Running an eCommerce store on Shopify? If you’re targeting international customers, translating your store into multiple languages is crucial for reaching a global audience. But which language translation apps are the best for Shopify in 2024?
If you’re wondering which app is the best, here’s a quick answer: Weglot is often the top pick for automatic translation with excellent SEO support, while Langify shines when you need more manual control. But the best choice depends on your store’s specific needs—like how many languages you need, if you want full SEO optimization, and whether you prefer manual or automatic translations.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 07 best Shopify translation apps for eCommerce businesses, whether you’re just starting or running a large-scale global store. We’ll cover features, pros and cons, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you find the right app.
Shopify Plus accounts for 31% of Shopify’s monthly recurring revenue, which reached $149 million in Q4 2023. (source)
What to Look for in a Shopify Language and Translation App
When choosing a Shopify translation app, there are a few important factors to consider. Picking the right one can help you expand your store’s reach globally, improve customer experience, and even boost your SEO. Let’s break down the key features that store owners and agencies should focus on:
1. Automatic vs. Manual Translation
- Automatic Translation: Many apps offer machine translation, which quickly converts your store’s content into multiple languages. This is ideal for stores with a large volume of products and pages that need to be translated rapidly. However, the accuracy can vary depending on the language.
- Manual Translation: Some apps allow you to manually edit translations or order professional translations. While more time-consuming, this ensures that the translations are culturally accurate and of higher quality. Apps like Langify focus heavily on manual translations
2. SEO Optimization
- Multilingual SEO: Your store’s visibility in global search engines depends on how well your translation app supports SEO. Look for apps that translate URLs, meta tags, and product descriptions to help your store rank in different languages. Apps like Weglot and Transcy automatically handle SEO, including generating hreflang tags, translating metadata, and creating subdomains or subfolders for each language
3. Currency Conversion
- For a seamless shopping experience, many apps offer currency conversion in addition to language translation. Apps like LangShop and ETranslate provide automatic conversion of prices based on the customer’s location, which can significantly boost your conversion rates
4. Image Translation
- Some apps, such as Transcy and T Lab, offer the ability to display different images based on the user’s language, which is perfect for stores that use region-specific banners or promotional material
5. Integration with Third-Party Apps
- Depending on your store’s complexity, your translation app may need to work with other Shopify apps (e.g., review apps, email automation tools, or payment gateways). Apps like GTranslate and Translation Lab can integrate seamlessly with other Shopify apps to ensure a smooth translation of all elements
6. Ease of Use
- Look for apps that don’t require advanced technical skills. Most apps on Shopify are designed to be user-friendly, but some—like Weglot and Translation Lab—are known for their simple, intuitive interfaces
Top 07 Shopify Language and Translation Apps for 2024
1. Weglot
Weglot is widely known for its simplicity and powerful automatic translation capabilities. It can translate your store into over 100 languages, covering everything from product pages to checkout. Weglot integrates seamlessly with Shopify and ensures that your multilingual SEO is top-notch by creating translated URLs and hreflang tags for each language.
- Key Features:
- Automatic translation for over 100 languages.
- Supports multilingual SEO with translated URLs, meta tags, and hreflang tags.
- Customizable language switcher that auto-detects user language.
- Manual editing of translations for accuracy.
- Integrates with third-party Shopify apps.
- Pros:
- Quick setup; no coding required.
- Excellent for multilingual SEO.
- Automatic redirection based on user language.
- Translates dynamic and third-party app content.
- Cons:
- Slows down performance for large stores.
- Free plan has a 2,000-word limit
- Pricing: Free plan available for up to 2,000 words and one language. Paid plans start at $15/month
- Rating: 4.6/5
2. Langify
Langify is perfect for those who prefer manual translation over machine translation. It supports up to 20 languages and focuses on providing full control over every aspect of your store’s translations. Langify is highly compatible with Shopify’s native translation API and ensures SEO optimization by creating hreflang tags and localized subdomains.
- Key Features:
- Manual translation support for full customization.
- Compatible with Shopify’s translation API.
- SEO-friendly with translated subdomains and hreflang tags.
- Supports automatic language detection.
- Customizable language switcher
- Pros:
- Complete control over translations.
- Excellent multilingual SEO support.
- Import/export translation functionality.
- Cons:
- No automatic translation; more time-consuming.
- Some bugs/glitches in setup
- Pricing: $17.50/month with a 7-day free trial
- Rating: 4.7/5
3. Transcy
Transcy combines AI-powered translations with currency conversion features. It auto-detects the user’s language and currency based on geolocation, offering a seamless shopping experience. Transcy supports image translations and allows you to display different visuals based on the user’s region, a unique feature.
