locize

Overview

Locize is a translation management service for software teams that want localization work to sit close to code and ship separately from app releases. Its strongest fit is a team balancing developer-led updates with translator and reviewer input; smaller projects can start free, but usage and collaboration caps matter as they grow.

Key features

Developers can sync translation keys and source strings through a CLI or CI workflow, while translators and reviewers use a dedicated interface. Translation memory, glossary management, in-context editing, context screenshots, configurable review workflows, and machine or generative AI translation tools give teams ways to keep wording consistent and manage review. These tools are most useful when localization is a shared development and translation process, rather than a one-off handoff.

Translations can be served through a CDN or API, so updates need not wait for a full app redeploy. Integrations cover i18next, React, Vue, Angular, Next.js, Node.js, mobile iOS and Android, Figma, and PHP, Python, Java, and .NET. That breadth makes Locize relevant across web and mobile stacks, though its value depends on the project's integration and delivery needs.

Security features include 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; encrypted disaster-recovery copies of translation namespaces and project configurations are stored on BunnyCDN Storage in the EU. Locize says it is subject to Swiss FADP and EU GDPR and offers a DPA covering both.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes 2,000 words, two languages, five namespaces, one user, and 100K standard CDN downloads per month. It is a useful way for an individual to begin, but the single seat and small language and download allowances make it a poor fit for an active team.

Starter costs $7 a month, billed monthly, and raises the limits to 15,000 words, five languages, 10 namespaces, five users, and 1M standard CDN downloads per month. It is the lowest-cost paid entry for a small team, but still has tight language, namespace, and download ceilings. Starter-Plus costs $19 a month, billed monthly, and includes 30,000 words, seven languages, 25 namespaces, five users, and 3M standard downloads monthly; it adds capacity without expanding the team limit.

Growth costs $49 a month, billed monthly, 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 per month. It suits teams that need collaboration beyond five users and more structured project capacity. Professional at $99 a month, billed monthly, 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 at $149 a month, billed monthly, includes 150,000 words, 50 languages, 150 namespaces, five branches, 20 tenants, 10M standard, 350K pro, and 3.5K private downloads. Enterprise costs $199 a month, billed monthly, and expands the limits to 200,000 words, 150 languages, 300 namespaces, 10 branches, 50 tenants, 15M standard, 500K pro, and 5K private downloads. All three higher plans include unlimited users; the upper tiers mainly buy larger content, language, project, and delivery allowances.

The paid plans are billed monthly. On fixed plans, exceeding 110% of included standard CDN downloads automatically blocks the project; on Free, translations are automatically unpublished instead. The free trial lasts 14 days. Teams weighing a plan or usage can contact [email protected].

Platforms

Locize supports Android, iOS, web, and API workflows. That combination suits teams delivering app translations through a service rather than bundling every update into a release.

Who it's for

Locize is a sensible choice for developers, managers, and translators who need a shared workflow, code and CI connections, and independently delivered translation updates. A solo developer can test the approach on Free, while teams should choose a paid tier based on users, languages, content, and expected CDN traffic. It is less suitable for anyone who needs generous free collaboration or wants to ignore download quotas.

Pros and cons

• Pros: CLI/CI syncing and a translator-reviewer interface connect localization to software development without making every translation update depend on an app redeploy.
• Pros: Translation memory, glossary management, context screenshots, and review workflows support consistency and informed review across languages.
• Pros: The plan ladder grows from a free individual tier to paid plans with unlimited users, branches, tenants, and larger delivery allowances.
• Cons: Free is limited to one user, two languages, five namespaces, 2,000 words, and 100K standard downloads monthly, restricting its usefulness for a growing team.
• Cons: Standard CDN overages have a hard consequence: fixed plans block the project beyond 110% of allowance, while Free automatically unpublishes translations.
• Cons: Starter and Starter-Plus remain capped at five users, so teams needing more seats must move to Growth or above.

Alternatives

Crowdin is another freemium option with a free plan and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows; consider it if those additional platform options are important. OneSky offers a freemium model and supports Android, iOS, web, and API. Tolgee has a free plan and supports self-hosting as well as web and mobile platforms, making it an option to consider if self-hosting matters. Weblate offers a free plan, self-hosted support, and a Premium Cloud 10k plan at €47 a month for 10,000 hosted strings with unlimited languages, projects, and components; consider it if those terms fit better. Transglot has a free plan with 100,000 words to start, then 10,000 monthly, one project, 14 target languages, and three seats; its Starter plan costs $15 a month. Live Link Face is a free app for iOS and Android. Localazy has a free plan with 200 source keys, unlimited seats, and unlimited languages; it may suit a team prioritizing those free allowances. Playglot is a free web option.

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

Verdict

Choose Locize if your software team wants developers and translators working in a connected localization workflow, with translation updates delivered independently of app redeploys. Its integration range and collaboration tools are persuasive strengths, but the small free allowance and automatic response to CDN overages demand active quota management. Look elsewhere if generous free team use or freedom from download caps is the priority.