Ranking of the best freelance exchanges for translators for 2022

New technologies have changed the usual format of life, in particular, the relationship between the employer and the employee that has been established for centuries. The ranks of professionals free from offices are replenished every day. How is cooperation between customers and contractors regulated through modern Internet resources through short-term contracts? The best freelance exchanges, in particular, for translators, will be discussed below.

What is a freelance exchange

Freelancer from the English word freelancer came to us from military affairs, as free mercenaries were called, over time, the concept migrated to civilian life. A freelancer is a person who works from home or through co-working and is exempted from daily trips to work.

The presence of a diploma of graduation from any educational institution is not required, in this case, only high professional skills of a person, his ability to meet the requirements of the customer as much as possible, are important.
The employer finds his specialists today on special online resources called freelance exchanges, which provide for the regulation of relations between both participants. Both parties can be located in different parts of the world, this will not prevent them from not only specifying all the conditions of work, but also making payment after the end of the project.

The web sites of the exchanges have databases of the portfolio of remote workers and lists of popular vacancies, making it easier to find performers to effectively complete the task. The specialist has the opportunity to choose projects in accordance with their claims for payment, terms, scope of work.

For translators, a freelance exchange is an additional resource for honing skills and earning additional income. Due to the expansion of international commercial relations, the active process of business interactions with foreign partners, together with language features, the services of translators are constantly in demand.

How to choose

Of course, in order to choose the right freelance exchange, you need to personally familiarize yourself with each Internet site, you should also pay attention to a number of criteria that will facilitate the search and minimize potential errors.Only after gaining work experience, you can determine for yourself where it is most profitable to take orders.

The most profitable format is cooperation with a foreign agency, where the payment is very different from local standards. To implement such a project, with a stable income on a regular basis, you should try very hard. How to find big clients? The answer to the question is largely the following section of the "Ratings".

Ratings

The exchange rating is determined by several key characteristics of the site.
Among the main indicators are the following:

• the period of existence of the Internet resource;
• number of users;
• how many countries are participating in the project;
• how large is the list of specializations offered;
• quick registration and no payment for the procedure;
• availability of a secure payment service;
• the operation of affiliate programs designed to receive a certain percentage from the operation of the service;
• the level of the current commission;
• the possibility of placing your own advertising and favorable conditions for it;
• the presence of a push notification system for quick messaging.

Specialist rating is also an important advantage of a website. It reflects such qualities of the performer as:

1. duration of work experience;
2. recommendations and grateful reviews;
3. possible claims from the customer.

A specialist's rating is a kind of portfolio on the stock exchange, his letter of recommendation, reflecting the numerical characteristics of his activity and determining the level of trust. There are a number of recommendations on how to correctly draw up a profile.

The portfolio also includes the results of voluntary testing.It is advisable not to neglect such a procedure, since it takes little time, gives additional advantages when choosing a candidate by the employer, and dispassionately determines the level of qualification of the performer.

Participation in competitions held on the Internet site and receiving diplomas play an important role in the subsequent promotion of your account. Also, one should not neglect the participation in tenders and competitions of large companies, for example, for vacancies in the translation of technical documentation.
Fate can give a lucky lottery ticket followed by a stable job for a high-profile company or brand.

PRO account

The specially paid feature provides certain benefits:

• be in the first lines of the list;
• have instant messages about a new order;
• stay in closed groups of performers;
• base of PRO orders;
• participation in personal correspondence of users;
• viewing rates;
• reduced collection fee;
• increasing % reputation for a limited time.

It makes sense to use such a function for proven, high-level specialists to quickly receive profitable, stable orders.

It is important to understand that when registering a personal, free account, you should follow certain rules, take into account the subtleties:

• when specifying a specialization, you should not inflate the list of topics, since the employer is looking for a qualified translator, and not a universal worker in any field;
• it is better to indicate prices for their services, statistics have determined that the level of requests to translators who have indicated prices for their services is more often than to performers with free prices;
• in the “personal information” section, it is worth emphasizing professional qualities and skills, because the customer is more interested in the practical side of the issue, and not in the personal qualities of the applicant.

Technical support

An important aspect is the timely elimination of possible failures in communication. Since any order is subject to strict deadlines, the prompt resolution of maintenance-related problems directly affects the absence of claims on both sides.

Security and withdrawal of funds

A wide list of payment systems is an important advantage of the exchange. Fast withdrawal and safety, the possibility of an accelerated mode are the undoubted advantages of the system.

