Featured Translation Companies
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about finding and working with translation companies.
General
Translation Ratings is the leading independent directory of professional translation and interpretation companies in the United States. We list verified agencies with real customer reviews, transparent pricing information, and detailed breakdowns of what each company offers: so you can compare options and choose the right partner for your specific project.
Every company in our directory goes through a verification process that confirms their legal registration, professional credentials, and review authenticity. We cross-check certifications such as ISO 17100 and ATA membership, and we do not accept paid placement that overrides our objective ranking criteria.
Yes. Browsing the directory, reading reviews, comparing companies, and accessing pricing ranges are all completely free for buyers. Companies pay to manage or enhance their listing, but this does not affect their rating or ranking in search results.
The answer depends on your specific needs: language pair, industry, turnaround time, and budget. Translation Ratings helps you find the best match by letting you filter by specialization (legal, medical, technical, etc.), language, and certification. Consistently top-rated agencies include those accredited by the ATA or certified to ISO 17100.
If you have worked with a company listed on Translation Ratings, you can submit a review on their profile page. We ask for basic verification that you were a paying client. Reviews help other buyers make informed decisions and help quality companies build their reputation. We do not allow companies to remove negative reviews that meet our content guidelines.
Finding a Company
Use our search filters to narrow by: (1) language pair, (2) industry specialization, (3) service type (document translation, interpretation, localization), (4) turnaround time, and (5) budget. Read at least 5 recent reviews and check whether the company holds relevant certifications. Translation Ratings shows all of this on a single comparison page.
Use the location filter on Translation Ratings to find certified translation agencies by state or city. Many agencies also offer remote services nationwide, so location is often less important than specialization. Look for companies with ATA-certified translators or ISO 17100 certification for the highest quality assurance.
A translation agency manages teams of translators, editors, and project managers, offering scale, quality control, and the ability to handle large or complex projects. Freelance translators offer direct contact and lower overhead costs, which can be ideal for smaller or more specialized projects. Translation Ratings focuses on agencies, but many listed companies also work with vetted freelancers.
Several agencies in our directory offer expedited and same-day services, usually at a premium. Filter by 'Rush delivery' on Translation Ratings and compare turnaround times and pricing. Rush services are most commonly available for document translation; simultaneous interpretation always requires advance booking.
Not all translation companies maintain the same quality and ethical standards. On Translation Ratings, every listed company has been checked for legitimacy. Red flags to avoid include: no mention of translator qualifications, no ISO or ATA credentials, prices that seem too low to sustain professional quality, and a lack of real verifiable reviews. Use our comparison tools to make an informed decision.
Some agencies offer a free trial translation of a short passage so you can assess quality before committing. This is more common for large ongoing projects. When comparing agencies on Translation Ratings, check whether a company offers this option in their profile, or ask directly before placing a first order.
Service Types
Translation refers to converting written text from one language to another. Interpretation refers to converting spoken language in real time. There are two main types of interpretation: simultaneous (spoken at the same time as the speaker, common in conferences) and consecutive (spoken after the speaker pauses, common in legal or medical settings). Many agencies offer both services.
Top interpretation companies are typically evaluated on language coverage, interpreter credentials, technology platform (for remote/video interpretation), and experience in the required setting. Translation Ratings lists and rates interpretation agencies with filters for simultaneous, consecutive, OPI (over-the-phone), and VRI (video remote interpretation) services.
Localization goes beyond word-for-word translation to adapt content for a specific culture, region, or market. This includes adjusting date formats, currency, imagery, tone, and cultural references. Localization is essential for software, websites, marketing materials, and e-commerce. Look for agencies with LSP (language service provider) experience in localization on Translation Ratings.
A certified translation is accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or agency attesting that the translation is accurate and complete. It is typically required for official documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, legal contracts, and immigration paperwork (USCIS, courts, universities). Always confirm what the receiving institution requires before ordering.
No. A notarized translation includes a certified translation that has additionally been signed in front of a notary public, who verifies the identity of the signer. Notarization is required less often than certification, but some courts, government agencies, and foreign consulates may require it. Translation Ratings lets you filter for companies offering both.
OPI, or over-the-phone interpretation, connects a speaker with a live remote interpreter via telephone. It is widely used in healthcare, legal aid, social services, and customer service for instant access to interpreters in hundreds of languages without advance scheduling. Many OPI providers offer 24/7 access. You can filter for OPI providers on Translation Ratings.
