Search for the best French translation services isn’t the most popular online inquiry, but quite a lot of people are still Googling it, hoping to find useful tips. Business, personal communication, immigration, or travel — all these spheres might involve French since France is a beautiful country with a big market. The question is, where to find the best translators? PickWriters made it our mission to find out! We picked our best experts and dived into the translating industry, checking firm after firm and making notes about them all. Now, we are finally ready to tell you which of these companies provides the best translation from and into French. The following is our 2023 list with ten top options.
Ten Best French Translation Services You Could Trust
This company has been around for five years now, and with growth, its level of professionalism has evolved. TheWordPoint is a unique place where every member of the team is involved in providing customers with an excellent experience. Operators present a united supportive front: no matter what questions you have or how anxious you are, they’ll make you feel at home. Their approach is friendly, caring, and insightful as they all clearly know every aspect of their agency’s work. The services could be more diversified, just as languages — for example, we missed the interpreting option, and there are only 50 languages to choose from. Still, as a client, you can find certified French translators, and the great thing is, it won’t cost you much. Prices here range from low to average, and even urgent assistance is pretty cheap. Translators work in a timely manner, so you won’t have to worry about your order being late. Our French translation arrived exactly by the deadline, and its quality was impressive. Every word was conveyed like it had to be, all logical links were re-established from the original perfectly. We were highly satisfied with these results, hence giving TheWordPoint its deserved first spot on our list.
Pros
- Excellent quality. French translations are done on the highest possible level.
- Low prices. No client will overpay here no matter what project they have.
- Friendly support team. Operators know their job and support their customers.
Cons
- Small range of services. Some major options are missing from service list.
French translation service from Mars has been available for almost a decade now. It’s not very old, but it’s expanded to an impressive extent, so now it has multiple offices all over the world and keeps close contact with more than 3K professional translators. Together, they work with 90 languages, French taking a place somewhere in the middle in terms of popularity. Mars has an efficient system of communication in place: its operators are well-trained, and they can discuss everything about their company with you. If you have any concerns, these people will address them swiftly and efficiently. Prices are affordable, which is another advantage. Even if you have a large project, you won’t be spending a fortune on it, provided that your deadline is adequate. We experienced no issues with delivery, as our business document arrived just on time. The quality was also great, but it did have minor issues, namely, proofreading errors. They were few in number, yet we still marked it as a drawback. All in all, though, our review team was pleased with our Mars experience.
Pros
- Best quality. Some of the best French translators work here.
- Friendly prices. You won’t be overcharged.
- Professional operators. They’ll help you resolve any problems.
Cons
- Imperfect proofreading. Minor errors present in the text.
Testing older and more experienced French translation agencies is always interesting because we cannot predict the results. Some best companies maintain their perfect performance; others fail and start relying on their reputation alone. TransPerfect emerged in 1992, and at the moment, it’s a true giant in the translating business. It has 90+ offices and 5K translators who are ready to assist it as soon as they get a request. As expected, a rich array of services is available. You could order translation, training for your employees, localization, interpreting, transcription, and many other options in numerous languages. Online reputation of this agency isn’t very good — there are many negative reviews, but we prefer to rely on our own experience. Operators here do a decent job advertising their services. Unfortunately, pricing system isn’t the best. You’ll be paying a lot if you want to say that you used TransPerfect in particular. We asked for a French localization project, and it was delivered to us on time. It looked good, too, so we had no reason to demand a revision. If not for prices, this firm could compete with the first two companies in our review list.
Pros
- Long history. TransPerfect has rich experience with French translations.
- Best choice of services. Practically every linguistic option is available.
- Satisfying quality. Translations are done by professionals.
Cons
- Inflated rates. This company asks for too much money for its help.
GTS is also one of the older French translation companies. It’s been working for around 20 years, offering a greatly diverse range of services to its clients. While only 80 languages are supported, French is among them, so you have nothing to worry about. The content on the website is not very accurate: for example, you’ll be promised one price, but in reality, the one you’ll get in the end will be higher. At the first glance, it appears like GTS is affordable, yet as we had a chance to witness, its services are pretty expensive. Operators are nice and friendly — they know how to communicate and how to answer various questions professionally. We ordered a transcription of a 10-minute-long video, giving GTS’ experts 2 weeks for their work. When the time came, nothing arrived. Naturally, we contacted operators and asked for explanations. It turned out that our translator had a work accident and couldn’t get online. We didn’t believe this excuse, so the only thing we could do was wait. Twenty minutes later, the order was delivered. It looked great: everything was transcribed properly, with no mistakes or inaccuracies. The delay wasn’t long enough to ruin our positive impression, but it still affected the overall score we gave to this company.
