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25 Top CAT tools (2024)

Contents
A list with the best CAT tools on the market

Select the options that apply to you and we'll show you some suitable CAT tools:

I want to translate:

The features I value the most are:

I want a CAT tool that works on:

1. Redokun

Type: Translation Management System, CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents, Marketing Content
Who Uses It: Marketing Agencies, Global Enterprises, Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Very easy to use, minimal training required
  • Organize and manage your project files using folders just like in Google Drive
  • Smart revisions for quick and last minute changes to the original document
  • Seamless collaboration, import, and export features
  • pre-translate documents based on various databases (e.g. translation memories, machine translation)
Pricing: Free 14-Day Trial (Subscription starts at $125 per month after trial)
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users love how intuitive and easy it is to use the software with collaborators, as well as the responsive support team.
  • While initially known for its InDesign translation features, the tool has since expanded its capabilities to Microsoft Office documents and other file formats.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Redokun on YouTube

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2. Smartcat

Type: Translation Management System, CAT tool
Suitable for: Marketing Content, Website Assets
Who Uses It: Marketing Agencies, Global Enterprises, Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Free to use for life with limitations to use computer-assisted translation tools
  • Collaboration Features
  • Integrated Vendor Marketplace
  • Automatic billing and international transactions
Pricing: Starts from $249 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Freemium
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users find the tool to be well-designed and user-friendly but still missing certain features for automatization. However, the team is consistently releasing updates to improve the translation experience.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of SmartCat on YouTube
Image obtained from Smartcat

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3. SDL Trados Studio

Type: Translation Management System, CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents, Website Assets
Who Uses It: Translation Agencies, Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop (with optional cloud extension through SDL Trados Live)
Highlights:
  • Widely used by translation agencies
  • Suggests translations based on various database (e.g. translation memories, machine translation)
  • Useful translator tools like predictive typing, spellchecker, punctuation check etc.
  • Steep learning curve due to relatively complex interface
  • Support and maintenance fees are excluded from the one-time license fee
Pricing: Approximately $2,933 to buy the license, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Many users chose SDL Trados Studio over other alternatives because most of their clients used this tool which makes information exchange easier. However, some also reported that the interface is not so beginner-friendly, which is expected for a feature-intensive software. It is also a relatively expensive tool.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of SDL Trados Studio on YouTube
Image obtained from ALL PC World

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4. memoQ translator pro

Type: CAT Tool
Suitable for: Documents, Marketing Content
Who Uses It: Translators, Language Service Providers
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop (with optional cloud extension through memoQ Cloud)
Highlights:
  • Designed by translators to perform, edit, and review translations more efficiently
  • Provides project templates and live preview
  • Runs on Microsoft Windows only
  • Must connect to memoQ server for full translation management and collaboration capabilities
  • Free support and maintenance for one year
Pricing: $770 (for individual use only), contact support for enterprise pricing
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users enjoy the varied selection of quality assurance and text processing tools. However, like SDL Trados Studio, the sophistication of the software is said to come with a steep price tag and learning curve.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a review of memoQ on YouTube
Image obtained from memoQ

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5. Lokalise

Type: Translation Management System, CAT Tool
Suitable for: Marketing Content, Website Assets, App Localization
Who Uses It: Marketing Teams, Global Enterprises, Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Collaborative web-based translation editor
  • Document version control through branching allows you to work on different iterations of the same file and then combine them when done
  • Two-way plugins for Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma (for higher tier subscriptions only)
Pricing: Starts from $90 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Most reviewers reported a positive user experience in both translation and project management. One user mentioned that a paid seat is required to invited a native speaker to review a translation, which is something to consider if you're planning to keep translations in-house.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Lokalise on YouTube
Image obtained from Lokalise

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6. Text United

Type: Translation Management System, CAT Tool
Suitable for: Documents, Website Assets, App Localization
Who Uses It: Marketing Teams, Global Enterprises, Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Uses translation memories and machine translation to speed up content localization
  • Provides audio and video translation using automated speech recognition technology
  • Supports API integration and various other connectors like Sharepoint and ZenDesk
  • Generates spending report to help you optimize translation costs
Pricing: Starts from $71 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • In addition to a good foundation of translation tools, many users also raved about their reliable and friendly support team.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Text United on YouTube
Image obtained from G2

