The Translation Edge: Machine, Human, and Automatic Compared
Expanding into new markets is no longer optional for ambitious Shopify merchants; it is essential. Customers today expect to shop in their own language, with clear product details, a smooth checkout process, and localized content that feels natural. But creating a multilingual store is not as simple as flipping a switch. Translation is both a technical challenge and a brand decision that directly affects customer trust, conversion rates, and global growth.
There are three main translation management: machine, human, and automatic. Each has unique strengths and real advantages when they work together. Machine translations deliver speed, human translations ensure your brand voice is consistent and professional, and automatic translations enable you to scale as easily as possible.
This is where langify stands apart. As the first Shopify translation app (2014), we have seen first-hand how the right approach to translation can make the difference between slow expansion and rapid international success. By combining speed, accuracy, and automation, langify empowers merchants to scale globally with confidence. Sharpening your brand voice through the power of precise translations.
Why it Matters
Every minute your store is not available in your customer’s language, you are losing sales. Understanding the difference between machine, human, and automatic translation is not just technical; it is the difference between growing slowly and scaling easily and with confidence.
Global growth starts with language. How you handle translations shapes the speed of your expansion, the trust you build with customers, and the revenue your store can achieve.
Machine Translation: The Tool
With machine translations, you can use the power of AI tools like DeepL or Google Translate in your langify app. Translate single elements with just one click. Of course, you can correct the translations manually, although this will not translate your whole store with just one click.
Machine translation powers your store like a high-performance engine, fast, dependable, and designed to drive expansion.
Human Translation: The Quality Check 😇
The human touch from an expert or a native speaker brings your translations to the maximum level. Machine/automatic translation can help you with simple parts. The very native or expert gives it the final touch to make it sound exactly right in the customer’s ear.
It allows you to:
- Fix errors that automated engines may miss
- Keep tone and style aligned with your brand voice
- Ensure product names, keywords, and messaging are consistent across every language
Human reviewing is the safeguard that keeps your multilingual store professional, trustworthy, and high level of direct control.
Automatic Translation: The Next Step
Automatic translations let you localize your entire store in just a few clicks, regardless of the number of products or pages you offer. While processing large amounts of data takes time, there’s a big difference between having your content translated by a machine in half an hour versus waiting two weeks for a human translator. Similarly, while machine translations do cause costs, they are significantly less expensive than hiring a human translator.
| Merchant Priority | Machine Translation | Human Translation | Automatic Translation (Coming This Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust & Accuracy | 🟡 Acceptable | 🟢 Reliable | 🟡 Acceptable |
| Ongoing Costs | 🟢 Reliable | 😇 Dependable* | 🔴 Risky |
| Setup & Speed | 🟢 Reliable | 🔴 Risky | 🟢 Reliable |
| Brand Fit | 🟡 Acceptable | 🟢 Reliable | 🟡 Acceptable |
| Ease of Control | 🟡 Acceptable | 🟢 Reliable | 🔴 Risky |
| Growth Ready | 🟡 Acceptable | 🔴 Risky | 🟢 Reliable |
* Dependable – Translating yourself cost = 0. Hiring an expert costs = X. 😇
For smaller stores, human translation is often the strongest option. It ensures accuracy and cultural alignment, helping build customer trust. Machine translation works best as a balanced middle ground, delivering faster results while benefiting from human reviews. For larger stores, automatic translation is the most efficient choice; expenses are manageable while enabling quick scaling across products and markets.
It depends on your store’s scale as well as your personal translation expertise; we are here to support you in all cases!
Why trust langify?
langify combines the best of both worlds: machine translation for speed and scale, and manual translation for precision and consistency. Not to forget about our exclusive import & export feature, which allows you to work on your translations offline or import existing translations (.csv and .po format). With automatic translations on the way, your store is prepared for the next stage of global growth.
Here is why merchants choose us:
- Shopify exclusive since 2014: Being the first translation app on Shopify, we are proud to provide excellent technical solution and outstanding human support since day 1
- Machine translation: We are continually seeking the most effective translation tools for our customers. (DeepL & Google Translate)
- Bulk translation tools: Translate your entire store in just a few clicks
- Import & Export feature: Export your translations for the human touch (langify exclusive!)
- Human editing built in: Ensure every translation matches your tone, keywords, and brand voice
- 5 ⭐ Support: Merchants consistently call our team the best they have ever experienced
We primarily use DeepL instead of Google Translate because of its superior accuracy. Though it is more costly as well, and this is why: DeepL vs Google Translate: Which Is Better?
With langify, you are not just translating. You are saving time, reducing errors, and entering new markets faster than your competitors.
Proof From the Field
More than 30,000 Shopify merchants already trust langify.
Want to know what happens when you break language barriers? Just ask Jaimie Jacobs :
Global growth is not only about technology. It is about having a partner who helps you win.
What’s Next
At langify, we believe merchants deserve a translation solution that works at every level: fast machine translation, accurate human editing, and soon, effortless automatic updates.
Our development team is actively building automatic translation into langify, so you will have all three options in one place. That means:
- Speed when you need it
- Accuracy when it matters most
- Automation to keep your store global with zero extra effort
Think of automatic translation as the autopilot. It is coming soon to help your store go global even faster.
We are committed to making sure you always stay ahead.
The Bottom Line
Translating your store is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The method you choose is just as important as the translations themselves because the right approach helps your customers feel welcome and understood wherever they are.
For businesses that want more than just words, langify offers accurate translations, outstanding support, and ongoing innovation that keeps your store be ready for every market.
“Business is the profession. Harmony the passion.”
Connecting people and customers is the key. In e-commerce & general. Tones & Music are a wonderful communication tool. Only 7 tones define it and are understood all around the world