7 Best Translation Management Tools for SaaS in 2025

Kinga Pomykała

•Published: July 22, 2025•Last updated: July 22, 2025•8 min read

Shipping a SaaS product globally is much easier when your translation workflow isn't fighting you. The right translation management software makes localization smoother, faster, and more predictable for product, engineering, and content teams. Below I compare seven well-known translation management systems (TMS), focusing on features SaaS teams actually use, pricing models, and real-world costs for an app with 10,000 translation keys and 16 languages (about 50 internal users).

Quick definitions:

Translation key: a unique ID in your app, e.g. "welcome_message".
String / Term / Translation: the text value for a key in one language.
Hosted words: word count in the source language multiplied by the number of target languages.

Cost assumptions: unless noted, I assume ~5 words per key (UI copy can range 3-7); that means 10,000 keys × 5 words = 50,000 source words, and with 16 languages you host 800,000 hosted words on “hosted words” platforms. I note where vendors price by keys or strings (terms + translations) instead.

Best TMS for SaaS

Here are the top translation management systems for SaaS, with a focus on features, pricing, and real-world costs:

SimpleLocalize

SimpleLocalize is an intuitive TMS for SaaS teams with a clean UI, fast setup, and developer-friendly workflows (CLI, API, GitHub App). It uses per-key pricing with unlimited languages, which keeps costs predictable as you add markets.

Key features:

Highlights: Modern, minimal UI; customizable workflows & automations; built-in translation hosting/CDN.
Developer workflows: CLI, REST API, translation hosting/CDN, webhooks, GitHub App, IntelliJ and VS Code plugins.
TM / Glossary / QA: Translation memory, screenshots, audit logs, and checks for placeholders/format (soon).
In-context / design: In context editor, Figma.
AI / MT: Connect Google/DeepL/OpenAI or bring your own keys; AI actions.
Seats & permissions: Business includes 100 team members; unlimited contributors.
Security: SAML/SSO on Business; GDPR friendly.
Pricing type: Per key (languages don't multiply). Business includes 12,000 keys.

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages)

$129/mo (or $99/mo billed annually) on Business; fits under 12k keys, languages unlimited.

Best for: Teams wanting predictable per-key pricing, clean UI, CDN hosting, and a developer-first experience.

Check out our SimpleLocalize pricing page for more details.

Crowdin

Crowdin offers a powerful platform with a huge marketplace of integrations and enterprise-grade automation. It prices by hosted words (source words × target languages).

Key features:

Highlights: Hundreds of integrations, robust workflows, enterprise security.
Developer workflows: CLI, API, Git, CI/CD, webhooks.
TM / Glossary / QA: Built-in TM, termbase, QA checks.
In-context / design: In-context for web/mobile; Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD.
AI / MT: Native AI translator + MT connectors.
Seats and permissions: Unlimited translators; manager seats vary by plan.
Security: SSO on Business; enterprise controls.
Pricing type: Hosted words; Team+ starts from $450/mo; you can add hosted words beyond the base cap.

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages, ~5 words/key)

10,000 × 5 = 50k words; × 16 = 800,000 hosted words.
Exceeds Team+ base (500k). You'll need Team+ with additional hosted words for about $500/month.

Best for: Complex stacks needing lots of native integrations and granular automation.

Lokalise

Lokalise combines a polished editor with deep integrations and analytics. It prices by hosted keys (not multiplied by languages).

Key features:

Highlights: Mature workflows, analytics, strong automations.
Developer workflows: API, CLI, SDKs, GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket, webhooks.
TM / Glossary / QA: TM, glossary, QA (placeholders, ICU), screenshots.
In-context / design: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD; in-context for web/mobile.
AI / MT: Built-in MT and AI features.
Seats and permissions: 10 seats included on Essential; add more as needed.
Security: SOC2/GDPR posture publicly referenced; SAML/SSO on Enterprise.
Pricing type: Hosted keys; Essential includes 10,000 hosted keys.

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages)

$270/mo (or $230/mo billed annually) on Essential covers 10k hosted keys; languages don’'t multiply usage.

Best for: Product/design-heavy teams that want hosted-key predictability and slick integrations.

POEditor

POEditor keeps things simple and fast. Pricing is by strings, where strings = terms + translations, so languages do multiply usage.

Key features:

Highlights: Quick setup, flexible formats, generous collaborators.
Developer workflows: API, CLI, GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket, webhooks.
TM / Glossary / QA: TM, glossary, QA checks, audit log on higher plans.
In-context / design: Screenshots/context; Figma via community paths.
AI / MT: Options for MT/AI translation; pay-as-you-go extras.
Seats and permissions: Unlimited contributors on upper tiers.
Security: SSO listed in plan matrix.
Pricing type: Strings (terms + translations); Enterprise includes 100,000 strings at $199.99/mo.

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages)

~170,000 strings (10k terms + 10k×16 translations).
Exceeds 100k; expect Enterprise ($199.99/mo) + extra string capacity via add-ons (+70k strings via add-ons: $10 per 10k))

Transifex

Transifex is a long-standing enterprise TMS with robust SDKs (Live/Native) and governance. It prices by hosted words. The Growth plan starts from around $570/mo.

