Guide · updated 2026-10-23

Best AI tools for game localization (2026)

Short answer

For a solo developer or small team, Tolgee and Localazy are the easiest starts: both have free plans, unlimited seats and built-in AI translation. Crowdin is free for open-source projects and widely used for community translation. Lokalise (from $149 a month) and Gridly (modules from €50 a month) suit studios with many languages and live updates; Gridly lists game localization as a core use case. XTM Transifex prices per AI-translated word. DeepL is a strong machine translation engine you can use alone or inside these platforms. If you want people to do the work, LocalizeDirect is a game localization service.

These tools are listed because their official sites describe translation or localization management that game teams use for UI text, dialogue and store pages. Prices and terms come from each vendor's own pricing pages, read on 23 October 2026. We have not tested translation quality. Always have a native speaker review AI translations before release. How we review tools.

The tools

Tolgee

Good for Free plan, open-source self-hosting and unlimited seats

Open-source localization platform developers enjoy working with. With in-app translation, seamless integrations, and collaborative tools, scaling multilingual apps becomes easy. Sign up for free.

Pricing: Free plan and free self-hosted open-source edition; Translate €58/mo, Optimise €133/mo, Manage €373/mo billed annually, all with unlimited seats and 400,000 MT credits; Enterprise custom · Localization · Official site
Localazy

Good for Free plan with AI translation and unlimited seats

Localazy automates translation with context-aware AI and keeps humans in control of quality. Ship multilingual software, apps and content.

Pricing: Free plan; paid plans priced by managed source keys, with unlimited seats, projects, words and languages and a 14-day free trial; AI translation uses included credits (about $0.005 per word, per Localazy) · Localization · Official site
Crowdin

Good for Free for open-source and community translation

Crowdin is an all-in-one localization and translation management platform with all the software, tools and integrations you need to localize your content.

Pricing: 14-day free trial of the Team plan; free for open-source projects and academic licenses; paid plan prices did not render on the pages we read; unlimited translators and proofreaders on paid plans · Localization · Official site
Gridly

Good for Spreadsheet-style localization with a game localization use case

Manage content, translations, and tasks in one place. Eliminate manual work, cut down translation costs and translate faster with guaranteed quality.

Pricing: 14-day trial of all modules; modules priced separately: Basic tier CMS from €99/mo (3 seats), TMS from €50/mo (1 seat), CAT from €140/mo (10 seats); Team and Enterprise tiers cost more · Localization · Official site
Lokalise

Good for Larger teams with many languages and automations

Lokalise is a continuous localization and translation management platform. It integrates into your development workflow so you can ship localized products, faster.

Pricing: 14-day free trial, no card; Explorer $149/mo, Growth $379/mo, Advanced $1,049/mo; Enterprise custom · Localization · Official site
XTM Transifex

Good for AI translation with quality scoring, priced per word

Transifex, now XTM Transifex, is a cloud localization platform with AI translation (XTM IQ), translation quality scoring, an MCP server, 46+ file formats and CI/CD and over-the-air delivery. Its site mentions game localization.

Pricing: One plan priced by AI-translated words; no rate is published (quote via sales); unlimited collaborators, projects and hosted content · Localization · Official site
DeepL

Good for Machine translation engine with glossaries and an API

Explore our AI suite and get more done: Translate speech, text, and media, or integrate the DeepL API.

Pricing: 30-day free trial; Translator Individual €7.49/mo and Team €24.99/user/mo billed annually, Business €49.99/user/mo (euro prices as shown to us; annual billing saves 16%); API and Voice priced separately · Localization · Official site
LocalizeDirect

Good for Human game localization service in 65+ languages

Expand your reach with LocalizeDirect’s professional localization services. From software to gaming, we help businesses thrive in 65+ languages.

Pricing: Unknown · Localization · Official site

FAQ

What is the best free tool for localizing an indie game?

Tolgee and Localazy both have free plans and unlimited seats. Tolgee can also be self-hosted as open source. Crowdin is free if your project is open source.

Can I use AI or machine translation for my game?

Yes, many teams use AI or machine translation for a first draft, with tools like DeepL or the AI built into Tolgee, Localazy, Lokalise and XTM Transifex. Have native speakers review the text in context, especially jokes, names and UI that must fit on screen.

Which localization tool is built for games?

Gridly lists game localization as a core use case and quotes game studio customers; its modules start at €50 a month. LocalizeDirect is a localization service that works with game studios. The other platforms here are general software tools that game teams also use.

How much does game localization software cost?

It ranges from free (Tolgee and Localazy free plans, Crowdin for open source) to $149 a month and up for Lokalise. XTM Transifex quotes by the word, and Crowdin's paid prices did not show on its page when we checked.

How did you choose these tools?

Each tool's official site describes translation or localization management. We list what the vendor says and the prices we found; we do not run hands-on benchmarks, and placements in guides are not for sale.

Which of these game localization and translation tools have a free plan?

On their official sites, Tolgee, Localazy mention a free plan, free credits or a free trial. Limits change, so check each official pricing page.

Short answer

The tools

FAQ

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