Lokalise vs Crowdin: Which Localization Platform is Better in 2026?
Last month, a founder friend asked me: "Should we use Lokalise or Crowdin for our SaaS app?" They'd spent weeks researching both platforms and were more confused than when they started.
I get it. Both tools are powerful, well-established, and target similar audiences. But they're built for different workflows, team sizes, and budgets.
After helping multiple teams make this decision, I've learned that the "right" choice depends less on the tool itself and more on your specific situation. Let me break it down.
Quick Overview
Feature | Lokalise | Crowdin |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2008 |
| Primary focus | Developer-focused TMS | Crowdsourced & enterprise TMS |
| Starting price | $120/month | $25/month |
| Free tier | No | Yes (limited) |
| Best for | Product teams, startups | Open source, large enterprises |
| Translation files | Required | Required |
Deep Dive: Lokalise
What Lokalise Does Well
Developer Experience: Lokalise shines when it comes to developer integration. Their SDKs and CLI tools are well-documented and easy to set up. I've seen teams integrate it in under a day.
Real-time Collaboration: The web interface feels modern and responsive. Multiple translators can work simultaneously without conflicts. The real-time preview feature is particularly useful for seeing translations in context.
Quality Assurance: Built-in QA checks catch common issues like missing placeholders, inconsistent terminology, and formatting errors. This saves hours of manual review.
Screenshot Context: You can upload screenshots to give translators visual context. This is huge for mobile apps where UI space is limited.
Where Lokalise Falls Short
Pricing: Starting at $120/month, it's expensive for small teams and indie developers. The pricing scales quickly as you add languages and team members.
Complexity: For simple projects, Lokalise can feel like overkill. You're paying for features you might never use.
Learning Curve: While powerful, the platform has many features that take time to master. New team members often need training.
Ideal Lokalise Users
- Startups with dedicated localization budgets
- Product teams with multiple translators
- Companies needing advanced QA features
- Teams managing complex, multi-platform projects
Deep Dive: Crowdin
What Crowdin Does Well
Affordability: Crowdin's entry point is much lower at $25/month. They also offer a free tier for open-source projects, which has helped them build a strong community.
Crowdsourcing: Crowdin pioneered the crowdsourced translation model. If you want to involve your community in translations, Crowdin is unmatched. Many open-source projects use it successfully.
Enterprise Features: For large organizations, Crowdin offers robust enterprise features: SSO, advanced permissions, custom workflows, and dedicated support.
Integrations: Crowdin integrates with virtually every tool imaginable: Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, Jira, Figma, Sketch, and more. If your team uses a specific tool, Crowdin probably supports it.
Where Crowdin Falls Short
UI/UX: The interface feels dated compared to Lokalise. It's functional, but not as polished or intuitive.
Performance: Large projects can feel sluggish. I've experienced slow load times when working with thousands of translation keys.
Developer Experience: While the integrations are comprehensive, the developer experience isn't as smooth as Lokalise. Documentation can be inconsistent.
Ideal Crowdin Users
- Open-source projects
- Large enterprises with complex needs
- Teams on tight budgets
- Projects that benefit from community translation
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Translation Management
Lokalise: Excellent editor with real-time collaboration. The translation memory and glossary features are intuitive and powerful.
Crowdin: Solid but more complex. The editor works well, but advanced features can be hard to discover.
Winner: Lokalise
Automation & Workflows
Lokalise: Strong automation with webhooks, API, and CLI. The workflow customization is flexible but requires some setup.
Crowdin: More mature automation with pre-built workflows. Better suited for complex enterprise processes.
Winner: Tie (depends on your needs)
Integrations
Lokalise: Covers all major platforms and tools. Integrations are generally polished and easy to set up.
Crowdin: Massive integration ecosystem. If you need niche integrations, Crowdin is more likely to have them.
Winner: Crowdin (by volume), Lokalise (by quality)
Pricing
Lokalise: $120/month for the starter plan. Pricing scales based on team size and features.
Crowdin: $25/month for starter, with a free tier for open source. Enterprise plans are available but pricing isn't transparent.
Winner: Crowdin
Support
Lokalise: Email and chat support. Response times are generally good, but phone support isn't available.
Crowdin: More support options for enterprise customers, including dedicated account managers.
Winner: Crowdin (for enterprise)
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Startup Launching MVP
Situation: 3-person team, launching in 3 languages, budget-conscious.
Recommendation: Neither. Consider a simpler solution like AutoLocalise that doesn't require translation files or monthly subscriptions.
If you must choose: Crowdin (cheaper, simpler to start).
Scenario 2: Growing SaaS Company
Situation: 20-person team, 10 languages, dedicated translator.
Recommendation: Lokalise. Better developer experience, smoother collaboration, worth the premium.
Scenario 3: Open-Source Project
Situation: Community-driven, many volunteer translators, limited budget.
Recommendation: Crowdin. Free tier, crowdsourcing features, community-friendly.
Scenario 4: Enterprise with Compliance Needs
Situation: 500+ employees, strict security requirements, complex workflows.
Recommendation: Crowdin Enterprise. More mature enterprise features, better support.
The Hidden Cost: Translation File Management
Here's something most comparison articles don't mention: both Lokalise and Crowdin require you to manage translation files.
This means:
- Setting up file structures for each language
- Extracting strings from your code
- Syncing files with the platform
- Handling merge conflicts
- Managing version control
For many teams, this file management becomes a significant ongoing burden. I've seen developers spend 10+ hours per week just maintaining translation workflows.
A Different Approach: File-Free Localization
If you want to avoid the file management overhead entirely, consider AutoLocalise:
- No translation files: Translates text on-demand via API
- Real-time updates: Change translations instantly without redeploying
- 100+ languages: Out of the box
- Developer-friendly: Set up in minutes, not days
- Affordable: Starts at $9/month
Making Your Decision
Use this simple framework:
Choose Lokalise if:
- You have budget ($120+/month)
- You value developer experience
- You have a dedicated localization team
- You need advanced QA features
- You're managing complex multi-platform projects
Choose Crowdin if:
- You're budget-conscious ($25/month)
- You need crowdsourcing
- You're an open-source project
- You require enterprise features
- You have niche integration needs
Consider AutoLocalise if:
- You want to avoid file management
- You prefer simple, fast setup
- You're a small team or startup
- You want real-time translation updates
- You're cost-conscious ($9/month)
Final Thoughts
Both Lokalise and Crowdin are excellent platforms. They've been around for years and have proven track records. But they're not the only options.
The localization landscape has evolved. Modern tools like AutoLocalise offer file-free, automated approaches that eliminate the traditional workflow entirely.
Before committing to Lokalise or Crowdin, ask yourself: Do I really need to manage translation files? The answer might surprise you.
FAQ
Q: Can I switch from Lokalise to Crowdin (or vice versa)?
A: Yes, both platforms support importing/exporting translation files. However, the migration process can be time-consuming for large projects.
Q: Which platform has better translation quality?
A: Neither. Both platforms are translation management systems—the quality depends on your translators and translation memories.
Q: Do I need a dedicated localization manager?
A: For Lokalise or Crowdin, yes—or at least someone responsible for managing the workflow. With file-free solutions like AutoLocalise, the overhead is much lower.
Q: Can I use both platforms?
A: Technically yes, but it's not recommended. It creates confusion and duplicate work. Choose one and stick with it.
Q: What about other alternatives?
A: Other options include Phrase, POEditor, Transifex, and Smartling. Each has its strengths, but Lokalise and Crowdin are the market leaders for a reason.