CAT tools contain four principal functions that make them a powerful tool:
- Translation memory.
- Terminology database.
- Ability to work in almost any format.
- bilingual format.
All CAT or TAO tools have the same purpose, which is none other than to assist and speed up the translation process. But there are different types of software that suit different circumstances and needs. For example, translation software tools can be downloadable desktop programs that you install on your computer, or cloud-based solutions that you work on online. They can also be paid or free.
CAT programs to translate
These desktop software are programs that must be downloaded and installed on our computer and the large base of their clients are translators, LSPs and agencies that require them to be able to work without an Internet connection and avoid the problems that can arise with online software such as server issues, crashes or slowdowns.
SDL Trados Studio, the most used CAT tool
Without a doubt, this is the most popular and used CAT tool among translation agencies and freelance translators. the tool is comprehensive and feature-rich, which allows us to easily create, manage and edit terminology. It is paid software with many possible types of subscription indicated according to the needs of each translator.
It has a wide range of supported file types, has powerful parsing features, and the ability to integrate machine translation technology to speed up the translation process. It also has quality assurance (QA) features to help us with consistency and productivity, as well as the ability to import old translations created in Microsoft Word.
The biggest disadvantage of Trados Studio is that many users find it too complex for what most translations they need. This causes there to be a very steep learning curve when we start using it. Also, it only runs on Windows, is expensive, and doesn’t support native collaborative work. We can from its official website.
memoQ, the alternative to Trados
We are talking about other of the most important CAT tools on the market and one of the biggest competitors of Trados, since it has similar functions and performance. It originated as a faster way to translate books at a publisher and has gradually made its way into the more popular CAT tools. A special feature of MemoQ is its ability to accept other translation toolsn that make it easy for translators to work on different translation platforms.
Among its features we can highlight its wide range of compatible file types, its powerful analysis function, the possibility of integrating automatic translation technology to speed up the translation process. It also allows the creation of a terminology database in order to ensure consistency and save time with the dictionary. In addition, it allows us to see the translation in its final format as we type and has spell checking and quality assurance functions in real time to help us with consistency and productivity.
Like Trados, the main problem with memoQ is its steep learning curve that we must go through before obtaining the desired benefits. We can download a free version, which has some limitations, .
Wordfast (Classic and Pro), the simplest and easiest to use option
Wordfast Classic is especially suitable for Word users, since it is capable of working directly in Microsoft’s word processor. Of course, we will need Wordfast Pro to use it independently if we want to translate other file formats. Through this program, we can store our translations into a translation memory database and retrieve that content for future projects.
Compared to other translation software, this program has an easier-to-use interface, being more quick to learn and driver. It supports a wide range of file formats and Wordfast Pro can integrate with multiple machine translation engines so that we can use them when there are no matches in the translation memory. Its main drawbacks are that Wordfast Classic only supports Word documents, while Wordfast Pro has limited options compared to similarly priced translation software tools.
This software has both free and premium versions and can be installed on Windows, macOS and Linux, and we can download it from the .
Déjà Vu, the option for beginners
We are talking about a complete CAT translation tool that is characterized by using a simpler design compared to other options on the market such as Trados and memoQ. This application is only available for Windows and has a wide range of supported file types and good features for analysis. It also has an option that allows you to integrate machine translation technology in order to speed up the translation process. It makes it possible to easily create a terminology database through which to make glossaries that allow us to guarantee consistency when translating and save time with the dictionary.
Among its functions it is also worth noting AutoWrite, which is in charge of suggesting words from the terminology database as we type so that in this way we can improve our speed. Since its ease is one of its strong points, we will be able to move between the project view and the document view, as well as add new files to the project in which we are working. Its main disadvantage is that its technical support is below other options on the market.
Déjà Vu allows fully functional for 30 days of its professional version. Once this time has passed, we can use its free version or choose to buy its license to continue taking advantage of all its translation functions.
Transit NXT, aimed at language services
It’s about another CAT tool Created by translators for translators. It is about using a translation memory system which is based on sentences, makes the entire context of the document available in the differential material, causing the text analysis to show more repetitions and exact matches.
The program is capable of translating all formats and has a terminology management system TermStar. It has advanced quality controls that go far beyond using a simple spell checker. Working with this application is like writing with the popular Word, as it even has all the shortcuts included in the Microsoft word processor.
is a CAT tool aimed at language service providers and translation agencies. It does not have a free trial version.
OmegaT, with old-fashioned but solvent interface
We are talking about a free and cross-platform translation tool, so it can be used on both Windows, macOS and Linux. It is found especially intended for professional translators. It is capable of working with more than 30 popular application file formats such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, LibreOffice, OpenOffice, plain text, HTML, XHTML, among others.
It is worth mentioning that it is an application that has a somewhat outdated interface, but that it compensates with some basic translation requirements that are applied in a better way than any other free tool, which makes it capable of competing directly with other paid options such as SDL Trados or memoQ. The software has the core features of any CAT tool, including fuzzy matches, match propagation, multi-file projects, translation memories, glossaries, etc.
We can from your website.
CafeTran Espresso, versatile and with a focus for beginners
It is a CAT tool, compatible with the main market platforms such as Windows, macOS and Linux. It has an approach for beginners who require versatility to be able to change from one device to another. It features various productivity enhancements like TM integration, smart auto-completion, and one-click placement of suggested texts, along with a customizable interface, sets it apart from others.
CafeTran supports all major file formats, including InDesign files and files required for software localization projects. It has some limitations on the size of TMs and dictionaries, but it is not too worrying, especially if we are beginners. Among its features, it is possible to integrate a built-in web browser to search for terms in various online providers, it has the possibility of using a server and collaborating with other people, and it has many easy-to-understand icons that add color to the interface .
Of course, it is worth noting that CafeTran is quite heavy software, so it is possible that it reduces the performance of our PC while it is being used, especially if it is not very powerful. We can from its official website.
Redokun, allows revision of translations in an intelligent way
We are talking about a CAT tool that is characterized by being easy to use, so it just takes a little practice so that we learn to master it. With this software we will be able to organize and manage the files of our projects using folders that we can store in cloud storage systems such as Google Drive. The app allows us to intelligently make revisions so we can make quick, last-minute changes to the original document.
The program also has collaboration, import and export functions, making it perfect for pre-translating documents that are based on various databases. While initially known for its InDesign translation features, the application has now expanded its support for Microsoft Office documents and other file formats.
If we want to try Redokun, we can from its website.
Swordfish, free and open source
It is a free and open source CAT tool for personal use, especially suitable for document creation and software localization, especially aimed at professional and freelance translators. It offers maximum flexibility for the latter as it is compatible with interchange files from other popular CAT tools such as SDL Trados. It does this by matching new content to old content using both translation memory and termbases. In addition, it integrates translation engines…
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