What Languages Are Most in Demand for Software Translation Services?

In the digital age, software products are no longer confined to their country of origin. From mobile apps and enterprise platforms to SaaS tools and games, software is developed with a global audience in mind. This is where software translation services come into play—ensuring that content, commands, menus, and messages resonate with users in their native language.

But with over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, a key question emerges:
Which languages are most in demand for software translation services?

As a trusted provider of professional software translation services, TRANSLIT works with businesses across Europe and beyond to help them reach global users effectively. In this blog, we’ll explore the top-requested languages, why they’re important, and how choosing the right languages can impact your global growth strategy.

Why Language Choice Matters in Software Translation

Before we dive into the top languages, it's important to understand why businesses prioritize certain languages in their translation efforts. The key drivers include:

• Market size and user base

• Revenue potential from specific regions

• Device and internet usage statistics

• App store and platform requirements

• User experience and engagement goals

The right languages can make or break your software’s global success. TRANSLIT helps businesses choose languages strategically, balancing demand, growth potential, and cultural relevance.

Top Languages in Demand for Software Translation Services

1. Spanish

Why it's popular:
Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people globally and is the second most spoken language by native speakers. It’s widely used across Latin America, the U.S., and parts of Europe.

Key markets: Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, United States (Hispanic population)

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT offers both European Spanish and Latin American Spanish localization, ensuring regional nuances are respected in software UI, help content, and user flows.

2. Simplified Chinese (Mandarin)

Why it's popular:
China has the world’s largest population and one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Mandarin (written in Simplified Chinese) is essential for entering this massive market.

Key markets: Mainland China, Singapore

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT provides software translation services that follow the unique regulatory, linguistic, and cultural requirements for the Chinese market, especially for SaaS, gaming, and mobile apps.

3. German

Why it's popular:
Germany has one of the most robust economies in Europe and a thriving B2B software market. German users expect high-quality localized content and clear, formal communication.

Key markets: Germany, Austria, Switzerland

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT's professional German linguists ensure that your software speaks with precision—especially important for technical and enterprise software translation.

4. French

Why it's popular:
French is spoken across Europe, Africa, and parts of Canada, making it a powerful language for international expansion. It’s also an official language in many international institutions.

Key markets: France, Belgium, Canada (Québec), Ivory Coast, Senegal

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT offers locale-specific French translations to address cultural and legal variations between France and Francophone countries.

5. Portuguese (Brazilian Portuguese)

Why it's popular:
Brazil is Latin America’s largest tech market, and its users are highly active on mobile and desktop platforms. Brazilian Portuguese differs significantly from its European counterpart.

Key markets: Brazil, Portugal

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT ensures your software is tailored specifically to Brazilian audiences, with culturally relevant translations that boost user adoption.

6. Arabic

Why it's popular:
Arabic is the fifth most spoken language globally, used across the Middle East and North Africa. It has a growing digital population and strong smartphone penetration.

Key markets: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT handles right-to-left (RTL) formatting, a crucial aspect of Arabic software localization, and provides culturally appropriate translations for sensitive markets.

7. Russian

Why it's popular:
Russia and other CIS countries have large, tech-savvy populations. Russian remains a dominant language for app, game, and software downloads in Eastern Europe.

Key markets: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT’s software translation services ensure compliance with local laws and user expectations in the Russian-speaking world.

8. Japanese

Why it's popular:
Japan has one of the world’s highest app revenues per user and a strong demand for software quality and precision. Japanese users expect highly polished translations.

Key markets: Japan

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT provides expert translation that maintains technical accuracy, cultural tone, and formatting requirements unique to Japanese platforms.

9. Hindi

Why it's popular:
India is a fast-growing digital economy with over 800 million internet users, many of whom prefer local-language content. Hindi is India’s most spoken language.

Key markets: India

How TRANSLIT helps: TRANSLIT helps companies localise not only into Hindi but also into other regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali—especially valuable for government apps, fintech, and edtech platforms.

10. Italian, Korean, Turkish, and Polish (Emerging Popular Languages)

These languages are increasingly in demand due to growing e-commerce, gaming, and enterprise SaaS sectors in their respective regions. As businesses expand into niche markets, these languages offer a strong ROI for local user acquisition.

How TRANSLIT Supports Multilingual Software Success

As a trusted provider of software translation services, TRANSLIT offers:

• 🔹 Expert linguists with industry-specific knowledge

• 🔹 In-country reviewers for authentic, user-friendly content

• 🔹 Technical integration support for strings, UI, and layout adjustments

• 🔹 Post-translation QA to ensure consistency, accuracy, and usability

• 🔹 Localization for both desktop and mobile platforms

TRANSLIT uses translation memory tools and glossaries to maintain brand voice and reduce long-term costs for clients with regular software updates.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right languages for your software can unlock entire markets and drive global success. Spanish, Chinese, German, and French lead the pack—but emerging markets in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia are quickly catching up.

With TRANSLIT’s professional software translation services, your business can expand confidently, communicate clearly, and engage users in their preferred language—wherever they are in the world.