Introduction
Building a multilingual website is essential for global growth. Two leading solutions—Webflow's native Localization and Weglot—take fundamentally different approaches. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right tool for your needs and budget.
Webflow Localization offers deep integration with complete control, while Weglot provides automatic translation with faster setup. This comparison examines both solutions in detail.
"The right localization tool depends on your priorities: control and customization vs. speed and automation."
Webflow Localization Overview
How It Works
Webflow's native Localization is built directly into the platform:
- Define locales: Create language versions of your site
- Design once: Layout applies to all locales
- Translate content: Manually translate or export for translation
- Publish separately: Control when each locale goes live
Key Features
- Complete control: Edit every translation
- SEO-optimized: Proper hreflang tags, separate URLs
- CMS integration: Translate dynamic content
- Design flexibility: Adjust layouts per locale
- No external dependencies: Everything in Webflow
Pricing
Available on CMS and Business plans ($23-39+/month). No per-language fees, but requires higher-tier Webflow plans.
Weglot Overview
How It Works
Weglot is a third-party translation service:
- Install script: Add Weglot code to your site
- Auto-detect content: Weglot finds translatable text
- Automatic translation: Machine translation by default
- Edit translations: Refine via Weglot dashboard
- Language switcher: Automatic UI element
Key Features
- Fast setup: Launch multilingual site in hours
- Machine translation: Instant translations included
- Translation memory: Reuse past translations
- Professional translation: Order human translations in-app
- Works with any site: Not Webflow-specific
Pricing
Starts at €9.90/month for 10,000 words, scales up based on word count and languages. Can get expensive for large sites.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Setup and Implementation
Webflow Localization:
- More initial setup required
- Configure locales and structure
- Export content for translation
- Import translated content back
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks for first locale
Weglot:
- Very fast implementation
- Install script, select languages
- Automatic translation immediately
- Timeline: Hours to launch
Translation Quality
Webflow Localization:
- Quality depends on your translators
- Full control over every word
- Can use professional services
- Manual review and editing
Weglot:
- Initial machine translation quality varies
- Requires manual refinement
- Can order professional translations
- Translation memory improves over time
SEO Impact
Webflow Localization:
- Excellent SEO: Native implementation
- Proper hreflang tags automatically
- Separate URLs per locale
- Full sitemap generation
- Clean, semantic HTML
Weglot:
- Good SEO: Handles technical requirements
- Automatic hreflang implementation
- URL structure options
- Additional JavaScript required
"For enterprise SEO needs, Webflow Localization's native approach offers advantages. For quick multilingual launches, Weglot performs well."
Ongoing Maintenance
Webflow Localization:
- Update translations manually
- Export/import for new content
- More hands-on management
- Greater control over changes
Weglot:
- New content auto-detected
- Machine translation applied instantly
- Less manual work
- Faster content updates
Cost Considerations
Webflow Localization:
- No per-word fees
- Requires Business plan ($39+/month)
- Separate translation service costs
- Best for: Multiple languages, large sites
Weglot:
- Usage-based pricing
- Starts affordable, scales with content
- Can become expensive for large sites
- Best for: Small to medium sites
When to Choose Webflow Localization
Choose Webflow's native solution if:
- You need complete translation control
- You have professional translators
- SEO is a critical priority
- You want no external dependencies
- You're building a large-scale multilingual site
- You're already on CMS or Business plans
When to Choose Weglot
Choose Weglot if:
- You need to launch quickly
- You want automatic translation
- You have a small to medium site
- You prefer minimal maintenance
- You're on Webflow's lower-tier plans
- You need to test multilingual before committing
Hybrid Approach
Some teams use both solutions strategically:
- Weglot for prototyping: Test market demand quickly
- Migrate to Webflow Localization: When scaling to enterprise
- Best of both worlds: Speed initially, control long-term
Conclusion
Both Webflow Localization and Weglot are excellent solutions for different scenarios. Webflow's native approach offers superior control, SEO, and scalability for serious multilingual sites. Weglot excels at speed, automation, and ease of use for teams wanting quick international expansion.
Evaluate your priorities—speed vs. control, automation vs. precision, budget vs. scale—and choose accordingly. Many successful businesses start with Weglot and graduate to Webflow Localization as they grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Weglot to Webflow Localization later?
Yes, though it requires manual migration work. Export your Weglot translations, set up Webflow locales, and import the content. Plan for some development time.
Does Weglot work on all Webflow plans?
Yes, Weglot works on any Webflow plan, making it attractive for teams on Starter or Basic plans who want multilingual without upgrading.
Which is better for SEO?
Webflow Localization has SEO advantages due to native implementation, but Weglot is also SEO-friendly. For most sites, the difference is minimal.
Can I use human translators with both?
Yes. Webflow Localization requires you to arrange translations separately. Weglot offers in-app professional translation ordering for convenience.