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7. Transifex

Type: Translation Management System, CAT Tool
Suitable for: Website Assets, App and Software Localization
Who Uses It: Startups, Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Provides advanced configurations for more complex and highly automated workflows, such as an additional “proofread” step after translation
  • Prevents documents from being overwritten by other translators with Edit Lock
  • Offers community translation where a group of translators suggest and vote on the best translations
Pricing: Starts from $70 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Many users discussed how easily they can connect and send content to be translated on Transifex from GitHub and Figma. Overall, it's an ideal tool for software localization.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Transifex on YouTube
Image obtained from Transifex

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8. LingoHub

Type: Translation Management System, CAT Tool
Suitable for: App and Software Localization, Website Assets
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Specializes in streamlining translations for apps, games, and websites
  • Translate and develop your app at the same time
  • Syncs with popular repositories like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure
Pricing: Starts from $29 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users like LingoHub's intuitive interface and versatile API, which makes software development more straightforward and highly customizable where needed.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of LingoHub on YouTube
Image obtained from LingoHub

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9. Smartling

Type: Translation Management System, CAT Tool
Suitable for: Documents, Website Assets, App Localization
Who Uses It: Medium to Large Global Companies
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Cover all the basic CAT tools like translation memories and pre-translation
  • Supports integration with various software and tools you may already be using
  • Download their design application plugins to translate content from Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, and Figma
  • Generate reports and analytics within the software
  • Steep learning curve
Pricing: Starts from $200 per month, contact support for more details
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users love the flexibility to configure their translation workflows based on other platforms they are using. Of course, with great customization power comes a greater learning curve.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Smartling on YouTube
Image obtained from crozdesk

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10. Memsource

Type: Translation Management System, CAT Tool
Suitable for: Documents, Website Assets
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises, Language Service Providers, Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Cover all the basic CAT tools like translation memories and pre-translation
  • Very easy to use, little training required
  • Can be connected to your content management system to maximize workflow automation
  • Manage translations on your phone or tablet using their mobile app
  • 24/7 Technical Support
Pricing: Starts from $27 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users appreciate the simple selection of features and clean interface, both of which help enhance their user experience. Some reported minor issues with quotations and cost calculations, which are non-factors if you primarily use it with your internal team.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Memsource on YouTube
Image obtained from Memsource

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11. Phrase

Type: Software Localization Platform
Suitable for: Web or Mobile App Localization, Website Assets
Who Uses It: Startups, Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Supports localization across various platforms and programming languages
  • Syncs with popular repositories like Bitbucket, GitHub, and GitLab
  • Adapts to your existing tools, such as Slack and Wordpress, through plugins and integrations
  • Enables branching and versioning
Pricing: Starts from $23 per user per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Phrase is highly scalable as indicated by its users with small to large software localization projects. However, several users reported that it's not always easy to organize and locate content.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Phrase on YouTube
Image obtained from Phrase

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12. Crowdin

Type: Localization Management Platform, CAT Tools
Suitable for: App and Software Localization, Website Assets
Who Uses It: Marketing Teams, Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Free to use, but your translations are donated to Crowdin’s translation memory database
  • Syncs with popular repositories like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure
  • Integrated with Google Play, Android Studio, VS Code, and so on
  • Get translations from your internal team or Crowdin Marketplace agencies
Pricing: Starts from $40 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Free with Conditions
What Reviewers Say:
  • While Crowdin does deliver all the features needed for software localization, several users are asking for more flexible subscription plans to optimize their costs.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Crowdin on YouTube
Image obtained from Crowdin

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13. Weglot

Type: Localization Management System
Suitable for: Website Localization
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises, Companies with Websites
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Automatically detects and marks website content for translation
  • Compatible with popular content management systems like WordPress, Shopify, and even custom-built sites
  • Accounts for multilingual SEO, including titles, URLS, and metadata
Pricing: Starts from $23 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users generally reported a positive experience with the website integrations, SEO functions, and helpful support team.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Weglot on YouTube
Image obtained from Weglot

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14. POEditor

Type: Localization Management Platform
Suitable for: App Localization, Website Assets, Game Localizaiton
Who Uses It: Startups, Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Connects to your software using POEditor’s simple API for better workflows automation
  • Syncs with popular repositories like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure
  • Enables you to review the translation history of a string and recover previous translations if needed
  • Provides option to crowdsource translations for your software
Pricing: $14.99 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • POEditor is generally a good tool for web and mobile localization, but the overall experience could be a hit or miss depending on the user's specific needs.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of POEditor on YouTube
Image obtained from POEditor

