Overview

Locize connects software localization to development workflows, with a separate workspace for translators and reviewers. It suits teams that need code-linked translation management and frequent updates without app redeploys. Its combination of developer integrations and translation tools is compelling, but plan limits on languages, users, words, and delivery volume need attention as a project grows.

Key features

Developers can sync keys and source strings through a CLI or CI pipeline, while translators and reviewers use a dedicated interface. Translation memory, glossary management, in-context editing, context screenshots, and configurable review workflows help teams maintain consistency and manage approvals. Machine and generative AI translations add another option, though Locize is most compelling when localization is a continuing collaboration rather than a one-off handoff.

Translations can be served over a CDN or API, so language updates need not wait for a full app redeploy. Integrations include i18next, React, Vue, Angular, Next.js, Node.js, Figma, mobile iOS and Android, and PHP, Python, Java, and .NET. That breadth makes it a plausible fit for varied stacks; the practical benefit depends on whether the project uses these integrations and delivery paths.

Built-in security includes MFA options, SAML 2.0 SSO, API token permission controls, role-based permissions, backups, and encryption at rest for personal data and stored third-party API credentials. Customer data is hosted on AWS in Ireland, with encrypted disaster-recovery copies of translation namespaces and project configurations on BunnyCDN Storage in the EU. Locize states that it is subject to Swiss FADP and EU GDPR and offers a DPA covering both.

Pricing

Locize has a free plan, paid plans starting at 7.00 USD per month, and a 14-day trial. Plans are billed monthly. The free tier is useful for a small evaluation or a tightly scoped project: it allows one user, two languages, five namespaces, 2,000 words, and 100K standard CDN downloads per month. Its single-user cap makes it a poor fit for a translator-reviewer workflow involving multiple people.

Starter costs 7.00 USD per month and raises the allowances to 15,000 words, five languages, 10 namespaces, five users, and 1M standard CDN downloads. Starter-Plus costs 19.00 USD per month, with 30,000 words, seven languages, 25 namespaces, five users, and 3M standard downloads. These suit small teams whose usage fits the stated ceilings; neither increases the five-user limit.

Growth costs 49.00 USD per month and includes 60,000 words, 10 languages, 50 namespaces, unlimited users, three branches, five tenants, 5M standard CDN downloads, 150K pro CDN downloads, and 1.5K private downloads. Professional at 99.00 USD per month raises those allowances to 100,000 words, 20 languages, 75 namespaces, five branches, 10 tenants, 7M standard, 250K pro, and 2.5K private downloads. Professional-Plus costs 149.00 USD per month, with 150,000 words, 50 languages, 150 namespaces, five branches, 20 tenants, 10M standard, 350K pro, and 3.5K private downloads. Enterprise costs 199.00 USD per month and provides 200,000 words, 150 languages, 300 namespaces, 10 branches, 50 tenants, 15M standard, 500K pro, and 5K private downloads. All four include unlimited users, making them more suitable for larger teams; the higher tiers buy room for more languages, content, and delivery usage.

Usage caps have operational consequences: at more than 110% of standard CDN download volume, fixed plans automatically block the project; on Free, translations are automatically unpublished instead. Teams should choose a tier with headroom rather than treating the stated CDN allowance as a soft target. For questions about plan selection or usage, Locize directs customers to support@locize.com.

Platforms

Locize supports Android, iOS, web, and API access. Its listed integrations also cover common JavaScript frameworks and runtimes, Figma, and several server-side languages, giving teams options across mobile and web development.

Who it's for

Locize is aimed at developers, managers, translators, and reviewers working together on software localization. It is a strong fit for teams that want translation work tied to code and delivered continuously. A small project can start on Free, but a multi-person workflow quickly needs a paid tier; projects with high download volumes should also weigh the automatic blocking or unpublishing behavior.

Pros and cons

Pros

Code-to-translation workflow: CLI and CI synchronization connects developer work with a translator-facing interface.
Updates without full redeploys: CDN and API delivery can separate translation releases from app releases.
Useful translator tooling: Translation memory, glossary, in-context editing, screenshots, review workflows, and machine or generative AI options support ongoing localization.
Clear scaling ladder: Paid tiers increase word, language, namespace, and delivery allowances, with unlimited users from Growth onward.

Cons

Free is tightly capped: One user and two languages constrain collaboration and expansion.
Starter plans cap seats: Both Starter and Starter-Plus allow five users, so larger teams need Growth or above.
Overages can disrupt delivery: Fixed plans block a project above 110% of standard CDN downloads, while Free automatically unpublishes translations.

Alternatives

Weblate may suit teams seeking a self-hosted option or a hosted-string allowance: its Premium Cloud 10k plan costs 47.00 EUR per month and includes 10,000 hosted strings with unlimited languages, projects, and components.

OneSky is another freemium option for Android, iOS, web, and API, with AI-driven quality estimation and multi-agent translation offerings.

Transglot is a lower-cost alternative for a small project with a simple seat and language profile: its free plan provides one project, 14 target languages, three seats, and 100,000 words to start, then 10,000 per month.

Tolgee may be a fit for teams seeking a free tier with more word capacity than Locize's: its free plan includes 30,000 words and three seats, alongside standard localization features, automation, and machine translation.

Trados is a paid alternative for readers who want a stated annual target-word allowance: Trados Go Monthly costs 24.00 GBP per month for 1 million target words per year.

Gridly is a paid option for teams that want stated CMS, seat, update, API-request, and record allowances; its Basic CMS plan costs 99.00 EUR per month and includes three seats.

Lugath is another free option with API and web platforms.

For broader comparisons, see Game Localization Software, Translation Management Software, and Translation Software.

Verdict

Choose Locize if your team wants developers and translators to work in one continuing localization process and needs translations delivered independently of app redeploys. Its integration breadth and translator tools are persuasive, but the right plan depends on language, team, content, and download needs. Look elsewhere if the one-user Free tier is too restrictive, or if automatic delivery interruption above the standard CDN threshold is unacceptable.

	GlobalLink TMS	locize
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	—	$7/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, Web	Android, api, iOS, Web
Free plan	No	Yes
Translation memory	Yes	Yes
API access	Yes	—
Paid from	—	7 /mo

GlobalLink TMS vs locize

GlobalLink TMS

locize