VRI, or video remote interpretation, provides live interpretation through a video connection. Unlike OPI, VRI is especially useful for sign language interpretation and for situations where visual cues are important, such as in medical consultations or legal depositions. Translation Ratings lists agencies offering certified VRI services.
Cost & Pricing
Professional translation typically costs between $0.10 and $0.35 per source word in the United States, depending on the language pair, subject complexity, and turnaround time. Rare language pairs and specialized content (legal, medical, patent) tend to be at the higher end. Translation Ratings shows verified pricing ranges for listed companies so you can compare before contacting them.
Interpretation pricing varies by type: OPI services may be billed by the minute ($1–$3/min), while on-site interpreters are often billed by the hour ($50–$150/hour for common languages, more for rare languages or specialized settings). Conference simultaneous interpretation with equipment can cost several thousand dollars per day. Translation Ratings includes pricing indicators for interpretation services.
Price differences reflect translator expertise, specialization, quality assurance processes (editing, proofreading), certifications, turnaround time, and overhead. A lower price may mean fewer quality checks or less specialized translators. Translation Ratings helps you weigh cost against quality ratings and certifications so you don't sacrifice accuracy for price.
To get an accurate quote, you typically need to provide: (1) the source and target languages, (2) the source document or word count, (3) the subject matter, (4) whether certification is required, and (5) your deadline. Translation Ratings lets you compare pricing ranges upfront and directs you to each company's quote request page.
Quality & Certifications
The most recognized certifications include: ISO 17100 (international quality standard for translation services), ATA membership (American Translators Association), ASTM F2575 (quality guide for translation), and GALA membership (Globalization and Localization Association). For medical or legal translation, look for additional domain-specific credentials. Translation Ratings displays these certifications on every company profile.
ATA certification means the individual translator has passed a rigorous exam administered by the American Translators Association. It is one of the most respected credentials in the US translation industry. It is not legally required, but it signals a high level of competence. For legal and immigration documents especially, ATA-certified translators provide stronger credibility.
ISO 17100 is an international quality management standard specifically for translation services. Agencies certified to ISO 17100 follow defined processes for translator qualification, project management, and quality review (including a mandatory revision step). It is widely recognized by governments, healthcare institutions, and legal bodies as a marker of professional reliability.
Translation Ratings uses a verified review process that requires reviewers to confirm they are paying clients. We do not accept anonymous or incentivized reviews. Look for reviews that mention specific project types, languages, and outcomes: these are the most informative. Our platform flags companies with suspicious review patterns.
By Industry
Legal translation requires translators with expertise in legal terminology, court systems, and document types (contracts, depositions, patents, court orders). The best legal translation companies in the US hold ISO 17100 certification, employ translators with legal backgrounds, and often provide certified or notarized output. Browse Translation Ratings' legal translation category to compare top-rated agencies.
Medical translation involves clinical trials, patient records, medical devices, pharmaceutical documentation, and health communication. The best medical translation companies employ translators with healthcare or life sciences backgrounds and follow strict confidentiality (HIPAA compliance) and quality control processes. Translation Ratings lists and rates medical translation agencies separately.
Spanish is the most in-demand language for translation in the US due to its widespread use across healthcare, legal, education, and government. Most agencies listed on Translation Ratings offer Spanish translation. Look for companies that specify whether they cover US Spanish, Latin American Spanish, or both, as regional variation matters for some contexts.
ASL interpretation is a specialized field distinct from spoken-language translation. Certified ASL interpreters are credentialed by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). Translation Ratings lists agencies offering ASL interpretation, including VRI providers for remote access and on-site teams for live events, legal proceedings, and medical appointments.
Government translation requires compliance with strict security, confidentiality, and quality standards. Many agencies in this space hold GSA contract vehicles or are certified under NIST standards for handling sensitive information. Translation Ratings flags companies with government experience so public-sector buyers can filter accordingly.
Technical and patent translation requires subject-matter expertise in engineering, chemistry, software, or manufacturing. Errors in this context can have serious legal and safety consequences. Look for agencies with technical translation specialization, ISO 17100 certification, and translators with engineering or scientific backgrounds. Translation Ratings allows you to filter by technical specialty.
Website and software localization goes beyond translation to include adapting UX copy, metadata, images, and formatting for specific markets. Companies specializing in localization often use TMS (translation management systems) and work with developers directly. Translation Ratings lists agencies with localization and internationalization (i18n) experience for software, apps, and digital products.
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