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Smartling vs Phrase Comparison

Last updated:

Smartling

4.3(587 reviews)

Starting at $500

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Smartling translation management system (TMS) is a tool that makes it easier for content teams to manage content from start to finish. Whether building websites, apps or even marketing materials, it gives user a real tim…

Phrase

4.4(3,292 reviews)

Starting at $24 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

The Phrase translation management system gives user a total control of the translation projects with centralized access to content, productivity tools, and industry-leading workflow. With a Phrase solution, user have the…

Phrase leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 3,292 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

SmartlingPhrase

The core difference between Smartling and Phrase lies in Smartling's focus on complex, collaborative localization projects while Phrase emphasizes centralized translation management for enterprise teams. Smartling is ideal for large enterprises needing real-time collaboration, whereas Phrase suits mid-sized to large companies seeking detailed tracking of translation performance.

- Best for managing complex localization projects - Ideal for medium to large enterprises - Offers real-time workflow and collaboration - Supports multi-stakeholder translation workflows - Price: $500 - Focuses on website and app localization

- Best for enterprise localization teams - Ideal for companies with 51-500 or 500+ employees - Emphasizes centralized translation management - Provides detailed tracking of translator performance - Price: $24 - Suitable for mid-sized to large companies

Smartling vs Phrase — at a glance

FeatureSmartlingPhrase
Rating4.3 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews5873,292
Starting price$500$24 /User/Month
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryTranslation Management SystemTranslation Management System
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Smartling and Phrase

  • Pricing: Smartling starts at $500, while Phrase starts at $24 /User/Month.
  • Free trial: Phrase offers a free trial; Smartling does not.
  • User satisfaction: Phrase scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
  • Deployment: Smartling supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS; Phrase supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Smartling vs Phrase — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Translation Management System tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Smartling - Translation Management System
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Talk to an expert
Phrase - Translation Management System
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Smartling

Best for managing complex, collaborative website and app localization projects.

Choose if
  • You need real-time workflow and collaboration across agencies and clients.
  • Your projects involve complex, multi-stakeholder translation workflows.
  • Your team is medium to large-sized requiring flexible and configurable processes.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small team with minimal translation needs or simple projects.
  • You require fixed, transparent pricing upfront rather than quotation-based pricing.

Phrase

Best for enterprise localization teams needing centralized, workflow-driven translation management.

Choose if
  • You manage translation projects for mid-sized to large companies (50+ employees).
  • You require detailed tracking and optimization of translator performance and productivity.
  • You need a centralized platform with comprehensive, industry-leading workflow tools.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a freelance translator or a very small team with simple localization needs.
  • You need transparent, straightforward pricing without engaging sales for quotes.

Smartling: Best for managing complex, collaborative website and app localization projects. Phrase: Best for enterprise localization teams needing centralized, workflow-driven translation management.

Description

Smartling translation management system (TMS) is a tool that makes it easier for content teams to manage content from start to finish. Whether building websites, apps or even marketing ... Read More about Smartling

The Phrase translation management system gives user a total control of the translation projects with centralized access to content, productivity tools, and industry-leading workflow. With a ... Read More about Phrase

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $500
  • Starts from $24 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
51-500 employees500+ employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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Compare Smartling and Phrase on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $500
      • $24 , Billed Yearly

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Basic

        • 100 API requests / 5 minutes / user

        • 1 project

        • Unlimited words

        Show more +

      • Advanced

        • All features from Basic Plus,

        • 1M machine-translated characters included

        • 1000 API requests / 5 minutes / user

        Show more +

      • Enterprise

        • All features from Advanced plan Plus,

        • 1M+ machine-translated characters included

        • Custom API Rate Limit

        Show more +

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      Phrase pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Smartling User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      320

      126

      14

      2

      4

      21

      18

      1

      0

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlighting effective collaboration and project management, tempered by concerns over pricing transparency and complexity for smaller users.

      What buyers like

      • Collaboration features
      • Handling complex projects
      • Integration capabilities

      Common complaints

      • Pricing transparency
      • Complexity for small teams

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally appreciate Phrase for its robust translation management capabilities and workflow control, though some express concerns about pricing transparency and complexity.

      What buyers like

      • Centralized project management
      • Translator productivity enhancement
      • Workflow efficiency

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Complexity for small teams

      Pros and Cons

      • Real-time workflow and collaboration features

      • Supports complex translation projects

      • Integration across agencies and clients

      • Pricing is quotation based and not publicly transparent

      • May be complex for very small businesses or simple projects

      • Centralized control over translation projects

      • Improved translator utilization and productivity

      • Comprehensive workflow management

      • Pricing details are not publicly available, requiring sales contact

      • Potentially complex setup for smaller teams

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      No Customers information available.

      Livestrom

      Livestrom

      Fair Trade

      Fair Trade

      Familo

      Familo

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Review Mode

      3 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Smartling and Phrase in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Smartling or Phrase?
      Phrase edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Smartling and Phrase offer a free trial?
      Phrase offers a free trial. Smartling does not.
      What is the starting price of Smartling vs Phrase?
      Smartling starts at $500. Phrase starts at $24 /User/Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Smartling?
      Top alternatives to Smartling include Text United, Lingotek, Lokalise, Localize, Smartcat.
      What are the top alternatives to Phrase?
      Top alternatives to Phrase include XTM Cloud, Lingotek, EasyTranslate, Lokalise, LingoHub.

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