Choosing the right plugin to create a multilingual WordPress website is crucial for reaching a global audience. Here’s a quick summary of the best options available:
- WPML: Offers accurate translations with SEO support, compatible with many themes and plugins, but setup can be complex.
- Polylang: Easy to use, budget-friendly, and SEO-friendly, but requires manual translations.
- Weglot: User-friendly, supports over 100 languages, and ensures SEO readiness, though translation accuracy may vary.
- TranslatePress: Allows direct on-page translations, supports WooCommerce, but might require manual checking of translations.
- MultilingualPress: Ideal for multisite networks, straightforward but lacks automatic translation and WooCommerce support.
Your choice depends on factors like ease of use, translation accuracy, SEO friendliness, compatibility, and support.
Quick Comparison
| Plugin | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPML | $179/year | – Great for accurate translations – Good for SEO – Works well with many tools |
– Setup can be complex – May slow down your site |
| Polylang | $99/year | – Simple to start – SEO-friendly – Compatible with WooCommerce |
– Manual translations – Limited support |
| Weglot | $16.50/month | – Easy setup – Supports over 100 languages – Works with everything |
– Variable translation accuracy – Slow support response |
| TranslatePress | $97.50/year | – Direct on-page translations – Supports WooCommerce – Allows collaborative translations |
– May need manual corrections – Limited free support |
| MultilingualPress | $250+/year | – Ideal for multisite – Straightforward for beginners |
– No automatic translations – Not the best for WooCommerce |
Each plugin has its strengths and weaknesses. Consider what’s most important for your site—whether it’s translation accuracy, ease of use, SEO capabilities, or budget—before making a decision.
Ease of Use
You want a plugin that’s easy to get started with and keep using. Look for:
- A clear and simple interface
- Quick setup
- Straightforward steps to translate your content
- No need to be a tech expert
Translation Accuracy
It’s important that your translations make sense. Check out:
- Whether the plugin uses computer or human translations
- The languages it supports
- If you can add your own terms to get better translations
- How easy it is to fix any mistakes in the translations
SEO Friendliness
To help people find your site, the plugin should:
- Make web pages for each language that search engines understand
- Use different web addresses for each language (like example.com/en/ for English)
- Let you tweak the search info (like titles and descriptions) for each language
Compatibility
Make sure the plugin works well with:
- Your version of WordPress
- Your website’s theme
- Other plugins you’re using, like WooCommerce for online stores
Support and Documentation
Good support can save you a lot of headaches. Look for:
- Quick help when you need it through email or forums
- Clear guides on how to set things up
- Regular updates to keep the plugin working smoothly
Picking a plugin that does well in all these areas will help you share your site with more people around the world. Think about what’s most important for your site and choose accordingly.
Comparative Analysis of Top Multilingual Plugins
1. WPML
Ease of Use
WPML might take a bit of effort to set up at first. But once you’ve got it going, it has a clear dashboard that lets you manage translations easily. You can give translation tasks to language editors and see how they’re doing.
Translation Accuracy
WPML uses computer programs like Google Translate and DeepL, and also real people, to translate your content well. It has special tools to help keep your translations consistent.
SEO Friendliness
WPML helps you make sure your translated pages are set up right for search engines, letting you change URLs and page details for each language. It also creates sitemaps in different languages automatically.
Compatibility with Themes/Plugins
WPML works well with most WordPress themes and plugins. They have a lot of information on their site about what works with WPML.
Customer Support
WPML offers good help through email and forums. They also have lots of guides, articles, and videos to help you with common issues.
2. Polylang
Ease of Use
- Polylang makes it easy to start making your site work in different languages with just a few steps.
- It has a simple layout where you can find what you need without trouble. You can switch between different parts of the plugin without getting lost.
- To add a new language or translate parts of your site like posts or pages, Polylang keeps it straightforward from one place.
