Weblate

Overview

Weblate is an open-source localization platform that links translation work to software repositories. It suits development teams that want translators to work with project context and review, rather than handling translations as a separate file exchange. Its strongest case is the choice between unlimited self-hosting and managed cloud plans; cloud buyers must match the hosted-string allowance to the project’s size.

Key features

Weblate sends new strings to translators and returns completed translations to version control alongside project code. It supports website and document translation, with formats including Android and Apple iOS strings,.NET resources, gettext, JSON, XLIFF, YAML, and WebExtension JSON. That coverage is useful for software teams with varied localization files, while the repository-centered workflow is less suited to translation projects disconnected from development.

Translators can use screenshots, nearby strings, source references, shared glossaries, and translation memory to understand meaning and keep terminology consistent. Customizable quality checks, discussion, and review let teams resolve issues before accepting work as finished. Teams can keep translation human-only or enable machine translation and LLM suggestions; suggestions still require human acceptance and reviewer approval.

Version-control connections, an API, add-ons, and import and export tools support workflow automation. Weblate can be installed with pip or Docker, and it has guides for OpenShift and Kubernetes. That range favors teams able to integrate localization into their development process; it may be more setup than a team needs for occasional, standalone translation.

Pricing

Self-hosted Weblate costs nothing, billed Gratis, and allows unlimited hosted strings, languages, projects, and components. It is the clearest fit for teams able to run the platform themselves; optional paid support is available, including priority email support and other response or maintenance benefits.

For public libre projects, Gratis Weblate costs nothing, billed Gratis upon request. It allows 160,000 hosted strings, unlimited languages and components, and one public project. The allowance matches the Premium Cloud 160k tier, but the one-project and public-project conditions make it unsuitable for private work or multiple projects.

All cloud plans include a 14 day gratis trial. Premium Cloud charges by total hosted strings across languages, counting the source language, while languages, projects, and components are unlimited within each tier:

Premium Cloud 10k: €47 a month, billed €47 monthly, for 10,000 hosted strings.

Premium Cloud 40k: €70 a month, billed €70 monthly, for 40,000 hosted strings.

Premium Cloud 160k: €114 a month, billed €114 monthly, for 160,000 hosted strings.

Premium Cloud 640k: €193 a month, billed €193 monthly, for 640,000 hosted strings.

Premium Cloud 2.5M: €342 a month, billed €342 monthly, for 2,560,000 hosted strings.

Premium Cloud 10M: €616 a month, billed €616 monthly, for 10,240,000 hosted strings.

The lower tiers make managed hosting accessible for smaller projects, but string caps—not language or component counts—are the constraint to watch as localization grows. Larger projects can request custom hosting.

Platforms

Weblate is available on the web, Linux, and through an API, with self-hosting as a deployment option. The documented pip and Docker installation paths, plus OpenShift and Kubernetes guides, make it a practical choice for teams with Linux or container infrastructure.

Who it's for

Weblate fits software teams that need ongoing localization tied to version control, want translation context and review, or need to automate repository workflows. Self-hosting suits teams that want unlimited project and string capacity and can manage deployment; cloud tiers suit teams that prefer hosted service and can work within a defined string allowance. It is a weaker fit for projects without a software-development workflow or for private projects seeking the free hosted plan.

Pros and cons

Pros

Unlimited strings, languages, projects, and components on free self-hosting, avoiding hosted-tier quotas for teams that can run it.

Context tools, glossaries, translation memory, checks, discussion, and review support consistency and quality control.

Human approval remains part of the optional machine-translation and LLM suggestion workflow.

Multiple cloud tiers include unlimited languages, projects, and components, with a 14 day gratis trial.

Cons

Cloud limits count total strings across languages, including the source language, so expanding a project can require a higher tier.

The free hosted plan is restricted to public libre projects and one project.

Self-hosting avoids quotas but requires the team to operate its own deployment.

Repository-linked workflows may be unnecessary overhead for translation work that is not connected to software development.

Alternatives

Crowdin is another freemium option with a free plan and support for Android, iOS, desktop, Linux, web, and API platforms; consider it if that broader platform coverage better matches your team.

locize offers a free tier capped at 2,000 words, two languages, five namespaces, and one user, making it a more constrained starting point for a small project.

OneSky is a freemium alternative with Android, iOS, web, and API platforms; choose it if those platforms suit your needs.

Transglot has a free plan starting with 100,000 words, one project, 14 target languages, and three seats, so it may suit a small team that can work within those limits.

Tolgee offers self-hosting and a free plan with 30,000 words and three seats; consider it if that cap and seat allowance fit your project.

Transifex is a paid alternative with a Starter plan at $160 a month, ten collaborators, and up to 50 GB storage; it may suit teams whose priorities fit those limits.

Trados is a paid alternative with web and Windows platforms and a monthly option at £24 a month; consider it if those platforms and its stated annual target-word allowance suit your work.

Gridly is a paid alternative with API and web platforms; consider it if its Basic CMS allowance of three seats, 2,500 automated updates per month, and 500,000 total records fits your requirements.

Browse Game Localization Software, Translation Management Software, or Translation Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose Weblate if your team wants repository-connected localization with context, quality review, and control over whether AI suggestions enter the workflow. Free self-hosting is compelling when you can operate it; cloud hosting offers managed plans but ties cost to project size. Look elsewhere if you need a translation tool detached from development or cannot fit your project within the hosted-string model.