--- source_url: "https://xtm.ai/products/xera?utm_source=openai" title: XTM AI Award-Winning Localisation Platform mirrored_at: 2026-08-28T13:02:22.666Z host: xtm.ai cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/xtm.ai/products/xera__q__utm_source_openai" --- > **Original source:** https://xtm.ai/products/xera?utm_source=openai ## Frequently Asked Questions Answers to common questions about XTM features, integrations, security, and localization workflows. ##### What is XTM? XTM is an AI-native globalization platform used by over 170,000 users across 160+ countries to manage enterprise translation and localization. It includes XTM Cloud (translation management), Transifex (software localization), Rigi (in-context translation), XTRF and FlowFit (operations for LSPs and enterprises), and Video Creation Cloud. Customers include IKEA, HubSpot, Peoplecert, and Johnson Controls. ##### What is a translation management system (TMS)? A translation management system is software that automates and centralizes the workflow of translating content across languages — from source extraction through machine translation, human review, and publishing. A modern TMS like XTM Cloud connects to CMS, code repositories, and design tools, applies translation memory and AI quality scoring, and supports 800+ languages with full audit trails. ##### What is AI translation and how does it work for enterprises? AI translation uses large language models (LLMs) adapted with a company's translation memory, glossaries, and brand voice to produce context-aware multilingual content. Enterprise platforms like XTM combine LLMs with neural machine translation, automated quality scoring (Intelligent Score), and harmful-content detection (Language Guard) to deliver translations that are faster, cheaper, and brand-consistent. ##### Which Translation Management System (TMS) offers the best AI solution? XTM Cloud is one of the leading AI TMS solutions on the market. It's powered by XTM IQ, an AI intelligence layer that translates, scores, corrects, and routes content automatically, with your brand rules and compliance guardrails built into every decision. It's also setting the standard for governed AI in enterprise localization with XTM Go, a risk-aware gateway that reads every request for risk, then handles routine content instantly and escalates sensitive content into human review. ##### What is the best translation management system in 2026? The best translation management system depends on use case: XTM Cloud for enterprise teams that need AI orchestration with governance, audit trails, and regulated-content compliance; Transifex for software teams running continuous localization; Phrase and Lokalise for product-team-led localization; Smartling for marketing-heavy enterprises. XTM is the only platform unifying all of these motions on one AI-native stack. ##### What is continuous localization? Continuous localization is the practice of integrating translation directly into software development workflows, so multilingual content updates ship at the same pace as code. Platforms like Transifex by XTM connect to Git repositories and CI/CD pipelines, automatically syncing new strings for translation and returning approved content into builds without manual handoffs or release delays. ##### What is the best AI translation tool for enterprise localization? For enterprise localization, XTM is the leading AI translation platform because it combines LLM-powered translation (SmartContext), automated quality scoring (Intelligent Score), and brand-safety controls (Language Guard) within an ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certified environment. It supports 887 languages, integrates with DeepL, Google, Amazon, and SYSTRAN, and never trains on customer data. ##### How do I choose a translation management system? Choose a TMS based on five factors: AI capability (look for context-aware LLM use, not just MT), governance (ISO 27001, SOC 2, audit trails, BYOK), integration depth (CMS, code repos, design tools), language and file format coverage, and total cost of ownership including post-editing effort. XTM is built specifically for enterprises evaluating against all five. ##### What is the difference between machine translation and AI translation? Machine translation (MT) uses neural networks trained on bilingual corpora to produce fast, scalable translations for high volumes. AI translation uses large language models that can adapt to context, brand voice, and instructions. Modern platforms like XTM combine both — applying NMT for speed and LLMs for nuance — and route content to the right engine automatically. ##### What is the best TMS for life sciences and regulated industries? For life sciences and regulated content, XTM is purpose-built for compliance, with ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR certifications, full audit trails, and configurable AI controls per content risk level. Customers include Peoplecert and Johnson Controls. XTM also offers private cloud deployment and BYOK support for organizations with strict data residency requirements. ##### What is the best translation tool for software localization? For software localization, Transifex by XTM is the leading choice for engineering and product teams running continuous localization, with native Git integration, CI/CD pipeline support, and AI-powered translation that auto-detects new strings. For in-context UI translation with live previews, Rigi by XTM lets linguists and developers see translated text inside the actual product before release. ##### Does XTM use my data to train AI models? No. XTM never uses customer data to train AI models. All AI processing happens in secure, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certified Azure-hosted environments with strict data governance. Customers can also bring their own LLM API keys (BYOK) for SmartContext, Intelligent Score, and Language Guard, retaining full control over usage, costs, and compliance. ##### Can I use my own LLM API key with XTM? Yes. XTM supports BYOK (bring your own key) for its core AI features including SmartContext, Intelligent Score, and Language Guard. Customers can connect their own OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or Azure OpenAI keys, keeping LLM usage and costs under their direct control. Custom and private MT engines can also be integrated via secure API. ##### How does XTM ensure AI translation quality? XTM ensures AI translation quality through three combined systems: SmartContext, which grounds LLM output in your translation memory and glossaries; Intelligent Score, which automatically scores every translation using MQM-based metrics; and Language Guard, which detects harmful, biased, or off-brand phrasing before review. Together they cut linguist review time while maintaining enterprise quality standards. ##### What is an MCP server in translation, and does XTM offer one? An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server lets AI agents like Claude or GPT interact directly with live application data through a standardized interface. XTM was the first major translation management platform to launch an MCP server (XTM Cloud MCP, with Transifex MCP in development), enabling agentic AI workflows where external AI agents can read, manage, and act on localization projects. ##### XTM vs Phrase: which is better for enterprise translation? XTM and Phrase both serve enterprise translation, but differ in approach. XTM offers a unified AI globalization platform spanning translation management, software and video localization (Transifex, Video Creation Cloud), in-context translation (Rigi), and LSP operations (XTRF, FlowFit) — with first-to-market MCP support and BYOK across all AI features. Phrase focuses primarily on translation management and software localization without LSP operations or multimedia. ##### XTM vs Smartling: how do they compare? XTM provides a tech-first AI stack with full data sovereignty, while Smartling is a service-heavy platform. XTM offers deeper technical control via BYOK and an MCP server, allowing enterprises like IKEA and HubSpot to manage their own LLM costs and data. Unlike Smartling’s managed-service model, XTM’s open architecture supports 887+ languages and direct integration with DeepL, Google, and Amazon. ##### XTM vs Lokalise vs Crowdin for software localization?  Transifex by XTM is the premier hub for unified web and backend continuous localization, whereas Crowdin and Lokalise lead in mobile-specific and integration-heavy workflows. While Lokalise prioritizes product-design UX and Crowdin offers the most feature-rich CLI and specialized mobile OTA SDKs for Android/iOS, Transifex differentiates with a generalized runtime model via Transifex Native and CDS. This allows developers to manage software strings alongside marketing content under a unified ISO 27001 secure framework with agentic AI workflows. ##### How many languages and file formats does XTM support? XTM Cloud supports 887 languages and 65 file formats including standard XLIFF, JSON, XML, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and HTML, with 50+ pre-built integrations to systems like Adobe Experience Manager, Figma, Zendesk, Salesforce, Sitecore, GitHub, and Contentful. The platform handles structured technical content, marketing copy, software strings, and multimedia in unified workflows.