Multilingual content creation is a trend, and due to the reduction of costs, it is becoming one of the essential tasks of content creation. Now, any content creation is inseparable from multilingualism. Whether your work is a video or an article, you need to publish it on a multilingual platform. You don’t want to miss any platform that brings traffic, right?
In the past (just five years ago), if you wanted to translate a piece of content into another language and make sure it was fluent, readable, and suitable for the target language readers, you would have to hire a translator and a proofreader. Although it is not difficult to hire a freelancer, it is still expensive and you are not actually able to review the work of the hired person if you do not have sufficient command of the target language yourself.
The work of text translation is mainly divided into two parts: translation and review. We believe that each part is indispensable. Now, thanks to the development of AI tools, we finally have a low-cost solution, which is undoubtedly an exciting major progress. This article will mainly discuss the choice of text translation and automatic review tools. Due to the diversity of languages, we choose English as the target language. After all, English is the largest language in the world, and its tools are the most extensive and versatile.
Text translation tool selection
There are many options for text translation tools. There are too many tools in the world that can provide translation functions. We believe that an excellent text translation tool needs to meet the following key capabilities:
- Accuracy and contextual understanding: Ability to translate according to context and avoid ambiguity caused by literal translation, especially in complex sentences or professional terminology.
- Breadth of language coverage: Supports multiple language pairs, especially minority languages, to meet global needs.
- Natural fluency: The translation result is close to the native speaker’s expression habits, avoiding stiffness or mechanical feeling.
- Multi-format support: can process text, documents (PDF, Word, etc.), images and even voice input to adapt to different scenarios.
- Speed and ease of use: fast response, intuitive interface, and low entry barriers.
Based on the above points, we have selected the following mainstream text translation tools based on popularity, user experience, peer reviews and other factors:
1. DeepL
- Company background: DeepL was developed by the German company DeepL GmbH, which was founded in 2017 and was formerly known as Linguee (a language search tool company). The team focuses on AI-driven neural network translation technology.
- Features and benefits:
- Using self-developed AI models, the translation quality exceeds that of many competitors, especially in European languages (such as German and French).
- Supports document translation (PDF, Word), retaining the original format.
- Provides alternative translation options that users can adjust based on context.
- Suitable for: academic researchers, professional document writers, and users with high requirements for translation quality.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: The monthly translation limit is 3 documents and the character limit is 5,000.
- DeepL Pro：
- Starter: 8.99 euros/month, suitable for individual users, no character limit, supports unlimited document translation.
- Advanced: 29.99€/month, suitable for teams, includes glossary features and more advanced settings.
- Ultimate: 59.99€/month, suitable for enterprises, providing the highest level of data protection and API access.
- API plans: DeepL API Pro is also available, starting at €4.99/month, priced per character (€20 per 1 million characters).
Official website: https://www.deepl.com
2. Google Translate
- Company Background: Developed by Google in 2006, it has become the world’s most well-known free translation tool. Google uses its powerful AI and cloud computing capabilities to continuously optimize translation algorithms.
- Features and benefits:
- Supports 109 languages, including minority languages, with extremely wide coverage.
- It provides text, voice, picture and real-time conversation translation with comprehensive functions.
- Free and cross-platform (web, mobile app), easy to access.
- Best for: Travelers, students, everyday users who need quick translations.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: Completely free and without any restrictions.
- Cloud Translation API (for developers): 500,000 characters per month free, $20 per million characters beyond that.
Official website: https://translate.google.com
3. Microsoft Translator
- Company background: Launched by Microsoft, relying on its Azure AI technology, it aims to provide multi-scenario translation solutions for enterprises and individuals.
- Features and benefits:
- Supports 90+ languages and provides real-time conversation translation (suitable for conference scenarios).
- Deep integration with Microsoft Office suite (such as Word, Teams).
- Provides APIs that developers can embed into custom applications.
- Suitable for: business users, team collaborators, developers.
Prices and packages:
- Free Edition: Completely free for personal use with no limitations.
- Azure Translator API (for developers): 2 million characters per month free, and $10 per million characters beyond that.
Official website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/translator
4. iTranslate
- Company background: Developed by Austrian company iTranslate GmbH, founded in 2009, it initially focused on mobile translation and has now expanded to multiple platforms.
- Features and benefits:
- Supports more than 100 languages and provides voice input and offline translation functions.
- It has a simple interface and includes a phrasebook and verb conjugation tool, making it suitable for language learning.
- The Pro version provides webcam translation and website translation plug-ins.
- Suitable for: language learners, travelers, mobile users.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: Free for basic text translation, but with limited functionality.
- Pro version:
- Monthly payment: US$7.99/month, including offline translation, camera translation, and no ads.
- Annual payment: USD 49.99/year (approximately USD 4.17/month), same functions as monthly payment.
- Enterprise Edition: Please contact the sales team for a custom quote.
Official website: https://itranslate.com
5. Yandex Translate
- Company background: Developed by Russian tech giant Yandex, it is a localized alternative to Google that serves Eastern European and Asian markets.
- Features and benefits:
- Supports 95 languages, specializing in Russian and other Eastern European languages translation.
- Provides web page translation, image translation and document upload functions.
- Free and ad-free, with a focus on privacy protection.
- Suitable for people: Eastern European language users, privacy-conscious individuals, researchers.
- Prices and packages:
- Free version: Completely free and without any restrictions.
- API Plan (for developers): Priced per character, approximately $3.94 per million characters (very competitive pricing).
