Finding The Perfect Translation Partner: Top 9 Translation Service Companies Reviewed

Are you looking for a trustworthy translation services company? Look no further. Whether getting ready for global trade, expanding your business, or launching a new product or service, high-quality translations can take your business to new heights. However, things might get tricky when it comes to choosing one of the top translation services companies.

How do you choose the right translation service provider from the many options available? What factors should you consider when selecting your translation partner?

In this blog, we will answer all of the questions that might pop into your mind, highlighting the top 9 translation services companies in the field and the main factors for selecting the perfect translation partner that suits your business’s goals and needs.

Keep reading to find out!

First Things First: Understanding Your Translation Needs

When you have a better idea of what you want, you can define your translation requirements. So, ask yourself the following questions:

What type of translation do you require? Is it translation or localization? Every culture has its unique values, beliefs, and customs. A translation that neglects cultural nuances can cause misunderstanding. For this reason, you should also consider if your business needs to necessitate localizing your content to suit the cultural context of your target audience.

Once you have identified the type of translation you want, the next logical step is to consider your budget, which can significantly influence your choice of translation partner. This involves understanding the pricing structure, which typically varies based on factors such as:

• Language pairs involved
• Complexity of the text
• Project urgency

It’s important to carefully evaluate the quality of service provided in relation to the cost. Remember that while price is a factor, the accuracy and effectiveness of the translation should be your primary concern.

Top 9 Translation Services Companies

Let’s examine the top translation services providers, renowned for their outstanding quality and broad range of services. These leaders in the field provide a range of solutions, including website localization, real-time interpretation, and document translation, that are designed to meet the demands of many industries, including the legal, medical, and technical sectors. 

1. Smartling

It is a full-service language provider and a cloud-based technology company, headquartered in the United States and Ireland. Smartling offers a range of localization services to efficiently assist businesses in localizing their content. It collaborated with prominent brands like Canva, Shopify, and Samsung.

Smartling is highly recognized for its performance, as it holds the top position in the G2, a platform where users can evaluate translation management systems (TMS). For 15 consecutive quarters, It was acknowledged as one of the top translation companies and the best choice for large-scale translation management over a long period.

Here is a list including some of the language services they offer:

• Human translation by qualified translators who are native speakers and subject matter specialists.
• Professional services for migration, onboarding, web proxy maintenance, desktop publishing, AI-powered human translation, video translation, and specialized translation across business verticals.
• Daily account management using managed services.
• An advanced TMS with translation memory technology.
• High-quality translations for marketing materials, website translation, emails, applications, product documentation, customer service content, and more.

2. XTM International

It is a company specializing in translation software, based in London, Rochester (NY), Poznań, and Tokyo. XTM International provides XTRF and XTM Cloud TMS, a translation management solution. It helps firms automate and streamline localization processes.

Some of the services they offer include:

• Translation solutions for companies, freelance translators, and language service providers (LSPs).
• Centralized project data and linguistic resources that allow for real-time translation task cooperation using translation memory.
• Supports different content types, including marketing content, website content,  in-app content, employee handbooks, and user-help documentation.
• Serves different sectors, such as technology, manufacturing, software, and life sciences.

3. Phrase

It is a localization platform, established in 2008 under the Memsource name and headquartered in Prague and the Czech Republic. Phrase enables enterprises to manage, translate, and automate content for rapid growth and expansion.

Below are some of the services they offer:

• AI-powered and cloud-based localization services to offer customers content in their desired language.
• Professional translation services that can be managed on a single platform with its TMS.
• Translates various content types, including documents, marketing materials, websites, software, and applications.
• Caters to industries like travel, E-commerce, gaming, and media.

4. memoQ

It is a translation management system within memoQ Translation Technologies, based in Budapest and Hungary.  MemoQ provides businesses with translation and localization services, individual translators, and language service vendors.

Here are a few of the services they provide:

• Supports many content types for over 100 languages, from website translation and software interfaces to documents.
• Works with different domains like gaming, life science, and financial institutions.
• Manage translation and localization processes globally.
• Includes functions, such as project tracking, automated quality assurance, seamless workflow management, and advanced reports.

5. Crowdin

It is a cloud-based localization management platform, based in Tallinn and Estonia. Crowdin includes over 2 million registered users with 100,000 projects worldwide.   

Among the services they provide are:

• Extensive integrations with over 600 tools like GitLab, Sketch, GitHub, Figma, Mailchimp, and Hubspot.
• AI-powered machine translation with terminology management and translation memory support.
• Offers localization into over 100 languages, with automated translation workflows.
• Compatible with over 40 file formats, such as CSV, JSON, and properties files.
• Provides translation for websites, games, software, applications, and other digital content.
• Covers different sectors, including telecommunications, gaming, software, information technology, and more.

