DeepL, a specialist in artificial intelligence-powered translation, has been named the most-used machine translation (MT) provider among global language service companies, according to the 2024 ALC Industry Survey. The report, conducted by the Association of Language Companies (ALC) in collaboration with Slator, highlights DeepL’s ascent to market leadership, with its AI translation technology now serving over 100,000 businesses and government organisations globally.
The report’s findings mark a significant milestone for the company, which has rapidly gained prominence since its founding in 2017. DeepL’s technology is now the preferred machine translation tool for 82% of the language service companies (LSCs) surveyed, placing it well ahead of competitors such as Google (46%), Microsoft (32%), and Amazon AWS (17%).
DeepL’s CEO and founder, Jarek Kutylowski, welcomed the news. “This exciting milestone highlights the accuracy and reliability of DeepL’s specialised Language AI platform, which is trusted by businesses worldwide for critical translation projects. It’s also a testament to our positive impact on their cost savings, efficiency, and growth,” said Mr Kutylowski. He also pointed to the growing role of AI in language services, adding, “As AI gains in popularity, we are honoured to be the industry’s preferred Language AI partner and are committed to providing cutting-edge, specialised tools for translation and AI-driven content creation.”
The ALC report surveyed 127 language service companies from 28 countries, showing the increasing role of machine translation in industries such as healthcare, legal services, and education. DeepL’s rise from third place in 2023 to the top provider in 2024 underscores the rapid growth of AI-powered translation solutions in the language services sector.
A key driver of this shift, according to the report, is the growing demand for AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency. Over 75% of LSCs reported receiving customer inquiries about AI in the last six months, while 40% said offering additional AI services is critical for maintaining competitiveness. The report also found that one in three companies plans to introduce new AI-driven services in the next three years.
DeepL’s focus on precision and reliability has been key to its success. Unlike general-purpose AI systems, the company’s platform uses specialised AI models tuned specifically for language tasks, resulting in more accurate translations and a reduced risk of errors or misinformation. This makes it particularly valuable for industries where precision is essential, such as legal, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Anna Wyndham, Head of Research at Slator, noted the significance of DeepL’s achievement. “It’s striking that a specialised language AI company like DeepL has overtaken tech giants like Google and AWS. This shift suggests that agile, focused companies can outperform larger competitors by delivering in critical areas such as accuracy and efficiency,” she said.
A recent study by Forrester highlighted the business impact of DeepL’s platform, showing a 345% return on investment for companies using the service. The study also revealed a 90% reduction in translation time and a 50% reduction in workload, allowing businesses to scale operations and enter new markets more rapidly.
DeepL’s AI solutions are already used by a wide range of industries, from professional services and retail to technology and international trade. The company’s growth reflects the increasing importance of AI in solving language challenges and driving business success across multiple sectors. Learn more about how DeepL and how it can transform your business here.