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MetaTranslation & localisation

Llama for translation & localisation

Meta's natively multimodal, open-weight Mixture-of-Experts family (Scout and Maverick), free to download and self-host.

Not specifically recommended

Llama isn't on our list for translation & localisation. It's usable for general work, but first look at the options we recommend for translation & localisation.

GDPR profileOur summary of what the provider itself publishes about your data: EU hosting possible, no training on your data for business use, and self-hosting available. Caution applies to a model with a documented problem, such as an investigation by a regulator. How we measure
GDPR: Caution
QualityQuality from blind duels on LMArena: users choose between two anonymous answers. A difference of about 20 points is noticeable, a few points is noise. How we measure
–Elo, independent
Editorial scoreOur own assessment on 10 of suitability for professional work, price and privacy. This is a judgement, not a measurement; that is why it always sits alongside the Elo. How we measure
7,6
Entry price
Free
Full GDPR check

What Llama does in translation & localisation

Core tasks in translation & localisation
Where Llama is strong
  • Open weights, fully self-hostable
  • Fine-tunable on your own data
  • Very large context window (Scout 10M)
  • GPU-efficient (Mixture-of-Experts)

Llama has a specific GDPR concern. The Llama 4 Acceptable Use Policy prohibits the multimodal models for businesses headquartered in the EU. Dutch businesses therefore may not themselves install the multimodal Llama 4 models under the licence. Weigh this heavily before deploying it in translation & localisation.

Confidentiality and GDPR

GDPR: Caution

Client source documents often contain personal data or trade secrets: never use the free consumer version of a translation tool for client material. Require a data processing agreement, check that your texts are deleted after translation and not used for training, and choose EU hosting where possible. Many translation contracts and NDAs with end clients prohibit passing texts to third parties without consent, so document which MT engine you use. And stay responsible for the content: AI translations read fluently but can reverse figures, negations and legal nuances.

Self-hosting gives full data control within your own EU infrastructure, a strong GDPR argument.

Rule of thumb Use the business variant with a data processing agreement, and keep a human in the loop for decisions that matter.
Caution the Llama 4 Acceptable Use Policy prohibits the multimodal models for businesses headquartered in the EU. Dutch businesses therefore may not install the multimodal Llama 4 models themselves under the licence terms.

Prices

Self-hostingFreeOpen weights; infrastructure costs only
Meta AI$0Free in WhatsApp/Instagram/Messenger
Hosted API (third parties)from ~$0.03 / 1M inVia Bedrock, Azure, Together, Groq, Novita, varies widely by provider and model size; Meta's own Llama API retired July 2026

Other models for translation & localisation

Claude for translation & localisationAnthropic · editorial 9.01506Gemini for translation & localisationGoogle · editorial 8.61527ChatGPT for translation & localisationOpenAI · edition 8.91485Qwen for translation & localisationAlibaba Cloud · editorial 7.91484
All options for translation & localisation
Professional tools on Llama

We know of no professional tool for translation & localisation that openly runs on Llama.

Questions about Llama for translation & localisation

Is Llama suitable for translation & localisation?
Not specifically. Llama isn't on our list for translation & localisation; it's broadly applicable, but first look at the options we recommend for translation & localisation. Keep a professional in the loop for every use.
May I put confidential data into Llama?
Source documents from clients often contain personal data or trade secrets: never use the free consumer version of a translation tool for client material. Insist on a data processing agreement, check that your texts are deleted after translation and not used for training, and choose EU hosting where possible. Many translation contracts and NDAs with end clients prohibit passing texts to third parties without consent, so record which MT engine you use. And remain responsible for the content: AI translations read fluently but can reverse figures, negations and legal nuances. Self-hosting gives full data control within your own EU infrastructure, a strong GDPR argument.
What does Llama cost?
There is self-hosting (free), Meta AI ($0), Hosted API (third parties) (from ~$0.03 / 1M in). Check current prices on the official site.
Next stepAll 31 options for translation & localisationProfessional tools and general assistants side by side, on GDPR profile, price and quality.

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