Translation Accuracy
- With Polylang, you or someone you hire need to do the translations. It doesn’t use automatic translation.
- You can add as many languages as you want, picking from the ones WordPress supports.
- Keeping your translations consistent is up to you since the plugin doesn’t have tools for this.
SEO Friendliness
- Polylang creates separate web addresses for each language version of your site, which helps Google and other search engines find your content in different languages.
- It also puts in special tags and manages tags for social media for each language.
- You have the option to set titles and descriptions for each language to help with SEO.
Compatibility with Themes/Plugins
- Polylang usually works fine with most website themes and plugins. You can find out which ones specifically on their site.
- It also connects well with popular plugins like WooCommerce for online stores and WordPress SEO plugins for improving your site’s search ranking.
Customer Support
- If you don’t pay for Polylang Pro, you won’t get direct support. Paid users get quicker help through email.
- There are forums where you can ask questions and talk to other people using Polylang.
- They offer guides, video tutorials, and tips to help you use the plugin.
3. Weglot
Ease of Use
Weglot makes it super easy to start translating your site. You don’t need to know how to code. Just pick the languages you want your site in, let Weglot find the text on your site to translate, and manage everything from one place. It’s designed to be simple, so you can get things done fast.
Translation Accuracy
Weglot uses machines to translate your site into more than 100 languages, but you can also get a professional to do it if you want it just right. You can tell Weglot how to translate certain words or phrases, and there’s a special list for important business terms to keep them consistent.
SEO Friendliness
Weglot makes sure your translated pages are ready for Google, taking care of things like translating page titles and descriptions, and making sure Google knows about all the versions of your pages. It works well with other plugins that help your site show up in searches.
Compatibility with Themes/Plugins
Weglot works with all WordPress themes and plugins, including ones that let you build your pages (like Elementor) and sell things online (like WooCommerce).
Customer Support
Weglot offers help through email, but some people say they’re slow to respond. They could do better at answering questions quickly and clearly.
4. TranslatePress
Ease of Use
TranslatePress is all about making it easy for you to make your site multilingual. You can translate your pages right from the website itself, without having to jump back and forth between different screens. Setting it up is quick, and you can easily see how far along your translations are. People really like how straightforward TranslatePress is.
Translation Accuracy
TranslatePress can automatically translate your site using Google Translate or DeepL, but remember, automatic translations aren’t always spot on. You might need to go over them yourself to make sure they’re right. It’s good for translating things like products if you’re using WooCommerce, and you can even let other people help with translations by giving them a special role.
SEO Friendliness
TranslatePress is smart about making your site work well in different languages. It changes web addresses and page details so that search engines can understand them better. It works with WordPress SEO plugins, helping your site show up in searches around the world.
Compatibility with Themes/Plugins
TranslatePress gets along with pretty much any theme or plugin, including WooCommerce. It can handle translating complex websites and works well with page builders and other tools that make your site look good.
Customer Support
When you buy TranslatePress, you get updates and help via email for a year. If you don’t have a paid license, you can still ask questions on the WordPress forums. People usually say the support team is quick to help and gives useful advice.
5. MultilingualPress
Ease of Use
MultilingualPress is pretty straightforward, making it easy for anyone to start. You can add new languages and get to translating your content with a couple of clicks. It’s designed to be simple, with clear instructions and helpful hints along the way. This makes building a website that speaks multiple languages less of a headache.
Translation Accuracy
With MultilingualPress, the translations are all up to you or someone you hire. There’s no automatic translation here, which means you’re in charge of making sure everything sounds just right. While this means more work, it also means you can ensure the quality of your translations. If you’re running a WordPress multisite network, you can even share translations across different sites.
SEO Friendliness
This plugin is good for SEO because it creates different web addresses for each language version of your site. You can also tweak things like page titles and descriptions for each language. Plus, it works well with WordPress SEO plugins, helping your site show up in search results no matter the language.
Compatibility with Themes/Plugins
MultilingualPress is made for websites that use WordPress multisite, so it fits right in there. It also plays nice with page builders and plugins for custom fields. But, if you’re running a WooCommerce store, this plugin might not be the best fit since it doesn’t have great support for that.
Customer Support
If you’re using MultilingualPress and need help, paid users can reach out via email. If you’re not paying, you can still find some help in community forums or by looking through articles that answer common questions. Starting at $250 a year, paid support gets you more direct help.
Pros and Cons
Let’s break down the good and not-so-good points of the top plugins for making your WordPress site multilingual.
| Plugin | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| WPML | – Really good at getting translations right – Helps your site show up in search engines – Fits well with lots of themes and plugins – Offers useful help and guides |
– Might take a while to set up at first – Costs money ($179+/year) |
| Polylang | – Simple to start with – Friendly with WooCommerce – Doesn’t cost much |
– Doesn’t translate by itself – Support could be better |
| Weglot | – Very easy to use – Can translate into more than 100 languages – Works with every theme and plugin |
– Sometimes gets translations wrong – Support can be slow |
| TranslatePress | – Easy to understand and use – Does a good job translating products – Allows other people to help with translations – Reasonably priced |
– Might need to check translations yourself – Support is limited if you don’t pay |
| MultilingualPress | – Great for sites with multiple languages – Straightforward for beginners |
– Doesn’t work with WooCommerce – You have to translate everything yourself – Support costs extra |
Each plugin has its own set of pluses and minuses. WPML is loaded with features but can get expensive, while Polylang and TranslatePress offer a good mix of functionality and price. Weglot makes it very easy to start a multilingual site but may not always get translations right and can be slow to help. MultilingualPress is good for managing multiple languages on different sites but lacks automatic translation and WooCommerce support.
Think about what you need most – whether it’s getting translations just right, ease of use, staying within budget, or needing something for a multisite setup. Try out some plugins to see if they meet your needs, and look for free trials for the ones you have to pay for.
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Plugin Comparison Table
| Plugin | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPML | $179/year | – Great for accurate translations – Good for showing up in search results – Works well with many other website tools – Has a lot of options for managing translations |
– Takes time and effort to set up – Might make your website slower |
| Polylang | $99/year | – Simple to start with – Friendly with search engines – Compatible with WooCommerce |
– Not as many translation options – Support could be better |
| Weglot | $16.50/month | – Easy to set up – Supports over 100 languages – Works with everything |
– Translations might not always be perfect – Support can be slow |
| TranslatePress | $97.50/year | – User-friendly – Supports WooCommerce – Lets other people help with translations |
– Translation quality is okay, not great – Limited help unless you pay |
| MultilingualPress | $250+/year | – Good for websites with many languages – Easy for beginners |
– You need to translate everything yourself – Doesn’t work with WooCommerce – You have to pay for help |
This table gives you a quick look at the main features, good points, and not-so-good points of the top plugins for making your WordPress site work in different languages.
WPML is a top choice for big websites because it translates really well, but it’s a bit tricky to set up and might slow down your site.
Polylang and Weglot are easier to start with and don’t cost as much, but they might not have all the features you want.
TranslatePress is in the middle, being easy to use and letting others help with translations, but the translations themselves could be better.
MultilingualPress is great if you’re running several sites and want them all in different languages, but you’ll have to do the translating yourself and it’s not the best choice for selling things online.
When picking a plugin, think about what’s most important for your site, like how well it translates, how easy it is to use, if it fits your budget, or if it works with other tools you use.
Expert Recommendations
Based on our comparison, here’s a guide to picking the right plugin for adding languages to your WordPress site, depending on what kind of site you have.
For eCommerce Sites
If you sell things online, WPML and Polylang are great choices. They work well with WooCommerce, which many online stores use, and they have good tools for translating your product pages and descriptions.
