Tolgee
Open source localization platform from Brno with in-context translation inside your own app and a free cloud plan
Quick Overview
| Company | Tolgee s.r.o. |
|---|---|
| Category | Localization Software |
| Headquarters | Brno, Czech Republic |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Czech Republic (EU) |
| Data Location | Cloud, or your own infrastructure when self-hosted |
| Open Source | Apache 2.0 (core); Tolgee EL for enterprise directories |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Yes - free self-hosted edition and paid on-premises licence |
| Main Features | In-context translation, JavaScript SDK, CLI, REST API, Figma plugin, MCP, AI translator with brand context, glossaries, branching, tasks, content delivery, machine translation |
| Pricing | Free plan €0 (30,000 words, 3 seats); Optimise €133/month billed annually (unlimited seats, 400,000 MT credits); Manage and Enterprise on request; on-premises licence on request |
| Best For | Developers who want to translate directly inside the running app and keep the option to self-host |
| Replaces | Lokalise, Crowdin, Phrase, Smartling |
Detailed Review
Tolgee describes itself as an open source alternative to Crowdin, Phrase or Lokalise. Its distinguishing feature is in-context translation: with the JavaScript SDK, translators and developers edit texts directly in the running application and the keys, screenshots and translations are saved in the project.
The contracting entity is Tolgee s.r.o., Brno, Czech Republic (ID 09968326), registered at the Regional Court in Brno, and its terms are governed by Czech law.
Open source core with an enterprise layer
Tolgee's repository licenses everything outside the ee/ directories under Apache 2.0, and the enterprise directories under a separate Tolgee licence. A free self-hosted edition exists, and teams that need more seats or features can take a monthly or annual on-premises licence.
Translation workflow
The AI translator uses brand context and a project description to improve results, and machine translation providers such as Google Translate, AWS and DeepL are supported. Content delivery exports translations to cloud storage so fixes can reach the app without a new release.
Pricing in words
The cloud plans are based on hosted words, where each word of the base language and each translation counts, with unlimited keys. The free plan includes 30,000 hosted words and 3 seats, and the pricing page lists Optimise at €133 per month billed annually with unlimited seats.
Limitations to Consider
Tolgee's cloud pricing is capped by hosted words, and the free plan stops at 30,000 words and 3 seats. Enterprise features sit under a separate licence rather than Apache 2.0, and the pages checked do not state the region of the cloud hosting. It has fewer enterprise vendor-management features than XTM International or Wordbee.
Who Should Use Tolgee
Development teams that want an open source, self-hostable localization tool with in-app editing.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Open source core (Apache 2.0)
- In-context translation in the running app
- Free cloud plan and free self-hosting
- ISO 27001 badge on the website
- Unlimited keys on all plans
Cons
- Free plan limited to 30,000 words and 3 seats
- Enterprise features under a separate licence
- Cloud hosting region not stated on pages checked
- Fewer agency workflow features
Alternatives to Tolgee
Other European localization software worth comparing before you decide:
Phrase
Germany · Translation management for products that keep changing continuously
Crowdin
Estonia · Localization platform with 700+ integrations and Git sync
Weblate
Czech Republic · Open source localization platform tied to your repository
LingoHub
Austria · Austrian TMS with AI translation grounded in your glossary
See all European localization software or compare them directly against Lokalise on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core is licensed under Apache 2.0. Content under the ee/ directories is covered by a separate Tolgee enterprise licence.
Yes. The free cloud plan includes 30,000 words and 3 seats with all standard localization features, and the platform can also be self-hosted.
Using the Tolgee SDK, texts can be edited directly in your running app, so translators see the real interface while they translate.