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15. Pairaphrase

Type: Translation Management System, CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents, Audio Files
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Supports online collaboration and basic CAT tools like translation memories
  • Provides translation API for enterprises to connect with their websites
  • Offers voiceover translation where you can upload a script file and then receive an audio translation in 18 different languages
Pricing: Starts from $2,199 per year, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • Some users have reported formatting issues with translated documents, such as changes in spacing, and poor detection of bullet points and numbered lists.
Read all reviews on Capterra 🎥 Watch s demo of Pairaphrase on YouTube
Image obtained from Pairaphrase

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16. GlobalLink

Type: Translation Management System
Suitable for: Mobile app, website, and gaming localization
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • supports integration with your content management systems, as well as e-commerce, marketing automation, and database platforms
  • offers glossary, terminology, and translation memory management
  • offers AI-enabled voiceover and subtitling for media localization
Pricing: Not public - contact their support for more details
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Majority of reviewers agree that the GlobalLink service team is prompt in helping them resolve issues, but there are minor hiccups with the translation management workflow.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of GlobalLink on YouTube
Image obtained from GlobalLink

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17. XTM Cloud

Type: Translation Management System, CAT tool
Suitable for: Website Assets, Marketing Content, Documents
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises, Language Service Providers
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • send content to XTM Cloud for translation from your content management system or other platforms
  • you can translate using XTM standard editor for a clean view of content with all the basic translation tools at your fingertips
  • alternatively, you can also translate and review content in context using XTM Visual Editor to ensure everything is in place
Pricing: Starts from $61 per month, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • The mobile app for project managers is said to be a great supplement. However, a handful of users reported a need for an autosuggest feature in translation.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of XTM Cloud on YouTube
Image obtained from IXIASOFT

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18. OmegaT

Type: Translation Memory Software, CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents
Who Uses It: Freelance Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop
Highlights:
  • Completely free, open-source translation software that can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Helps you translate faster with basic CAT tools like glossaries and translation memories
  • Active community support
Pricing: Free
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users say that OmegaT has neither the most aesthetic interface nor the selection of features found in industry-standard CAT tools. However, since it is open-source, one can modify the tool based on their needs and this offers great customization potential if you're tech-savvy.
Read all reviews on G2 🎥 Watch a demo of OmegaT on YouTube
Image obtained from OmegaT

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19. CafeTran Espresso

Type: Translation Memory Software
Suitable for: Documents
Who Uses It: Freelance Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop
Highlights:
  • Developed by a translator for other translators who want to optimize their workflow
  • Boosts productivity with machine translation, smart autocompletion, and translation memory interface
  • Provides alternative clipboard workflow for unsupported file formats
  • Supports Windows, Mac, and Linux
Pricing: Approximately $95 per year, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • User reviews are generally favourable for this translation tool. While not a powerhouse brand, it's simple, stable, and carefully developed by a translator who understands what translators need. Some reviewers noted difficulties in importing files generated in another CAT software. This is crucial if a translator wants to do work for an agency or client that uses a different platform.
Read all reviews on ProZ | User Blog 🎥 Watch a demo of CafeTran Espresso on YouTube
Image obtained from CafeTran Espresso

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20. Matecat

Type: CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents
Who Uses It: Freelancer Translators, Language Service Providers
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Free open source CAT tool offering unlimited users, projects, and storage
  • Connects you with a community of professional translators for any language pairs
  • Free technical support via email
Pricing: Free
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Since MateCat is a free software, users raised common concerns like lagging and privacy issues.
Read all reviews on G2 🎥 Watch a demo of MateCat on YouTube
Image obtained from Wikipedia

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21. Wordfast Pro

Type: CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents
Who Uses It: Freelance or Professional Translators, Language Service Providers, Enterprises
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop
Highlights:
  • Runs on Windows, Mac, Or Linux
  • Provides unlimited number of translation memories and glossaries
  • Option to set translation memories as primary or secondary reference and configure your own shortcut keys to navigate TM system @
  • Supports import of translation packages from SDL Trados
Pricing: $460 per license, more details here
Free Trial: Available
What Reviewers Say:
  • While the website mentions that Wordfast Pro support SDL Trados packages, some reviewers said that the tool is not quite compatible with SDL Trados. Beyond that, users generally agree that the software is a good introduction to CAT tools. Some also recommend beginners to try out the company's free entry-level offerings before committing to the Pro version.
Read all reviews on G2 | Capterra 🎥 Watch a demo of Wordfast Pro on YouTube
Image obtained from G2

