The 10 best translation tools to accelerate your global expansion
Finding the right translation tool can make or break your international business strategy. This guide reviews the top solutions to help you choose the perfect fit for your needs.
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What are translation tools?
Translation tools are software platforms that help people convert content from one language to another. They range from simple text converters to full-scale systems that support complex localisation projects across multiple languages and regions.
Today’s translation tools use a mix of artificial intelligence, machine learning and human input to produce accurate translations — quickly and at scale. They’re used for everything from translating basic documents to managing global website content, product descriptions, legal materials and more.
The best tools do more than just swap words. They preserve tone, context and cultural meaning — all while keeping your brand voice consistent across every market.
What to look for in a translation tool
Not all tools are built the same. Here are the key things to think about when choosing the right one for your business:
Translation quality
This should be your top priority. A good tool will deliver translations that make sense in context — not just literal word-for-word versions. Look for platforms that use advanced AI models and offer human review, translation memory and terminology management to improve consistency and accuracy over time.
Language support
Check that the tool supports the languages you work with now — and the ones you might expand into later. Some tools focus on popular pairs like English to Spanish or French. Others support hundreds of languages, including less common ones or regional variants.
Integrations with your systems
Your translation tool should fit into your existing workflow. Whether you use a CMS, marketing platform, or product management system, make sure the tool can integrate with them easily. This saves time, reduces manual work and helps keep everything aligned.
Workflow and collaboration features
As your translation needs grow, you’ll want tools that can manage larger projects and multiple contributors. Look for features like task assignment, approval flows, team roles and live collaboration. These help keep everything organised and moving forward.
Scalability and pricing
Choose a platform that can grow with your business. Think about how much content you translate now, and how that might change in future. Some tools charge per word or project, others offer monthly plans with volume discounts or custom pricing for bigger teams.
Security and compliance
If you’re translating sensitive or business-critical content, don’t overlook security. Make sure the tool offers data encryption, access controls and compliance with relevant standards like GDPR or ISO certifications. This is especially important in regulated industries like finance, healthcare or legal.
10 best translation tools
XTM Cloud offers several specialised solutions within its ecosystem
XTM Cloud Core Platform
The main translation management system that handles project creation, workflow management, and quality assurance processes.
XTRF
A dedicated business management solution for translation agencies and freelancers, offering CRM, project management, and financial tracking capabilities through XTRF.
Rigi
An advanced quality assurance tool that automatically detects translation errors and inconsistencies. Rigi helps maintain high quality standards across all translation projects.
Video Creation Cloud
A specialised solution for video content localisation, handling subtitles, dubbing, and multimedia translation workflows.
Transifex
Transifex is a cloud-based localisation platform that focuses on software and digital content translation. It’s particularly popular among development teams and product managers who need to localise applications and websites.
The platform offers strong API integration and developer-friendly features that make it easy to automate translation workflows. Users value its intuitive interface and collaborative features. Some users mention that pricing can become expensive for larger projects, and the platform is primarily designed for digital content rather than document translation.
Lokalise
Lokalise specialises in software localisation with a focus on mobile apps and web applications. The platform combines AI translation with project management tools designed specifically for development teams and product managers.
Users find Lokalise particularly effective for mobile app translation and appreciate the collaboration features that help coordinate between developers, translators, and project managers. The platform handles various file formats used in software development and provides useful integrations with development tools.
The AI translation quality is reasonable but not exceptional, and the platform is primarily designed for software localisation rather than general business content. Some users report that the interface can feel overwhelming initially, particularly for smaller teams or simple projects.
Phrase
Phrase is a translation management system that serves both developers and translation teams. It offers a range of features from basic translation to advanced workflow management.
The platform provides good integration options and supports various file formats. Users like its flexibility and collaborative features. Some users report that the interface can be overwhelming for beginners, and customer support response times vary.
Real results. Not just promises.
Businesses using XTM see faster turnaround times, fewer errors, and consistent quality across languages and channels.
50%
Reduction in translation errors
42%
Cost saving with machine translation
90%
Faster time-to-market
Smartling
Smartling is a cloud-based translation platform that focuses on enterprise customers. It offers a combination of technology and professional services to handle large-scale localisation projects.
The platform provides strong automation features and professional translation services. Users appreciate its scalability and enterprise-grade security. However, some users find the pricing high compared to alternatives, and the platform can be complex for smaller teams.
Crowdin
DeepL has built a strong reputation for producing natural-sounding translations that often outperform other AI translation tools. The platform uses advanced neural networks to understand context and produce more human-like translations.
Users consistently praise DeepL’s translation quality, particularly for European languages. The translations often capture nuances and tone better than competitors. The interface is clean and simple, making it accessible for users who don’t need complex project management features. DeepL also offers document translation that preserves formatting.
However, DeepL’s language support is more limited than some competitors, and it lacks advanced project management features. The platform works best for straightforward translation tasks rather than complex, multi-stage projects. Pricing can become expensive for high-volume usage.
Weglot
Weglot is a website translation solution that automatically translates websites and provides editing tools for refinement. It’s designed for businesses that want to quickly make their websites multilingual.
The platform offers easy setup and automatic translation features. Users appreciate its simplicity and quick deployment. However, some users find the automatic translations require significant editing, and the platform is limited to website translation rather than broader content localisation needs.
Trados Studio
Trados Studio is a desktop-based computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool that’s widely used by professional translators and translation agencies. It offers advanced features for translation memory and terminology management.
The platform provides powerful translation memory features and supports various file formats. Professional translators appreciate its advanced capabilities and industry-standard features. However, some users find the desktop-based approach limiting compared to cloud solutions, and the interface can be complex for new users.
memoQ
memoQ is a translation management system that combines CAT tool functionality with project management features. It’s popular among translation agencies and enterprise customers.
The platform offers strong translation memory features and project management capabilities. Users appreciate its feature set and reliability. Some users note that the interface feels dated compared to newer cloud-based solutions, and setup can be complex.
Memsource
Memsource is a cloud-based translation management system that combines CAT tool features with project management capabilities. It targets both individual translators and enterprise customers.
The platform offers good integration options and scalable pricing. Users value its cloud-based approach and feature set. Some users report occasional performance issues, and customer support quality can vary.
Ready to transform your translation workflow?
Choosing the right translation tool depends on your specific needs, team size, and content types. While many options exist, XTM Cloud stands out for its comprehensive feature set, scalability, and enterprise-grade capabilities.
Don’t let translation bottlenecks slow down your global expansion. Book a demo today to see how XTM Cloud can accelerate your international growth and improve your translation quality.
Frequently asked questions
Translation tools typically focus on the actual translation process, while translation management systems provide project management, workflow automation, and collaboration features. The best translation management systems combine both capabilities.
AI tools excel at speed and consistency for large volumes of content, while human translators provide cultural nuance and creative adaptation. The best approach often combines both, using AI for initial translation and human review for quality assurance.
Yes, advanced translation tools support terminology management, translation memory, and industry-specific glossaries to maintain accuracy in technical content. Look for tools that offer domain specialisation and quality assurance features.
Essential security features include data encryption, access controls, compliance certifications (like ISO 27001), and data residency options. Enterprise-grade tools should also offer audit trails and user permission management.
Consider factors like translation speed improvements, quality consistency, reduced management overhead, and scalability benefits. Most businesses see ROI through faster time-to-market, reduced translation costs, and improved quality consistency across languages.
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