6. Unbabel

It is a language operations (LangOps) platform driven by AI with its headquarters in San Francisco and California. Unbabel integrates cutting-edge AI algorithms with human editors to provide companies with fast yet high-quality translations.

Here’s an overview of their offered translation services:

• Customized multilingual content translations and real-time quality reporting.
• Complete control over your translation projects and cost transparency.
• Flexible built-in quality checks and translation workflows.
• Offers translation into 130 languages with over 6,000 language pairs.
• Translates content types like chat, email, FAQs, product descriptions, and user guides.
• Serves travel, logistics, technology, retail, and food and beverage industries.

7. TransPerfect

TransPerfect is a US-based translation and localization company that frequently appears as one of the top search results, boasting over 10,000 native-speaking linguists and nearly 30 years of experience. In 2021, it merged with Semantix, another leading provider of translation and interpretation services, making it worthwhile for large-scale translation works.

Some of the services available include:

• Translates website content, mobile app UX copy, videos, and e-learning materials.
• Covers different industries like retail, e-commerce, travel, life sciences, legal, technology, hospitality, digital marketing, advertising, and media and entertainment.
• Translation and language services in over 170 languages (AI and machine translation, document translation, etc.) 
• Transcription services
• Multilingual customer support
• Content creation and management

8. WeLocalize

Established in 1997, WeLocalize is a US-based language service firm that provides translation and localization services to global brands.

Check out some of the services available:

• Delivers voice-over, product and software localization, e-learning localization, patent translation, website content translation, and compliance translation services.
• AI-powered service delivery and linguistic talent management provide quick and precise translations.
• Localizes media and transcreation, and optimizes search engines for several languages.
• Includes more than 250 languages.
• Focuses on diverse sectors, including manufacturing, entertainment, e-learning, legal, pharmaceutical, and technology.

9. TransPalm

TransPalm is a leading translation services firm founded in Estonia in 2013. It specializes in human-powered, technology-assisted multilingual solutions and has an office in Egypt to handle localization and translation needs for all languages spoken in the Middle East and Africa.

The following are examples of its offered translation services: 

• Offers premium translation and localization into 120+ languages around the globe.
• Serves a range of industries, including legal, business, technical, life science, media, marketing, clinical, pharmaceutical, medical, and healthcare.
• Adopts a unique quality assurance approach.
• Employs advanced technology such as translation memories, CAT tools, and an efficient translation management system.

3 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Translation Services Company

If you want to get the best translation services, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most important considerations to make while selecting a reliable translation agency.

1- Quality Assurance

Translation quality is necessary for a successful connection with a global audience. Seek out organizations that offer translation services by native, subject-matter expert translators.

Inquire about the agency’s quality control protocols, particularly their use of multiple editors to review translators’ work to ensure consistency across translated documents. This approach can lead to more cohesive and accurate translations over time.

• Some translation service providers also use automated quality checks to boost accuracy coupled with human oversight. 

Ask about the agency’s employment procedure for linguists as well. It is recommended that freelance linguists have the necessary education, training, and translation experience.

2- Technology Integration

The translation industry witnessed a significant impact due to technological advancements. Some language providers use translation management systems, translation memories, and CAT tools for efficiency and consistency. Therefore, confirm the translation services company you select uses technologies that adapt to your business’s needs and simplify collaboration.     

3- Industry Expertise and Specialization

Different sectors often have unique terminologies, regulatory requirements, and cultural nuances that require specialized knowledge. Look for agencies that have worked on projects similar to yours and can demonstrate a deep understanding of your industry.

This expertise can lead to more accurate translations, faster turnaround times, and a better grasp of your target audience’s expectations.

• Ask for case studies or references from clients in your industry.

An agency with relevant experience is more likely to deliver high-quality translations that resonate with your intended audience and meet industry-specific standards.

Grow Your Business with TransPalm’s Translation Solutions

As a leading provider of translation services, we focus on all languages of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the major languages of Asia and Central Asia. We offer excellent translation and localization services in more than 120 languages globally.

To maximize our translation and localization projects, we at TransPalm rely on cutting-edge translation management solutions. Our TMS guarantees smooth operations, consistency across various content, and accurate translations that maintain the core meaning of your brand’s messaging in several languages.

Curious about how TransPalm can assist you in achieving your current and future localization and translation objectives? Get your quote right now.