Computer-aided translation (CAT), also referred to as machine-assisted translation (MAT) or machine-aided human translation (MAHT), is the use of software to assist a human translator in the translation process. The translation is created by a human, and certain aspects of the process are facilitated by software; this is in contrast with machine translation (MT), in which the translation is created by a computer, optionally with some human intervention (e.g. pre-editing and post-editing).[1]
CAT tools are typically understood to mean programs that specifically facilitate the actual translation process. Most CAT tools have (a) the ability to translate a variety of source file formats in a single editing environment without needing to use the file format’s associated software for most or all of the translation process, (b) translation memory, and (c) integration of various utilities or processes that increase productivity and consistency in translation.
Trados Studio 🔗
Many people in the translation industry use Trados software to increase productivity by translating multiple languages at once. It is widely used by freelancers, translators, and localization professionals, mainly in the corporate sphere. The program also has many capabilities beyond translation, such as glossaries, dictionaries, terminology management tools, and project management tools.
OmegaT CAT 🔗
OmegaT is an entirely free CAT tool for desktop computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) that translators can use to translate texts into other languages. It provides general translation functionality, supports about 30 file formats, and comes with a user glossary functionality. Machine Translations and sharing of translation memories are not available, so you are on your own as a translator.
Poedit 🔗
Poedit is a convenient desktop application available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It carries a traditional yet user-friendly interface that helps you to start translating immediately and quickly. It is also among the most popular translation tools for WordPress translation.
Because it is a desktop app, it can be functional even when you are offline. Poedit also offers a Pro version with upgraded features such as pre-translate, community translations, and statistics. The downside is that Poedit supports only a few file formats, doesn’t account for plurals, and limits the number of words you can translate with its Free plan.
Poedit also offers a company license for teams that enables you to collaborate on projects with other translators and sync your work to the cloud, similar to the browser-based solutions do. Still, the pricing per seat model of Poedit is the most prevalent reason for switching to other solutions such as Localazy.
Cloud-Based CAT tools 🔗
Traditionally, assistive technology was only available to large companies that invested heavily in the infrastructure and platforms needed for integration. New cloud-based options have emerged, including some free options, which have made this technology more accessible to the average translator.
Cloud-based CAT tools offer companies and individuals the same benefits as traditional CAT tools, but now those benefits are no longer confined to a company’s office and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. With this flexibility and accessibility, you can now enjoy the time and cost savings of using cloud-based CAT tools.
You can access cloud-based CAT tools via any internet browser, so you can work from anywhere and live your dream as a digital nomad or stay at home forever if you don’t feel like traveling. 😅
OneSkyApp 🔗
OneSkyApp is a translation management system for mobile applications, websites, and games. The localization, marketing, and engineering groups can collaborate on translations using the OneSky platform. This translation management system also provides a broad range of features that should boost the quality of translation, such as Glossary and Translation Memory.
Thousands of companies have utilized OneSky to broaden their worldwide presence, but the interface is outdated and cumbersome, and the performance is reportedly slow. Users who switched to Localazy are happy to see it’s a modern platform with a clean and fast-responding UI.
⚔️ Compare OneSkyApp vs. Localazy
Phrase 🔗
Phrase (formerly known as PhraseApp) is a relatively well-known translation management system for software localization tasks. It encourages collaboration among teams and promises to save time spent on engineering and translation. Phrase can also be considered a CAT tool, with its built-in translation memory and quality checks such as broken placeholders or mistranslated terms. As a translator, you might also appreciate their auto-complete function.
It’s aimed mainly at teams, so if you are translating independently, Phrase might feel overly complex. The pricing per seat is also one of the factors mentioned by users switching to Localazy.
⚔️ Compare Phrase vs. Localazy
Lokalise 🔗
Lokalise is an application for localization and translation tasks specially designed for project managers who love being in control of the work that should be done. Lokalise’s translation UI is intuitive but might start to feel cluttered after a while.
To start, upload/connect any iOS, Android, or other supported files to Lokalise’s system. You might like their built-in spelling and grammar checks and automated QA checks. It also comes with machine translation suggestions so that you can produce translations more quickly. And in case you need some help with finishing the project, it gives you the option to ask for the assistance of professional translators.
Lokalise is, however, one of the more expensive solutions on the market. So as a starting freelancer, you should probably look elsewhere because Lokalise is more suited for corporate teams who can afford to burn the money.
⚔️ Compare Lokalise vs. Localazy
Smartcat 🔗
Smartcat is a platform with many features gathered in one place. It helps translators connect with business opportunities by joining the network of translation experts.
As a freelance translator, you can join the biggest marketplace for translation jobs, use Smartcat as a free computer-aided translation tool to increase your productivity, and receive payments from anywhere. Smartcat is based on the concept of today’s technology that lets a large number of people work in a collaborative environment without worrying about the big picture. It also assists with automation, quality assurance checks, data inspection, etc.
According to public reviews, Smartcat is robust but might feel overwhelming. Another thing to mention is that their machine translation and OCR are usage-based paid services and the support queries take quite some time to get answered.
⚔️ Compare Smartcat vs. Localazy
Smartling 🔗
Smartling is a platform meant for providing translation management and language services. Smartling is the platform chosen by hundreds of B2B and B2C brands that include big names in the tech industry, such as Shopify, Slack, and SurveyMonkey. Smartling can be considered a good option for Medium and Large Sized companies looking to translate their content.
As an individual, the barrier of entry is quite high. There is no easy signup, and their pricing starts at $200/month. They do not even have a free version and do not offer a free trial. Another thing mentioned in reviews is that translators actually don’t like it as much as the customers who source their translations there, but maybe you will like it!
Weblate 🔗
Weblate is a suite of tools for professional translators and software developers. It’s especially popular among the open-source community. The Weblate CAT tool is a collaborative, web-based tool for translation memory editing and glossary management. It also supports uploading screenshots for a better context.
It is reportedly designed to be lightweight, easy to use, and tailored to the needs of translators who work with glossaries in the fields of software localization. However, users who made the switch to Localazy actually think the UI of Weblate is awful. We won’t judge, maybe you will be a fan? You can try it for free and see it for yourself!
⚔️ Compare Weblate vs. Localazy
Transifex 🔗
Transifex is another well-known platform that assists companies in entering foreign markets via localization of their digital products and content, such as websites, mobile apps, games, videos, help center articles, subtitles, and many more on a nonstop flow. Top companies that include Atlassian, Eventbrite, Salesforce, HubSpot, Waze, and Microsoft depend on Transifex to maintain their multilingual, international presence.
Transifex helps translators with built-in translation validation, glossary, and visual context cues. You can also set up machine translations with your own API key.
Compared to Transifex, getting started with Localazy is reportedly more accessible and affordable. The Basic tier of Transifex begins at $70 per month, and it doesn’t even unlock some essential features mentioned above, such as a Glossary and Visual Context.
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