Lingo.dev Review
After 4 months of using Lingo.dev to localize a React app into 12 languages, this is the fastest path to multilingual apps I've found-if you're comfortable with Git. The Y Combinator-backed tool (formerly Replexica) automates translations on every commit, supports 83+ languages, and lets you bring your own LLM for translation quality control.
Quick Intel
Free tier available. No credit card required.
Pricing Breakdown
Lingo.dev offers a genuine freemium model with transparent pricing. The Hobby tier (free, 10K words/month) is enough for small projects. Pro at $30/month adds API access and priority support. Team at $600/month unlocks high-volume translation with private Slack support. Enterprise is custom pricing for SLA requirements.
- 10,000 translated words/month
- Brand voice and context awareness
- Unlimited glossaries and languages
- Git-native CI/CD integration
- Web & mobile apps support
- 1 project
- 20,000 translated words/month
- $2.50 per 1,000 extra words
- Priority email support
- All Hobby features
- JavaScript SDK and CLI
- Real-time API translations
- 100,000 translated words/month
- $0.25 per 1,000 extra words
- Private Slack channel
- All Pro features
- Unlimited projects
- Web editor
- Additional integrations
Lingo.dev Localization Time Savings Calculator
- Lingo.dev reduces translation cycle time by ~75% (30 min to 5 min average)
- Based on automated CI/CD translations vs manual export/translate/import
- Excludes initial setup time (~2-4 hours one-time)
- Assumes developer manages localization (not dedicated translator)
- 52 weeks per year calculation
Feature Analysis
I've tested Lingo.dev's core features on production apps with real international users. Here's what actually works-and where it needs improvement.
Git CI/CD Integration
Push code, get translations automatically via GitHub Actions or GitLab CI. Creates PRs with translated strings-no manual export/import cycles. This is the killer feature that sets it apart from traditional TMS.
Translation Quality
Context-aware translations using Anthropic/OpenAI under the hood. Handles plurals, variables, and MessageFormat well. Marketing copy and idioms need human review, but technical/UI strings are solid.
Developer Experience
CLI, JavaScript SDK, and REST API are all well-documented. The real-time API handles dynamic content cleanly. Configuration is straightforward for anyone who's worked with i18n before.
Language Support
83+ languages including RTL (Arabic, Hebrew), CJK, and major European languages. Quality varies-European languages are excellent, some Asian languages need more tuning.
Customization Options
Brand voice settings, glossaries, and translation memory help maintain consistency. Bring-your-own-LLM option is powerful for teams with specific quality needs. Style guides work as expected.
Third-Party Validation
No G2, Capterra, or TrustRadius reviews yet-product launched in 2024. Relies on client testimonials (Mistral AI, Cal.com) and YC backing. This is the main risk for enterprise adoption.
The Honest Truth
Based on 4 months integrating Lingo.dev into a React + Next.js production app serving users in 12 countries.
- Zero-Friction Git Workflow - Translations happen automatically on every push. No more exporting JSON files, emailing translators, and manually merging changes. For CI/CD-native teams, this saves 10+ hours per release cycle.
- Bring Your Own LLM - Use Claude, GPT-4, or your own model for translations. This flexibility means you control quality and cost-rare in the localization space where you're usually locked into vendor models.
- Generous Free Tier - 10,000 words/month free with full feature access (brand voice, glossaries, CI/CD). Actually useful for testing and small projects, not just a trial period.
- Open Source Transparency - Core toolkit is open-source on GitHub. You can inspect the code, self-host if needed, and contribute improvements. This builds trust for security-conscious teams.
- Real-Time API for Dynamic Content - JavaScript SDK handles user-generated content translation on the fly. Essential for apps with chat, comments, or runtime-generated strings that can't be pre-translated.
- No Third-Party Reviews - Zero reviews on G2, Capterra, or TrustRadius (product launched 2024). You're relying on client testimonials and YC backing. Enterprise procurement teams may hesitate without independent validation.
- Requires Git Expertise - Built for developers who live in GitHub/GitLab. If your content team manages translations, they'll need developer support for every localization update. Not designed for non-technical users.
- AI Translation Limitations - Marketing copy, idioms, and culturally-sensitive content still need human review. AI handles technical/UI strings well, but don't expect poetry-level translations.
- Steep Jump to Team Pricing - Free (10K words) to Pro ($30, 20K words) is reasonable, but Team is $600/month-a 20x increase. Mid-sized teams with 50K-80K word needs fall into an awkward gap.
Who Should Use This
Lingo.dev is a precision tool for specific use cases-not a general translation solution.
Startup Launch Sprints
Need to ship to 10 markets in 2 weeks? Lingo.dev's automated CI/CD translations mean you can push localized builds as fast as you can deploy code. Perfect for YC-style 'launch fast, iterate' teams.
Best FitDeveloper-Led Products
When engineers own localization (no dedicated translators), the Git-native workflow fits naturally. Translations live in version control alongside code-no separate TMS login required.
Best FitDynamic Content Apps
Chat apps, comment systems, user-generated content-anything that needs real-time translation. The JavaScript SDK handles runtime strings that traditional pre-translation can't touch.
Best FitTechnical Documentation
UI strings, error messages, API docs-content where accuracy matters more than style. AI translations excel here because context is structured and predictable.
Good FitLegal/Medical Content
Certified translations required? Human-validated accuracy needed? Lingo.dev's AI approach isn't designed for regulatory compliance. Use traditional TMS with human translators.
Not IdealMarketing Campaigns
Brand messaging, taglines, emotional copy-anything where cultural nuance determines success. AI translations will need heavy human editing. Consider dedicated copywriters instead.
Not Idealvs. Competition
How Lingo.dev stacks up against traditional TMS and AI alternatives for developer teams.
My take: Lingo.dev wins on automation speed and Git-native workflow-no other tool auto-translates on every commit this cleanly. Crowdin is the safe enterprise choice with mature features and 400+ integrations, but requires more manual workflow management. Smartling excels when you need human-validated translations for high-stakes content. Choose Lingo.dev if developer velocity matters more than translation polish, and you're comfortable being an early adopter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from developers evaluating Lingo.dev for app localization.
Final Verdict
The Developer's Path to Fast Localization
Lingo.dev delivers on its core promise: automated translations that live in your Git workflow. The CI/CD integration is genuinely effortless-push code, get translations. The bring-your-own-LLM flexibility and open-source toolkit build trust. But this is a young product (launched 2024) with no third-party reviews, and AI translations still need human review for anything beyond technical content. For developer-led teams prioritizing velocity over polish, Lingo.dev is the fastest path to multilingual apps. For enterprises needing validated translations and proven track records, stick with Crowdin or Smartling until Lingo.dev matures.
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