Maintaining guarantees of a financially secure transaction by both interacting parties determines the level of trust in the resource, its demand. It is worth paying special attention to offers to fulfill trial, unpaid orders. This option is a simple exploitation of gullible newcomers who want to cash in on an unscrupulous customer.

All negotiations and exchange of informative documents should be carried out on the territory of the exchange, excluding e-mail and instant messengers, this guarantees the security of transactions.

The contractor pays a certain commission to the resource, so you should make sure in advance that the value is acceptable. Also, a part of the amount will be deducted for the withdrawal of funds, it is important to understand this.

Number of daily orders

A high web site rating also attracts a large number of specialists. On the one hand, there is a lot of competition, and on the other, a large number of orders. Both aspects affect both the average cost of services and the stability of performance revenues.

Forum

The possibility of obtaining support from colleagues in a remote workshop, valuable information in the form of questions and answers, advice on the functioning and a separate moment of the portal greatly facilitate the work.

Specialized Internet Resources

Translation exchanges are few in number and aim to eliminate competition from generalist mastodons.

From the point of view of the consumer, the choice of a narrow profile can only be justified by additional functionality in this specialization. Practice shows that sites do not provide such a service, and therefore they are distinguished by a low level of receipt of daily orders.

For a beginner, this option may be of interest only as an experience with a low level of payment.
In fairness, there are some sites with a long lifespan:

1. Tranzilla.ru - with 7 years of experience, a large range of payments per page, from 250 rubles to 2000, and a PRO account payment of 2400 rubles, agencies also place orders, you can apply for enrollment in the state, but there is no secure transaction function;
2. Perevod01.ru - requires mandatory registration, with a response, and the declared number of translators is 18,500 people;
3. 2Polyglot.com - with an expanded database of specialists, which also includes guides, tutors and copywriters, you will have to pay $ 69 / year for a PRO account;
4. Perevodchik.me - with a blog of translators' articles and a very expensive place on the main page of 10,000 rubles.

The total inflow of orders on these sites is small, and the competition is very high.

Best Websites for Freelance Translators

Among the numerous Internet resources, the following favorites can be distinguished:

• ProZ;
• work;
• Gengo;
• smart cat.

Errors when choosing

The main points of disappointment for specialists are the moments of an underestimated level of payment for services, which is inevitable at the initial stage, but you can find the best option for the period while the rating is being developed.
Acting in accordance with the well-known law “Do not store eggs in one basket”, it is more profitable to register on several exchanges and start completing the first tasks. Gradually, it will be possible to choose from several, the most profitable options, and over time, leave for yourself a number of regular customers that best meet the level of tasks and payment.

The best freelance exchanges for translators

Overview of Russian platforms

Kwork

https://kwork.ru

The exchange unites on its territory a wide range of specialists from the following areas:

• SEO;
• SMM
• translations;
• design;
• advertising;
• software.

Creating your own profile - coworking, an analogue of a portfolio, allows you to get on the list of applicants. If desired, you can activate the notification service when a new order appears.

• fixed initial price - 500 rubles;
• application with a list of benefits and experience;
• the ability to collect feedback in the profile;
• access to additional paid services;
• intra-exchange settlements;
• lack of technical specifications, narrow profile of the order;
• a large selection of individual user tools;
• service quality;
• Multiple coworkings are allowed.

• big competition;
• commission level 20%;
• priority placement of outstanding proposals.

City of translators

http://www.trworkshop.net

The private platform of narrow specialization has existed for more than 10 years and has established itself as a project loyal to customers.

• long period of existence;
• detailed information about orders;
• the need for translators for a large list of languages, in particular, English, German, Chinese, Moldovan, Korean, Lithuanian;
• companies and individuals declared;
• rich interface;
• available newsletter subscription;
• with free viewing of offers.

• mandatory authorization;
• The employer's guarantee is low.

wakwak

https://vakvak.ru

A simplified resource version with three sections:

1. Project proposal;
2. Ribbon;
3. Blog.

The payload is directly carried by the first section, where announcements about the required translation services are published. The feed posts fresh applications, and the blog carries an informational and developmental load.

• recommended for beginners;
• with simple, fast, free registration;
• setting a rate by performers;
• interaction of two parties in the discussion of the terms of the contract;
• presented in a social network;
• availability of translation competitions;
• volunteer programs;
• availability of communication via email;
• mailing list connection for authorized users.

• with a subscription of 220/90 rubles for 3/1 month.

smart cat

https://en.smartcat.com

The marketplace is not universal and is not represented by a separate agency. The system is interesting for two services:

1. as a platform for freelancers;
2. as a free Cat tool.

An agency or a direct client sends a request to a number of executors, after which, according to the settings, an interpreter is automatically selected based on the first response, or you can manually select an executor based on active requests.

