Choosing the right translation management system (TMS) for your enterprise is a big deal. If you’re here, chances are you’ve heard of Smartling. It’s been around for a while. But let’s be real — it’s not always the perfect fit for everyone.
Looking into 2025, more businesses are exploring smarter, faster, and more flexible alternatives. So if you’re searching for the best Smartling alternative for your business, you’re in the right place.
Why Look Beyond Smartling?
Before we jump to the alternatives, let’s see why some companies want something different:
- High costs: Smartling can get pricey, especially for growing teams.
- Complex interface: Not everyone needs a NASA-grade dashboard to translate a website.
- Limited flexibility: Customization options can be a bit tight.
- Workflow bottlenecks: Large teams may find coordination a little clunky.
If these pain points sound familiar, don’t worry. There are great options available that feel more modern, offer better usability, and might save you some serious budget.
⭐ The Best Smartling Alternative: Phrase (formerly PhraseApp)
Phrase is gaining serious traction in 2025. It’s fast, reliable, and built with developers and marketers in mind.
What Makes Phrase Awesome?
- Developer-Friendly: Phrase integrates easily with your codebase. Simple APIs and a source control-friendly workflow make life easier for your tech team.
- Smart Automation: Features like automatic string detection and translation memory speed things up.
- Multiple Integrations: Works with platforms like GitHub, Bitbucket, Figma, and more.
- Easy UI: Clean, modern, and easy for non-tech users. Marketing and localization teams love it.
- Scalable Pricing: More flexible than Smartling, with plans that grow with your business.
In short, Phrase works well whether you’re translating a mobile app, website, UI strings, or even an entire software platform.
🙌 Other Great Runners-Up
If you want to explore a few more options, here are other top Smartling alternatives to consider:
1. Lokalise
A great choice for Agile teams. Syncs nicely with your DevOps tools. Fast and clean UI. Great for software product teams.
2. Weglot
Perfect if you’re using websites like WordPress, Shopify, or Webflow. Install it once, and it automatically translates your page. Cleanup using their visual editor!
3. Crowdin
Awesome for open-source projects and software localization. Handles collaboration like a pro. Its open API and Git integrations earn bonus points.
What To Look For in a Smartling Alternative
Before choosing a new TMS, keep these tips in mind:
- Ease of Use: Your translators shouldn’t need an engineering degree to use the platform.
- Integration Capabilities: Make sure it plugs into your tools (CMS, Git, Slack, etc.).
- Translation Quality Assurance: Built-in QA checks save you tons of time.
- Automation Features: Automate imports/exports, translations, and file delivery.
- Scalability: Choose a tool that grows with your teams and languages.
Final Thoughts
Smartling is still a solid option for some enterprises. But if you’re feeling boxed in or over budget, it’s totally fair to explore alternatives. Tools like Phrase, Lokalise, and Crowdin offer greater flexibility and often better value.
In 2025, businesses want tools that not only translate languages — but also teamwork, speed, and sanity. Choose a platform that works with your systems, not against them.
The right choice can make localization smoother, faster, and dare we say… more fun!
