Do you ever feel like things are getting… lost in translation?
I’ve been there, too.
A freelance translator is the most effective, inexpensive way you can translate any material from one language to another.
So we've done the research for you and found the best places to find a translator for your next project.
Table of Contents
- 11 Best Freelance Websites for Translation
- 1. TranslatorPub
- 2. Gengo
- 3. Smartcat
- 4. ProZ
- 5. Fiverr
- 6. Upwork
- 7. People Per Hour
- 8. Guru
- 9. Truelancer
- 10. Freelancer
- 11. Flexjobs
- Best Freelance Websites by Category
- Where Can I Find Freelance Translators?
- What Do Freelance Translators Do?
- Is Hiring a Freelance Translator Worth It?
- How Much Does a Freelance Translator Charge?
- How to Hire a Freelance Translator
- FAQs
11 Best Freelance Websites for Translation
Here are the best freelance websites for translation.
1. TranslatorPub
Best dedicated site for freelance translators
By placing a focus on providing services that connect translators and employers, TranslatorPub is our favorite translator-specific freelance marketplace site.
There are expert translators available who are fluent in Spanish, German, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, French, Portuguese, and English.
Businesses seeking translation services can easily create job postings. All that you need to do is post what language you need to be translated, any sort of deadline, a short description of what all the work will entail, and an optional pay rate including currency.
Since you can request translators to relocate or perform services on-site, you also need to set a location for the service.
2. Gengo
Best for SEO
With over 21,000 translators and an efficient system that can help businesses get content translated within hours, Gengo is our pick for SEO translation services.
Gengo integrates API with its platform, creating streamlined workflows for businesses and translators.
While we love them specifically for SEO services, Gengo also has solutions for translation from English to 58 languages for industries including eCommerce, travel and hospitality, tech and software, and even legal paperwork.
Prices start at $0.06 per word for translators who have passed the standard test and $0.12 per word for translators who have passed more rigorous tests.
3. Smartcat
Best for enterprise businesses
When companies are ready to go global, they turn to Smartcat to turn their business multilingual.
You can do anything from simply translating a file to translating an entire website. They even have solutions for integration, allowing your site to intuitively and automatically translate when being accessed globally.
They have over 500,000 qualified translators, proofreaders, and editors looking for work. When you need to hire someone, all you need to do is type in what you’re looking for and Smartcat provides you with a selected shortlist, from which you can get connected with your translator.
4. ProZ
Featuring both freelance translators and translation agencies, ProZ has long been regarded as one of the best translation hiring platforms out there.
Top translators get a star on their profile, allowing businesses to connect with the best translators in the field easily.
You can find over a million translators and translation companies with abilities to do things like subtitling and dubbing, proofreading, interpreting, copywriting, and things like voiceover and project management.
Huge companies like Google, Netflix, Nikon, and Target have used this site’s translation services.
5. Fiverr
Best for small businesses
Fiverr is one of the oldest platforms on the market to find freelancers, including great translators.
You can filter translators based on their specialty and what markets they have experience in as well as what languages they need to be fluent in.
There are also filters for budget, service options, and delivery time, allowing you to find a translator that can get your project done within a 24-hour turnaround if necessary.
Fiverr allows you to find your own translator and contact them to work out the details of your project. Once the terms have been finalized, you can pay your translator upfront through Fiverr’s secure payment platform.
- Read our Fiverr review.
6. Upwork
Best for a wide variety of translators
Translators of all levels of experience use the freelancing platform Upwork.
Job postings are under your control with Upwork.
To locate the ideal translator for your job on Upwork, simply post the job with all of your desired specifications in the description. Upwork will analyze your needs and sort through its thousands of freelancers to select the right fit, providing you with a shortlist of Upwork's best translators that meet your specifications for you to choose from.
You can also see translators that apply directly to your job posting. By looking at a translator's profile, you can get an idea of their body of work and resume, as well as their hourly rates.
- Read our Upwork review.
7. People Per Hour
People Per Hour is a great resource if you forget to hire a translator until the last minute.