WPML has more features but costs more. Polylang is more budget-friendly. Weglot is super easy to use if you don’t mind checking the translations it makes to ensure they’re right for your products.
For Blogs
Weglot is a good pick for blogs because it can quickly translate your posts into lots of languages. You might need to adjust some translations, but it’s pretty good for general content.
TranslatePress is also nice for blogs. It lets you translate directly on your site and even lets your readers or team help with translations. If you want the best control over how your translations look, WPML or Polylang are solid options.
For Corporate Sites
For big business sites with lots of pages, WPML is the top choice. It has strong tools for managing translations and making sure your site ranks well in searches around the world.
Polylang is also a good fit for business sites. It’s easier to set up and works well with forms and other business tools.
For Multisite Setups
If you’re managing a network of sites, MultilingualPress is designed for you. It’s made to handle translations across multiple sites easily. But, you’ll have to do the translating yourself, so think about if you have the time.
For most other needs, WPML and Polylang are better because they support automatic translations and are easier for managing a network of sites.
Choosing the right plugin really depends on what’s most important for your site. Think about whether you need ease of use, control over translations, or something that fits your budget. Many of these plugins offer a free trial, so you can try them out before deciding.
Conclusion
When you’re picking a plugin to help your WordPress site speak multiple languages, here’s what to remember:
- It should be easy to use. Plugins like WPML, Polylang, Weglot, and TranslatePress are good because they’re not too complicated to set up and start using.
- The translations need to be good. WPML and Polylang let you do it yourself for better accuracy, but Weglot and TranslatePress do it automatically, which might need a second look to make sure it’s right.
- Being found on Google is important. Tools that help your site show up in searches, like WPML and Polylang, are really helpful because they make sure each language version of your site can be found easily.
- They need to work with other stuff on your site. Most of these plugins play nice with different themes and tools, but if you have a bunch of sites linked together, MultilingualPress is the best choice.
- Good help and updates matter. WPML is great for support, and Polylang isn’t bad either, but Weglot and TranslatePress could do better unless you’re willing to pay.
WPML and Polylang are usually the best choices for a lot of people. WPML is great for making sure your translations are top-notch, and Polylang makes things simpler and is easier on your wallet. If money is tight, Weglot or TranslatePress might be where to start.
The main thing is to think about what you need most, like how accurate the translations need to be, how much you can spend, and if the plugin needs to work with specific tools you’re already using. Trying them out first can help you decide. With the right plugin, you’ll be ready to welcome visitors from all over the world to your WordPress site.
Related Questions
Which is the best multilingual plugin for WordPress?
When you want to make your WordPress site available in different languages, you have a few good options:
- Weglot: This is a straightforward tool that lets you translate your site into over 100 languages without needing to know how to code. It’s pretty popular and used by lots of websites.
- WPML: This one is more detailed and lets you translate everything on your site, including content, themes, and plugins. It’s a favorite choice for many.
- TranslatePress: This plugin is great for online stores using WooCommerce because it makes translating products easy.
- MultilingualPress: If you’re running multiple WordPress sites and want to translate them, this plugin is designed for that.
How do I create a multilingual website in WordPress?
To make your WordPress site support multiple languages, follow these steps:
- Choose and install a translation plugin like TranslatePress.
- Set up the languages you want to offer.
- If the plugin supports it, turn on automatic translations.
- Translate your site’s content, either by yourself or using the automatic feature.
- Add a way for visitors to switch languages, like a sidebar widget.
What is the plugin for multilingual website?
For making a WordPress site multilingual, some of the top plugins are WPML, TranslatePress, Weglot, and Polylang. WPML stands out for offering lots of features and customization options, making it a go-to for creating detailed multilingual sites.
Is it possible to have two different languages on a WordPress website?
Yes, you can definitely have a WordPress website in two or more languages. You just need to use a multilingual plugin like TranslatePress, WPML, or Polylang. These tools help you set up and manage translations easily.