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Polylang is one of the most popular plugins for creating multilingual websites on WordPress. Below is an analysis of its advantages and disadvantages compared to other multilingual plugins like WPML, TranslatePress, and Weglot.
Advantages of Polylang
- Free Basic Version:
- Polylang offers a free version with basic features, suitable for small or personal websites that want multilingual functionality without incurring costs.
- User-Friendly:
- The interface is straightforward and integrates well into WordPress, allowing admins to easily add languages, translate content, and manage posts.
- Good Integration with WordPress:
- Polylang uses WordPress’s existing system for managing posts, pages, and categories instead of creating a separate database.
- High Performance:
- Unlike WPML, Polylang doesn’t rely heavily on string translations, reducing database load and improving site performance.
- Flexible Customization:
- Supports custom languages, URL formatting (e.g., adding language codes to URLs), and works well with most popular plugins.
- SEO-Friendly:
- Polylang provides SEO features like language-specific URLs, hreflang tags, and integrates well with SEO plugins like Yoast SEO.
- WooCommerce Integration (Paid):
- Polylang Pro or Polylang for WooCommerce supports multilingual functionality for e-commerce stores.
Disadvantages of Polylang
- No Built-In Automatic Translation:
- Polylang does not offer built-in automatic translation (e.g., Google Translate or DeepL) unless you use a third-party plugin like Lingotek.
- Limited Support for Free Version:
- The free version does not come with direct technical support, only basic documentation. To get support, you need to purchase Polylang Pro.
- More Complex Setup for Beginners:
- Compared to TranslatePress, setting up Polylang involves more steps, which can be challenging for beginners.
- Limited Interface Translation:
- Some text strings from themes or plugins need to be manually added and translated, unlike WPML or TranslatePress, which automatically detect them.
- Limited WooCommerce Compatibility (Free Version):
- To create a multilingual WooCommerce store, you need to purchase Polylang for WooCommerce, whereas plugins like WPML include this in their basic package.
- No Front-End Translation:
- Polylang does not support front-end translation like TranslatePress, making it harder to translate complex content.
Quick Comparison with Other Plugins
| Criteria | Polylang | WPML | TranslatePress | Weglot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free/Paid | Paid | Free/Paid | Paid (monthly subscription) |
| Automatic Translation | No (needs add-ons) | Yes (Google, DeepL, etc.) | Yes (Google, DeepL, etc.) | Yes (Google, etc.) |
| Translation Interface | In Dashboard | In Dashboard | Direct on Front-End | Direct on Front-End |
| Performance | Fast | Moderate | Fast | Very fast (Weglot servers) |
| SEO | Good | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Harder | Very Easy | Very Easy |
When Should You Choose Polylang?
- You need a free or low-cost solution for creating a multilingual website.
- You prioritize performance and don’t need automatic translation.
- You’re experienced with WordPress and don’t mind handling manual configurations.
If you need automatic translation or a more intuitive interface, consider TranslatePress or Weglot.
