i18ny Logo i18ny

i18ny

1.0.0
/ˈaɪ eɪtiːn ni/ → "eye-eighteen-nee"

Simple translation management platform, that doesn't break the bank, you get the code, too!

Like Lokalise or Phrase, but you host it on your own servers, with one command.

# 🚀 Quick deployment
$ unzip i18ny.zip
$ cd i18ny
$ bin/kamal deploy
# ✓ Running at https://your-domain.com
Buy for $699

What is i18ny?

Simple, self-hosted translation management for teams that need more control and less cost. Manage translations, collaborate with unlimited users, and integrate with your existing workflow.

Already using Lokalise or others?

Our migration wizard helps you import your existing translations from Lokalise, Phrase, or other platforms. Get started quickly without losing your work.

System Requirements

Similar requirements to Campfire - runs on most modern servers:

Concurrent Users RAM CPU
250 2GB 1CPU
1,000 8GB 4CPU
5,000 32GB 16CPU
10,000 64GB 32CPU

Use kamal proxy as reverse proxy, or deploy on your own Docker-compatible machine.

Deployment: One command deploy with Kamal or Docker. No complex setup required.

"Once upon a time you owned what you paid for, you controlled what you depended on, and your privacy and security were your own business. We think it's that time again."

once.com

The philosophy behind i18ny draws deep inspiration from 37signals' once.com platform. Their commitment to software ownership resonated with me personally, inspiring me to build this project on the same principles: software you buy once, own forever, and control completely.

We were tired of paying $500+/month for translation services just because our product went multi-lingual. So we built the tool we actually needed.

Simple tools for development workflows

What you need to manage translations, from CLI automation to AI-powered translations and LLM integration.

CLI Tools

Simple command-line interface for development workflow integration

User Management

Multiple users with specific access controls for each project

Migration Wizard

Import existing translations from Lokalise, Crowdin, or other platforms with our guided migration wizard

Conflict Resolution

Exclusive locking system prevents conflicts when multiple users edit translations

Multiple Namespaces

Organize translations with multiple namespaces like common.json and backend.yml

AI Translation Coming in 1.1.0

Built-in AI auto-translation using your own API key from your preferred provider

MCP Server Coming in 1.2.0

Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to integrate with your LLM of choice

GitHub Integration Coming in 1.2.0

GitHub integration for automated translation workflows and repository sync

Frequently asked questions

Do I get the full source code?

Yes. You'll receive the full project including frontend, backend, and deployment scripts.

Can I modify or extend it?

Absolutely. It's built for internal customization. Adapt it to your needs freely.

How does this compare to Lokalise/Phrase?

Those services cost $500-$2000+ per month for teams and limit you on users, projects, and features. With i18ny, you pay once and get unlimited everything - no tier upgrades, no user limits, no monthly bills.

What if I need to scale my team?

No problem. Add unlimited team members without upgrading your plan. Unlike competitors who charge per user or force tier upgrades when you grow, i18ny gives you the same powerful features regardless of team size.

Can I import my translations from other tools?

Yes! Our migration wizard helps you import existing translations from Lokalise, Phrase, or other platforms. The wizard will guide you step-by-step through uploading your files to the platform, making it easy to get started quickly without losing your existing work.

What file formats are supported?

Supports JSON and YAML formats. JSON works well with JavaScript applications, while YAML is easy to edit manually. Both support nested structures for organizing translations within namespaces.

How are translation conflicts handled?

The system implements exclusive locking - when a user starts editing a translation, it becomes locked for that user only until they save their changes.

What about CLI and API access?

Includes a CLI tool for development workflow integration. The CLI syncs translation keys between your codebase and the platform - it only creates new keys and never overwrites existing translations. Each user generates personal API keys through the web interface. The CLI supports bulk operations, diff previews, and CI/CD pipeline integration.

Does it support AI translation?

Yes! Built-in AI auto-translation using your own API key from your preferred provider. You maintain full control over translation quality and costs.

What is the tech stack?

Built with Rails 8, Hotwire for responsive interactions, and SQLite database. Simple, modern, and easy to deploy.

What is the MCP server?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) server allows integration with your LLM of choice for advanced translation workflows. Coming soon!