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22. Swordfish Translation Editor

Type: CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents, Software Localization
Who Uses It: Professional Translators, Freelancers
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop
Highlights:
  • open-source CAT tool that is free for personal use and modifications
  • offers flexibility for freelancers due to compatibility with exchange files from other commonly used CAT tools (e.g. SDL Trados, GlobalLink)
  • matches new content with past content using both translation memory and terminology databases
  • integrates external machine translation engines, namely DeepL, Azure, Google Cloud, MyMemory, and Yandex Translate
Pricing: $120 per year, more details here
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Compared to the big names on this list, Swordfish stands out as the budget-friendly translation tool that works on all operating systems. Users appreciate the excellent support and free updates, but one user pointed out that they can't edit their terminology base directly from the software.
Read all reviews on ProZ 🎥 Watch a demo of Swordfish on YouTube
Image obtained from Maxprograms

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23. Transit NXT Professional+

Type: Translation Memory Software, CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents
Who Uses It: Translators, Translation Project Managers
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop
Highlights:
  • translation memory database is not exclusively sentence-based, which means the full context of past content, as well as relevant translations, are processed and referenced to generate the best translations
  • suggests translations using dynamic "bubble windows" that pop up when you work on each new segment and disappear once you take action (accept or reject)
  • includes more than 20 standard import filters
Pricing: Not public - Contact their support for more details
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Users report that the translation software has a steep learning curve and is not widely used. However, the software does have customizable layouts and taskbars, which is good feature for translators but not necessarily essential.
Read all reviews on Proz 🎥 Watch a demo of Transit NXT on YouTube

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24. Cloudwords

Type: Translation Management System, CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents, Marketing Content
Who Uses It: Global Enterprises, Translators
Cloud or Desktop: Cloud
Highlights:
  • Provides huge storage for translation memories, scalable to your needs as your business grows
  • Integrates with various platforms and tools for marketing automation, enterprise file sharing, and content management
  • Enables you to collaborate remotely and track all edits of a document
Pricing: Not public - Contact their support for more details
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • The handful of users who left a review on G2 generally enjoy Cloudwords for its simplicity. A user mentions that the interface isn't really mobile optimized, which is a disadvantage if you're a project manager who is constantly on the go.
Read all reviews on G2 🎥 Watch a demo of Cloudwords on YouTube
Image obtained from Cloudwords

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25. MetaTexis for Word

Type: CAT tool
Suitable for: Documents
Who Uses It: Translators, Small Teams that work primarily in Microsoft Word
Cloud or Desktop: Desktop
Highlights:
  • Runs on Microsoft Word, granting easy access to translation memories, glossaries, machine translators, and other external resources within Word
  • Provides free software updates
  • Supports Word documents generated in SDL Trados (for specific licenses only)
Pricing: Starts from $45 per license, more details here
Free Trial: N/A
What Reviewers Say:
  • Freelancers love this inexpensive tool mostly because it can be used directly in Microsoft Word.
Read all reviews on ProZ 🎥 Watch a demo of MetaTexis on YouTube

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FAQ

What is the most used CAT tool?

Depending on the usage, there are various CAT tools that are most used. In this list we've shared some of the most popular and most-used CAT tools.

Is Google Translate a CAT tool?

The short answer is no, Google Translate is not a CAT tool but a machine translation provider. CAT tools offer advanced features in addition to machine translation suggestions.

What are CAT tools for translators?

CAT tools for translators are tools that assist translators when translating documents and help them translate documents faster, and more efficiently.

Are there free CAT tools?

Yes, there are free CAT tools. Only some of them are: Across, MateCat, and OmegaT.

A Quick Overview

Ultimately, no amount of research and reviews can beat your own user experience. Most CAT tools can be tried for free, so definitely make full use of that!

If curious to learn more - here's a detailed guide about cat tools.

Happy translating,

Shu Ni

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