Software App Translation & Localization Services | Multilingual App Experts
Software App Translation
What Is “Translation of Software Apps”?
Translation of software apps means converting all the text and language elements inside a software application — such as buttons, menus, messages, and help screens — from one language to another so that users can use the app comfortably in their own language.
This process is also called software localization (or L10n, short for “Localization,” where 10 represents the number of letters between L and n).
In Other Words:
Translation of software apps = making your app multilingual and culturally appropriate.
Two Key Parts
1. Translation (Linguistic Work)
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Translating all user-facing text:
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Buttons (e.g. “Save,” “Cancel”)
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Messages (e.g. “Connection lost”)
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Menus, tooltips, settings, labels
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Error or success notifications
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Translating support content:
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Help files, onboarding screens, tutorials, documentation
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2. Localization (Technical + Cultural Adaptation)
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Adjusting the app’s interface, formats, and visuals for different regions:
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Date, time, and number formats
→ 31/10/2025 (EU) vs 10/31/2025 (US) -
Currencies and units
→ EUR vs USD, kilometers vs miles -
Text length and layout
→ “Save” (4 letters) vs German “Speichern” (9 letters) -
Right-to-left (RTL) support (Arabic, Hebrew)
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Cultural icons or colors that might differ across markets
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How It Works in Practice
Here’s the typical process:
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Extract translatable text from the code into a separate resource file
(e.g., strings.xml, en.json, Localizable.strings). -
Send those files for translation (to a translator or a translation agency).
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Translate the text into one or more languages.
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Reintegrate translations back into the app.
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Test the localized versions to ensure everything displays correctly.
Why It Matters
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Expands your market: Users prefer apps in their native language.
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Improves usability: Users understand instructions and feedback better.
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Builds trust and loyalty: Localized apps feel more personal and professional.
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Complies with regional requirements: Some regions legally require localized software.
Software App Translation vs. Website Translation
| Feature | Software App Translation (Localization) | Website Translation (Localization) |
|---|---|---|
| What’s being translated | The app’s user interface (UI) — menus, buttons, error messages, pop-ups, in-app tutorials, etc. | Web pages and online content — text, blog posts, product pages, metadata, and interactive elements. |
| Technical format | Text stored in resource files (.json, .xml, .strings, .po, .resx, .xliff). | Text stored in HTML/CMS systems (WordPress, Drupal, Webflow, etc.) or in web frameworks (.html, .php, .liquid). |
| Delivery platform | Software running offline or natively (mobile, desktop, or embedded). | Online websites accessed via browsers. |
| Localization scope | Includes technical adaptation: date/time/number formats, UI layout, right-to-left languages, in-app fonts, and images. | Focuses on SEO, links, and web content management — may also adapt visuals, but less layout complexity. |
| Tools used | Translation files handled in CAT tools (Trados, MemoQ, Lokalise, Crowdin, POEditor). Developers integrate via SDK or API. | CMS plugins or web connectors (WPML, Weglot, Smartling, Transifex for websites). |
| Testing | Functional testing on devices or emulators — ensure no text truncation, broken layout, or runtime errors. | Browser preview testing — check navigation, layout consistency, and link integrity. |
| Frequency of updates | Updates depend on software releases or version cycles. | Often continuous — whenever new website content is published. |
| Goal | Deliver a fully localized user experience inside the app. | Deliver localized information and marketing content online. |
🧩 Example
| Example | Software | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Source | strings.xml → <string name="login">Login</string> | WordPress page → “Log in to your account” |
| Translation | strings-fr.xml → <string name="login">Connexion</string> | Translated page in CMS → “Connectez-vous à votre compte” |
| Testing | Check “Connexion” fits inside the button on the screen. | Check translated page displays correctly and SEO tags are localized. |
Where They Overlap
Both require:
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Internationalization (i18n) before translation.
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CAT tools and Translation Memory to ensure consistency.
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Cultural and linguistic adaptation (date formats, tone, idioms, etc.).
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QA and proofreading by native translators.
In Practice
| Case | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Translating a mobile app (Android/iOS) | Use a localization tool like Lokalise, Crowdin, or POEditor to manage .xml/.strings files. |
| Translating a website | Use CMS-integrated tools like Weglot, WPML, or Smartling, or export content for translation in a TMS. |
| You have both app and site | Use a unified Translation Management System (TMS) that supports both file types (e.g., Transifex, Lokalise). |
Summary
| Software App Translation | Website Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | User experience in-app | Online content and SEO |
| Key goal | Functionality & usability in multiple languages | Visibility & engagement across regions |
| Requires developer involvement | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Real-time updates | ❌ Not typical (depends on app release) | ✅ Common (CMS-based) |
Why chose Baltic Media for translation of software apps?
Here are some strong reasons why you might choose Baltic Media Ltd for software app translation/localisation — along with a few caveats and questions you should still ask to ensure they’re a good fit.
✅ Why Baltic Media is a good option
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Nordic-Baltic specialisation
Baltic Media positions itself as a translation/localisation provider focused on the Nordic & Baltic region (languages such as Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian).
→ If your app targets Baltic and/or Nordic markets, this local-language expertise is a beneficial fit. -
Software & localisation services included
Their service list explicitly includes “software translation and localisation (translation of users’ interface and support documentation and testing)”.
→ This means they recognise that translation for apps isn’t just about text, but about UI, context, possibly strings and resource files. -
Quality credentials – ISO 9001 certification
Baltic Media state that they work under a quality management system (ISO 9001:2015) for their translation services.
→ This kind of certification can be a positive indicator of formal processes, quality control and consistency. -
Use of translation technology / CAT tools
They highlight use of tools like Translation Memories (TM), CAT tools (SDL Trados, Memsource, etc) to drive consistency and efficiency.
→ For software localisation, where you might have repeated strings, UI elements, and updates, this matters a lot (you’ll save cost/time on future updates). -
Local offices & presence
They are physically based in the Baltics (Riga, Latvia) and have presence in the Nordics (Stockholm, Sweden) as well.
→ Having a local presence helps with cultural understanding, language nuance and potentially faster response/communication.
Why Choose Nordic-Baltic Translation Agency Baltic Media®?
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The Baltic Media® Nordic-Baltic Translation agency is a leading provider of digital translation services in Northern Europe specialising in Northern European (incl. Nordic, Baltic, Slavic) languages mostly in translation services from/into Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Icelandic, Faroese, Norwegian, German, English, Polish, Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.
As an ISO certified language service provider, the Baltic Media® translation agency offers human translation services for corporate, governmental and private clients.
Customer references
Some of our latest projects in the Nordics:
Headbrands e-commerce sites in Finnish, Danish, Norwegian. HeadBrands is a Nordic hairdressing wholesaler.
Translation from Swedish.
Weleda.se Weleda is the world's largest and most sustainable company in natural skin care and is today represented in over 50 countries. Translation into Nordic languages.
Client Service
We know how important time is to our customers. For this reason, Baltic Media responds to requests or inquiries of its clients within 15 minutes. We are sparing the time of our clients and offering only the important information.