- Key Features:
- AI-powered translation with manual editing.
- Multi-currency support and conversion.
- Auto language and currency detection based on geolocation.
- Updates translations automatically as new products or content are added
- Pros:
- Translates dynamic content automatically.
- Provides currency conversion alongside language translation.
- Excellent for stores that frequently update content.
- Cons:
- Slower page loading times for large stores.
- The user interface could be improved
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $11.90/month
- Rating: 4.9/5
4. GTranslate
GTranslate offers unlimited machine translation using Google Translate, making it a great option for stores with a high volume of content. It supports multilingual SEO and automatically creates language-specific URLs. With GTranslate, you can also manually edit translations for accuracy.
- Key Features:
- Automatic translation into over 100 languages.
- Multilingual SEO with translated URLs and hreflang tags.
- Inline editing for manual translation adjustments.
- Translation proxy technology that speeds up site performance
- Pros:
- Fast, unlimited machine translation.
- Proxy hosting for localized versions, improving load speed.
- Cons:
- Some reports of incomplete translations, especially on checkout pages.
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $9.99/month
- Rating: 4.7/5
5. LangShop
LangShop provides advanced AI-powered translations and supports over 200 languages. It’s perfect for large stores with complex translation needs, offering both machine and manual translations for store content, apps, and even metafields.
- Key Features:
- AI and manual translations for over 200 languages
- Currency conversion based on real-time exchange rates
- Automatic language detection and redirection
- Supports third-party app translations
- Pros:
- Highly customizable translations with both AI and manual options
- Supports multiple currencies and languages seamlessly
- 24/7 customer support
- Cons:
- More expensive for stores needing many languages
- Pricing:
- Starts at $10/month, with a free plan available
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Best For: Large stores targeting global markets.
6. T Lab – AI Language Translate
T Lab is designed for store owners who need both manual and AI-powered automatic translations. It supports translating Shopify stores into multiple languages and is highly customizable. You can translate every aspect of your store, including external resources like third-party apps, and even use T Lab to manage image translations and multilingual SEO.
- Key Features:
- AI-based translations with Google Neural Machine Translation (NMT)
- Manual translation options for specific control
- Bulk translation of product variants and other store content
- Multi-currency support and SEO optimization
- Customizable language switcher with geolocation detection
- Pros:
- Supports translations for both text and images
- Multilingual SEO-friendly with unique URLs and translated metadata
- Works well with third-party apps and Shopify’s native store languages feature
- Cons:
- Limited support for certain SEO strategies
- User interface can be complex for beginners
- Pricing:
- Starts at $9.99/month, with a free plan available
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Best For: Stores that need custom translation solutions with support for external resources and apps.
7. Multi Lingo
Multi Lingo is a lightweight app that focuses on translating Shopify themes and creating multi-language versions of your store. It’s one of the more affordable options, designed for smaller businesses that need basic translation features without complex automation.
- Key Features:
- Automatically translates Shopify themes, including checkout pages and notification emails
- Supports multilingual SEO with translated URLs
- Customizable language switcher
- Option to manually edit translations or import/export translations
- Pros:
- Simple and easy to set up
- Great for smaller stores needing lightweight solutions
- Cost-effective, especially for stores with basic translation needs
- Cons:
- Lacks advanced features like AI translations or multi-currency support
- Limited to smaller stores with fewer translation needs
- Pricing:
- Starts at $7.99/month
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Best For: Small stores needing a simple and affordable translation app.
Which Translation App Is Right for Your Store?
Now that you’ve seen the top 9 translation apps for Shopify, let’s figure out which one is the best match for your specific needs. Not all translation apps are built the same, and choosing the right one depends on factors like your store size, budget, and whether you need SEO optimization, currency support, or image translation. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
For Small Businesses or Stores with a Limited Budget
If you’re a smaller store or just starting, you probably don’t need an overly complex translation app. You want something affordable and easy to set up, but still powerful enough to support your expansion into new markets.
- Best Options:
- ETranslate (Affordable at $8.99/month with free plan
- Multi Lingo (Only $7.99/month
- GTranslate (Free version with solid basic features
These apps offer budget-friendly solutions that are simple to install and manage without overwhelming features.
For Large-Scale Stores or Stores with Global Ambitions
If you’re running a larger store with a massive product catalog and a need to reach multiple markets quickly, you’ll want more powerful features. Look for apps with advanced translation capabilities, solid SEO support, and multi-currency features to support global growth.
- Best Options:
- Weglot (Great for SEO, automatic translations, and scalability
- LangShop (AI-powered translations, over 200 languages, plus multi-currency support
- Transcy (Supports AI translations, multi-currency, and frequent content updates
These apps are ideal for businesses looking to expand their reach across multiple regions with minimal hassle.
For Stores Prioritizing SEO and Manual Translation
If your store needs detailed SEO work or if you want full control over your translations for accuracy and localization, manual translation apps will give you the best results. These apps allow you to tweak and control the language in a way automatic translations can’t.
- Best Options:
- Langify (Perfect for detailed, manual control over translations
- T Lab (Blends manual and automatic translation with SEO support
These options are best for stores that need accurate translations, especially for specialized products or markets where cultural nuance matters.
For Stores Needing Image and Media Translation
If you run region-specific promotions or require different visuals for different languages, certain apps also allow for media and image translations.
- Best Options:
- T Lab (Translates images along with text
- Transcy (Supports image translations and metafields
These apps ensure your store looks appropriate and localized for each market, beyond just translating words.
For Stores with Complex Products or Bulk Translation Needs
If you sell a lot of products with many variants, translating them individually can become tedious. Some apps allow for bulk translation, making this process more efficient.
- Best Options:
- Translation Lab (Allows bulk translation of product options
- LangShop (Handles large volumes of products with ease
These options are best for stores that sell a wide variety of products and need to translate many product listings at once.
FAQs
1. Do these apps impact my store’s loading speed?
Most translation apps like Weglot, Langify, and GTranslate have minimal impact on your store’s speed, especially those that rely on Shopify’s native infrastructure. However, some users have reported slight slowdowns with apps like Weglot on larger stores that manage multiple languages. Proxy-based apps like GTranslate also rely on external servers, which could cause minor delays in some regions
Solution: Ensure that you’re using an app optimized for speed, and monitor your store’s performance after installation. Apps that offer proxy-hosted translations, like GTranslate, might benefit from faster loading times due to localized servers
2. Can I fully translate my checkout process and notifications?
Most apps allow you to translate a significant portion of your store, including the checkout process and customer notifications. However, some apps may have limitations depending on Shopify’s API restrictions.
Weglot, Langify, and T Lab allow you to translate the checkout process, but some limitations may exist for specific notification emails
Translation Lab and LangShop fully support translating checkout pages thanks to their integration with Shopify’s native multi-language feature
Tip: Always double-check if the app covers translation
3. How many languages can I translate my store into?
The number of supported languages depends on the app you choose. Apps like LangShop and GTranslate support over 200 languages, making them ideal for global reach. On the other hand, apps like Weglot start with one language on the free plan, but support up to five or more on premium tiers
LangShop: Supports over 200 languages
GTranslate: Over 100 languages
Weglot: Starts with one, supports up to 5+ with premium plans
4. Can I customize the language switcher on my store?
Yes, most translation apps allow for customizing the language switcher to match your store’s design. You can often adjust the style, color, and placement of the switcher.
Weglot, LangShop, and Transcy offer customizable switchers with options for flags, dropdown menus, or text
GTranslate and T Lab also provide flexible switchers that integrate easily with your store’s theme
5. Do these apps support multi-currency features?
Several translation apps also support multi-currency conversion, which is key for global stores looking to display prices in the local currency of their customers.
Transcy, LangShop, and ETranslate offer multi-currency features with real-time exchange rate updates, making them ideal for international sales
Weglot focuses on language translation but can work alongside other currency apps
Conclusion
Choosing the right translation app for your Shopify store is crucial for expanding your business globally and enhancing the customer experience. The best app for you depends on your specific needs, whether that’s automatic translations, SEO optimization, manual control, multi-currency support, or media translations.
- For fast automatic translations with strong SEO features, Weglot and GTranslate are great options. They provide automatic, accurate translations across many languages while boosting your store’s visibility on search engines.
- For precise manual control, apps like Langify and T Lab allow you to fine-tune every translation to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance.
- For multi-currency and localization, LangShop and Transcy offer powerful features to ensure that your global customers see both the language and currency that make their shopping experience seamless.
If budget is a concern, ETranslate and Multi Lingo are cost-effective solutions with solid basic features, making them ideal for smaller stores or startups.
Ultimately, the right app will depend on your goals: whether you want to improve SEO rankings in multiple countries, manage a large number of product translations, or simply make it easier for international customers to shop in their own language and currency.
