Articulate Localization
Costs and ROI without illusions
This article explains the key cost factors in Articulate Localization so you can estimate effort, avoid surprises, and plan your budget effectively.
It breaks down how machine translation, human review, media elements, update frequency, and internal versus external resources influence overall localization costs.
For context: Articulate does not usually publish its pricing openly. Credits are typically offered in packages (for example, 25 credits), and terms depend on the specific offer.
This is Post 5 of 5 on our deep-dive series on Articulate Localization in Storyline and Rise. Click on the button to go back to the overview.
Quick summary for busy people
- Credits do not pay for “quality,” but primarily for “workflow + rough draft.” Quality is achieved through review and QA.
- The measurable ROI usually comes from updates and LMS management (one course instead of many language copies).
- The major additional costs remain human: linguistic approval, terminology, media mix, DTP, technical checks.
- Important for planning: Updates and credits are linked to the billing period. At the start of a new term, updates to modified courses are again charged with credits (per language).
How much does a credit cost?
The principle is simple:
- 1 credit = 1 additional language for a localization project.
- Credits are typically sold in packages (e.g., 25 credits).
- Course length doesn’t matter: microlearning or 50-minute courses cost the same in the credit model.
What this means in practice:
- For long, text-heavy courses, the price/performance ratio can be favorable.
- For many short courses, it can seem relatively expensive if you only look at the “translation” aspect.
What is included in the credit and what is not?
What you get
- Raw translation via MT directly in the tool
- Review workflow (in-context review is a real advantage)
- Update Translation as a feature (i.e., specifically retranslate changes in the source course instead of redoing everything “blindly”)
What you don’t get
- No guarantee that the texts are technically, stylistically, and terminologically “release-ready”
- No classic CAT tool assistance (TM logic, QA warnings, terminology validation at the usual depth)
- No automatic localization of anything that is not editor text (depending on the course structure, media construction sites remain)
Mnemonic: The credit pays for the machine and the workflow. In the end, someone still has to pay for the quality. Usually you. Or a process.
Updates and credits: This is often misunderstood.
This is where most confusion arises in practice.
What many people (incorrectly) assume
“Once I have translated something, updates for the same languages are always free as long as I have a subscription.”
What actually applies (predictable, but important)
- Within a current billing period, updates may be “free” in the sense of “no new credits” depending on the setup/rules.
- At the start of a new billing period, updates to changed courses will be charged again, i.e., credits will be deducted again per language if you have the updated content translated again via Localization.
- If you book multi-year packages: You will receive your credit quota every year, but the term starts anew each year (reset logic). This is not “3 years of updates included,” but 3x a one-year cycle.
Consequence for your ROI calculation:
If you have a lot of updates, you not only have to calculate the “initial translation,” but also: How often per year do we actually change courses? And: How many languages need to be updated in each case?
The additional costs that almost always come with it
These are the points that are often “forgotten” in internal calculations until it hurts.
Linguistic QA per target language
- Meaning, tone, technical language, consistency
- “Sounds okay” is often not enough when it comes to training content.
Terminology and governance - Who decides on terms? Who maintains glossaries? Who approves?
- Without clear responsibilities, terminology will eventually be decided by “whoever has time.”
Media mix
As soon as your course is more than just text:
- Screenshots/graphics with text
- Embedded documents/PDFs
- Videos with on-screen text
- Subtitles, optional audio
DTP and technical post-processing
- Overflows, truncated buttons, breaks
- Interactions/triggers/timing (storyline tends to become a party to which no one was invited)
Where does the ROI really come from?
If you calculate ROI honestly, it usually doesn’t come from “MT is cheaper,” but from process advantages.
ROI driver 1: LMS maintenance (one course instead of many)
If you have been maintaining separate course objects for each language (upload, metadata, target groups, certificates, versioning), then a “multilingual course” simply saves you working time.
ROI driver 2: Update handling
Updates happen all the time in real companies. If you manage updates centrally and don’t have to maintain 10 language copies, it suddenly becomes realistic.
ROI driver 3: Governance and less version drift
This is difficult to quantify in euros, but it is relevant in practice:
- less “English is version 7, French is version 4”
- less rollout chaos
- less internal queries and rework
The point that many people realize too late: subscriptions as ongoing operating costs
Localization is not a “buy once and you’re done” kind of thing.
- You should view the subscription as an ongoing fixed cost if you work in multiple languages on a permanent basis.
- If you decide to opt out, you need to plan carefully what you want to save (exports/packages) beforehand, otherwise you will get stuck later on when making adjustments.
Mini-check: Is localization worthwhile in your setup?
Answer honestly, and it will quickly become clear:
- How many languages are you really rolling out (not “maybe someday”)?
- How many updates per year are realistic?
- How much LMS maintenance time is currently required per language?
- How high is your media share (subtitles, audio, graphics, documentation)?
- Are you responsible for terminology, or does that just “somehow” happen?
- Who approves each language?
If (1)+(2)+(3) are high: Localization can be really powerful.
If (4) is high and quality must be high: Localization remains helpful, but does not replace localization work.
Related posts in this series
Introduction: Articulate Localization in a reality check 
Post 1: One-Click vs. reality
Post 2: Machine translation vs. human review
Post 3: Technical limitations (media mix, updates, layout, storyline) ↗
Post 4: Ensuring terminology and consistency
Conclusion: A brief summary overview
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about costs, credits, and ROI
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about costs, credits, and ROI in the field of Articulate Localization. We have compiled the most important information. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Does a short course cost fewer credits than a long one?
No. A credit remains a credit, regardless of the course length. This is good for long courses, but annoying for microlearning.
Do I also pay for reviews and quality with the credit?
No. The credit primarily covers the raw translation and workflow. It becomes release-ready through review/QA.
Are updates always free as long as I have a subscription?
Not across the board. At the start of a new billing period, updates to changed courses will again be charged with credits (per language).
So why is localization worthwhile at all?
Because ROI often comes from LMS maintenance + update handling: one course instead of many, less manual release work per language.
What are the most common "hidden" costs?
Review per language, terminology/governance, media mix localization, DTP/technical QA, and regression checks after updates.
What do I absolutely need to clarify before making a purchase?
How many languages are actually live, how often updates happen, how much LMS effort is required per language today, and whether a QA process exists.
15 minutes of clarity instead of project surprises
If you want to use Articulate Localization (or already do) and want to know whether One-Click really saves time in your setup, let’s take a quick look at it together:
- Course structure (Rise, Storyline, Blends)
- Media mix (UI, subtitles, optional audio)
- Languages, update frequency
- Review and approval process
TRANSLATION
“Made in Germany” from Baden-Württemberg stands for quality worldwide, and we are committed to upholding this reputation. A high-quality translation should be easy to read, easy to understand, and indistinguishable from an original text in the target language. That is our standard.
