specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Lingo.dev
providerId: lingo-dev
created: '2026-06-21'
modified: '2026-06-21'
reconciled: true
tags:
- AI
- Localization
- Translation
- i18n
- Developer Tools
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Lingo.dev spend. Lingo.dev bills a monthly subscription per
  tier that bundles a translated-word allotment, plus metered overage per
  additional 1,000 translated words. Internally the engine accounts usage in
  tokens (roughly 1.3 tokens per English word, with configuration multipliers
  on input and language expansion on output), but invoices are denominated in
  translated words. The CLI, Compiler, and SDK are open source; engine usage is
  the billable component.
notes: >-
  Per-tier word allotments and overage rates are subject to change; verify
  against the Lingo.dev pricing page during reconciliation.
sources:
- https://lingo.dev/en/pricing
- https://lingo.dev/en/docs
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Lingo.dev
serviceCategory: AI and Machine Learning
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Usage
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Lingo.dev Localization Engine
  ServiceCategory: AI and Machine Learning
  ProviderName: Lingo.dev
  PublisherName: Lingo.dev
  InvoiceIssuerName: Lingo.dev
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Usage
  PricingCategory: Subscription-Based
meters:
- name: subscription_fee
  description: Recurring monthly subscription fee per plan tier (Pro, Team).
  unit: subscription
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - plan
- name: included_words
  description: Translated words consumed within the plan's monthly allotment.
  unit: words
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - plan
  - project
- name: overage_words
  description: Translated words above the plan allotment, billed per 1,000 words.
  unit: words
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - plan
  - project
- name: engine_tokens
  description: Internal token accounting (~1.3 tokens per English word) underlying word billing.
  unit: tokens
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - project
  - locale
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track translated-word burn per project and locale in the dashboard; map to plan allotment.
- name: Allocation
  description: Scope API keys per project/team and tag jobs so word spend maps to internal cost centers.
- name: Optimization
  description: Use the CLI lockfile so only new or changed content is re-localized; right-size the plan tier to actual word volume; consider bring-your-own-LLM in the CLI for cost-sensitive workloads.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign owners per project/key; review translated-word usage monthly against allotment and overage budget.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com