What Is Translation & Localization Software?

Mix (15 tools)

• License: 5 open source · 10 proprietary
• Hosting: 3 self-hosted · 7 SaaS · 5 both

Translation and localization software manages the process of adapting content – user interfaces, documentation, marketing materials, legal texts – into multiple languages and regional variants. The category spans several tool types:

• TMS (Translation Management System) – a web-based platform that orchestrates translation workflows, assigns work to translators, tracks progress, and stores completed translations
• CAT tool (Computer-Assisted Translation) – a desktop or web application that helps translators work segment by segment, leveraging translation memory (TM) and terminology databases
• String manager – a developer-focused platform for managing translatable strings extracted from source code (JSON, YAML, PO/gettext, XLIFF, Android XML, iOS .strings)
• Continuous localization – integration with version control (Git) to automatically detect new or changed strings and route them for translation

Core Concepts

• Translation memory (TM) – database of previously translated segments. When a new segment matches or fuzzy-matches an existing translation, the TM suggests it, improving consistency and reducing cost. Standard exchange format: TMX (Translation Memory eXchange)
• Term base / glossary (TB) – controlled vocabulary ensuring consistent translation of key terms. Standard exchange format: TBX (TermBase eXchange)
• XLIFF (XML Localization Interchange Format) – the OASIS standard for exchanging translatable content between tools. Version 2.0 is current; many tools still support XLIFF 1.2
• SDLXLIFF – Trados-specific variant of XLIFF; widely used because of SDL Trados market dominance
• PO / gettext – the GNU gettext format (.po / .pot files), standard in open-source software localization
• ICU MessageFormat – syntax for pluralization, gender, and variable interpolation in translated strings
• Machine translation (MT) – integration with DeepL, Google Translate, or custom MT engines to provide draft translations for human post-editing
• In-context editing – visual editing where translators see their translations rendered in the actual application UI
• QA checks – automated validation of translations (missing placeholders, double spaces, inconsistent terminology, length violations, untranslated segments)
• Workflow management – multi-step processes (translate, review, proofread, approve) with role assignments and status tracking

Translation Package Concepts

A translation package is a self-contained bundle of source content, translation memory, and terminology that can be sent to an external translator or contractor. The round-trip workflow:

1. Prepare source – extract translatable content from the application, website, or document
2. Create package – bundle source segments with TM matches, term bases, and instructions into a distributable format (XLIFF, SDLXLIFF, TMX, or a proprietary package format)
3. Send to translator – deliver the package to a freelance translator, agency, or contractor
4. Translator works – the translator opens the package in their CAT tool, translates segments, and exports the completed package
5. Import completed work – import the returned package back into the TMS or CAT tool
6. Review / QA – run QA checks, have a reviewer approve or reject segments
7. Publish – merge approved translations into the application or content system

Common package formats:

Comparison

Tool Categories

Feature Matrix

Core Translation Features

* = Cloud TM in Pro version only

File Format Support

Translation Package Format Support

Key observations:

• Desktop CAT tools (Trados, memoQ, Wordfast) have the most robust package workflows with dedicated package formats
• Web TMS tools (Weblate, Crowdin, Transifex) prefer in-platform translation but support XLIFF export for offline work
• Trados .sdlppx is the industry-standard package format for professional translation
• XLIFF is the universal interchange format supported by all tools

Deployment Comparison

* = pontoon.mozilla.org is the primary instance ** = GroupShare (server) and Trados Live (cloud) are separate products *** = Crowdin Enterprise offers dedicated hosting

Licensing Comparison

SSO / OIDC Comparison

OIDC is the preferred SSO protocol; the Authentik notes below assume an OIDC/SAML identity provider.

* = Trados Live/GroupShare; desktop has no SSO ? = not publicly documented

Best SSO support: Weblate (OIDC on all tiers), memoQ Server, and Smartling offer the broadest SSO support. Most cloud platforms restrict OIDC/SAML to enterprise tiers.

