Published on February 19th, 2025
Developing mobile applications that align with end users across different geographies and cultures is no longer a luxury; it’s a must-have. We need tools and apps that help individuals who speak one language easily communicate with audiences worldwide. Although today we have ChatGPT, Google Translate, and DeepSeek, the challenge of app localization is still a constant hurdle for developers.
Lingo.dev is an AI-powered app localization engine designed to make the localization process easier, making apps accessible to users globally. Dubbed the “Stripe for app localization,” Lingo.dev is going to transform how app developers tackle multilingual app development. It will enable them to emphasize shipping code while the app manages the intricacies of translation and adaptation.
The Founder’s Vision
Headquartered in San Francisco, United States, Lingo.dev was founded by CEO Max Prilutskiy and CPO Veronica Pritulskiy. They began working on this project in 2023 and developed the first prototype as a part of a hackathon at Cornell University.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Prilutskiy said, “Our goal with Lingo.dev is to eliminate friction from localization so thoroughly that it becomes an infrastructure layer and a natural part of the tech stack.” He added, “Similar to how Stripe eliminated friction from online payments, we want to make localization effortless for developers.”
The Stripe for App Localization
Initially known as Replexica, Lingo.dev is an AI-driven localization engine to aid developers in making their apps useful for multilingual communities without hassle. The application runs behind the scenes to translate and adapt content as developers ship their code. No manual intervention is required during this autopiloting process – “making localization a natural part of the tech stack.”
Lingo.dev has already amassed top-tier clientele, including French unicorn Mistral AI and Cal.com, an open-source scheduling tool. Furthermore, the company has recently secured $4.2 million in an initial funding round, where Initialized Capital is the main contributor, along with Y Combinator and several angel investors.
How Lingo.dev Works?
Basically, Lingo.dev is a translation API. Developers can integrate it into their workflows through the command-line interface (CLI) or by implementing it with CI/CD systems, such as GitLab or GitHub. Have a look at its working:
Automated Translation Update
Lingo.dev automatically initiates a pull request with new translations whenever a developer makes alterations in their code. This makes sure that the localized app’s content remains in sync with the latest changes.
AI-Powered Translation Engine
The app uses various large language models LLMs like Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) to offer reliable and rich-quality translations. It smartly picks an ideal model that aligns with the task to balance context, accuracy, and latency.
Context Awareness
Context awareness is one of Lingo.dev’s key features. It has the power to comprehend even the “microcontext” of app content. The platform guarantees accurate and contextually relevant translations by examining system keys and adjacent text.
Customization & Brand Voice
Developers can customize the platform’s output to reflect the voice of their brand by uploading style guides and translation memories. Moreover, the app allows users to define rules for managing particular phrases and modifying text length to adhere to user interface restrictions.
The Lean Startup Philosophy
Despite its ambitious goals, Lingo.dev operates with a lean team of just three employees, including the founders and a founding engineer. This minimalist approach reflects the founders’ belief in building efficient, resourceful startups.
“We know how to build things with minimal resources,” Prilutskiy said. “Our previous company was bootstrapped, and we’re replicating the same lean style—but now with funding.”
Why Does Lingo.dev Matters?
Lingo.dev is beyond just a translation tool. It’s a catalyst for global innovation. By simplifying the localization process, the platform allows developers to build apps that align with people globally. Whether you’re an independent developer or part of a professional team of software engineers, Lingo.dev offers a scalable and effective way to break language barriers.
In today’s increasingly interconnected era, tools like Lingo.dev will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of app development. With its focus on automation, context awareness, and customization, Lingo.dev is all set to become an imperative part of the developer toolkit.
Final Thoughts
Lingo.dev is a significant advancement in app localization. It allows developers to reach audiences across the world with different languages and cultures. The app will set a new standard for multilingual app development as it eradicates the friction associated with traditional translation. For developers looking to take their apps global, Lingo.dev is a tool worth exploring.
