15 Online Platforms Where You Can Find Translation Work

Are you fluent in another language other than your native language? You can make money from your computer with online translation jobs.

How much you make will be determined by the complexity of the work, the languages being translated, and the turnaround speed.

So, we have a compiled list of numerous websites that offer online translation jobs for you to check out.

Websites That Offer Online Translation Jobs

With the trend to make information accessible to all, regardless of the language they speak, many businesses provide translations of different forms of content.

Here are some of the best websites that offer online translation jobs;

1. Unbabel

This site provides its customers worldwide with translation subscription services across 28 languages. What makes the subscription model perfect is that the same customers will always get work from you, making it easier to understand their needs.

To test your ability level, Unbabel is open to both novice translators and veterans and will make you go through around two dozen short translating tasks.

They will give you an hourly rate and work based on your skill level once that’s completed.

2. Translate

A popular go-to site for translators is Translate. There is a lot of work, but they operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if you want to get a steady income from them, you have to be quick.

You get paid by the word and can deal with articles such as emails and blog posts. They even pay through PayPal, and at any time you can cash out.

3. Smartling

It is a cloud-based translation company that helps various platforms translate, automate, and manage your content.

By visiting their website Smartling, you can join them in translating. However, with smartling, there are certain upsides and downsides to think through.

4. Lionbridge

Lionbridge is a translation company for crowdsourcing that is over 40 years old.

Many other translation companies use their translation platform to run theirs, which is a fascinating fact about this company. With this, you can understand how broad and trustworthy this translation business is.

2500 linguists worldwide use this company’s Unify Technology Software platform.

There are other work-from-home career openings, aside from translators, such as social media assessor and Lionbridge internet assessor.

5. TextMaster

This is a company for professional translation, writing of web material, and proofreading. It is a renowned business and recruits translators from all over the world.

Depending on the project they are dealing with, one can earn up to $15 per word.

It is very easy to work with TextMaster. What you need to do is sign up and take a proficiency test on their official website. You can pick and translate projects, which are versatile for you to do once you are eligible.

6. Gengo

Gengo provides the ability for freelance translators to translate texts from 15 different languages.

A potential translator must take a test upon signing up, which will place them in either the “Standard,” “Pro,” or “Proofread” categories. Such categories are dependent on capacity and the payoff for each is also different.

In the source language, translators are paid through PayPal in USD per word/character. Typically, short-form stuff like emails and social media posts are the sort of text Gengo provides for translation.

Income varies depending on customer demand and work availability, but a Gengo translator’s possible earnings can be up to $417 monthly.

7. TransPerfect

A top language service provider, TransPerfect offers various online translation jobs for independent contractors.

Currently, they have openings for bilingual over-the-phone interpreters (OPIs), customer service representatives, and quality monitors for those fluent in English and such languages as Navajo, Korean, Portuguese, Mandarin, and many other languages.

The good thing about TransPerfect is that some of the positions, while remote, are regular positions.

That is, you’ll be an employee of TransPerfect and thus eligible for such benefits as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k, paid time off, and other competitive benefits.

8. ProZ

Registering as a translator on ProZ is free, but there is a paid subscription option that allows you to access even more opportunities for work.

On ProZ, you can search the many jobs available and bid on anyone you are interested in. Note that not all of these are translation jobs online.

9. Universal Translation Services

Unlike the other places on this list, Universal Translation Services is searching for translators with a little more experience.

I have added them here because after you have acquired some experience, you can always come back to them.

UTS is a great option because they are a solid brick-and-mortar company that focuses on offering quality work to attract freelancers to fill their online translation jobs.

They also have a free training program which will help you expand your skills even more.

10. SDL

SDL has become a global pioneer in solutions for content management. It has expanded even larger with its purchase of Donnelly Language Services, becoming the foremost language service provider in the world.

SDL is currently looking for freelance translators in sectors such as the life sciences, financial services, legal, travel, marketing, and automotive industries.

Start your application by filling out the form in the link above, wait to be contacted, and if you’re accepted, you can start work immediately.

11. OneHourTranslation

OneHourTranslation is one of the oldest and most successful online translation agencies.

However, its website feels a bit outdated, which might deter younger customers.

On the bright side, they have a fun progression system for freelancers, although the pay isn’t amazing, especially in the lower tiers.

12. TranslatorsCafe

TranslatorsCafe is like the Pepsi of the translation industry, similar to ProZ but smaller.

It has a smaller community and fewer job opportunities, but it offers a more close-knit atmosphere with fewer low-quality jobs.

The lack of a LinkedIn page suggests it’s not as automated or future-oriented.

13. TranslationDirectory

TranslationDirectory’s website looks even more outdated than TranslatorsCafe’s, but surprisingly, it still gets a lot of traffic.

While you can’t actively search for jobs on the site, setting up a profile might attract potential clients.

14. TheOpenMic

TheOpenMic, created by translation enthusiast Dmitry Kornyukhov, is a newer platform that aims to connect translators with customers.

It started as a community platform but is now focusing more on attracting clients. It’s still evolving, but the community aspect is appealing.

15. Upwork

Upwork is a well-established platform for freelancers, dating back to 1998. It’s popular but highly competitive, especially for translators.

Many freelancers struggle to win bids due to the large number of competitors.

What are the Requirements To Be A Translator?

To do it with this level of perfection a translator must have the following skills.

1. Writing skills in both languages

2. Good listener

3. Accurate and precise in translation

4. Able to deal with the cultural barrier of the languages

5. Specialization in any other subject(to expand your market)

6. Attention to detail (accent, patterns, context, emotion, etc.)

7. Computer skills (since most of them are online jobs)

8. Time management (if working from home)

Online translation jobs offer various opportunities, from established platforms like Upwork to newer ventures like TheOpenMic.

While some sites may have outdated interfaces, they still attract clients and provide chances for freelancers to grow.

Even if you’re a seasoned translator or just starting out, these platforms offer avenues to showcase your skills and connect with clients worldwide.