About Tolgee
Tolgee is an open-source localization platform designed to modernize the way software development teams handle internationalization. Unlike traditional localization workflows that often rely on static JSON files and manual spreadsheet updates, Tolgee integrates directly into the application's environment. This architecture allows developers, translators, and product owners to manage strings in real-time, effectively removing the developer as the primary bottleneck in the translation cycle. By using Tolgee's specialized SDKs, teams can achieve an "in-context" editing experience where they can modify text directly within the running application, seeing exactly how the new content fits into the user interface.
The platform's technical capabilities are centered around ease of integration and automation. It offers native support for popular web frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, and Next.js, alongside tools for mobile platforms including Android, Apple, and Flutter. One of its most significant technological advantages is the use of AI to generate context-aware translations. By extracting the metadata and UI context of specific elements, the Tolgee AI translator provides results that are more linguistically accurate than standard word-for-word machine translation. The system also includes translation memory to ensure consistency across the application and one-click screenshots to help translators understand the visual placement of each string.
Tolgee is built for a wide variety of users, from solo developers working on open-source projects to large enterprise teams managing complex software suites. For developers, it provides a powerful CLI and REST API to automate the import and export of strings within a CI/CD pipeline. Product managers and non-technical stakeholders benefit from the intuitive dashboard where they can oversee the localization progress without needing to touch the codebase. The tool is especially valuable for companies looking to scale globally at high velocity, as it enables the delegation of translation tasks to external agencies or native-speaking team members through a user-friendly interface.
What distinguishes Tolgee from other translation management systems is its commitment to open-source transparency and flexibility. Organizations have the choice between using a managed cloud version for convenience or self-hosting the entire platform to meet strict data privacy and security requirements. Its flexible pricing model for the cloud version ensures that teams only pay for what they use, whether that is extra translation keys, additional user seats, or machine translation credits. By bridging the gap between design, development, and translation, Tolgee provides a comprehensive ecosystem that simplifies the global expansion of digital products.
Tolgee FAQs
What are MT credits?
Machine Translation (MT) credits are used to pay for automated translations from providers like DeepL, Google Translate, or Tolgee's AI. Each plan includes a set amount, and extra credits can be purchased for €0.035 per 1,000 credits.
Can I host Tolgee on my own infrastructure?
Yes, Tolgee is open-source and offers a self-hosted option in addition to its cloud version. This is ideal for organizations that need full control over their data and infrastructure.
How does the in-context translation feature work?
The in-context feature allows you to click on text elements directly within your running application to translate them. Tolgee's SDKs extract the context automatically, allowing translators to see exactly where and how the text is used.
Does Tolgee support design tools like Figma?
Yes, Tolgee provides a Figma plugin that enables teams to localize their designs during the prototyping stage. This helps identify layout problems caused by varying text lengths before development begins.
What happens if I exceed my plan's seat or key limits?
Tolgee uses a pay-as-you-go model where you can exceed your base limits for an additional fee. Extra keys cost approximately €5 per 1,000, and extra seats range from €12 to €16 depending on your plan.