Pros
- Respectable background. GTS has been working for a long time.
- High level of quality. Translators are experienced in French and offer good service.
Cons
- Real prices higher than published ones. Services are more expensive than GTS website claims.
- Small delays with delivery. We had to wait about 1 hour after our deadline.
As a French translation company, DayTranslations has an average-bordering-on-a-lengthy experience. It was founded in 2006, so in a few more years, it’ll be celebrating its 20th birthday. It works with numerous industries at once to please as many of its customers as possible. Business, healthcare, marketing — everything is available here. It’s more difficult to pinpoint how many languages are covered since the company claims several different things. On one page, it states that its translators specialize in 1000 languages; on another one, it boasts of being able to translate your content into literally any language “known to man”. On the actual page with languages, there is info only on 51 of them, so we still have no idea what the real info is. Some links are broken. Policies regarding confidentiality are weird: note that if your project is shipped, the company is not responsible for it. Prices are mild here, and we enjoyed the work of customer support representatives because it was quick and informative. We were also pleased when our project was uploaded on time. It had a great accuracy level that compensated for any other drawbacks we witnessed. This allowed us to make DayTranslations a part of this list.
Pros
- Many services present. You could order any kind of linguistic service.
- Best kind of accuracy. Our translation was perfect.
Cons
- Badly done website. Broken links, confusing info, and mistakes greet customers.
- Faulty policies. Confidentiality isn’t always a guarantee with DayTranslations.
This agency has been providing professional French language translation services since 2007, serving people no matter what industry or country they come from. It focuses on 100 languages currently, but there are plans for future expansion. The team of operators was the first people we talked to, and to our disappointment, this experience wasn’t positive. They didn’t have answers to some basic questions about the workings of the company and for the most part, they appeared clueless altogether. They could tell us how the pricing works in Tomedes, but that’s about it: they had no knowledge about other policies or even something as essential as confidentiality. The prices were mild — there are cheaper agencies out there, but then again, there are also those that charge much more than Tomedes. We asked for marketing localization, but even though our project wasn’t large, it still arrived late. We had to wait for two days before we finally got what we paid for. Quality was appropriate: every line was converted like we hoped they would be, but failed deadline still left us with a mixed opinion. If you decide to hire these guys, keep this aspect in mind.
Pros
- Plethora of services. Lots of options available to clients.
- Best level of quality. No mistakes or mistranslations present.
Cons
- Failed communication. Operators need more thorough training.
- Lengthy delays. You might have to wait for a while before your order arrives.
Like most French document translation companies, JRlanguage has an average length of experience. It’s been functioning since 2006, adding more and more options to its range of services. At the moment, it works with numerous industries and employs translators who are proficient in 100 languages. Whether you want localization, translation, transcription, or anything else, you’ll find them in this company. Its support team is pleasant: they reply to incoming messages quickly and they don’t push their clients to place more orders. For our test assignment, we asked for a translation of a nursing manual and gave JRlanguage a standard deadline of 2 weeks. This is enough for coping with tasks of average size. We paid a lot for this document, so you might not be thrilled with local prices. They exceed the norm quite a bit. The project was uploaded by our due date. This and the reviews we read indicate that the company respects its promises and delivers its work timely. The quality, on the other hand, was flawed. It wasn’t bad, but our translator obviously didn’t have a nursing education. Translation wasn’t accurate enough. We placed an urgent revision request and it was fulfilled very quickly. Six hours later, the improved version was in our account, and we all decided it met the best quality standards.
Pros
- Many options for your choosing. Lots of French document translation services are present.
- Responsible attitude. Orders are submitted on time + revisions are efficient.
Cons
- Costs are overly high. These prices aren’t for everyone.
- Possible issues with quality. Content is not always ideal.
When we first heard about these French translation services, we immediately grew interested because of the company’s name. It implies that you’ll be able to find assistance and get your project done in one hour, which sounds impossible but extremely alluring. First things first, though: OneHourTranslation was founded in 2008. It supports over 120 languages and offers numerous linguistic services. It also employs more than 25K translators — this made us think that perhaps the firm would correspond to its name since it certainly has a lot of people to assign to different tasks. Alas, this turned out to be wrong. Our review team placed an average-sized sociology project translation order and asked for a 1-day deadline. We were refused on the grounds that the experts cannot work so quickly. Considering how the company calls itself, it was disappointing, so now we can state that its name is misleading. Prices are moderate and operators do a stellar job with their communication. Our order was delivered on time, but it had some instances of mistranslation. Some concepts were misinterpreted and some grammar errors were present. Naturally, we demanded a revision, and in several days, it was done. This time, we had nothing to object to: the quality was great.