API Comparison

* = Trados Live API; GroupShare API is separate

Continuous Localization Support

* = Git/SVN team projects for shared work ** = GDN provides CDN-based delivery, not OTA SDK

Suitability Summary

For MSP Customer Support

• Self-hosted TMS: recommend Weblate for customers wanting on-premise localization
• Cloud TMS: recommend Crowdin or Lokalise for developer teams; Smartling for enterprise content-heavy organizations
• Desktop CAT: Trados and memoQ are the industry standards for document translation; OmegaT and Wordfast are cost-effective alternatives
• Simple needs: POEditor for small teams with limited budgets
• SSO integration: Weblate (all tiers), memoQ Server, Crowdin Enterprise, Smartling

Package Workflow Comparison

For organizations that need to send work to external translators/contractors:

• Best package workflow: SDL Trados (sdlppx/ sdlrpx) – industry standard; most polished round-trip experience
• Best server workflow: memoQ Server – WebTrans for browser-based translator access

• package fallback

• Best cloud workflow: Crowdin or Phrase TMS – invite translators to web editor; XLIFF export for offline work
• Best OSS workflow: Weblate – web-based translation + XLIFF/PO export for contractors

Tools

15 tools.

Crowdin

Crowdin is a developer-friendly cloud localization platform designed for software teams. It is one of the most popular tools for translating applications, games, documentation, and websites, with over 1.5 million users.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

LingoHub

LingoHub is a cloud-based continuous localization platform designed for agile software development teams.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

Lokalise

Lokalise is a cloud-based translation management system for product teams and developers, with translation memory, glossary, 50+ file formats, machine translation, Git and Figma integration, and OTA delivery.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

Lokalize

Lokalize is KDE’s official translation tool, designed for translating KDE software and documentation.

License: GPL-2.0-or-later (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: package · SSO: none

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential

Website · Source

memoQ

memoQ is a proprietary computer-assisted translation tool with desktop and server editions, offering translation memory, terminology management, QA checks, and interoperability with Trados and XLIFF files.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, direct, package · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

OmegaT

OmegaT is a free, open-source desktop CAT tool written in Java. It has been in active development since 2000 and is widely used by freelance translators, localization teams, and organizations that need a cost-free professional translation e…

License: GPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, package · SSO: none

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential

Website · Source

Phrase TMS

Phrase TMS (formerly Memsource) is a cloud-based translation management system that combines TMS project management with an integrated web-based CAT editor.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

Poedit

Poedit is a lightweight desktop translation editor focused on PO/gettext files. It is the most popular tool for translating WordPress themes and plugins, PHP applications, and other software that uses the GNU gettext localization framework.

License: MIT (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, package · SSO: none

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential

Website · Source

POEditor

POEditor is a simple, affordable cloud-based translation management platform designed for small to mid-size software teams.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: none

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Vaulted credential

Website

Pontoon

Pontoon is Mozilla’s open-source localization platform, built to manage translations for Firefox, Mozilla.org, and other Mozilla projects.

License: BSD-3-Clause (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct, docker · SSO: OIDC

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on

Website · Source

SDL Trados Studio

SDL Trados Studio (now branded as Trados Studio by RWS) is the dominant desktop CAT tool in the professional translation industry, holding approximately 40% market share.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, direct, package · SSO: SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on

Website

Smartling

Smartling is an enterprise-grade cloud translation management platform designed for organizations with large-scale, content-heavy localization needs.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

Transifex

Transifex is a cloud localization platform for software and content translation, with translation memory, glossaries, 30+ file formats, machine translation, and a code-first Transifex Native SDK.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website

Weblate

Weblate is the leading open-source continuous localization platform. It integrates directly with version control systems (Git, Mercurial, SVN) to automatically detect new or changed strings and present them for translation in a web-based ed…

License: GPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct, docker · SSO: OIDC, SAML

ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO

Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP

Website · Source

Wordfast

Wordfast is a family of proprietary CAT tools spanning the cross-platform Wordfast Pro desktop app, the Wordfast Classic Word add-in, and cloud-based Wordfast Anywhere, with translation memory and QA checks.

License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, package · SSO: none

ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO

Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential

Website