If your team is handling multilingual content, investing in the right translation management system (TMS) is non-negotiable. It’s the backbone of consistent, efficient, and brand-aligned communication across markets. One of the top names in the space is Smartling—but it isn’t the only option. Depending on your team size, technical needs, and workflow style, you may find better alignment with other platforms.
In this article, we break down what is Smartling, how it compares to competitors, and the top 5 Smartling alternatives worth considering.

What Is Smartling?

Smartling is a cloud-based translation management system that enables companies to streamline their localization workflows. Designed with enterprise needs in mind, it offers automation, translation memory, and visual context editing for developers and content teams.
If you’ve browsed Smartling reviews, you’ll notice it earns praise for its robust feature set and enterprise integrations (like Adobe Experience Manager, GitHub, and WordPress). However, it’s also frequently noted for its complexity, steep onboarding curve, and a workflow structure that may not work for smaller or less technical teams.
That’s where Smartling alternatives come in—providing a more flexible, user-friendly, or industry-specific experience.

1. Pairaphrase – Best for Collaborative Teams and Document Formatting

At the top of our list of Smartling alternatives is Pairaphrase. It is an AI-powered Translation Management System (TMS) for teams that value smarter, faster, and safer translation.
Whereas Smartling caters to tech-heavy localization, Pairaphrase streamlines translation for sectors including, but not limited to, legal, education, healthcare, and enterprise operations, making it a strong match for those needing more than just developer integrations.

Key Highlights:
Support for 140+ languages and 20,000+ language pairs

• Compatible with 24 file types with much of the formatting preserved automatically
• OpenAI (ChatGPT) integration for enhanced AI-assisted translations and editing
• Translation engine options including DeepL, OpenAI, AWS, Google Translate, and Microsoft Translator
• Secure environment built for compliance
• Translation Memory + Terminology Management
• Enterprise-grade security
• GDPR, FERPA and HIPAA compliance

Pairaphrase supports both machine and human translation workflows, without compromising the original document structure or brand tone. If you're comparing Smartling competitors, and your needs center around document translation, this is a standout choice.

2. Lokalise – Best for Product & Engineering Teams

Next on our list of Smartling alternatives is Lokalise, a TMS specifically designed for tech and product teams. Known for its seamless developer experience, Lokalise enables continuous localization as part of software development.
Whether you’re building a mobile app, web platform, or SaaS product, Lokalise offers the kind of real-time syncing and code-level control that makes deployment smoother.

Ideal For:

• Product teams using agile workflows
• Continuous integration/deployment pipelines
• Multilingual UI/UX testing

Lokalise is lighter and more intuitive than Smartling for development environments, which is why it's frequently mentioned in Smartling reviews as a top competitor for fast-moving tech teams.

3. Crowdin – Best for Flexibility and Open Source Projects

If your organization juggles multiple content formats or works in the open-source space, Crowdin is one of the most versatile Smartling alternatives. It supports a wide variety of localization formats, including JSON, XML, CSV, and Markdown—and connects to tools like Figma, Android Studio, and Slack.
Unlike Smartling’s more rigid workflow setup, Crowdin gives teams the ability to build custom processes from scratch, whether you’re localizing user interfaces, documentation, or help center content.

Key Features:

• Crowdin CLI + API for dev automation
• Version control, branching, and rollback options
• In-context translation for websites and software

If flexibility and community-driven collaboration matter to you, Crowdin may be the Smartling alternative you’ve been searching for.

4. Phrase – Best for Custom Workflow Management

Formerly known as PhraseApp, Phrase has evolved into a powerful, user-centric TMS built for end-to-end digital localization. Phrase is one of the more designer- and marketer-friendly Smartling competitors, with strong UI design and customizable workflows.
You’ll find deeper features for translators too—like live previews, custom glossaries, and quality control dashboards.

Why It Stands Out:

• API + CLI access for tech teams
• Robust automation and custom role setup
• Contextual translation previews
• Compatible with content management systems (CMS) and design tools

Phrase is often described in Smartling reviews as easier to onboard and more intuitive, particularly for teams without dedicated localization engineers.

5. Memsource (Phrase TMS) – Best for Scale and Automation

Rounding out our list of Smartling alternatives is Memsource, now fully integrated with Phrase as Phrase TMS. Built for enterprise-level localization at scale, it’s favored by global brands, eCommerce platforms, and large-scale content producers.
What sets it apart is its AI-powered automation, offering features like machine translation post-editing, quality assurance, and predictive translation scoring.

Best For:

• Enterprises managing large translation volumes
• Localization service providers (LSPs)
• AI-assisted translation workflows

While Smartling also targets enterprise use, Memsource delivers a more data-driven experience with analytics that help project managers forecast cost and output quality.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Smartling Alternative

There’s no shortage of tools in the TMS space—but the right one depends on how your team works, the type of content you handle, and your localization goals.

To recap, here’s how the top Smartling alternatives stack up:

• Pairaphrase: Best for teams that require large-volume translations, formatting preservation, real-time collaboration, and secure document translation.
• Lokalise: Built for developers who want localization to fit seamlessly into their CI/CD workflow.
• Crowdin: Great for open-source projects or those needing maximum flexibility.
• Phrase: Ideal for marketers, translators, and teams managing complex content pipelines.
• Memsource (Phrase TMS): Designed for large-scale teams that want data-backed automation and translation at scale.

Whether you're exploring tools due to budget, workflow complexity, or feedback from your own Smartling reviews, the above platforms are worth serious consideration. Each brings a different strength to the table, so start with your use case, not just the feature checklist.