As global businesses expand, the demand for efficient, high-quality translation tools has never been more urgent. While Smartling has long been a trusted name in the enterprise translation software space, many organizations in 2025 are exploring alternative solutions that offer greater flexibility, innovative features, and more competitive pricing. Whether you’re reconsidering your current tech stack or starting from scratch, it’s important to explore your options thoroughly before making a decision.
In this article, we’ll explore the best Smartling alternative for enterprises in 2025, highlighting what makes these platforms stand out in a rapidly evolving localization landscape.
The Need for a Smartling Alternative
Smartling offers robust features like automation, workflow customization, and integrations with popular CMS systems. However, some challenges have prompted businesses to seek alternatives, including:
- High cost of entry for enterprises with large-scale translation needs
- Complexity in user onboarding and interface navigation
- Limited flexibility in custom workflows and integrations
For businesses that value adaptability and cutting-edge AI technology, several competitors are now offering serious advantages. Let’s dive into the top contender that’s been gaining significant traction this year.
Phrase (formerly PhraseApp): The Top Smartling Alternative
Phrase has emerged as the go-to alternative for enterprises looking to optimize their localization process. Designed with both technical teams and content managers in mind, Phrase delivers a seamless experience across the translation workflow.
Key Benefits of Phrase
- User-Friendly Interface: Phrase offers a modern, intuitive UI that makes onboarding easy for users across departments.
- Powerful API & Integrations: With support for over 50 integrations, Phrase easily connects with your CMS, code repositories, and marketing platforms.
- AI-Assisted Translation: Using machine translation alongside human editing ensures high-quality, scalable content output.
- Full Support for Continuous Localization: Developers can push updates and translations in real-time without disrupting version control processes.
- Granular Workflow Management: Custom workflows and permission systems support complex enterprise requirements.
Scalability and Security
Phrase positions itself as an enterprise-ready solution from the ground up. It offers:
- Multi-tier user permissions for large teams
- SSO and two-factor authentication
- Compliance with GDPR, SOC2, and ISO 27001
- 99.9% uptime SLA and 24/7 support for enterprise accounts
This makes it an ideal fit for organizations in regulated industries or with a large international presence.
Why Enterprises Are Making the Switch in 2025
Cost-effectiveness, speed, and adaptability are becoming the cornerstones of localization in 2025. Companies aren’t just translating; they’re localizing content across markets, platforms, and channels faster than ever before.
Phrase supports this dynamic environment by providing real-time collaboration tools, allowing linguists, developers, and content managers to work together seamlessly. The platform also offers smart suggestions from AI models, reducing the time needed for manual updates – a feature that is becoming indispensable for global enterprises.
Other Notable Alternatives
While Phrase is our top choice, enterprises might also consider these noteworthy solutions depending on their unique needs:
- Transifex: Great for agile development teams and product localization.
- Lokalise: Known for its intuitive UI and extensive app integrations.
- Crowdin: Offers excellent support for open-source projects and custom plugins.
Each of these has value in specific use cases, but Phrase continues to stand out for large-scale enterprise deployments thanks to its holistic approach and AI-enhanced features.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right localization platform is about more than just features — it’s about scalability, integration, and long-term return on investment. As more businesses prioritize global reach and speed to market in 2025, modern platforms like Phrase are stepping up to fill the gaps left by older solutions like Smartling.
Whether you’re just beginning your multilingual journey or refining an existing global strategy, take the time to assess your specific needs. The right Smartling alternative could make your international expansion smoother, faster, and far more cost-effective.
