When planning to go global, website localization is a must. And getting it right is non-negotiable. Your website, after all, is one of the primary ways you interact with customers and broadcast to the world who you are.
But the localization process can be complicated. There are many moving parts — and often multiple languages at once — so even those who have worked on localization projects before can find themselves wishing for more help.
Enter translation management systems (TMSs) and technologies. These software solutions can store translated content, automate routine tasks, and provide a means to communicate efficiently with all involved.
However, it's not easy to pick the best translation solution for your business. If you're trying to decide between Smartling and MotionPoint or are looking for an alternative, this page will help you understand which solution is best.
What Is Smartling?
Smartling is a one-stop shop for translation.
Our translation management software centralizes content storage, provides a cloud-based platform for efficient collaboration, and gives businesses access to powerful administrative tools to help them manage the localization process from start to finish. Customers can also leverage our expert language services, which provide them with access to personalized project management assistance and seasoned translators from around the globe.
Well-known companies, including DoorDash, Shopify, InterContinental Hotels Group, British Airways, and WeWork, trust Smartling to help them produce native brand experiences and connect with customers worldwide.
What Is MotionPoint?
MotionPoint offers localization solutions for companies looking to translate their website and other content. Its flagship website proxy solution helps companies deploy localized websites more efficiently than they could with manual translation processes and legacy solutions. They also offer language services to their customers. Nevertheless, many businesses may find that they do not have enough visibility, control, or easy-to-use tools. As their localization needs evolve, companies may find they need to look elsewhere for a complete end-to-end solution.
Smartling vs. MotionPoint vs. Legacy Tools
Old school is in… or is it?
Vintage might be en vogue as a fashion statement, but does anyone want to go back to old-school, manual localization processes? While there are still businesses and LSPs that spend hours copying strings into spreadsheets or text files before emailing those to translators, many others have made the switch to using cloud-based translation management systems (TMSs). And they are enjoying a much better return on their localization investment.
In particular, digital-first solutions, like MotionPoint and Smartling, support several file types, which means no more copying and pasting! In most cases, translators can work on the translations within the platform. They will often be able to see where the translations will live, making it easier to produce higher-quality translations. And while not always a given depending on the solution you choose, the right software will make it so that transparent, in-platform communication replaces long email chains, thereby increasing the probability of staying on the same page throughout the translation process.
But not all cloud-based TMSs are the same. There are many notable differences between Smartling and MotionPoint (and other providers) when it comes to delivering the efficient, seamless experience businesses need to translate their content. For example:
With MotionPoint: MotionPoint does help customers translate other content types, but the primary offering is a proxy solution for website localization.
With Smartling: Customers have full use of a cloud-based TMS that supports multilingual websites through Smartling’s powerful Global Delivery Network translation proxy. It handles all other content types customers may want to translate. Smartling also offers various integrations that bring translation seamlessly into your existing workflows. The intuitive UI makes quick work of any learning curve, and onboarding is a breeze. Often, companies are up and running in days.
With MotionPoint: Although MotionPoint offers language services and can connect customers with professional linguists, it has positioned itself as a technology company first — not a translation agency.
With Smartling: Customers have the best of both worlds. Smartling is both a technology company with a robust TMS offering and a full-service LSP. Expert project managers provide white-glove support throughout and thoughtfully handpick translators and subject matter experts that work on each project, so customers can feel confident their translations are in good hands.
Users Weigh In: Smartling’s TMS Is Ranked #1
Developing a rock-solid localization strategy and feeling confident that your translated content sends the right message to customers is a lot easier when you choose a TMS with a proven track record.
G2 users have left over 200 reviews and have consistently ranked Smartling’s TMS number one. In particular, users love our feature-rich platform, the variety of connectors, and the customizability, all of which make the translation process seamless. They also regularly call out our stellar customer service.
"Smartling gives invaluable time back to our teams. ... Take a look at what Smartling offers versus competitors when it comes to features. There is no actual competition in the TMS space when it comes to best-in-class.” — G2 User in Leisure, Travel & Tourism
The Typical Cost of a TMS: MotionPoint vs. Smartling
Typically, pricing for cloud-based translation management systems is a subscription model. Customers usually pay a flat rate, either billed monthly or annually, to use the software.
The translation work is considered a separate service. Most companies and linguists charge by the word, and the rate will depend on the language pair. Businesses may also need to pay minimum word fees.
MotionPoint charges a flat subscription fee each month. As with most providers, the translation work is charged separately on a per-word basis.
Smartling, like MotionPoint, has a straightforward pricing model. We offer two ways to engage with the TMS: we have one full-featured platform and two plans. Our Growth plan provides businesses everything they need to produce high-quality work on a deadline. Then, our Enterprise plan unlocks a few other advanced features — such as translation job automation, review mode, and additional reporting and analytics — that businesses will find valuable as their localization program matures.
Further, we give businesses the option of bundling software costs with language services, which results in significant savings.
Finally, we offer three ways to buy our services:
- Pay As You Go: New to translation? We'll help you get started quickly with usage based pricing
- Volume-Based Discounts: For larger localization projects, you can receive discounts as your usage grows
- Committed Use: Commit to a certain level of usage based on project scope and receive deeper discounts
What Differentiates Smartling from MotionPoint?
MotionPoint offers a few different services for translating content. Its flagship product, the web proxy, automates cumbersome tasks associated with website localization. But although the company has expanded its offerings to include the translation of other digital content, many businesses might find that it doesn't provide enough visibility into nor control over the localization process, especially as their localization program matures.
On the other hand, Smartling was designed to support any and all translation needs companies may have. Smartling’s nimble solutions help companies quickly scale up as needed. Users have access to a robust, end-to-end solution that provides visibility into the translation process, including our web proxy that guarantees a 99.99% uptime and loads localized websites within milliseconds. Plus, we offer a suite of powerful tools to ensure translators and project managers can work together to produce high-quality translations.
Among other benefits, Smartling's industry-leading platform allows you to:
- Leverage the expertise of our project managers from the start of a project to completion and beyond. Tap into our network of fully vetted, professional linguists.
- Bundle software and language services together to get steep discounts and simplify the billing process — you receive just a single monthly bill.
- Rest easy knowing that our enterprise-grade security infrastructure complies with industry standards and regulations and works hard to keep your data safe.
What To Consider When Choosing a TMS: A Spotlight on Integrations
To create native brand experiences for customers worldwide, you want the localization process to be seamless and integrated into your company’s workflows. That is, localization shouldn’t be an afterthought but rather part of your day-to-day. But getting your entire staff on board with learning new tools can be challenging.
So it’s crucial to choose a TMS that works in tandem with your existing tech stack and workflows. Consider, too, what you may want to translate in the future. Often, businesses start by translating just their website. Perhaps they follow that up with a few marketing materials. But translation needs tend to multiply, and you’ll want to choose a company that can help you localize it all and connect with all of your content repositories.
For example, Smartling offers a wide range of connectors that enable you to send content for translation without ever leaving the programs you use daily. That way, whether you decide to translate your website, mobile app, eCommerce system, support center, marketing materials, or all of the above, you can use our fast, reliable, and customizable integrations to automate the process.
Partnering with experts and investing in the right tools is crucial when you want to connect with customers around the world. Ready to learn more about how you can supercharge your global content strategy? Download our sample translation RFP and contact us today.
