TranslateDesk vs Phrase: Intercom Help Center Translation Compared

Intercom doesn't include native translation, so teams turn to external tools. Phrase (formerly Memsource) is a comprehensive localization platform used by enterprises to translate everything from mobile apps to marketing campaigns. TranslateDesk is built specifically for one thing: translating Intercom help centers.

The short answer: If you only need to translate Intercom help center articles, TranslateDesk is simpler, faster, and costs a fraction of Phrase. If you're running enterprise-scale localization with professional translators and CAT tools, Phrase is powerful. But for Intercom, you'll still want TranslateDesk because the direct integration saves hours.

The Core Difference: Platform vs Tool

Phrase is an enterprise localization platform. It includes:

• Phrase TMS: Translation management with professional CAT tools
• Phrase Strings: Developer-focused software localization
• Phrase Orchestrator: No-code workflow automation
• Phrase Analytics: Cost and quality optimization
• Phrase Language AI: Custom machine translation
• 50+ integrations for CI/CD pipelines and content systems

TranslateDesk is a focused tool. It does one thing well: translate Intercom help center articles with stale content detection, DeepL-powered quality, and one-click publishing.

Think of it like this: Phrase is an enterprise ERP system. TranslateDesk is a purpose-built invoicing tool. Both handle numbers. One requires an implementation project; the other works in minutes.

The Workflow Difference

Translating Intercom with Phrase

1. Export articles from Intercom (manual process)
2. Upload exported content to Phrase TMS
3. Create a translation project with workflows
4. Assign to translators or use Phrase Language AI
5. Review translations in Phrase editor
6. Export translated content
7. Re-import to Intercom (manual process)
8. Repeat when articles change (no sync detection)

Translating Intercom with TranslateDesk

1. Connect TranslateDesk to Intercom (one-time, 2 minutes)
2. Select articles and target languages
3. Click translate
4. Review and publish
5. Get alerts when source articles change so you know which translations need updates

The difference isn't just convenience. It's whether translation is sustainable or becomes a quarterly project that falls behind.

Feature Comparison

Feature	TranslateDesk	Phrase
Direct Intercom integration	✅ Native	❌ Manual export/import
Stale content detection	✅ Yes	❌ No
Translation engine	DeepL	Phrase AI + MT options
One-click translate	✅ Yes	Workflow-based
Setup time	2 minutes	Days (implementation)
Learning curve	Minutes	Weeks
CAT tools	❌ No	✅ Professional-grade
Translation memory	Basic	✅ Enterprise TM
Mobile app localization	❌ No	✅ Yes
Web app localization	❌ No	✅ Yes
Software string localization	❌ No	✅ Yes
Workflow automation	Simple	✅ Phrase Orchestrator
Analytics & reporting	Basic	✅ Phrase Analytics
Quality assurance	Review-based	✅ QA checks
Number of integrations	Intercom	50+

Pricing: Enterprise vs Purpose-Built

This is where the math becomes clear.

Phrase Pricing

Phrase doesn't publish pricing publicly. Based on market data:

• Contact sales required for all plans
• Seat-based licensing (per translator/manager)
• Word volume pricing for machine translation
• Module pricing (TMS, Strings, Analytics are separate)
• Typical enterprise: $500-$3,000+/month

Implementation and training can add thousands more in initial costs.

TranslateDesk Pricing

• Free: 5 translations to start
• Pay-as-you-go: Credit packs from $79/100 translations
• No per-seat fees
• No implementation cost

If your only translation need is Intercom help centers, the pricing difference is enormous.

When Phrase Makes Sense

Choose Phrase if:

• You're localizing your entire product ecosystem. iOS, Android, web, marketing, documentation, UI strings.
• You have professional translators. Teams who need CAT tools, translation memory, and quality workflows.
• You need advanced workflow automation. Complex approval chains, vendor management, deadline tracking.
• You require enterprise compliance. SOC 2, GDPR, specific security requirements.
• Intercom is just one of many translation needs. Help center is less than 20% of your scope.

Even then, many enterprises use Phrase for product localization and TranslateDesk specifically for Intercom because the direct integration eliminates hours of manual work.

When TranslateDesk Makes Sense

Choose TranslateDesk if:

• Intercom help center is your main translation need. Most support teams.
• You want translation that "just works." No implementation project needed.
• You don't have professional translators. Support managers handling translation themselves.
• Budget matters. Pay-as-you-go vs enterprise contracts.
• You need to know when translations are outdated. Stale content detection is the killer feature.
• Speed to value matters. Translating in minutes, not months.

The Real Question: Do You Need an Enterprise TMS?

Translation Management Systems like Phrase solve real problems for companies localizing at scale across multiple products and markets. But "do I need a TMS" and "should I use a TMS for Intercom" are different questions.

Most teams using Intercom have 50-500 help center articles. They update articles weekly or monthly. They need translations in 2-5 languages. They don't have dedicated localization teams.

For that use case, an enterprise TMS is like hiring a law firm to send a single email. It works, but it's wildly over-engineered.

TranslateDesk is the right tool. Direct integration. Stale content alerts. Quality translations via DeepL. No enterprise complexity.

The Bottom Line

Phrase is excellent at what it does: enterprise-scale localization with professional CAT tools, workflow automation, and comprehensive analytics.

TranslateDesk is excellent at what it does: keeping Intercom help centers translated, up to date, and easy to maintain.

If Intercom is your help center and translation is your goal, start with TranslateDesk.

You can always add Phrase later if you build a localization team and need professional CAT tools. But most Intercom users find TranslateDesk is all they need, and at pay-as-you-go pricing vs enterprise contracts, the choice is clear.

Ready to simplify your Intercom translation? Try TranslateDesk free. Five articles, no credit card required.