← Back to Blog

FlutterLocalisation vs POEditor: Specialized vs Multi-Format Localization

flutterlocalisationpoeditorcomparisonflutterlocalizationtools

FlutterLocalisation vs POEditor: Specialized vs Multi-Format Localization

POEditor is a popular translation management platform supporting dozens of file formats. FlutterLocalisation is built specifically for Flutter. Which approach is better for your Flutter app?

Quick Comparison

Feature FlutterLocalisation POEditor
Built for Flutter Yes (Flutter-first) No (multi-format)
Free tier Yes Yes (1,000 strings)
Starting price $9/month $14.99/month
AI translation Yes (Flutter-aware) Yes (OpenAI, Gemini, Claude)
Git integration GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure
ARB support Native primary format One of 25+ formats
File formats ARB only 25+ formats
Contributors Role-based Unlimited (all paid plans)

What Is FlutterLocalisation?

FlutterLocalisation is a localization tool built exclusively for Flutter developers. It focuses on one thing: making Flutter ARB localization effortless.

Key strengths:

  • Flutter ARB as the native format
  • AI translations that understand Flutter syntax
  • Visual side-by-side editor
  • Automatic placeholder validation
  • Git-based workflow

What Is POEditor?

POEditor is a translation management system supporting 25+ localization file formats. It's used by companies like Bosch, UNICEF, IKEA, and Adidas.

Key strengths:

  • Multi-format support (JSON, XLIFF, PO, ARB, etc.)
  • AI translation via OpenAI, Gemini, Claude
  • Unlimited contributors on all plans
  • Workflow automation
  • Open source project support

Pricing Breakdown

FlutterLocalisation Pricing

Plan Price Highlights
Free $0 Core features, limited projects
Pro $9/month Unlimited AI translations
Team $29/month Full collaboration

POEditor Pricing

Plan Monthly Yearly String Limit
Free $0 $0 1,000
Start $14.99 $12.74 3,000
Plus $44.99 $38.24 10,000
Premium $119.99 $101.99 30,000
Enterprise $199.99 $169.99 100,000

POEditor's advantage: All features included in all paid plans—no feature gating.

FlutterLocalisation's advantage: Lower price point, Flutter-optimized workflow.

Detailed Feature Comparison

1. Flutter ARB Support

FlutterLocalisation was designed around ARB:

{
  "@@locale": "en",
  "greeting": "Hello, {name}!",
  "@greeting": {
    "description": "Welcome greeting",
    "placeholders": {
      "name": {
        "type": "String",
        "example": "John"
      }
    }
  }
}

Features built for ARB:

  • Placeholder validation across all locales
  • ICU message format support (plurals, gender, select)
  • Metadata preservation
  • Direct flutter gen-l10n compatibility

POEditor supports ARB as one of 25+ formats:

  • JSON, XLIFF, PO/POT, iOS Strings, Android XML
  • ARB import/export works, but isn't the focus
  • May require configuration for optimal Flutter output
  • Generic UI not optimized for ARB workflows

Winner: FlutterLocalisation — Native ARB support beats generic.

2. AI Translation

POEditor offers impressive AI options:

  • OpenAI (GPT models)
  • Google Gemini
  • Anthropic Claude
  • Available on free tier!

FlutterLocalisation provides:

  • Context-aware AI trained for Flutter
  • Understands {placeholder} syntax
  • Preserves ICU message format
  • Learns from your project

Analysis: POEditor gives you choice of AI providers. FlutterLocalisation gives you Flutter-optimized AI. If you're building Flutter apps, specialized AI often produces better results than generic AI with more options.

Winner: Tie — Different approaches, both effective.

3. Multi-Platform Support

POEditor shines here:

Supported Formats:
├── Mobile: ARB, iOS Strings, Android XML
├── Web: JSON, i18next, Angular
├── Desktop: Qt TS, .NET RESX
├── Standard: XLIFF, PO/POT, CSV
└── And more...

If you build iOS native + Android native + Flutter + Web, POEditor handles all your projects in one place.

FlutterLocalisation focuses exclusively on Flutter ARB. This is a limitation if you have multi-platform needs, but an advantage if you only build Flutter apps.

Winner: POEditor — If you need multiple formats. Winner: FlutterLocalisation — If you only use Flutter.