• demand per month - up to 1,100,000 visitors;
• accessible interface;
• there are foreign customers;
• favorable rates;
• the presence of an online editor;
• referrals;
• fast, convenient payment within the resource;
• presented in social networks;
• the rate for the performance is indicated in the portfolio;
• the possibility of long-term cooperation;
• full control by the employer;
• automated control;
• fast transfers;
• suitable for beginner translators.

• no advance payment by the client as a guarantee of cooperation;
• a small opportunity for an independent search for an order by a freelancer.

Overview of foreign platforms

ProZ

https://www.proz.com

One of the most popular exchanges among international traders. Foreign bureaus prevail as employers.

• the benefits of a detailed training department;
• increase in rating through the exchange of experience and assistance in a special section;
• samples of author's translations are required to be checked by experts;
• with documentary evidence of education;
• assigning the status of "verified translator";
• access to purchase PRO $120/year or PRO+ for $180/year;
• with a convenient payment process;
• the ability to create your own mini-site;
• after cooperation on the application, access to a direct appeal from the employer remains;
• support for translations with special terminology;
• availability of dictionaries;
• with free registration;
• reviews.

• paid subscription responses priced at $120/year;
• no automated processes.

Gengo

The leader among online agencies has a large list of supporting solutions for performers - a translation platform, tutorials, style recommendations.

• has been operating since December 2008;
• constant new applications;
• foreign customers;
• non-standard orders in priority;
• up to 400,000 site visits per month;
• generation of trends for a group of companies in the sector;
• supports the search for applications in Asian, European languages;
• work schedule 24/7;
• authorizations and testing;
• the function of compliance with quality standards is built into the resource;
• among employers such global brands as Sony, YouTube, Bloomberg;
• the latest technologies are used in the work;
• professional league;
• the list of language pairs reaches 70.

• moderate rate for standard translation.

Translators Cafe

https://www.translatorscafe.com

The chamber platform, which is an imitator of ProZ in everything, with good quality orders and a limited circle of customers, has no particular claims to automated control.

The categories of requests for translation services are as follows:

1. offscreen translations;
2. written broadcasts;
3. work on subtitles;
4. oral specialized projects, for example, judicial ones;
5. oral speech.

The resource is aimed at a professional with experience.

• up to 2,000,000 site visits per month;
• a large offer for new orders;
• master account for $110/year;
• authorization with indication of the language pair;
• receive notifications of new applications and requirements;
• paid and gratuitous basis for accounts;
• some applications are not remote;
• the “bulletin board” principle prevails;
• the presence of a forum;
• with a convenient search for agencies;
• foreign customers and payment in the corresponding monetary units.

• obsolete navigation principle.

Translatorsbase

https://www.translatorsbase.com

The resource is intended for specialists in the field of English.

• the platform allows you to create your own portfolio online;
• search for orders by parameters;
• option of cooperation with the employer on a long-term basis;
• a detailed description of the task with a definition of the level of skills required qualifications, deadlines, with the possibility of posting feedback on the work done;
• reflecting the feed of popular ads;
• with the receipt of applications from private and corporate customers;
• mailing list activation.

• priority in specialization in English.

2Polyglot

https://2polyglot.com

The universal service is intended not only for translators, but also for copywriters and tutors.

• the exchange has up to 7000 clients;
• affordable rates at $0.01/word;
  with a guarantee of security of transactions;
• simplified registration;
• with the possibility of selling texts;
• user-friendly interface;
• with notification settings.

• delegation of responsibility for security on a paid basis from the employer to the translator.

Comparison table of the best freelance exchanges for translators
1.	Russian Internet resources
	Name	Rates, rub.	Commission, %
	Kwork	500÷~	20
	City of translators	without fixation	−”−
	wakwak	200÷~	-
	smart cat	profitable	50
2.	Foreign platforms
	ProZ	high	-
	Gengo	−”−	1.5%, not less than 1.5$
	Translators Cafe	−”−	-
	2Polyglot	moderate	at least 1$
	Translatorsbase	−”−	0.05

Conclusion

If you intend to go freelancing, you should be prepared for an unstable income at the initial stage and devoting a lot of time to creating your own portfolios and accounts.

Regardless of the platform, you will have to spend energy on tracking, viewing and screening orders in a certain amount. You will have to put in a lot of work before permanent applications with decent prices appear.
Passing tests, participating in competitions increase personal ratings, but they also require time and effort.

With a high level of language proficiency, one should apply to foreign platforms, where the payment is higher, and applications come from translation agencies and agencies.