- Offline translation for downloaded languages
- Input by text, voice, handwriting, camera or document
- Saved translations sync across devices
- The product page doesn't list pricing or usage limits
- The product page doesn't give a total language count
Smartling
- Core plan is free to start
- Per-word rates published, from $0.0075/word for machine translation
- Customers can export translation memory (TMX) and content (XLIFF)
- Lists SOC 2, ISO/IEC 42001, HIPAA and GDPR compliance
- Enterprise plan pricing is not published
- Core plan keeps translation memory for only 180 days
- Some connectors require a higher tier or an add-on
More comparisons
Other options to consider
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D
AI translation for text, documents and voice, for individuals and businesses
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Text, speech and document translation apps and API for people and businesses
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Text, speech and document translation apps and API for people and businesses
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C
CC
Freemium
C
Localization platform for translating software, apps, games, websites and docs
TranslationFree planAPI
S
SS
From $100/mo
P
PP
From $27/mo
P
Translation management and localization platform for teams, developers and LSPs
TranslationAPI
S
SS
From $18.99/mo
Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy