9 Best Translation Services: Affordable & Professional [2024]

When it comes to translation services, just speaking a language doesn’t qualify you as an expert. You can’t rely on automated or AI translations either because language is too nuanced. If you use a free online app or hire the wrong translator, you could end up with an inaccurate translation with poor grammar – or, worse, something offensive.

To help you avoid awkward translation issues, I’ve compiled a list of nine of the best freelancers offering translation services. Those who made it onto my list specialize in different languages and types of copy and will adjust their pricing according to your specific needs.

I handpicked each freelancer based on client reviews, experience, and affordability. Since most translation projects require ongoing work, I included top translators from Upwork, one of the most affordable and efficient contract-based freelance platforms. Other highly rated pros came from Fiverr – an excellent choice for quick, cheap, and easy one-off translations in any language.

9 Best Translation Services

I spent the past few weeks scouring the Internet for reliable translation services and quickly discovered that Upwork is the best solution for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses. It’s affordable and easy to use, but it also comes with all the tools you need to hire quickly and stay in touch with top translators. That said, Fiverr is still my go-to choice when I need a translation ASAP.

If your translation task is technical or complicated, you can hire a vetted professional translator to get the job done. It might cost a bit more, but if your budget allows it, it’s worth it when there’s no room for error. In both platforms, you can expect to have any text translated within two to three days.

Freelance translators on Upwork and Fiverr:

• Translate to and from 100+ languages
• Deliver translations quickly
• Have profiles that feature client reviews and past work
• Can proofread texts already translated into the target language
• Charge per hour (on Upwork) or per word (on Fiverr)

1. Ahmed S – Affordable Rates & Many Popular Language Pairs

Ahmed is a “Top Rated Plus,” fully certified translator in five languages (German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish) with an impressive Job Success Score of 95%. As a native speaker of Arabic, they also provide translations to and from Arabic. They specialize in certificates and texts related to medicine but are also well-versed in general and technical topics.

Ahmed has completed over 750 jobs on Upwork, and their profile is filled with rave 5-star reviews from satisfied clients. They only charge $5 per hour, so you can quickly get an accurate 500-word translation for less than $10.

2. Matiasbaldanza – Top-Quality Spanish-English Translations

Matiasbaldanza offers Spanish-English translation packages priced according to the document type or material. In their Basic package, for example, they’ll translate letters, articles, and nonfiction (up to 750 words). Their higher-tier packages include translation for material like songs, academic papers, or legal documents.

Matiasbaldanza is rated 5 stars, with over 2,300 orders completed since 2015. Aside from their impressive profile, what attracted me most to this seller was that many of their customers have hired them multiple times – indicating great work and exceptional customer service.

3. Vu V. – Top-Rated English-Chinese-Vietnamese Translator

Vu has earned the “Top Rated” Upwork badge with a perfect Job Success Score and over $10,000 earned on the platform. They have been translating to and from English, Chinese, and Vietnamese for 7+ years and have experience in marketing and scientific research.

Vu completed a 240-hour project for an Upwork Enterprise Client that lasted 15 months, and they’re currently two and a half years into another translation project with over 460 hours worked. Their commitment, high-quality work, and quick turnarounds have resulted in many translation jobs for demanding marketing, data analysis, and scientific texts.

4. Dannenbergulm – Accurate German (and French)-English Translations

Dannenbergulm is a talented German-English translator and an experienced seller with over 630 completed projects. Their Basic package offers translation of up to 200 words, but if you have a higher word count, you can opt for a higher-tier package or enter your word count for an automatic quotation.

Their customer reviews are excellent, with many past customers applauding them for delivering quick and accurate results for various projects. Dannenbergulm also offers French-English translations. You can access that gig by navigating to their profile.

5. Petro K. – Quality Translations in English-Ukrainian-Russian

Petro is an experienced professional translator with years of experience translating to and from English, Ukrainian, and Russian. They have clocked in over 400 hours on Upwork, and clients commend them for their exceptional work, timely delivery, and excellent communication.

They specialize in marketing and website translation but can also help with technical, legal, and business documentation. Other services they offer include machine translation post-editing (MTPE), proofreading and editing, transcreation, and transcription.

6. Corystellmack – Affordable ASL Translations

Corystellmack is an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and translator with several years of experience. I love that this seller offers affordable access to a service that, for many people, would otherwise be too expensive. Their Basic package is just $5 and includes the translation of short sentences and phrases into ASL. The higher-tier packages offer translations of longer texts or recordings. You can even request song translation, but you’ll need to reach out for a customized quotation.

Corystellmack delivers each translation via HD video completed in two to four days. The client reviews indicate that the seller delivers excellent quality work, as many customers are repeat buyers.

7. Dr. Tatsuya E. – Expert English-Japanese Translations

Dr. Tatsuya is an expert English-Japanese translator with a PhD in life science. They translate all kinds of texts but deliver exceptional results on tasks related to biology, botany, and the environment. They have completed over 135 jobs on the platform and maintain a Job Success Score of 100% – nothing short of impressive.

Dr. Tatsuya’s profile is filled with positive feedback from satisfied clients worldwide. They translate all kinds of texts but deliver exceptional results on tasks related to biology, botany, and the environment.

8. Ricardo M – Best for Pro Multi-Language Translations

Ricardo M. runs Black Bravo 4, a professional translation agency based in Italy. He works with a team of experienced freelancers who consistently deliver top-quality work on the platform. The team maintains a perfect 5-star rating with over 700 completed orders – which is, by all means, no small feat.

Riccardo is a verified Pro seller, meaning Fiverr has checked their credentials and ensured their deliverables meet the platform’s high-quality standards. Black Bravo 4 has many repeat buyers, and customers commend the team for its excellent work, clear communication, and super-fast delivery.

9. Eliezar I. – Accurate Filipino-English Translations

Eliezar is a Top Rated Filipino-Tagalog translator with a flawless work history and a staggering 5,500+ hours clocked in on Upwork. You’ll only see five 5-star reviews on the profile page and the same few adjectives repeated by clients over and over again: hard-working, professional, quick.

Eliezar also translates, edits, and proofreads texts in Bahasa Indonesia and other Philippine languages like Kapampangan and Cebuano/Bisaya. They have completed over 260 jobs, many of which were long-term contracts for big projects.

How To Hire a Freelance Translator on Upwork

I found that freelancers on Upwork deliver high-quality translations, charge lower rates than other popular platforms, and document all of their work. It’s the perfect solution for bigger projects and ongoing translation work.

Here’s how to hire a top freelance translator in Upwork today. We’ll post a job listing first and search for freelancers manually right after.

1. Navigate to Upwork and create your client account by clicking the big “Sign Up” button in the top right. Once that’s done, Upwork will prompt you to create your first job post. Follow the instructions closely.

2. With your job posted, you can expect translators to start applying soon. But you don’t have to wait! Now’s a good time to invite talented freelancers by browsing Upwork’s top profiles yourself. Remember to verify your email and add a billing method.

3. From your dashboard, type “translation services” into the search bar. You could also try searching for “translator” or include the language you need in the search, e.g., “Spanish translation services” or “Spanish translator.”

4. Take a look at the suggested profiles that pop up. Here are a few key things to look out for:

• Hourly rate
• Total amount earned on Upwork
• Top Rated or Top Rated Plus badge
• Job Success Score

You’re looking for low hourly rates, at least $5,000 earned in the past few months, and a Job Success Score of at least 90%. Badges are a plus.

5. Use the filters on the left side to narrow down the results. You can set a budget, restrict freelancers based on location, and exclude agencies, among other things.

6. Click on a few freelancers and review their profiles in more detail. Invite them to the job you posted in step 1. Alternatively, you can hire them directly by making a contract offer. This offer can be a fixed-price agreement for a one-off job or a long-term contract for ongoing work.

7. Depending on the scale of the job, you might want to hire multiple translators. Keep searching and inviting people until you’ve assembled your team. From the main dashboard, you can easily keep track of your posted jobs and contracts, communicate with hires, and review their work.

What To Look For in a Freelance Translation Service

If you’ve never hired a translator, you might find it challenging to know what kind of translation service would best fit your project. It can help to clarify your exact requirements for your project first.

You’ll need to know how long the translation(s) will be, what budget you have to work with, and how quickly you need the project delivered. You’ll also want to ask yourself whether you need a translator with a background in a specific industry and whether your translated document requires a certified translator.

Once you’re clear on this, you can narrow your search to a freelancer who meets these needs. But there are a few skills you should always look for:

• Native-level language comprehension. Although it isn’t necessary for a translator to be a native speaker, they should have the same level of comprehension as a native-level speaker. This information is visible on all Upwork profiles, along with formal education and other credentials to help you decide.
• Extensive experience. Check the freelancer’s profile for information on their experience. Most profiles come with detailed portfolios, so review their past work before inviting them to work for you.
• Cultural awareness. Look for translators who excel in language and possess social and cultural awareness. A skilled translator goes beyond linguistic expertise and understands the intricacies of different cultures. Seek out professionals who have lived in the country where the language originates from or have a good grasp of its cultural nuances.
• Consistent attention to detail. Accurate translations are essential, and a talented translator is acutely detail-oriented. Scroll through gig comments and reviews to see what past clients say about the seller’s ability to deliver precise translations.
• Integrity and trustworthiness. Whether your documents are confidential or not, translators should maintain your privacy, which includes not sharing or dispersing your translation materials without your consent.

Are You a Translator Looking to Get Hired on Upwork?

If you’re a professional translator looking to find clients on Upwork, I have some good news. It takes 5 minutes to sign up, and you can get hired within a few hours if you spend enough time fleshing out your profile.

There are many reasons why Upwork works. Here are just a few:

• Upwork has thousands of clients looking for translators in every language pair imaginable.
• The interface is easy to navigate, and Upwork’s job suggestions are on point.
• Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to sell yourself short to find work on Upwork. You set your own rates. If you have the experience and credentials, you’ll earn much more than on other popular platforms.
• Upwork has convenient work tools to help you stay on top of your translations while working for multiple clients. For example, you can track your hours with the click of a button and reach clients easily via the desktop app.
• You’ll always get paid for completed work – with a slight delay­. Upwork protects both clients and freelancers from fraud by holding payments in escrow for two weeks.

Here’s how to get started on Upwork.

1. Navigate to Upwork’s homepage and click “Sign Up” in the top right corner.

2. Click “Apply as a Freelancer” and fill in some account details to get started.

CAPTION: Make sure you create a freelancer and not a client account

3. Verify your email address and complete your profile. Add as much information about your credentials and experience as possible, and follow Upwork’s instructions closely. Upwork doesn’t accept all applications, so don’t skip any steps!

4. Upwork will let you know whether your application has been successful within 24 hours. Once that’s done, you can begin searching for jobs by typing in relevant keywords in the search bar on top of your main dashboard. Use Upwork’s advanced filters to find jobs that match your skills, experience, and pay expectations.

5. Select jobs that seem appropriate and apply as soon as possible. To apply for a job, you must spend “Connects.” You get some for free each month and can pay a few extra dollars to get more.

High-Quality Translation Services at the Click of a Button

Upwork makes it easy to find skilled professionals in all fields, including those in translation services. I use Upwork whenever I’m engaged in translation projects that require ongoing, high-quality work. A quick search will often result in hundreds of freelance profiles, with rates as low as $5 per hour1. I love how I can keep track of my hires’ weekly work with Upwork’s built-in time-tracking tool and image-capturing diary.

Price is important, but so is accuracy. You can use Upwork’s advanced filters to hone in on freelancers that match your needs. The Top Rated and Top Rated badges are preferable for crucial translation projects with zero room for error.

For quick one-off translations that must be completed ASAP, Fiverr is an excellent alternative1. It’s equally cheap, reliable, and very easy to use.

FAQ

How much should I pay for translation services?

Your project’s final cost depends on the length of the materials you need translated and the type of freelancer you’re looking for. On Upwork, a small text in a typically common language pair (e.g., English to Spanish and vice versa) shouldn’t cost more than $5-15/500 words ($0.01–0.03/500 words).

What skills should I look for in my translation service?

Ideally, your translator should be a native-level speaker and have a fair understanding of cultural and societal nuances surrounding the language. They should be detail-oriented, professional, trustworthy, and able to deliver work on time.

What is the best way to find a professional translation service?

One of the easiest ways to find an experienced translator with the proper credentials is to use Upwork’s advanced filters. By ticking the Top Rated and Top Rated Plus boxes, you’ll only see freelancers who have consistently delivered exceptional results.

How do I find the best translation service?

Upwork hosts freelancers from all over the world who offer top-rated services, including translation. You can use filters like budget, contract type, and service options to find freelancers that match your project needs. It should only take 2-3 days to get a small text of 500 words translated. For other affordable translation services, check our list of the best freelance websites in 2024.