Gengo vs Unbabel: Two Platforms, Different Niches, Shared Limitations
Gengo is a human-only freelance translation marketplace with 20,000+ pre-tested translators across ~37 languages. Standard and Pro quality tiers with per-word pricing. No AI option. Turnaround depends on freelancer availability. Text-based submissions with limited file handling. No translation memory—pay full price for repeated content.
Unbabel is an AI-powered platform focused specifically on customer service translation—multilingual chat, email, and helpdesk messaging in ~30 languages. AI + human review model with subscription-based pricing. Text integrations only (Zendesk, Intercom, Salesforce Service Cloud). Translates from English only to other languages.
Both have significant limitations for comprehensive business translation: Gengo lacks AI options, modern file support, and translation memory. Unbabel focuses exclusively on customer service text with no document, marketing, legal, or website translation services. Neither offers ISO 17100 certification. Both have limited language coverage (~30-37 vs. global business needs for 100+ languages).
Why Choose Taia Over Both Gengo and Unbabel
1. Complete Business Translation vs. Limited Scope
Gengo: General human translation marketplace—handles various content types but with variable freelancer quality, no AI option, basic file support
Unbabel: Customer service only—chat, email, helpdesk. No document translation, no marketing, no legal, no website, no technical documentation
Taia: Comprehensive business translation platform covering ALL content types:
- Document translations – Contracts, reports, presentations, manuals in 65+ file formats
- Legal translations – Certified ISO 17100 for agreements, court documents, regulatory filings
- Marketing localization – Campaigns, websites, social media, SEO content preserving brand voice
- E-commerce localization – Product catalogs, category pages, checkout flows optimized for international buyers
- SaaS localization – UI strings, help docs, in-app messaging with API integration
- AND customer service – Chat, email, helpdesk translation as part of complete solution
No need for multiple vendors. Taia handles everything Gengo and Unbabel do—PLUS comprehensive business content they can’t.
2. 189 Languages vs. Limited Coverage (~30-37)
Gengo: ~37 languages, mostly European and major Asian
Unbabel: ~30 languages, translates FROM English only (no bidirectional translation)
Taia: 189 languages including emerging markets, rare pairs, and specialized dialects. Full bidirectional translation for any language combination.
Unbabel’s “English-only source” restriction is a dealbreaker for businesses operating in multilingual regions. If your German customers need content translated to French, or Chinese content needs Japanese translation, Unbabel can’t help. Gengo covers more languages but still falls short for global enterprises needing African, Southeast Asian, or Eastern European languages.
3. ISO 17100 Certified Quality vs. No Certification
Gengo: 97.6% customer satisfaction rate but no ISO certification. Quality varies by freelancer assignment.
Unbabel: AI + human review but no ISO 17100:2015 certification. Focused on speed for customer service, not regulated content.
Taia: ISO 17100:2015 certified translation for every project. 99% on-time delivery rate and 0.63% complaint rate. Dedicated project managers ensure consistent quality across all languages and content types.
For regulated industries (legal, medical, financial), government contracts, or enterprise procurement requiring ISO compliance, neither Gengo nor Unbabel qualifies. Taia meets these requirements standard.
4. 65+ File Formats with Preserved Formatting vs. Text-Only
Gengo: Mostly text-based submissions with limited file handling—copy-paste workflows common
Unbabel: Text integrations only (Zendesk, Intercom, etc.)—no file upload, no document translation
Taia: 65+ file formats up to 150MB including DOCX, PPTX, PDF, XLSX, JSON, IDML, SRT, ODT, WIX, RTF, HTML, XLIFF, PO, and more. Formatting, layout, and design preserved automatically. No reformatting required—documents ready to use immediately.
Unbabel cannot handle ANY file-based content—only live text through integrations. Gengo supports basic files but requires manual formatting cleanup. Taia handles complexity automatically whether it’s an InDesign layout (IDML), video subtitles (SRT), or software strings (JSON, PO files).
5. Instant AI + Flexible Human Review vs. Limited Options
Gengo: Human-only translation. No AI option. Wait times depend on freelancer availability.
Unbabel: AI + human review for customer service messaging only. Fast for chat/email, unavailable for other content.
Taia: Instant AI translation in seconds for 189 languages with flexible human review options:
- AI-only: Instant results for internal drafts, gisting, high-volume content
- AI + human review: Best balance of speed and accuracy
- Full TEP (Translation-Editing-Proofreading): Maximum quality for critical content
You choose the quality tier based on content purpose and deadline, not platform limitations.
6. Translation Memory = 70% Cost Savings vs. Full-Price Repeated Content
Gengo: No translation memory—pay full per-word rate even for identical repeated phrases
Unbabel: Some terminology management for customer service, but not comprehensive translation memory across all content
Taia: Built-in translation memory on all paid plans. Repeated phrases, product descriptions, legal disclaimers, boilerplate text automatically leveraged at up to 70% discount.
Real-world example: E-commerce customer service + product catalog:
- Gengo: 50,000 words × $0.06/word = $3,000 (no service for catalog files, chat only via manual handling)
- Unbabel: Can only handle chat/email portion, no product catalog translation—incomplete solution
- Taia: 30,000 new words + 20,000 matched words (70% discount) = $1,260 total, PLUS handles both customer service AND product catalog in same platform
7. Audiovisual, Transcription, Interpreting Services vs. Text-Only
Gengo: Primarily text translation; limited transcription and proofreading. No subtitle translation or interpreting.
Unbabel: Text-only customer service messaging. No audiovisual, no transcription, no interpreting.
Taia: Complete language services including:
- Subtitle translation – SRT, VTT files for video content (YouTube, training videos, marketing)
- Transcription – Audio/video to text for meetings, interviews, webinars
- Interpreting services – Consecutive and simultaneous for conferences, business meetings
In a world where YouTube is the second most popular search engine globally, audiovisual translation is critical. Neither Gengo nor Unbabel offers this—Taia does.
8. Built-in CAT Editor for In-House Teams vs. Service-Only
Gengo: Service-only freelance marketplace—no tools for your team
Unbabel: Service-only platform for customer service—no in-house translation capabilities
Taia: Built-in CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) editor for in-house teams. Speed up internal translation 3x with translation memory, glossaries, and terminology management. Empower your team with professional tools while having backup professional services when needed.
Complete Translation Solution Tailored to Your Needs
While Gengo offers general marketplace services and Unbabel focuses narrowly on customer service messaging, Taia provides comprehensive translation solutions designed exclusively for business:
Professional human translation with 5+ years industry-specific experience in technology, legal, medical, marketing, finance—not generalist freelancers or customer-service-only specialists.
Transparent project management dashboard with constant overview of quality and price projection. No hidden costs. Guaranteed 24-48h turnaround for projects ≤3,500 words. 99% on-time delivery rate backed by 5+ years of client satisfaction.
API integration for CMS, e-commerce platforms, software localization tools, customer service platforms. Unlike Unbabel’s customer-service-only integrations or Gengo’s lack of modern API, Taia connects to your complete tech stack.
Customer Success Stories
“Taia app is easy to use. I get an instant quotation for my translation project, so I instantly know the cost and can expect the delivery time. I can accommodate the delivery time to my needs, and I have a wide range of translation services to choose from.”
— Metka B., Unior d.d.
“Due to the dynamics of our work, we often need fast translation services. Taia has always arranged affordable translations of documents and court translations quickly with high quality. Ordering is simple through their platform—submit a document, monitor progress and completion. The staff is always available for help and advice. I warmly recommend to anyone who hasn’t chosen a language service provider to opt for Taia and test their professionalism.”
— Urška Stresen, Business Assistant, MDM d.o.o.
When Gengo or Unbabel Might Be Better
Gengo has extremely competitive per-word pricing for small text projects with flexible deadlines. If you need a single 500-word blog post translated by a human with no time pressure and can accept variable quality, Gengo’s low rates work.
Unbabel excels specifically for customer service chat/email/helpdesk if that’s your ONLY translation need. Deep integrations with Zendesk, Intercom, Salesforce Service Cloud provide seamless workflow for support teams.
However: If you need comprehensive business translation beyond customer service text—documents, marketing, legal, website, technical content—or if you need languages beyond Unbabel’s ~30 English-source-only pairs or Gengo’s ~37, or if you require ISO 17100 certification, translation memory cost savings, and guaranteed turnaround, Taia is the superior choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is best for translation?
Best overall translation platform: Taia
Why Taia beats both Gengo and Unbabel:
- Scope: Complete business translation (documents, legal, marketing, e-commerce, SaaS, customer service, audiovisual) vs. Gengo’s marketplace limitations or Unbabel’s customer-service-only focus
- Languages: 189 vs. Gengo’s ~37 or Unbabel’s ~30 (English source only)
- Quality: ISO 17100 certified, 99% on-time, 0.63% complaint rate vs. variable freelancer quality (Gengo) or no certification (Unbabel)
- Files: 65+ formats preserved vs. Gengo’s basic text or Unbabel’s integration-only text
- Cost efficiency: Translation memory 70% savings vs. Gengo’s full-price repeated content
- Technology: Instant AI + optional human vs. Gengo’s human-only or Unbabel’s customer-service-only AI
When others might work: Unbabel if customer service messaging is your ONLY need and you only translate from English. Gengo for tiny text projects with rock-bottom budget and flexible deadline.
What is the best local AI translator?
Taia is the best AI translator for business needs with local language support:
189 languages including “local” and regional variants:
- European: All major + regional languages (Catalan, Basque, Welsh, etc.)
- Asian: Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Indonesian, Malay, etc.
- Middle Eastern: Arabic (MSA + dialects), Hebrew, Farsi, Turkish, Kurdish, etc.
- African: Swahili, Afrikaans, Amharic, Yoruba, Zulu, etc.
- Americas: Spanish (Latin American variants), Portuguese (Brazilian), French (Canadian), indigenous languages
Instant AI translation in seconds with optional human review for accuracy. Unlike Gengo (no AI) or Unbabel (English-only source, customer service messaging only), Taia handles any language pair for any content type.
Other AI options: DeepL (excellent quality, 28 languages only), Google Translate (130+ languages, consumer-focused, no business features), Microsoft Translator (135 languages, requires Azure setup).
What is Gengo translation?
Gengo is a human-only freelance translation marketplace connecting businesses with 20,000+ pre-tested translators across 37 languages. Clients submit projects, select Standard or Pro quality tier, and get matched with available freelancers. Per-word pricing ($0.03-0.12/word depending on tier and language). Turnaround depends on freelancer availability—typically 24-72 hours for small projects.
Key characteristics:
- No AI option—100% human translation
- Text-focused with limited file support (copy-paste workflows common)
- No translation memory—repeated phrases charged at full rate
- No ISO 17100 certification
- Variable quality depending on freelancer assignment
Taia advantage: Instant AI + optional human review, 189 languages (vs. 37), 65+ file formats preserved, translation memory 70% savings, ISO 17100 certified, guaranteed 24-48h turnaround.
What is Unbabel translation service?
Unbabel is an AI + human translation platform focused exclusively on customer service messaging—multilingual chat, email, and helpdesk support in ~30 languages. Uses AI for initial translation with human post-editors for quality refinement. Deep integrations with customer service platforms (Zendesk, Intercom, Salesforce Service Cloud, Freshdesk).
Key characteristics:
- Translates FROM English only (not bidirectional)
- Customer service messaging only—no document, marketing, legal, website, or technical translation
- Text integrations only—no file upload capability
- AI + human review for speed (seconds to hours)
- Subscription-based pricing
- No ISO 17100 certification
Taia advantage: Comprehensive business translation beyond just customer service, 189 languages with full bidirectional translation, 65+ file formats, ISO 17100 certified, translation memory cost savings, audiovisual/transcription/interpreting services Unbabel lacks.
Are there companies like Unbabel for beginners?
Companies offering AI + human hybrid translation (like Unbabel’s model) but with broader scope beyond customer service:
Taia – Best Unbabel alternative for beginners:
- AI + human translation for ALL business content (not just customer service)
- 189 languages with bidirectional translation (vs. Unbabel’s English-only source)
- Simple drag-and-drop file upload (vs. integration-only)
- Free trial: 5,000 words/month forever
- Instant quotations—know cost before committing
- Built-in tutorials and 24/7 support
- Transparent pricing from $0.01/word (AI-only)
Other beginner-friendly options:
- DeepL: Excellent AI quality, very simple interface, but limited to 28 languages and no professional human services
- Google Translate: Free and easy for personal use, but not suitable for business content (no quality guarantees, data privacy concerns)
- ModernMT: User-friendly AI translation with adaptive learning, but smaller than Taia
Why Taia is better for beginners than Unbabel: Unbabel requires customer service platform integration (Zendesk, etc.) and only handles messaging—complicated setup for non-customer-service needs. Taia works standalone with drag-and-drop simplicity for ANY content type.
What are the main differences between Gengo and Unbabel?
Translation approach:
- Gengo: Human-only via freelancer marketplace (20,000+ translators)
- Unbabel: AI + human review focused on customer service messaging
Language coverage:
- Gengo: ~37 languages, various source languages
- Unbabel: ~30 languages, FROM English only
Content types:
- Gengo: General translation (documents, websites, marketing, etc.) via text submission or basic files
- Unbabel: Customer service only—chat, email, helpdesk. No document/marketing/legal translation.
File support:
- Gengo: Text-based with limited file handling
- Unbabel: Text integrations only—no file upload capability
Pricing:
- Gengo: Per-word ($0.03-0.12/word), no TM discounts
- Unbabel: Subscription-based, volume pricing
Turnaround:
- Gengo: Depends on freelancer availability (24-72h typical)
- Unbabel: AI seconds, human-edited within hours
Best for:
- Gengo: Small text projects, flexible deadlines, tight budgets
- Unbabel: Customer service teams needing multilingual support messaging
Taia beats both: Comprehensive business translation, 189 languages bidirectional, 65+ file formats, instant AI + optional human, translation memory 70% savings, ISO 17100 certified, guaranteed turnaround.
Which is better for large documents: Gengo or Unbabel?
Neither is suitable for large documents:
Unbabel cannot handle documents at all—it’s exclusively for customer service text messaging through integrations (Zendesk, Intercom, etc.). No file upload capability. No document translation services.
Gengo can handle text-based document content via copy-paste or basic file upload, but has significant limitations:
- No translation memory—large documents with repeated content = full per-word pricing (expensive!)
- Limited file format support—complex layouts may break
- Human-only (no AI)—turnaround depends on freelancer availability, large docs may take days/weeks
- No ISO 17100 certification—unsuitable for regulated documents
- Variable quality depending on freelancer assignment
Taia is designed for large documents:
- 65+ file formats up to 150MB—DOCX, PDF, PPTX, XLSX, IDML, etc. with formatting preserved
- Translation memory 70% savings—large documents typically have 30-60% repeated content (headings, disclaimers, boilerplate), dramatically reducing cost
- Instant AI for drafts—get 100-page document translated in minutes, then add human review only where needed
- ISO 17100 certified—suitable for legal contracts, technical manuals, regulatory documents
- Guaranteed turnaround—transparent timeline estimation, 99% on-time delivery
- Project manager assigned—oversees large/complex projects ensuring consistency
Example: 50,000-word technical manual with 40% repeated content (product specs, safety warnings, legal text):
- Unbabel: Cannot handle (document translation unavailable)
- Gengo: 50,000 words × $0.06/word = $3,000, turnaround uncertain (freelancer availability), no formatting guarantees
- Taia: 30,000 new + 20,000 matched (70% discount) = $1,260, guaranteed 5-7 day turnaround, formatting preserved, ISO 17100 certified
Can I integrate Gengo or Unbabel into my existing workflow?
Unbabel offers deep customer service platform integrations:
- Zendesk, Intercom, Salesforce Service Cloud, Freshdesk
- Live translation of support tickets, chat messages, email
- Automated workflow for customer service teams
However: Unbabel ONLY works through these integrations for customer service messaging. Cannot integrate with CMS, e-commerce, software localization tools, or general business systems. No API for custom workflows outside customer service.
Gengo offers basic API for project submission but limited compared to modern platforms. No pre-built integrations with major business tools. Requires custom development for workflow automation.
Taia provides comprehensive integration options:
- API integration for CMS (WordPress, Drupal, Contentful), e-commerce (Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce), software localization (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
- Custom workflows via REST API—automate translation requests, retrieve completed translations, manage projects programmatically
- Zapier/Make integration for no-code automation with 5,000+ apps
- Customer service platform integration PLUS general business tool integration—not limited to one vertical
Best integration approach: If you ONLY need customer service messaging translation and use Zendesk/Intercom, Unbabel’s deep integration works. For comprehensive business translation integrated with your complete tech stack (CMS, e-commerce, localization, project management, customer service), Taia provides broader connectivity.
Ready for Complete Business Translation Beyond Limited Platforms?
Stop limiting yourself to marketplace variability (Gengo) or customer-service-only messaging (Unbabel).
Experience Taia’s comprehensive business translation with ISO 17100 certification, 189 languages, 65+ file formats, translation memory cost savings, and services covering documents, legal, marketing, e-commerce, SaaS, customer service, AND audiovisual content.
Start Free Trial – 5,000 words per month free forever
Book a Demo – See how Taia handles everything Gengo and Unbabel can’t
- Team & project management
Gengo vs Unbabel
[Content about Gengo vs Unbabel - to be filled from WordPress content]
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Taia | Gengo vs Unbabel |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | 189+ | [TO FILL] |
| File Types | 65+ formats | [TO FILL] |
| Translation Memory | Yes, built-in | [TO FILL] |
| Professional Review | Optional, one-click | [TO FILL] |
| Pricing | Transparent, pay-per-word | [TO FILL] |
Why Choose Taia
Full Document Translation
Upload complete files and preserve formatting across 65+ file types.
Context-Aware AI
Taia’s AI analyzes entire documents for accurate, meaningful translations.
Translation Memory
Reduce costs and improve consistency with built-in translation memory.
Flexible Quality Tiers
Choose AI-only, AI+human review, or full professional translation (TEP).
Get Started Free
Try Taia with 5,000 words free every month. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Taia better than Gengo vs Unbabel?
[TO FILL with specific comparisons]
Can I migrate from Gengo vs Unbabel to Taia?
Yes! Taia supports standard formats like TMX and TBX for importing your translation memories and glossaries.
Does Taia support the same languages as Gengo vs Unbabel?
Taia supports 189 languages, covering all major language pairs and many specialized ones.
How is pricing different?
Taia uses transparent pay-per-word pricing with no hidden fees or per-user charges.