Happy Valley

LILT vs Smartcat

LILT and Smartcat are both translation & localization tools. LILT is aimed at enterprise, while Smartcat is aimed at enterprise and small businesses.

LILT

Enterprise AI translation platform with human expert verification

Smartcat

AI translation platform with a built-in marketplace of linguists

PricingPaidPaid · $100
Starting priceNot published$100/mo
Free planNoNo
Free trial—15 days
Built forEnterpriseEnterprise, Small businesses, Freelancers
Platformswebweb
CountryUS · 2015US · 2016
Rating——

Choose LILT if

Enterprises and public sector bodies translating large volumes of content that need human-verified quality and strict data security.

  • Combines AI speed with human verification in one workflow
  • Strong security certifications and air-gapped options
  • Wide connector library for content and support systems

Look elsewhere if: Small businesses or developers who want self-serve tiers or cheap raw machine translation (Phrase, DeepL).

Choose Smartcat if

Marketing, product and L&D teams that translate high volumes into many languages and want AI plus vetted human reviewers in one place.

  • AI translation and human review hiring live in one workspace
  • Unlimited seats make it easy to invite reviewers and stakeholders
  • Translation memory matches and repetitions are free

Look elsewhere if: Developer teams focused on app string localization (Lokalise, Crowdin) or buyers wanting a cheap monthly plan for occasional translation (DeepL).

LILT vs Smartcat pricing

LILT

  • BusinessCustomAI platform, connectors, review copilots; contact sales
  • EnterpriseCustomManaged human experts, full API, SSO/SAML, 24/7 support
  • GovernmentCustomAir-gapped or on-prem deployment, IL6+, cleared support

Smartcat

  • Adapt$1,200/yrUnlimited users, 100K Smartwords, 1 workspace
  • Accelerate$24,000/yrUnlimited users, 1M Smartwords, 1 workspace
  • Anticipate$60,000/yrUnlimited users, 2M Smartwords, 2 workspaces
  • AutonomousCustom6M Smartwords, 7 workspaces

LILT · Key features

  • Adaptive machine translation that learns from linguist edits in real time
  • AI agents that automate review steps and localization workflows
  • Verify module for automated translation accuracy checks
  • Managed human subject-matter experts for guaranteed quality on Enterprise
  • 100+ connectors including Contentful, AEM, Salesforce, Zendesk and GitHub
  • MCP server to translate inside ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini

Cons

  • No public pricing or self-serve plan
  • Overkill for small websites or occasional translation
  • Tied to LILT's service model for human review

Smartcat · Key features

  • AI translation into 280+ languages with translation memory reuse
  • AI Coworkers for translation, content updates, review and QA
  • Marketplace of 500,000+ linguists and 5,000+ agencies
  • Single invoice and automatic cost calculation for hired vendors
  • Glossaries and terminology control shared across projects
  • Connectors for WordPress, Webflow, Contentful, Figma and GitHub

Cons

  • No free plan and no monthly billing; plans are annual only
  • Large price jump from $1,200 to $24,000 a year
  • Smartword metering takes time to understand and forecast

LILT vs Smartcat: FAQ

Do LILT and Smartcat have a free plan?

LILT has no free plan. Smartcat has no free plan, a 15-day free trial.

Which is better for small businesses, LILT or Smartcat?

Smartcat lists small businesses as a core audience, while LILT is aimed more at enterprise.

Not sure yet?