Manual Translation Services: Top 7 Firms for Business

Manual translation services remain invaluable for businesses looking to expand their reach and connect with a diverse audience. But with so many translation companies out there, how do you choose the right one for your business needs?

In this post, we’ll walk you through the top 7  for 2023, based on client reviews from popular review platforms. We’ll also discuss the key factors to consider when selecting a translation company and how to get a free translation test.

7 Leading Manual Translation Services in 2023

1. GTE Localize

Rate & Quality: GTE Localize offers competitive rates and a commitment to delivering high-quality translations.

Review: Clients have praised GTE Localize for their accuracy and attention to detail in translations.

Certification: They provide certified translations for various types of documents, including legal and technical content.

Membership: GTE Localize is an active member of translation industry associations and adheres to industry standards.

Translator Team: They maintain a team of experienced translators with expertise in diverse fields and languages.

Other Factors: GTE Localize offers a range of services, including localization and content creation, in addition to translation.

Let’s get in touch with the localization consultant at GTE Localize.

2. Gengo

Rate & Quality: Gengo offers competitive pricing and a vast network of professional translators. They are known for their quick turnaround times without compromising on quality.

Review: Gengo has received positive reviews for its user-friendly platform and responsive customer support.

Certification: They have a rigorous translator selection process and provide certified translations for legal and official documents.

Membership: Gengo is a member of the American Translators Association (ATA) and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA).

Translator Team: Gengo boasts a diverse team of over 25,000 translators worldwide, ensuring expertise in various languages and industries.

Other Factors: They offer translation API integration for businesses with high translation volumes and require a minimum order fee for small projects.

3. PoliLingua

Rate & Quality: PoliLingua offers affordable pricing and a reputation for delivering high-quality translations.

Review: Clients appreciate PoliLingua’s efficient services, making it a popular choice.

Certification: Rev provides certified translations for documents like birth certificates and legal papers.

Translator Team: They have a large pool of translators who are vetted for expertise in various industries.

Other Factors: Rev offers additional services like transcription and captions, making it a one-stop solution for businesses.

4. One Hour Translation (OHT)

Rate & Quality: OHT offers quick turnaround times and has a reputation for quality translations.

Review: Client reviews highlight OHT’s punctuality and professional approach to translation.

Certification: They provide certified translations for official documents.

Membership: OHT is a member of GALA and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

Translator Team: OHT’s large team of translators spans across multiple languages and industries.

Other Factors: They offer a user-friendly platform and dedicated customer support.

5. TextMaster

Rate & Quality: TextMaster offers competitive pricing and claims to provide high-quality translations.

Review: While some clients praise their services, others have reported issues with accuracy and communication.

Certification: TextMaster provides certified translations for specific documents.

Membership: TextMaster is a member of GALA.

Translator Team: They have a network of professional translators covering various languages and domains.

Other Factors: TextMaster offers a user-friendly platform and integration options for businesses.

6. LanguageLine Solutions

Rate & Quality: LanguageLine Solutions is known for providing top-quality translations but at a premium price.

Review: Clients appreciate the accuracy and professionalism of their translations.

Certification: They provide certified translations for legal and medical documents.

Membership: LanguageLine Solutions is a member of various industry associations, including the ATA and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC).

Translator Team: Their translators specialize in industries like healthcare, legal, and financial services.

Other Factors: They offer interpretation services alongside translation.

7. Lionbridge

Rate & Quality: Lionbridge offers a wide range of services at varying price points, with a reputation for quality.

Review: Reviews are mixed, with some clients praising their services and others reporting issues with communication and deadlines.

Certification: Lionbridge provides certified translations for official documents.

Membership: Lionbridge is a member of GALA.

Translator Team: They have a vast network of translators, ensuring coverage for numerous languages and industries.

Other Factors: Lionbridge offers additional services like localization and global marketing.

How to Pick a Good Manual Translation Service Company

Choosing the right manual translation service company for your business involves careful consideration of several key factors:

1. Rate & Quality

When considering different manual translation partners, it’s important to find ones that align with your budgetary constraints. While everyone seeks excellent translations at the most economical rates, it’s not always prudent to choose solely based on the lowest price. Quality and price are often closely linked.

To make an informed decision, it’s advisable to request quotes from potential partners and assess their average pricing. This will provide you with a sense of a reasonable cost range. Additionally, be sure to inquire about possible discounts or any concealed expenses or taxes that could impact the final cost. The objective is to strike the perfect equilibrium between quality and affordability.

2. Review

Exploring customer reviews serves as a valuable means to gain valuable insights into translation agencies and their service quality. By delving into feedback provided by past clients, you can evaluate not only their competencies but also their track record. This affords you a deeper comprehension of their operational methodologies and procedures. You can peruse their customer reviews on well-known review platforms such as GoodFirms.co or Clutch. For instance, you may refer to GTE Localize’s profiles on GoodFirms and Clutch to access feedback from their clients.

3. Certification

In the realm of translation agencies, it is strongly advisable to collaborate with those holding ISO certifications. ISO certification serves as a testament to their dedication to adhering to internationally acknowledged standards. In particular, it is advisable to prioritize translation agencies possessing ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management Systems and/or ISO 17100:2015 certification for Requirements for Translation Services.

4. Membership

Industry Associations: You should check if the company is a member of reputable translation and localization associations, such as the ATA or GALA.

5. Translator Team

You should ensure the company has a diverse team of professional translators with expertise in your industry and target languages.

6. Other Factors

• Technology Integration: You need to consider whether the company offers integration options or technologies, CAT Tools, etc. for your workflow.
• Customer Support: It is essential to evaluate the quality of customer support and communication.
• Additional Services: Let’s look for companies that offer related services like transcription, interpretation, video translation, or localization if needed.

Get a Free Manual Translation Test

Many reputable translation companies offer a free translation test to help you assess their quality and suitability for your specific project. Here’s how to take advantage of this valuable opportunity:

• Contact the Company: You can reach out to your chosen translation service provider and inquire about their free translation test offer.
• Provide Sample Content: It is vital to share a sample of the content you need to be translated. This should ideally represent the complexity and nature of your typical projects.
• Specify Requirements: Clearly communicate your expectations, including any special instructions, formatting requirements, and deadlines.
• Evaluate the Test Translation: Once you receive the test translation, carefully review it for accuracy, language fluency, and adherence to your requirements.
• Assess Responsiveness: Let’s pay attention to how quickly and effectively the company responds to your inquiries and requests during the testing phase.

By taking advantage of the free translation test, you can make an informed decision about which manual translation service best suits your business needs.

Manual translation services play a pivotal role in facilitating effective communication across linguistic barriers. You can confidently choose a partner that aligns with your business goals and ensures accurate and culturally sensitive translations.  

Embarking on the journey to find the leading global translation company may demand a substantial commitment of both time and dedication. However, the rewards it offers are undeniably substantial. If you are currently seeking an exceptional global translation company for your upcoming manual translation project, look no further than GTE Localize. As an ISO-certified agency, we take pride in our vast network of native translators who consistently provide high-quality manual translation services at competitive rates.  

Contact our team of localization experts today to take advantage of our complimentary 300-word trial, allowing you to experience the quality of our translations firsthand. Furthermore, we offer personalized 1:1 consultations to delve into your specific requirements and provide tailored solutions.