Lokalise vs Smartling
Comprehensive comparison for 2026 — features, pricing, and expert verdict
Overview
Choosing between Lokalise and Smartling is a common dilemma for professionals looking for the right solution. Both platforms have carved out significant market positions, but they take notably different approaches to solving similar problems. In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze every aspect that matters — from features and pricing to user experience and support — so you can make an informed decision.
Ratings Comparison
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lokalise | Smartling |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Translation | Yes | Yes |
| Translation Memory | Yes | Yes |
| Glossary | Yes | Yes |
| Api Access | Yes | Yes |
| File Formats | Yes | Yes |
| Team Collaboration | Yes | Yes |
| Quality Assurance | Yes | Yes |
| Cms Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Real Time | Yes | No |
| Custom Models | No | Yes |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom |
| Founded | 2017 | 2009 |
Feature Analysis
Both Lokalise and Smartling share a solid foundation of core features including Machine Translation, Translation Memory, Glossary, Api Access. Where Lokalise pulls ahead is with exclusive access to Real Time, which can be a deciding factor for teams that rely on this capability. On the other hand, Smartling uniquely offers Custom Models, giving it an edge for users who prioritize this area. Looking at user ratings, Lokalise holds an overall score of 8/10 and an ease of use score of 8/10, while Smartling scores 8/10 overall and 6/10 for ease of use. These ratings reflect real user experiences and can indicate differences in usability, support quality, and overall satisfaction.
Pricing Breakdown
When it comes to pricing, both Lokalise and Smartling offer flexible pricing models. Lokalise has a notable advantage here with its free plan, allowing you to get started without any financial commitment. Smartling does not currently offer a free tier, which means you will need to pay from day one.
Pros & Cons
Lokalise
- Excellent developer workflow integration
- Great for agile localization
- Over-the-air translation updates
Cons
- -Pricing based on key count
- -Can be expensive at scale
- -Limited offline functionality
Smartling
- Excellent enterprise TMS platform
- Great CMS and code integrations
- Human + AI translation workflow
Cons
- -Enterprise pricing only
- -Complex setup and onboarding
- -Overkill for small projects
Who Should Choose Which?
The ideal user for each platform differs considerably. Lokalise is best suited for development teams, mobile apps, agile teams, making it a strong choice if you fall into any of these categories. Smartling, meanwhile, shines for enterprise localization, SaaS companies, global brands, which means it may be the better pick if your needs align with those use cases. Founded in 2017, Lokalise describes itself as "Developer-friendly translation management platform for apps and websites." Smartling, established in 2009, positions itself as "Enterprise translation management platform combining AI and human translation." With 8 years between them, Smartling brings the maturity and proven track record of a veteran platform, while Lokalise offers the fresh perspective and modern architecture of a newer entrant.
Our Verdict
After analyzing all the data, **Lokalise** comes out slightly ahead in this comparison, thanks to availability of a free plan. However, this does not mean Smartling is a poor choice — far from it. Smartling excels in its own right, particularly for enterprise localization and SaaS companies. Our recommendation: if you value excellent developer workflow integration, go with Lokalise. If excellent enterprise tms platform matters more to you, Smartling is the way to go. Either way, both are solid platforms that have earned their place in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Comparisons
Learn More
Lokalise details | Smartling details | All ai translation tools