Translation Cost Calculator
How much should you budget for translating your help center? Compare freelance translators, enterprise TMS platforms, and automated solutions like TranslateDesk.
Your help center
Articles in source language
Languages to translate into
% of articles updated monthly
Estimated annual cost
510 translations/yearDeepL-powered • Automatic stale detection • Pay per article
Base subscription + per-word usage • Complex setup
Per-word rates + coordination time • Highest quality ceiling
Save up to $40,523 per year
TranslateDesk costs 100% less than freelance translation while delivering DeepL-quality output instantly.
How we calculated this
Freelance: $0.15/word × 500 words/article + 4 hrs/month coordination at $50/hr
Enterprise TMS: $200/month subscription + $0.08/word (MT + review)
TranslateDesk: ~$0.25 per article (includes DeepL costs)
Actual costs vary. This provides rough estimates for comparison.
Why translation costs matter
Most companies underestimate the true cost of maintaining a multilingual help center. The initial translation is just the beginning — the real expense comes from keeping content synchronized as your product evolves.
According to industry research, 72% of consumers are more likely to purchase from websites in their own language, and 70% feel more loyal to companies that provide native language support. The ROI of translation is clear — but only if you can manage the costs.
Understanding your options
Each translation approach has trade-offs. Here's what to consider.
Freelance Translators
Human translators hired per project or ongoing retainer.
Best for: Marketing content, legal docs, brand-sensitive copy
Enterprise TMS
Platforms like Lokalise, Crowdin, or Phrase.
Best for: Large orgs with dedicated localization teams
TranslateDesk
DeepL-powered translation built for Intercom.
Best for: Intercom help centers of any size
Ready to translate your Intercom help center?
Start with 5 free translations. No credit card required.