Smartling
Translation management platform with AI, machine and human translation
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Pricing
Freemium
API
Yes
Platforms
What is Smartling?
Smartling is a localization platform that combines a translation management system (TMS) with machine, AI and human translation services. Teams send content in through more than 50 connectors, APIs, SDKs or a website translation proxy. Workflows then route it to AI or to professional linguists drawn from a network of 4,000+ translators.
The platform includes a CAT tool with visual context and translation memory, plus glossaries and style guides. An LQA Agent scores AI output against the MQM framework, and Auto Select LLM picks a model for each language pair. It handles software formats such as JSON, YAML and iOS/Android strings, Office documents and PDFs, and subtitle files.
The Core plan is free to start and suits individuals and small teams translating business documents. Enterprise is for larger companies that need custom workflows, unlimited translation memory and wider connectivity. Translation itself is billed per word.
Key features
- 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
Use cases
Who it's for
Software localization
Connect GitHub or Bitbucket and run CI/CD pipelines to translate JSON, YAML and mobile string files.
Multilingual websites
Use the translation proxy to serve translated web content without rebuilding the site.
Marketing and support content
Translate content from HubSpot, Marketo, Zendesk or Salesforce through pre-built connectors.
Business documents
Small teams can translate Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files on the free Core plan.
Smartling pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Core
usage-based
Free to start
- Basic workflow, user and project management
- CAT tool with visual context
- 180-day translation memory
- Basic LQA tools and automated quality checks
Enterprise
contact sales
Custom
- Customizable dynamic workflows
- Unlimited translation memory
- Custom glossaries, style guides and reporting
- Bring your own translators
Machine Translation
per word
From $0.0075/word
- Final price depends on content type, volume and automation
AI Translation
per word
From $0.06/word
AI Human Translation
per word
From $0.12/word
Human Translation
per word
From $0.20/word
What the free plan gets you
- Translation memory for 180 days
- Basic workflow, user, and project management
- Basic linguistic quality assurance tools
How Smartling compares
- Smartling has a free plan, like 3 of the 4 alternatives below.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | — | — | — | |||
| L | $149/mo | — | — | Smartling vs Lokalise | ||
G Google Translate | Free | — | — | — | Smartling vs Google Translate | |
D DeepL | — | — | Smartling vs DeepL | |||
| M | — | — | Smartling vs Microsoft Translator |
Compare 8 capabilities
| Capability | Smartling | Lokalise | DeepL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document translation | — | ||
| Glossaries | |||
| Translation memory | |||
| Speech translation | — | — | |
| AI quality scoring | — | ||
| Human translation | — | — | |
| Office add-ins | — | — | |
| Repo & design integrations | — |
Capabilities as stated on each vendor's own site; — means the site doesn't say. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Smartling data and privacy
Trains AI on your content
Yes, unless you opt out
“Optional AI and ML features will only be included in workflows upon a customer’s execution of an SLA, in which the AI and ML features are part of such SLA. Smartling uses customers’ translation memories, glossaries”
Data retention
Kept as long as necessary for the purpose collected; may retain for business or legal reasons
“We store the information we collect for as long as is necessary for the purpose(s) for which we originally collected it.”
Where data is stored
US
“Smartling is based in the U.S. As such, we and our service providers may transfer your information to, or store or access it in, jurisdictions”
Security and compliance
From Smartling's own privacy and security pages , checked Oct 28, 2026. We only show what the vendor states in writing; “not stated” means the pages don't say.
Who's behind Smartling
- Company
- Smartling, Inc.
- Based in
- New York, United States
- Founded
- 2009
From Smartling's own about, terms and privacy pages and Wikidata, checked Oct 28, 2026.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 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
Limitations
- 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
Smartling FAQ
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Core plan is free to start, and translation is billed per word.
How much does translation cost?
Starting rates are $0.0075/word for machine translation, $0.06 for AI translation, $0.12 for AI human translation and $0.20 for human translation. Final pricing depends on content type, volume and automation level.
Does Smartling have an API?
Yes. It offers open APIs, SDKs, Zapier support and CI/CD integration.
Do I own my translation data?
Yes. You can export translation memories as TMX and translated content as XLIFF.
What file formats are supported?
JSON, XML, YAML, HTML, Markdown, PO, iOS .strings, Android XML, Office files, PDF, IDML, SVG and SRT/VTT.
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Smartling
Freemium
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