It is written in the Python programming language using the Django framework and is free software originally developed and released by Translate.org.za[3] in 2004.

Pootle is a software platform for localization of applications' graphical user interfaces, as opposed to document translation.

The name Pootle is an acronym for PO-based Online Translation / Localization Engine, but it is also a character in the BBC children's program The Flumps.

It is free software and projects are encouraged to host their own Pootle server to allow their community to localise.

Pootle itself works directly on Gettext PO and XLIFF files, as well as Qt .ts, TBX and TMX (since version 2.0.3).