Translation Exchange

What Translation Exchange does

Translation Exchange is an agile localization platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco that helps software developers and enterprises localize web and mobile applications into multiple languages. The platform is built around a proprietary Translation Markup Language (TML) that supports context-aware translations including gender, numeric, list, date, and decoration rules — features that exceed standard internationalization frameworks. Core components include a cloud-based Translation Center for project management, a Universal Translation Memory (UTM) that is shared across the user base and reportedly saves up to 70% in translation time and cost, in-context translation tools that let translators work inside the live application interface, and SDKs covering Ruby on Rails, Node.js, PHP, Java, JavaScript, iOS, and Android, plus WordPress and Squarespace plugins. Translated content is published in real time via CDN, removing the need for app store updates when language content changes.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a freemium, self-serve signup (no credit card required) for individual developers and SMBs with a dedicated enterprise sales motion targeting multinationals, anchored by named customers including Castlight Health (125,000+ user Spanish rollout), Jiff, AdColony, GoPro, Bluehole, and Repairshopr. Revenue is generated primarily through monthly subscription plans, supplemented by transaction-fee pass-through on professional translation services ordered through integrated LSP partners Gengo and One Hour Translation (OHT). Pre-translation is powered by integrations with Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Yandex, and Baidu, and the platform connects customers to a network of 30,000+ professional translators via its partner marketplaces while reportedly processing millions of translated phrases every day. The company is privately held, backed by Amplify.LA, Canyon Creek Capital, and Hillsven Capital, and is led by founders Michael Berkovich (CEO) and Ian McDaniel (CPO).

Name

Translation Exchange

Legal name

Translation Exchange Inc.

Website

https://translationexchange.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Translation Exchange is a San Francisco-based agile localization platform, founded in 2014, that enables developers and enterprises to localize web and mobile apps across languages via its proprietary Translation Markup Language, shared Translation Memory, and SDKs for major frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Software Localization Platform

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Localization, Translation & Transcreation (BPAFAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Machine Translation & Multilingual NLP (HDAAADAD)

Keywords

• Localization platform
• Translation management
• Software internationalization
• Translation memory
• Multilingual app localization

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Subscription Plans: Monthly subscription plans for platform access with different tiers based on usage and features. Custom pricing available for enterprise customers.
2. Professional Translation Services: Integration with translation service providers (Gengo, One Hour Translation) where users can order professional human translations directly through the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Translation Exchange is a cloud-based agile localization platform that lets developers and product teams localize websites, mobile applications, and digital stores into multiple languages. It combines SDK-based content extraction, a cloud Translation Center, in-context translation tools, a shared Universal Translation Memory, a connector marketplace integrating human and machine translation providers, and CDN-based real-time publishing that avoids app store or code-release updates. The proprietary Translation Markup Language (TML) enables context-aware translations with rules for gender, numeric, list, date, and decoration handling.

Product overview

Translation Exchange is an Agile Localization Platform for web and mobile applications, consisting of a core platform with integrated modules. The main components include the Translation Exchange Platform (the unified system), the Translation Center (cloud-based management interface), Connector Marketplace (content import/export), Translator Marketplace (professional translation services), and specialized SDKs for Ruby on Rails, Node.js, PHP, Java, JavaScript, and iOS. Additional products include WordPress Plugin, Glossary Management, Style Guide Feature, Translation Memory, Release Explorer, and In-Context Translation Tools. The proprietary Translation Markup Language (TML) powers advanced translation rules across the platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Translation Exchange Platform End-to-end agile localization platform that extracts application content via SDKs, manages translation projects, enables in-context translation, and publishes translations in real time via CDN for web and mobile developers and product teams.
• Translation Center Cloud-based translation management interface where teams collaborate on translations with real-time communication, activity tracking, and project dashboards for web and mobile app localization.
• Connector Marketplace Marketplace for importing content from multiple online and desktop applications and SDKs, enabling content to be translated and exported back to source systems in a few clicks.
• Translator Marketplace Marketplace connecting developers with thousands of professional translators worldwide through partnerships with Gengo and One Hour Translation for ordering professional human translations directly from the platform.
• Ruby on Rails SDK (tml-rails) Server-side Ruby on Rails SDK providing full backwards compatibility with Rails i18n, automatic string synchronization, translation caching (Memcached/Redis/file), and helper methods for TML syntax.
• Node.js SDK (tml-js/tml-express) JavaScript SDK for Node.js/Express applications supporting EJS templates, dynamic and static caching, source grouping, and release management with integration into client-side TML libraries.
• PHP SDK (tml) PHP SDK supporting Laravel framework and plain PHP applications with middleware integration, Memcached caching, TML syntax support, and automatic cache invalidation via API hooks.
• Java SDK Core Java library distributed via Maven Central supporting in-context translation, using standard Maven build tools with Travis CI integration for Java-based enterprise applications.
• iOS SDK iOS SDK supporting TML for NSAttributedString localization, enabling decoration-based translations (bold, font, color) within attributed strings in iOS applications.
• JavaScript SDK Client-side JavaScript SDK for integrating localization into web applications, with Squarespace integration support, in-context translation tools, automatic content extraction, and language selector widgets.
• WordPress Plugin WordPress plugin enabling website and blog translation with language selector widget, automatic string extraction in translation mode, pre-path locale configuration for SEO, and support for both machine and professional human translation.
• Enterprise Localization Deployment Guided enterprise deployment of the platform for large multinational rollouts, exemplified by Castlight Health's Spanish rollout covering 125,000+ users and Jiff's 7-8 new languages planned for 2017.

