QUIZ: Which machine translation tool is right for you?

With so many tools available—from translation management systems (TMSs) to browser-based AI assistants—choosing the right approach to machine translation can feel overwhelming.

To help you make the best choice, in this article, we’ll take you through the four most common machine translation (MT) options and their pros and cons.

Or, take our quick quiz to see which solution best fits your needs.

Contents:

1. Introduction to the different machine translation options

a) Renting a TMS

b) Working with an LSP for managed MT workflows

c) Using a self-service MT tool

d) Direct access to an MT engine

e) Using AI-based chatbots

2. What matters most to your business?

3. Need more guidance?

Machine translation has come a long way, and businesses now have more choice than ever regarding how they access it. From simple browser tools to enterprise-grade platforms to outsourcing to an LSP; the right solution depends on your goals, budget and how much control you need.

Below, we discuss the main approaches to using MT and help you figure out which one is the best fit for your business.

And if you’re still unsure, take our handy quiz to see which approach is right for you.

1. Renting a TMS (translation management system) with built-in MT

Examples: CrowdIn, Smartling, Memsource

A TMS is a comprehensive platform that handles the entire localisation workflow. It integrates machine translation with translation memory, human review, and collaboration tools.

Not sure which TMS is right for you?

Our Comtec Advisory service offers tailored, independent advice to help you choose the right platform, configure it to your needs, and roll it out successfully across your team. Whether you’re comparing providers or navigating setup, we’re here to guide you.

Best for:

• Companies with ongoing, high-volume localisation needs
• Teams managing multiple languages and stakeholders
• Organisations that need integration with tools like GitHub, Figma or CMS platforms

Pros:

• All-in-one solution for managing translation workflows
• Supports large teams and collaboration
• Scales easily across regions and languages
• Secure and enterprise-ready

Cons:

• Higher costs (subscription, user seats, setup)
• Steep learning curve
• Overkill for occasional translation needs
• Setup can be time-consuming

2. Working with an LSP for managed MT workflows 

Example: Comtec’s managed service

Not every team wants to manage MT in-house or via a platform. Going it alone can be tricky to set up, require more resources than you initially thought, and end up costing more in both time and money.

In this model, an LSP like Comtec handles the entire workflow for you, from selecting the MT engine to post-editing and final delivery, so you can just submit your content (via our secure portal or email) and then rest assured that everything is happening in the background, in safe hands and being managed in the most efficient way.

The things we manage for you include:

• Analysing your content to see what suits MT and what doesn’t
• Choosing the most appropriate, efficient and cost-effective MT engine
• Glossary and brand setup
• Automated or human post-editing stages
• Final QA
• Delivery in various formats
• Revisions/changes needed last minute

This is a fast, reliable way to introduce MT into your workflow without needing to invest in internal localisation expertise since you’re leaning into the knowledge and experience of localisation professionals who’ve been doing this for global brands for more than 40 years, so we truly know what works (and what doesn’t!).

Best for:

• Teams without in-house localisation resource
• High-volume or high-stakes content
• Businesses who need to save time but don’t want to compromise on quality
• Businesses that see better ROI from outsourcing operational workflows

Pros:

• Super easy and hassle-free
• Expert guidance and oversight throughout
• Glossary and brand voice are consistently applied
• Human post-editing is available (and done for you) where needed
• No tools or platforms to learn
• Easier to make last-minute changes

Cons:

• Less direct control over the workflow
• Turnaround times may vary depending on the project’s needs

Want to explore a fully managed workflow?

Talk to our team about getting a quote for us to take care of everything for you, freeing you up to focus on where your time is better spent. 

3. Using a self-service MT tool from a language service provider (LSP)

Example: Pronto by Comtec

Self-service MT tools from LSPs offer a flexible and scalable way to bring automation into your localisation workflow, with expert support built in.

Pronto is Comtec’s self-service AI translation tool, designed for teams who want more control, faster turnaround times, and lower costs.

It’s just one part of a broader suite of MT services from Comtec. Some clients use Pronto to manage their own workflows, while others prefer a fully managed service where we take care of everything (see Option 2 above).

Whichever route you choose, you benefit from:

• Full setup and onboarding
• Custom glossaries and brand-specific style guides
• Built-in translation memory
• Automated post-editing 
• Optional human review when needed

Best for:

• Businesses needing fast, accurate translation with minimal complexity
• Teams translating customer support, HR, training or marketing content
• Organisations without a dedicated localisation team
  

Pros:

• Quick, secure access to consistent, high-quality translations
• Brand voice and terminology are applied automatically
• Human post-editing is available when needed
• Scalable across teams and departments
• Backed by expert support
  

Cons:

• Not a full project management platform
• Fewer integrations than enterprise-grade TMSs
  

Want to know more?
With plans starting from just £550 a month, Pronto is an excellent choice for businesses looking for faster, more affordable AI translation.

4. Direct access to MT providers

Examples: DeepL Pro, Google Translate API, Microsoft Translator

You can plug into these MT engines via browser tools, plugins, or APIs. They’re quick and easy but not always business-grade.

Best for:

• Startups or teams with very basic translation needs
• Developers looking to build their own tools
• Companies happy to sacrifice consistency for speed

Pros:

• Very fast and often low-cost
• Easy to use with minimal setup
• Great for ad hoc translations

Cons:

• No translation memory or glossary integration
• No built-in human review
• Potential data security concerns

5. Using AI-based chatbots for translation

Examples: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

LLM chatbots can generate translations on the fly, especially in conversational or creative contexts. They’re surprisingly powerful—but lack consistency and control.

Best for:

• Individuals or teams needing quick, informal translations
• Creative or marketing content
• First-draft translations or rewrites

Pros:

• Context-aware and flexible
• Helpful in adapting or summarising content
• Easy to refine via prompts

Cons:

• No translation memory
• Inconsistent output
• Not secure or compliance-ready

Each approach to machine translation offers different strengths, so the best option for your business depends on what you value most.

Before choosing a solution, it’s worth asking yourself:

• How often do you need translation?
  If it’s an occasional task, lightweight tools might be enough. But if translation is part of your day-to-day operations, you’ll benefit from something more robust and scalable.
• How important is accuracy and brand consistency?
  Free tools and chatbots can be helpful, but they don’t remember past translations or follow brand guidelines. If the tone of voice and terminology matter, look for a solution that supports glossaries and translation memory.
• Do you need human input or quality control?
  Some teams are happy with raw MT, while others need the reassurance of expert human review, especially for public-facing or regulated content.
• What kind of support and setup do you need?
  If you don’t have an in-house localisation team or tech resource, it might be worth considering partnering with an LSP who can bring all their specialist knowledge and experience to your business.
• Do you need integration with other platforms or workflows?
  More advanced tools can be plugged into your CMS, design tools, or dev stack, saving time and reducing manual handovers.
• What’s your budget and internal capacity?
  MT solutions vary widely in cost, from free browser-based tools to enterprise systems with full automation. The right fit should offer value for money without overcomplicating your workflow.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, just the right fit for your team, goals, and workflow.

Choosing the right machine translation approach can be tricky, and it’s something you ideally want to get right first time. So if you’re still deciding which route to take, we’re here to help.

Did you know we have an advisory service?

We also offer Comtec Advisory, an independent, expert service designed to guide you through every stage of your machine translation journey. Whether you’re exploring MT for the first time or looking to optimise an existing setup, we can help you assess your needs, recommend the optimal solution, and provide practical support for selecting and implementing the workflow that best suits your business.

No pressure, no jargon, just friendly, practical advice to help you make the best choice.