Multilingual Plugin of Choice for WooCommerce Stores: A Full Comparison of WPML vs Polylang

When building a multilingual website, choosing the right translation plugin is crucial.Woocommerce offers two popular translation plugins: WPML and Polylang.They are available in theFunctionality, SEO options, translation process and pricing aspectsEach is different from the other. In this article, we'll compare all aspects of these two plugins in depth to help you choose the best translation solution for your website.

1. Translation options: Polylang and WPML

Translation functionality is the first core element to consider when choosing a translation plugin, and WPML and Polylang have different ways of handling the translation process.

Polylang

Polylang provides two main translation methods:

• manual translation: Polylang allows users to manually translate content into multiple languages by creating copies of it. This method provides complete control over the quality of the translation and is ideal for sites with small amounts of content.

• Machine translation (limited): Polylang supports the use of the Ray Enterprise Translation integration, which is a third-party translation service. However, this requires users to create a Ray Translation account, which adds an extra step to the workflow.

This approach, while practical, isMay not be flexible and efficient enough for large, multilingual sitesThe

WPML

WPML provides more diverse translation options to meet the needs of websites of different sizes:

• manual translation:: In conjunction with the Polylang SimilarWPML allows users to manually translate content directly in the editor.
• machine translation: WPML integrates several popular machine translation tools such as DeepL, Google Translate and Microsoft TranslateThe Multilingual Agent subscription plan offered by WPML also includes 180,000 free credits that users can utilize for automatic translations. In comparison, Polylang's machine translation option is inferior.
• Professional Translation Services: WPML allows users to outsource translation tasks to specialized language service providers, thereby ensuring the quality and accuracy of translations.

Overall, WPML has a richer set of translation options for complex, multilingual websites, while Polylang is suitable for smaller, less content-intensive projects.

2. String translation: covering more details

Multilingual websites require not only translation of content, but also localization of various elements of the site. This includes the translation of sections such as banners, menus, widget headings, etc., collectively known as string translation.

Polylang

Polylang supports the following types of string translation:

• Site Title
• placards
• Date and time format
• Widget Title
• URL Segment

However, Polylang's string translation feature is limited, especially for strings hardcoded in PHP files.

WPML

WPML provides more powerful string translation capabilities, especially for complex websites:

• Website title and tagline
• Date and time format
• Widget Title & Text
• URL Segment
• Admin Panel Text

Unlike Polylang, WPML also has excellent collaboration features. Users can assign different translation roles and use translation queues, progress tracking and version control to better manage the translation process. This is especially useful for large websites or multi-team projects.

3. Comparison of SEO functionality: helping with search engine optimization

SEO is crucial for multilingual websites. both Polylang and WPML provide SEO-friendly tools, but there are differences in details and features.

WPML provides more SEO features and plugin compatibility, especially for large, multilingual websites. Polylang's SEO features are more suitable for small websites and require the Yoast plugin to realize some SEO features.

4. Availability versus performance: which is easier to use?

For webmasters, the plugin's ease of use and impact on performance are also important considerations.

Polylang

• Easy to set up: Polylang's setup process is relatively simple and suitable for novice users.
• interfaces: The interface is simple and easy to use, so users can get started quickly.
• Performance Impact: There is almost no impact on site performance.
• function library: The functionality is more limited, but sufficient for small projects.
• Plugin compatibility: Support for Yoast, WooCommerce, Elementor and other common plugins.
• (computer) file: Limited documentation support is provided.

WPML

• Easy to set up: Requires some configuration time, but provides a detailed setup wizard.
• interfaces: Powerful but with a high learning curve for experienced users.
• Performance Impact: May have a slight performance impact on large sites, but is powerful.
• function library: Very comprehensive functionality for complex website needs.
• Plugin compatibility: Support for Yoast SEO, Rank Math, Elementor, Divi, WooCommerce and many other plugins.
• (computer) file: Extensive documentation support is provided to help users solve problems.

If you are looking for simplicity and ease of use, Polylang is a good choice; and if you need full-featured multi-language management, WPML is more suitable.

5. Price comparison: which is better value?

Price is often one of the most important factors in deciding which plugin to choose. Here is a price comparison between Polylang and WPML:

In terms of price, Polylang's free version is an attractive option for small sites and users with limited budgets, while WPML is for users who need advanced features and multi-language support.

6. Key summary: Polylang or WPML?

According to our in-depth analysis of Polylang and WPML, each has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• translation skills: WPML dominates due to its powerful automatic translation features and sophisticated management tools.
• SEO Features: WPML offers more SEO options to perform better on complex websites.
• user friendliness: Polylang is more suitable for beginners and small websites due to its simple setup and intuitive interface.
• cost-effectiveness: For those on a budget, the free version of Polylang is definitely the best choice.

concluding remarks

Both WPML and Polylang are excellent Woocommerce translation plugins, which one you choose depends on your specific needs. If you need a simple, easy-to-use solution, Polylang is a good choice; if you need aPowerful translation features and SEO supportWPML is a much better fit. Whichever plugin you choose, make sure it meets your website needs and supports your multilingual content strategy.