Lokalise vs Smartling

A 2026 side-by-side comparison of Lokalise and Smartling — pricing, key features, platforms, API access, and the trade-offs of each, based on data collected from their official sites.

Tagline

AI-powered localization platform

End-to-end localization and translation services for global growth

Pricing

Paid
Paid

Rating

0.0 (0)
0.0 (0)

Platforms

WebMacWindows
Web

API

Yes
Yes

Open source

No
No

Description

Lokalise streamlines software translation and localization with AI-assisted workflows.

Smartling is an all-in-one translation orchestration platform and translation management system. It enables enterprises to translate, automate, and manage content across platforms using 20+ LLMs, machine translation engines, and a network of over 4,000 professional human linguists.

Key features

  • Layout preservation
  • Glossary support
  • Translation Orchestration
  • Linguistic Quality Assurance (LQA)
  • Workflow Automation
  • Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tool
  • Glossary and Terminology Management
  • Real-time Dashboards & Analytics
  • Visual Context
  • LLM and Machine Translation Engine Integration
  • Open APIs and SDKs
  • Secure MCP Server
  • 50+ Brand Integrations
  • Global Delivery Network (GDN) Web Proxy

Pros

  • 50+ file formats
  • GitHub and GitLab integration
  • Translation memory
  • AI translation suggestions
  • Team collaboration
  • In-context editing
  • Mobile SDK support
  • Enterprise security
  • Automates up to 99% of the translation process, including auto-detection of new content and auto-publishing.
  • Supports seamless integration with over 50 platforms including CMSs, CRMs, code repositories, and tools like WordPress, Contentful, and GitHub.
  • Provides a robust, RESTful API that covers 100% of the platform's functionality and supports real-time, AI-augmented machine translations.
  • Ensures enterprise-grade security with certifications including SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, HITRUST, PCI DSS Level 1, and GDPR compliance.
  • Integrates with over 20 different LLMs and machine translation engines to deliver flexible, automated translations.
  • Access to a global network of over 4,000 vetted professional linguists for secure human translation and post-editing.
  • Customers retain total ownership of all translated content, glossaries, style guides, and translation memories.
  • Provides real-time visual context inside its computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to help linguists minimize mistakes.

Cons

  • Expensive tiered pricing
  • Complex for small teams
  • Learning curve
  • AI quality varies by language
  • No standalone MT editor
  • Advanced features enterprise-only
  • UI can feel dense
  • Requires localization workflow knowledge
  • No free plan or trial option is listed on the pricing plans page.
  • Pricing details, exact estimates, and SaaS plan rates are not publicly disclosed and require direct contact.
  • The translation platform is cloud-based and does not mention any offline or local desktop applications.
  • Custom setups or advanced pipeline integrations might require specialized developer resources or Smartling Professional Services.
  • The platform utilizes AI automated routing and LLMs, which may still require human translation or review services depending on the content's visibility.

Pricing plans

  • ExplorerUSD144/month
    • For teams that want the essentials, done right and fast
    • Everything to get started, plus
    • Try free
    • All plans come with a free 14-day trial, no credit card required
  • GrowthUSD375/month
    • For scaling teams that need better automation and control
    • Everything in Explorer, plus
    • Try free
    • All plans come with a free 14-day trial, no credit card required
  • AdvancedUSD999/month
    • Most popular
    • For teams with complex, multi-product workflows and setups
    • Everything in Growth, plus
    • Book a demo
  • Enterprise
    • For global orgs with bespoke security and support needs
    • Everything in Advanced, plus
    • Custom AI profiles (RAG)
    • Dedicated Enterprise onboarding
  • CoreUSD0
    • Basic workflow, user, and project management
    • Easy drag and drop
    • CAT Tool with visual context and in-platform communication
    • Essential reporting and automated quality checks
  • Enterprise
    • Everything in Core, plus advanced user and project management
    • Fully customizable and dynamic workflows
    • Broad suite of connectivity options
    • Advanced translation memory with unlimited storage
  • AI Hub
    • High-volume automated translation
    • Translations in minutes
    • Translate with 20+ LLMs and machine translation engines
    • Workflow automation with integrations
  • AI Translation
    • Cost-effective quality at scale
    • Translations in hours or days depending on requirements and volume
    • AI and machine translation services
    • Automated routing, context, and QA
  • AI Human Translation
    • For high-visibility content that needs human oversight
    • Human translation from Smartling’s network of 4,000+ linguists
    • AI-enabled human translation services from Smartling
    • Brand-consistent translations with human quality checks
  • Professional Translation
    • Professional translation
    • Starting at $0.12/word shown on page
    • AI-enabled human translation services from Smartling
    • Basic linguistic quality assurance tools

Which one should you pick?

  • Choose Lokalise if you need Layout preservation.
  • Choose Smartling if you need Translation Orchestration.
  • On budget: Lokalise is paid, Smartling is paid.