4. Team Collaboration

POEditor:

  • Unlimited contributors on all paid plans
  • No per-seat pricing
  • 5 contributors on free tier
  • Tags, comments, screenshots
  • Workflow automation

FlutterLocalisation:

  • Role-based access (Developer, Translator, Reviewer)
  • Real-time collaborative editing
  • Comment threads
  • Activity tracking

Winner: POEditor — Unlimited contributors is generous.

5. Git Integration

Both platforms offer solid Git integration:

FlutterLocalisation:

  • GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
  • Two-way sync
  • Automatic ARB updates
  • PR-based workflows

POEditor:

  • GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps
  • Webhooks and callbacks
  • PR presets
  • API automation

Winner: Tie — Both handle Git workflows well.

6. Quality Assurance

POEditor provides:

  • Automated QA checks
  • Proofreading options
  • Translation memory
  • Glossary management
  • Project statistics

FlutterLocalisation offers:

  • Placeholder validation
  • Missing translation detection
  • ICU syntax validation
  • Character length warnings

Winner: POEditor — More comprehensive QA tools.

7. Open Source Support

POEditor offers free unlimited access for open source projects with OSI-approved licenses. This is a significant benefit for the community.

FlutterLocalisation offers free tier for small projects but no specific open source program.

Winner: POEditor — Great for open source maintainers.

Use Case Scenarios

Scenario 1: Flutter-Only Startup

Recommendation: FlutterLocalisation Pro ($9/month)

You're building a Flutter app with 15 languages. You need:

  • AI translations
  • Git sync
  • Team collaboration

FlutterLocalisation's Flutter-optimized workflow saves time. POEditor would work, but you'd pay more ($14.99+) for features you don't need.

Scenario 2: Cross-Platform Agency

Recommendation: POEditor Plus ($44.99/month)

You build Flutter apps, React Native apps, and websites. You need one platform for all projects. POEditor's multi-format support is essential.

Scenario 3: Open Source Flutter Package

Recommendation: POEditor (Free for OSS)

You maintain a popular Flutter package and need translations. POEditor's open source program gives you unlimited free access.

Scenario 4: Solo Developer with Side Project

Recommendation: FlutterLocalisation Free

You're building a personal Flutter app. Start free, get AI translations, export ARB files. Upgrade only when needed.

Migration Guide

From POEditor to FlutterLocalisation

  1. Export translations from POEditor as ARB format
  2. Create project in FlutterLocalisation
  3. Import ARB files
  4. Connect Git repository
  5. Continue workflow

From FlutterLocalisation to POEditor

  1. Export ARB files (or pull from Git)
  2. Create project in POEditor
  3. Import ARB files
  4. Configure Flutter ARB export settings
  5. Set up Git integration

Both use standard ARB format—migration is straightforward.

Cost Comparison: Annual Spend

Small Project (3,000 strings, 10 languages)

Platform Annual Cost
FlutterLocalisation Pro $108
POEditor Start $152.88 (yearly)

Savings with FlutterLocalisation: $45/year

Medium Project (10,000 strings, 20 languages)

Platform Annual Cost
FlutterLocalisation Team $348
POEditor Plus $458.88 (yearly)

Savings with FlutterLocalisation: $111/year

Large Project (30,000+ strings)

Platform Annual Cost
FlutterLocalisation Team $348
POEditor Premium $1,223.88 (yearly)

Savings with FlutterLocalisation: $876/year

The Verdict

Choose FlutterLocalisation if:

  • You build Flutter apps exclusively
  • You want Flutter-optimized AI translations
  • You prefer simpler, focused tooling
  • You want lower costs
  • You don't need 25+ file formats

Choose POEditor if:

  • You work with multiple platforms/formats
  • You maintain open source projects
  • You need unlimited contributors on a budget
  • You want choice of AI providers (GPT, Gemini, Claude)
  • You're already using POEditor for other projects

The Bottom Line

POEditor is a solid, feature-rich TMS that happens to support Flutter ARB.

FlutterLocalisation is a Flutter localization tool that does one thing exceptionally well.

If Flutter is your focus, the specialized tool usually wins. If you need platform flexibility, the multi-format tool makes sense.


Ready to try Flutter-first localization? Start free with FlutterLocalisation — AI translations, Git sync, and ARB workflow optimized for Flutter developers.