Pros
- Best prices for French documents translation. These services don’t cost much.
- Potentially great quality. Some of the best translators work here.
Cons
- Your deadlines might not work. This company has a very misleading name.
- Quality is not always great. Revisions will help, but not necessarily from the start.
This best French translator service has been working since 2011. It works only as an online helper, but it doesn’t make it any less efficient. Its array of linguistic services is sufficiently diverse: the focus lies on translations, proofreading, as well as content writing help, with many industries involved. The number of languages is limited — there are only 50 of them, but since we were looking for French, this didn’t affect our opinion. Assistance doesn’t cost a lot, so clients will likely be satisfied. Operators are also great at what they do. No pushiness, no rudeness — they are fluent speakers and they’ll explain everything you need to know. They told us that TextMaster is known for its usage of technology that helps make translations the best. We were curious about the results, but sadly, our project was delayed. This pause wasn’t short either as more than 2 days later, we still had nothing but excuses. It was frustrating. When translation finally arrived, our thoughts were mixed. It wasn’t done badly, but it bore traces of heavy machine work, and since we chose a creative sphere, it really wasn’t appropriate. Most issues disappeared after we requested a revision.
Pros
- Best prices for French help. French translation isn’t expensive here.
- Satisfying service. Operators work well & many services are on display
Cons
- Too much usage of software. This company is overlying on technologies.
- Possible lengthy delays. Translators don’t always respect clients’ deadlines.
This best French translation agency is the oldest of the ones we’ve included in our list. It appeared back in 1986, and its impressive experience speaks for itself. Clients could find an amazing number of services and languages here — from the latter, there are 250 options. This is a record number we have seen. The website of the company is outdated in several respects, but importantly, operators quickly join in once you start communication and give valuable advice. If you aren’t certain what service you need, they’ll help you figure everything out. Prices are not pleasant in K-international, so you’ll be paying way more than you should. It’s a big drawback. We experienced no issues with delivery: it happened on time, but it was only the start of our journey. As it turned out, the document had glaring mistakes and it was only half-done. It looked like translator gave us the draft version and forgot that it’s not complete. Of course, we had to resort to revision, but some problems occurred here, too: revised file wasn’t there by our deadline. We got the corrected version days later, after numerous talks with managers. Quality of this project was the best, with no questions, but prior issues left their negative imprint.
Pros
- Awe-inspiring experience with French translations. This firm spent more than 30 years in this market.
- Quality help overall. Most people here are professionals who work hard.
Cons
- Prices aren’t good. K-international is too expensive.
- Potential issues with quality and delivery. Orders might not be immediately perfect. First time, our file arrived on time; a revised version was late.
Who Needs French Business Translation?
People look for the best translation services for different reasons. Some are planning on moving to become a permanent citizen of another country; others have personal motivations like checking their health in an international clinic or simply speaking with a foreign person they’re romantically interested in. But for the most part, business needs trump everything else. People open up their companies, launch websites, and try to promote their products elsewhere. Professional French translation services are a choice of many because France is a strategically important country. It has a unique culture that some specific providers might decide to use.
For example, most tourists travel to France because they are fascinated by the idea of visiting the most romantic city aka Paris. Businessmen can take advantage of this by offering their unique romance-oriented goods, but for it to be efficient, they’ll need qualified assistance. Texts and ads should sound completely natural and be fluent. So, business representatives are the most common clients of best French translation services, and they are closely followed by travelers and private individuals.
Fun Info About French as Your Target Language
French is a melodic and interesting language. Many people want to learn it, but most of them change their mindsets for different reasons. It’s a pity! There are around 230 million French speakers in the world, and if you join them, there will be no need for ordering French document translation services. The language itself isn’t particularly difficult, though a problem might arise in terms of speaking as there are 28 types of dialects. Interestingly, 29 countries recognize French as their official language, and after English as well as Chinese, it’s the most common in a business area. What English students might dislike is that French has genders that affect articles and inflections. It might be frustrating to learn these intricacies. Other than this, you’d probably enjoy the experience!