Quantifiable outcome

• Save up to 70% on the time needed to translate and deploy multilingual campaigns
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• One Hour TranslationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 December 2016One Hour Translation (OHT), a leading LSP and online translation agency, partners with Translation Exchange to provide seamless access to professional translation services. OHT refers their customers to Translation Exchange for website and app localization management. OHT customers can order professional translations directly through Translation Exchange's platform using OHT's existing credits. OHT was previously using the WeST translation platform and migrated to Translation Exchange for better functionality.
• GengocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGengo is a global, people-powered translation platform enabling everyone to read and publish across languages. Integration allows Translation Exchange users to order professional human translations from Gengo directly through the platform.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Transifex: Transifex is a localization platform for digital content offering translation memory, in-context translation, and integrations with developer and content tools. It competes for the same web/app localization workloads with a comparable SDK-based developer go-to-market.
• Phrase (formerly PhraseApp): Phrase is a translation management system offering developer SDKs, in-context translation, translation memory, and automation across web, mobile, and desktop platforms. It overlaps with Translation Exchange on developer-first localization, multilingual app delivery, and enterprise TMS capabilities.
• Smartling: Smartling is the most established direct competitor in cloud-based translation management and enterprise localization. It offers a translation platform with TMS, in-context translation, translator marketplace, and enterprise integrations targeting similar developer and marketing buyer personas.
• Crowdin: Crowdin is a cloud localization management platform targeting developers and product teams with similar SDK-driven workflows, translation memory, in-context tools, and integration marketplace. It competes for the same SMB and mid-market developer-led localization deals.
• Lokalise: Lokalise is a developer-focused localization platform providing SDKs, in-context translation, translation memory, and automation for web and mobile apps. It directly competes with Translation Exchange on PLG onboarding, developer tooling, and enterprise translation workflows.
• Weglot: Weglot is a website translation platform with plug-and-play integrations for CMSs like WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace. It overlaps with Translation Exchange on website localization, plugins, and SMB-friendly self-serve onboarding.

Broad incumbents

• Welocalize: Welocalize is a global language services provider offering translation, localization, and interpretation services to enterprise clients. It overlaps with Translation Exchange on enterprise localization but operates primarily as an LSP rather than as a software platform.
• Lionbridge (Lionbridge AI / Smartling competitor): Lionbridge is one of the world's largest language service providers offering enterprise translation, localization services, and AI data services. It competes with Translation Exchange on enterprise localization workflows, but its primary business model is human translation services rather than platform SaaS.

Emerging players

• POEditor: POEditor is a lightweight translation management tool focused on simpler workflows, file-format based localization, and SMB/OSS projects. It competes with Translation Exchange on price-sensitive localization management for smaller apps and websites.
• LingoHub: LingoHub is a translation management platform offering in-context translation and integrations for software localization. It targets similar developer-led localization use cases but with a smaller customer base and footprint than Translation Exchange.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/translationx
• GitHubgithub.com/translationexchange
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7gLEbvNO1IKPv5dxwzR3Iw
• Facebookfacebook.com/translationexchange
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3724474

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Translation Exchange