AI vs Human Translation
Free AI tools like ChatGPT, DeepL and Google Translate can give you the gist of a text in seconds. Professional human translation is what you need when accuracy matters or the document is official. Here is how to decide.
Quick Answer
Use an AI tool when you only need the gist of a text for yourself. For anything you will submit, publish, sign or act on, use a professional human translator. Certified translations for official use are always produced by a qualified human translator from the original.
TL;DR
AI tools are fine for getting the gist of a text. For business, legal, medical or official documents, use professional human translation, from £0.10 per word, with certificates from £35. If you already have an AI translation for non-official use, our AI Translation Check reviews and corrects it line by line.
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Key Facts
Compare Your Options
What you get from an AI tool on its own, and what you get from a professional translator
AI Tool on Its Own
ChatGPT, DeepL, Google Translate
Instant machine output with no human check. Useful for getting the gist, but errors such as wrong names, shifted dates, missing lines and mistranslated terms can go unnoticed.
Starting from
Free or low cost
- Instant results
- Good for getting the gist
- No human review
- Cannot be certified
- Errors can go unnoticed
- Nobody takes responsibility for accuracy
Best for:
Reading emails, websites and messages for your own understanding.
Professional Translation
Lingo Service Translations
Translated by a qualified professional translator and revised in full by a second linguist before delivery.
Starting from
From £0.10/word
- Qualified professional translators
- Full review by a second linguist
- Subject specialists available
- Certified translations from £35
- Accurate legal and medical terminology
- Confidential and secure
Best for:
Legal contracts, medical documents, certified translations, business documents, marketing, and anything you will submit, publish or sign.
When to Use Each Option
Business Documents & Marketing
Emails, reports, brochures, presentations, and website content where clarity and professionalism matter, but creative nuance is less critical.
Legal & Court Documents
Contracts, court submissions, witness statements, and legal correspondence where precision and legal terminology accuracy are paramount.
Medical & Healthcare
Patient records, clinical trials, medical reports, and pharmaceutical documents where errors could have serious consequences.
Certified Translations
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, and official documents for immigration or legal purposes.
Urgent Projects
Time-sensitive documents needed within hours where speed is the primary concern without compromising quality.
Creative & Marketing Copy
Advertising campaigns, taglines, brand messaging, and content requiring cultural adaptation and creative flair.
Key Things to Know
Two Linguists on Every Job
Every translation is produced by a qualified professional translator and revised in full by a second linguist before delivery.
AI Output Is Unchecked
An AI tool gives you its best guess with nobody checking it. That is fine for the gist, not for documents that matter.
Certification
Certified translations for official use are produced by a qualified human translator from the original. We do not certify AI translations.
Already Used AI?
Our AI Translation Check has a qualified linguist review and correct your AI translation line by line, for non-official use.
Clear Prices
Human translation from £0.10 per word and certificates from £35, with the exact price shown instantly when you upload.
Confidential and Secure
Your documents are handled confidentially from upload to delivery.
What AI Translation Tools Do Well, and Where They Fail
AI tools such as ChatGPT, DeepL and Google Translate produce a translation in seconds, and for common European languages the result is often readable. They are useful when you only need to understand a text yourself.
The problem is that nobody checks the output. AI tools can change names and dates, drop lines, and mistranslate key terms while still sounding fluent, so the errors are easy to miss.
When You Need a Professional Translator
Legal documents need translators who understand the legal systems in both languages. Medical content needs specialists who know clinical terminology. Marketing needs linguists who can adapt the message for another culture.
For certified translations used by courts, immigration authorities and government bodies, a qualified translator produces the translation from your original document and signs a declaration of accuracy. We do not certify AI translations.
Making Your Decision
Think about who will read the translation and what happens if it is wrong. If it is just for you, an AI tool may be enough. If you will submit it, publish it, sign it or act on it, use a professional translator.
Not sure? Upload your document for an instant quote, or ask our team and we will tell you what you need. There's no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
For getting the gist, often yes. For documents you will send, publish or rely on, no: nobody checks AI output, and fluent-sounding errors are common. Every translation we deliver is produced by a qualified translator and revised in full by a second linguist.
No. We do not certify AI translations. Certified translations for official use are produced by a qualified human translator from your original document. If your AI translation is for non-official use, our AI Translation Check reviews and corrects it line by line against the original.
Human translation starts from £0.10 per word, and certified certificates from £35. Upload your document and the exact price appears instantly.
Check each tool's terms before pasting in personal or confidential documents. With us, your documents are handled confidentially from upload to delivery.
Yes. Standard delivery is 48-72 hours, and faster options are available, including same day for many documents. The quote form shows the options and prices.
Yes, for non-official use. Our AI Translation Check has a qualified linguist review and correct it line by line against the original. For official documents, we translate from the original instead.
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team
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