Locize vs Smartling
Locize and Smartling are both translation & localization tools. Locize is aimed at developers and small businesses, while Smartling is aimed at enterprise. Both have a free plan.
Locize
Continuous localization platform from the creators of i18next
Smartling
Enterprise translation management
| Pricing | Freemium · $7 | Freemium |
| Starting price | $7/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Built for | Developers, Small businesses, Enterprise | Enterprise |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Country | CH · 2016 | US · 2009 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Locize if
JavaScript teams using i18next that want continuous, CDN-delivered localization at a low price.
- Built by the i18next authors, so integration is seamless
- Low entry price with a free plan and a $7 Starter tier
- Swiss company with GDPR-friendly data handling
Look elsewhere if: Large localization departments needing many file formats and design integrations (Lokalise, Phrase, Crowdin).
Choose Smartling if
Enterprises.
- Enterprise scale
- Visual context
- Services included
Look elsewhere if: Small teams.
Locize vs Smartling pricing
Locize
- Free$0100K CDN downloads, 2,000 words, 2 languages, 1 user
- Starter$7/mo1M CDN downloads, 15,000 words, 5 languages, 5 users
- Starter-Plus$19/mo3M CDN downloads, 30,000 words, 7 languages
- Growth$49/mo60,000 words, 10 languages, unlimited users, review flow
- Professional$99/mo100,000 words, 20 languages, SAML SSO add-on $20/mo
Smartling
- Core$0Free to start; CAT tool, 180-day TM; pay per word
- EnterpriseCustomCustom workflows, unlimited TM, advanced LQA
Locize · Key features
- Native i18next backend that serves translations from a CDN
- Update copy in production without redeploying the app
- In-context editor for i18next and vue-i18n on the live page
- AI and machine translation guided by glossary and style guide
- Review workflow, versions, history and per-language permissions
- Branches and tenants for parallel releases and white-label apps
Cons
- Fewer integrations with design tools and code hosts than Lokalise or Phrase
- Usage-based limits on downloads and words need monitoring
- Plans below Enterprise block the project above 110% of included downloads
Smartling · Key features
- Translation management
- Visual context
- AI translation
- Language services
- Integrations
- Quality tools
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Enterprise focus
- Complex
Locize vs Smartling: FAQ
Do Locize and Smartling have a free plan?
Yes, both Locize and Smartling have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.
Which is better for small businesses, Locize or Smartling?
Locize lists small businesses as a core audience, while Smartling is aimed more at enterprise.