We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
It's a split decision.
Choose Smartcat if you want a published entry price and a platform that combines AI with human linguist workflows: Adapt is $1,200/year, billed annually, for 100K Smartwords. Choose Smartling if you need enterprise-oriented workflows, MQM checks, or want to start on its free Core plan. The catch: Smartling does not publish subscription prices, and Smartcat’s paid plans, marketplace add-on, and top-ups are also unpriced. Compare likely usage and service needs before treating either as cheaper.
01Side by side
| Smartcat | Smartling | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $100/month, billed annually | Free to start; paid pricing unpublished |
| Free plan | No free plan | Core is free to start |
| Best for | Small teams starting with AI coworkers | Enterprise companies and large teams |
| Core strength | AI translation and 500,000+ linguist marketplace | Enterprise workflows and MQM quality checks |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations & data | Any CMS; 80+ formats on Adapt | Connectors; Core memory retained 180 days |
| Team/seat costs | Unlimited users listed on every plan | User limits and seat pricing not published |
| Support terms | Priority SLA or on-site support on higher plans | Support terms not published |
Smartcat Choose Smartcat if
- Choose Smartcat if you need a published annual entry price
- Choose Smartcat if unlimited users are important
- Choose Smartcat if you want a linguist marketplace option
Smartling Choose Smartling if
- Choose Smartling if you want a free-to-start Core plan
- Choose Smartling if you need MQM quality checks
- Choose Smartling if you need enterprise-oriented workflows
02Pricing compared
Smartcat is more transparent at the entry level: Adapt costs $1,200 per year, billed annually, or $100 per month equivalent. It includes 100K Smartwords per year, one workspace, unlimited users, and 280+ languages. A 15-day free trial is available, but there is no free plan. Prices for Accelerate, Anticipate, Autonomous, marketplace access on Adapt, and Smartwords top-ups are not published.
Smartling’s Core plan is free to start and includes translation memory retained for 180 days, basic project and workflow management, a CAT tool with visual context, and automated quality checks. Enterprise is custom-quoted; subscription prices are not published. Optional translation starts at $0.0075 per word for machine translation, $0.06 for AI translation, $0.12 for AI-powered human translation, and $0.20 for human translation. Connector costs may be extra. Neither platform is clearly cheaper without a quote and usage estimate.
03Features and depth
Both platforms combine machine translation with human review, but their published details point to different strengths. Smartcat covers AI translation and content generation across 280+ languages, plus human editing workflows and a marketplace listing more than 500,000 translators, editors, proofreaders, and agencies. Its website localization tools are described as working with any CMS, with options to preview, edit, and publish translations in real time. The Adapt plan has 80+ formats; higher plans add capabilities such as more Smartwords, workspaces, API access, SSO, and support, though prices are not published.
Smartling is positioned around enterprise translation management. Its listed features include workflow automation, CMS and marketing integrations, quality checks against the MQM framework, and terminology and brand checks. Teams can use Smartling’s AI, bring their own model, or switch providers. Human language services are available, with free revisions included. Enterprise adds customizable workflows and linguistic packages, unlimited translation memory storage, and the option to bring your own translators. Connector availability and costs can depend on subscription or tier, and prices are not published.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Neither product’s pricing page provides enough detail to predict onboarding effort for a specific team. Smartcat’s Adapt plan includes unlimited users in one workspace, while its upper plans list added workspaces, API access, and SSO. Those distinctions help show where administration may expand, but custom-plan costs and details are not published. Smartcat’s review scores 6/10 for ease of use.
Smartling Core includes basic workflow, user, and project management, a CAT tool with visual context, and automated quality checks. Enterprise offers customizable dynamic workflows, which may suit teams with more complex processes but also calls for scoping. Smartling scores 7/10 for ease of use in its review. Treat those ratings as directional, not a substitute for checking your content sources, review steps, and integration needs.
Questions people ask
Does Smartcat have a free plan?
No free plan is listed for Smartcat. Its pricing information lists a 15-day free trial, then Adapt at $1,200 per year billed annually. Pricing for higher plans, marketplace access on Adapt, and Smartwords top-ups is not published.
Is Smartling cheaper than Smartcat?
You can start on Smartling’s free Core plan, but its subscription prices and Enterprise quote are not published. Smartcat lists Adapt at $1,200 per year, while its higher plans and add-ons are also unpriced. Compare your volume, services, and connectors before judging total cost.
Which platform is better for enterprise localization?
Smartling lists enterprise-focused workflows, MQM quality checks, customizable linguistic packages, and unlimited translation memory storage on Enterprise. Smartcat lists larger Smartwords allowances, more workspaces, API access, and SSO on higher plans. The better fit depends on workflow needs and a custom quote.
Can I use human translators with Smartcat and Smartling?
Yes. Smartcat combines AI with human editing workflows and offers access to a marketplace of 500,000+ language professionals. Smartling offers expert language services and lets Enterprise customers bring their own translators. Smartling lists optional human translation from $0.20 per word.