Selecting the Best English to French Translation Services: PickWriters’ Criteria
Whether we are searching for software localization or document translation, we rely on the same standards in all types of work. Having such a system in place helps make sure that objectivity is maintained no matter who investigates which company. Here are the criteria all our experts follow. Pay attention to them and consider using them yourself if you are ever conducting your own research.
- Background, experience, and reviews. Before choosing the best French translator website, we take a long look at its background. We explore how many years it has been working, check what customers as well as employees say about it, and study the documents we receive about a firm’s accomplishments & operations. It allows us to form an initial impression. We also pay attention to the website itself. Reliable companies usually take care of what they fill their platforms with, so no links should be broken and no mistakes should be present.
- Level of customer support. Operators need to work 24/7 to meet the needs of the customers. Problems can emerge at any moment; people might require assistance ASAP, so a helpful team should be at the ready. Operators should also know everything about their company and be able to give recommendations. For example, if you need certified French translator but don’t realize it, they should tell you instead of watching how you make a mistake and pay twice.
- Rates. French translations shouldn’t be too expensive. There is an average price for this service, and the best agencies should stick to it. Our review team always checks whether customers are overcharged, and if they aren’t, we give a company extra points.
- Quality. Obviously, each best French translation website should provide top-quality services. We understand that mistakes happen, and even the most amazing firms might not always be able to keep track of their employees. That’s why if we are displeased with the first version of translation, we place a revision request. It gives managers a warning and serves as a wake-up call for translators. In case the work isn’t improved, the company doesn’t get into our list.
- After-care package. Every best French translator should carry responsibility for what they do. If their work is flawed, they must provide revision for free. The same concerns cases where a company fails a client completely. Refunds must be an inherent part of service. Translation agencies survive only with their customers’ approval, and their policies should reflect this fact.
Why the Best French Document Translation Services Should Be Certified
Certifications apply only to a group of documents, but we still believe that every professional firm must offer it. For example, if you require marketing translation for your own business, you obviously won’t be interested in a certified service — there won’t be any need for it. But other people might face another situation. When they need to submit their files to another party (in most cases, to authorities), they need proof of authenticity for their translation. There can be several solutions here. First, a company itself must be able to prove that it meets ISO regulations. Check what kinds of certificates it holds to make sure its work is deemed credible on an official level.
Second, people offering certified French translation services should hold personal certificates. They are usually issued by internationally recognized bodies like ATA (standing for American Translators Association) or similar equivalents. Individuals whose experience is officially verified have the right to provide help like this. It’s essential when you are resolving a legal dispute, immigrating, or planning on marrying someone from France.
Most Common Types of French Translations
So, apart from business, which sectors require French to English translation most often? Take a look at the list below. It features most popular kinds of services people order.
- Medical. Nursing research papers, articles about COVID, immunization records, patient files — healthcare is a universal concept, so most people find it relevant and need help with translation for cases where they travel to another country.
- French Legal Translation. In terms of this sphere, we are mostly talking about certified translation. Records of various kinds, marriage/divorce/adoption papers, personal records, etc. need to be verified officially. It’s a rather popular service.
- Technical. An interesting thing: technical translation companies are considered unique in the overall translating industry. It’s because a special kind of expertise is needed here, and people who want to translate their manuals, equipment brochures, websites or programs require only the best French to English translation services.
- Financial. HR reports, income statements, expenses and taxes-related documents — there are many files in the sphere of banking. It’s not surprising that lots of people seek such services out.
- Personal. These documents include personal information like correspondence.
- Publishing. Many people publish fiction and want to conquer a bigger target market. Others are more interested in non-fiction, so they produce research that they want more individuals to read. In both instances, professional French translation websites could help.
What Makes Human Translations Vital
In the times of Internet and online tools evolution, many people think that the need for human translators is going down. With the best software and apps, everything can be perfect, right? Sadly, no. For starters, you could never get certified French translation with the help of a machine. In addition, human experts still have to do the biggest part of work because only they understand cultural and semantic meanings. Even the best tools are incapable of this. It’s good when a company has excellent automatic glossaries or something similar, but it’s human specialists that make communication between cultures possible.
Number #1 Platform with Objective Reviews
With the help of our list, we hope that you’ll find your professional French translator. Follow our tips, look at advice and warnings, and make a decision. If you want any other kind of service, let us know or just look at our other reviews. We have plenty of them, and chances are, we’ve already written about the subject that interests you.