By browsing through freelance translators’ resumes and portfolios, you can find a translator for almost any language from all around the world who fits the needs of your project and your budget.
The best part is, you are almost certain to find a translator who can get your web research or copy/paste project done ASAP.
People Per Hour has helped 100,000,000 businesses across the globe find folks to complete different projects for them, including translators.
8. Guru
Guru, a freelancing site similar to Upwork and Fiverr, is home to thousands of profiles of different freelancers, including translators.
To browse through Guru's freelancer list for attorneys, select “translators” as the main category. The site offers a comprehensive list of individual freelance translators and agencies. There are dozens of subcategories to choose from, allowing users to focus their search based on specific SEO or legal contract translating needs.
If you find a freelancer you like, you can contact them and come to an agreement on your own or post a job on Guru’s job board and have translators reach out to you.
Guru provides dedicated “WorkRooms” that you can use to meet with your translator.
9. Truelancer
Truelancer is a great resource for finding data analysts from all over the globe.
It's easy to find the best translation freelancers by looking at a list that includes their qualifications, any relevant degrees or certifications, location, and rates. You can also see what their specialty is, such as marketing materials, live translation, or proofreading.
You can learn about the freelancer through their short intro on their profile, which will help you decide if they would be a good fit for your team.
10. Freelancer
To make the “money” part of hiring a freelancer less stressful, Freelancer's payment system is secure, so you can be confident that your money is always safe.
In terms of sheer numbers, this site has the most freelancers. With profiles of over 50 million freelancers, you're bound to find at least one translator within your budget and with the qualifications necessary to complete any translation job.
You'll never have to wonder how your translator is doing, thanks to the time tracker and mobile app – you can check their progress even if you're not at your computer.
11. Flexjobs
In many cases, the translator you need might be across the globe.
Flexjobs makes it easy for employers to post jobs and reach many prospective translators who use the site to find clients.
There are many translators on this site looking for full-time, long-term jobs, making it a great option for businesses that need to hire a translator for a bigger project.
Flexjobs is a great place for both employers and jobseekers to make sure that both parties are vetted and trustworthy before working with each other.
Best Freelance Websites by Category
Looking for more of the best freelance websites but need to browse by category? Check out our below freelance website reviews to either expand your portfolio or hire a freelancer for your next project.
Where Can I Find Freelance Translators?
There are plenty of places to find freelance translators.
For smaller businesses with smaller budgets, you can find a project-based lawyer on large marketplace sites like Fiverr and Upwork.
If you need more specialized work, use a site like TranslatorPub and Gengo.
What Do Freelance Translators Do?
Freelance translators are responsible for translating written or spoken material from one language to another. This can be for marketing materials, legal contracts, or even interpersonal communication.
Since freelance translators are essentially self-employed, they work with companies on a contract basis, often for short periods or as needed.
Is Hiring a Freelance Translator Worth It?
Hiring a freelance translator is absolutely worth it.
While you could use a random online translating app, anyone bilingual will tell you that that method is hit or miss at best.
For effective communication, you need a person fluent in both languages to translate materials.
How Much Does a Freelance Translator Charge?
In the US, a freelance translator charges anywhere from $30 to $70 per hour.
How to Hire a Freelance Translator
To hire a freelance translator, you need to know what you’re looking for first and foremost. Are you in need of someone to translate a single article from English to Spanish? Or do you need someone to completely transcribe an entire website for multiple different languages?
Next, consider your budget. How much money can you carve out for a translator?
Finally, check out one or more of the freelance sites listed here. You’re bound to find a talented translator at a reasonable rate to get the job done.
Feel free to interview your prospective translator before hiring them and negotiate rates to come to an agreement that you both can be happy with.
FAQs
Can you freelance as a translator?
Yes, you can absolutely freelance as a translator.
When should I hire a freelance translator?
You should hire a translator as soon as you know you will need their services.
Where is the best place to find freelance translators for enterprise businesses?
Smartcat is the best place to find freelance translators for enterprise businesses.
How do I start freelance translating?
To start freelance translating, create a profile on one of these freelance marketplaces and upload your credentials.
Ashlea Hernandez