Official website: https://translate.yandex.com
Choice of automated review tools
The progress of automatic review tools is due to the progress of AI technology and artificial semantic technology. Its main job is to review texts, check spelling, grammar and text logic, and understand the semantics itself and correct them, just like a language expert checking your manuscript. We believe that an excellent automatic review tool must meet the following key capabilities:
Grammar and Spelling Accuracy: Identify and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors to avoid misjudgments.
Style and Tone Optimization: Provides suggestions for improvement based on the purpose of writing (e.g., formal, creative).
Multi-language support: Not limited to English, can handle proofreading needs in other languages.
In-depth analysis: Provides advanced feedback on sentence structure, readability, etc. to help improve overall quality.
Integration and real-time: seamlessly embedded in writing environments (such as browsers, office software), and prompts errors in real time.
Based on the above points, we have selected the following mainstream text translation tools based on popularity, user experience, peer reviews and other factors:
1. Grammarly
- Company background: Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the United States, Grammarly was developed by a Ukrainian founder. Grammarly has now become the world’s leading writing assistance tool, serving more than 30 million users.
- Features and benefits:
- Check grammar, spelling, punctuation, tone and clarity in real time.
- Supports browser plug-ins and desktop applications, and integrates with multiple writing environments.
- The premium version offers plagiarism detection and in-depth writing analysis.
- Suitable for: students, working professionals, English writing enthusiasts.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: provides basic grammar and spelling checking.
- Premium：
- Monthly payment: $30/month.
- Quarterly payment: USD 60/quarter (approximately USD 20/month).
- Annual payment: $144/year (about $12/month).
- Business (Team Edition): Starting at $15 per user per month, it provides team management and style guides.
- Educational Edition: Please contact sales for a custom quote.
Official website: https://www.grammarly.com
2. ProWritingAid
- Company background: Developed by Orpheus Technology, a UK company focused on providing in-depth writing support for creative and professional writers.
- Features and benefits:
- Provides 25 writing reports covering grammar, style, repetitiveness and other issues.
- Compatible with writing software such as Scrivener and Word, suitable for long-form content.
- Emphasis on style improvement, going beyond basic grammar checking.
- Best for: Novelists, academic authors, professionals who need in-depth feedback.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: Provides basic checks, but with strict limitations.
- Premium：
- Monthly payment: $30/month.
- Annual payment: $120/year (about $10/month).
- Lifetime subscription: $399 (one-time payment).
- Premium Plus (with plagiarism check): Annual payment of $144/year.
Official website: https://prowritingaid.com
3. LanguageTool
- Company background: Developed by a German team in 2003, it is an open source proofreading tool that focuses on multi-language support and user privacy.
- Features and benefits:
- Supports 40+ languages, including English, German, Spanish, etc.
- It can be used as a browser extension or a standalone application, and the open source version can be deployed locally.
- Provides grammar, spelling and style suggestions for free.
- Suitable for people: multilingual writers, open source enthusiasts, non-native English speakers.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: supports multi-language basic checking, with a character limit of 20,000.
- Premium：
- Individual: 59 EUR/year (about 5 EUR/month), character limit increased to 100,000, more style suggestions supported.
- Team: Starting from 49 EUR/year per user, it provides team management features.
- Enterprise Edition: Please contact the sales team for a custom quote.
Official website: https://languagetool.org
4. Ginger Software
- Company background: Developed by Israeli company Ginger Software, founded in 2007, it focuses on English learning and writing improvement.
- Features and benefits:
- Provide grammar checking and “one-click rewriting” functions to optimize sentence expression.
- Built-in English learning module to help users master language rules.
- Supports browsers and mobile terminals, easy to operate.
- Suitable for: English learners, students, and users who need quick polishing.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: Provides basic checks and limits usage times per week.
- Premium：
- Monthly payment: $29.96/month.
- Annual payment: $89.88/year (about $7.49/month).
- Biennial payment: $134.76/two years (about $5.62/month).
Official website: https://www.gingersoftware.com
5. WhiteSmoke
- Company background: Developed by Israeli company WhiteSmoke Inc., it was founded in 2002 and is positioned as an all-around writing solution serving the education and business sectors.
- Features and benefits:
- Combines grammar check, spelling correction and translation functions into one all-in-one design.
- Provide writing templates (such as business letters and resumes) to improve efficiency.
- Supports desktop and mobile terminals, and the interface is intuitive.
- Suitable for people: business writers, students, and users who need template support.
Prices and packages:
- Free version: No free version, you need to purchase it.
- Premium：
- Annual payment: $79.95/year (about $6.66/month).
- Three-year plan: $159.95/three years (about $4.44/month).
- Business: $119.95/year, provides more business templates and features.
Official website: http://www.whitesmoke.com
Summarize
- Translation tools: DeepL is suitable for high-quality translation but requires payment. Google Translate and Yandex Translate are completely free and cost-effective.
- Review tools: Grammarly and ProWritingAid provide comprehensive functions but are relatively expensive. LanguageTool is cost-effective and supports multiple languages.
- Selection suggestions: Choose according to budget and needs. If you need a free tool, you can give priority to Google Translate and LanguageTool; if you need professional functions, DeepL and Grammarly are the first choice.
Precautions
- Price Fluctuations: Some tools (such as DeepL and Grammarly) may adjust their prices due to currency exchange rates or promotions. It is recommended to visit the official website to confirm.
- Free trial: Many tools offer a trial period (such as ProWritingAid, LanguageTool) to experience them first.
- Customized requirements: If enterprise users need API or team functions, they need to contact the sales team for a quote.