Key features:

Highlights: Enterprise workflows, detailed QA & reporting, SDKs.
Developer workflows: API, CLI, webhooks, Git, Figma, CMS integrations.
TM / Glossary / QA: Advanced TM, terminology, quality checks.
In-context / design: Figma, Sketch; Transifex Live for website in-context.
AI / MT: Transifex AI + MT packages.
Seats and permissions: Collaborator caps by tier (e.g., Growth).
Security: SAML/SSO and enterprise controls on upper tiers.
Pricing type: Hosted words (source words × languages).

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages, ~5 words/key)

800k hosted words; expect Enterprise-level packaging (Growth-sized caps are typically lower). Growth plan for 700k words is $2240/mo.

Best for: Enterprises needing advanced governance and website in-context via Live.

Localizely

Localizely is a straightforward, developer-friendly TMS. It prices by hosted string keys with unlimited users and languages on paid tiers.

Key features:

Highlights: Clean UI, OTA for mobile, reasonable learning curve.
Developer workflows: REST API, CLI, GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket, OTA for mobile.
TM / Glossary / QA: TM & term base; reviewer roles.
In-context / design: Figma, screenshots/context.
AI / MT: MT via integrations.
Seats and permissions: Unlimited users on paid tiers.
Security: GDPR-friendly posture; SSO not publicly highlighted.
Pricing type: Hosted string keys. Silver = 10,000 hosted string keys.

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages)

$300/mo billed annually (or $250/mo monthly) on Silver for 10k keys.

Best for: SMBs whose volume fits cleanly into 5k/10k/20k key tiers and want unlimited users.

Weblate (Hosted)

Weblate is an open-source TMS with a Git-native approach and generous hosted tiers. Pricing is by strings across all languages (strings multiply with languages).

Key features:

Highlights: Open-source roots, self-host option, transparent road-map.
Developer workflows: Git-first sync, API, webhooks, automation.
TM / Glossary / QA: TM, terminology, QA checks.
In-context / design: Screenshots/context; Figma via community paths.
AI / MT: MT connectors; bring your own.
Seats and permissions: Unlimited translators/members on hosted tiers.
Security: Open source, SAML/SSO available; GDPR aware.
Pricing type: Strings across all used languages; notable tiers: 160k = €106/mo, 640k = €178/mo.

Cost estimation (10k keys, 16 languages)

~170,000 strings total → just above 160k; safest is €178/mo (640k tier).

Best for: Teams that value open-source and may migrate to self-host later.

TMS comparison table

Here is a quick comparison of the TMS options discussed above, focusing on their pricing models, costs, and notable features:

TMS	Pricing model	Cost (monthly) *	Seats included	Free trial	Security
SimpleLocalize	Keys	$129	100	14 days	GDPR-ready, SAML/SSO
Crowdin	Hosted words	$458	5 managers (unlimited translators)	30 days	SOC 2, SAML/SSO
Lokalise	Hosted keys	$270	10 (extra $27/ mo)	14 days	SOC 2, GDPR, SAML
POEditor	Strings (keys × langs)	$269.99	Varies per plan; unlimited contributors	10 days	GDPR, SAML (Enterprise)
Transifex	Hosted words	Enterprise+ (Growth plan $2240 not enough)	30 (Growth)	On request	SOC 2, GDPR, SAML (Enterprise+)
Localizely	Hosted string keys	$300	Unlimited	15 days	GDPR (no public SSO info)
Weblate	Strings (keys × langs)	€178 (~$190)	Unlimited translators	14 days	Open source, SAML, GDPR

*VAT/taxes extra. Vendors frequently discount annual prepay. Always validate current limits in-app.

Check out our blog post on SaaS localization requirements to learn more about how to choose the right TMS for your SaaS product.

How to choose

Each TMS has its strengths, so the best choice depends on your team's needs:

Predictable spend with lots of languages → Keys-priced tools: SimpleLocalize, Lokalise.
Tons of integrations & enterprise workflows → Crowdin, Transifex (budget for hosted-word scaling).
Lowest friction, classic model → POEditor, but remember strings multiply with languages.
Open-source & self-host path → Weblate.
Unlimited users at fixed key tiers → Localizely.

Notes & caveats

Here are some important considerations when evaluating these TMS options:

Pricing models matter:
- Keys (SimpleLocalize/Lokalise) → languages don’t change usage.
- Strings (POEditor/Weblate) → terms + translations; languages multiply usage.
- Hosted words (Crowdin/Transifex) → source words × target languages; UI copy density can swing your bill.
Seats: Some tools include generous seats (e.g., SimpleLocalize 100 members on Business); others include 10 and charge for extras. Double-check before inviting your whole company.
Security: SAML/SSO is typically not on entry tiers. If you require SSO, plan for Business/Enterprise. (POEditor, Crowdin, Weblate, Lokalise list SSO at higher tiers.)
Trials: Most vendors offer free trials; terms vary (e.g., POEditor 10 days). Always sanity-check inside the app.
Last checked: August 22, 2025; vendors update pricing often.

Conclusion

Choosing the right translation management software for your SaaS product can make or break your localization efforts. By understanding the key features, pricing models, and real-world costs of these tools, you can select the best fit for your team's needs.

If you have any questions or need help getting started with SimpleLocalize, feel free to reach out to us or check out our documentation. Happy localizing!

7 Best Translation Management Tools for SaaS in 2025