Computer Assisted Translation tools (CAT tools) are software programs that help localization teams to deliver faster, more accurate, and more consistent translations.
CAT tools are essential to globalization strategies at global-first companies because they improve collaboration, automate repetitive work, and scale localization efforts with features like AI translations and quality assurance.
With dozens of tools to choose from, finding a CAT tool that meets your company’s specific needs isn’t always easy. We’re here to help.
In this article, we cover the must-have features translation managers should look for when choosing a tool, and then we tell you about seven of the best CAT tools available.
How do you pick the right CAT tool for your team’s needs?
The CAT tool market is massive. It was valued at $242 million in 2023 and is expected to more than double by 2030, reaching in excess of $505 million.
With so many tools, a project manager needs to narrow their focus by prioritizing features that will improve the speed and quality of their localization efforts. We think the following features are the most important:
- Translation memory: A record of previously translated content that lets companies reuse copy and ensures consistency across projects.
- Quality assurance: Errors can occur when localizing content at scale. Reduce them using in-built QA features to catch spelling and grammar errors automatically.
- AI and machine learning: Speed up the translation process with the best AI translation tools. These tools are often the only way for large companies to go global at scale without spending thousands on translation fees.
- In-context editing: These tools give your teams a sense of what translated copy will look like in real time. They can include integrations with design tools like Figma or live editors that let linguists translate content directly on web pages.
- Collaboration: Global businesses require multiple teams to work on localization projects simultaneously, so project management tools that streamline efforts and facilitate teamwork are essential.
Ultimately, you have to consider the investment each tool requires and the returns it can deliver. Those with one-time licenses will have higher upfront costs than free or monthly SaaS tools, for example — costs that aren’t always easy to budget for.
Some may save you far more than others in the long run through automated features or machine-learning capabilities that slash the cost of translations.
8 best CAT tools to choose from
Here are the seven CAT tools at a glance:
- Lokalise – Best for global-first businesses
- Trados Studio – Best one-time fee CAT tool
- Phrase – Best for translation agencies
- memoQ translator pro – Best for Windows users
- Wordfast Pro – Best for freelance translators
- OmegaT – Best free CAT tool
- SmartCat – Best for ease of use
Now, let’s look at them in detail.
1. Lokalise – Best for global-first businesses
Lokalise is an AI-powered CAT tool and translation management system (TMS) trusted by thousands of companies to scale global localization efforts.
G2 rates Loaklise 4.8 out of 5
Lokalise is a CAT tool and translation management system (TMS) that offers everything enterprise-level businesses need to manage and scale their localization efforts.
Automation is at the heart of the platform. Powerful, accurate, and context-aware AI translations are available in dozens of languages at the click of a button. A project manager can also set up automation rules to translate source text as soon as it is upload them. It also automates quality assurance, providing real-time spelling and grammar suggestions that improve the user experience and make sure translation quality never drops.
Teamwork is also a cornerstone of the product, and Lokalise’s collaborative features make working with multiple contractors, linguists, and designers a dream. For example, you can use the platform’s document branching feature to work on different versions of the same source text at once and combine them when everyone is finished. The platform integrates with your favorite productivity tools (Slack, Asana, Trello, etc.) and has built-in chat and comment functionality to avoid clogging up your inbox.
It’s easy to keep on top of everything, too — no matter how many projects you have going at once. User-friendly dashboards let project managers see their workflows at a glance (including key metrics like completion status and words to go), chained tasks mean you don’t have to manually assign editors or developers when work is complete, and status changes can even be automated..
These are just some of the benefits you get from choosing a CAT tool like Lokalise, which is also a translation management system.
Lokalise is rated 4.8 out of 5 by G2.
2. Trados Studio – Best one-time fee CAT tool
Trados Studio is a CAT tool that helps you edit, review, and manage translations. It’s a robust software, but one that may not be suitable for beginners.
G2 rates Trados Studio 4 out of 5
Trados Studio offers everything you’d expect from an all-in-one translation studio. It supports a broad range of file types (including Word, email, OpenDocument, and text files), over 50 languages, and is available on Mac and PC.
It has intelligent features that improve the user experience and increase speed and consistency. This includes translation memory, which lets you reuse previously translated content, and AI-powered machine translations from its Language Weaver tool.
Trados Studio isn’t perfect, however. It’s a complex software with lot of features so it has a steep learning curve. As such, it’s not the best tool for first-time translators or businesses that are just getting started with localization and internationalization.
Trados Studio is rated 4 out of 5. The software is available for a one-off fee of $370. A 30-day free trial is available.
3. Phrase – Best for translation agencies
Phrase is a translation management system and CAT tool that has AI and automation features.
G2 rates Phrase 4.6 out of 5
Phrase targets enterprise-level businesses and translation service providers with a tool that streamlines the management of multiple translation and localization projects such as app localization. Automation features are particularly powerful.
Drag-and-drop functionality lets you build customized and automated workflows without the help of developers. Smart triggers mean tasks can be assigned and moved through the process without manual intervention. There are even ready-made templates you can use out of the box.
You’ll particularly like Phrase if you use repositories, since the platform syncs with platforms like GitHub and GitLab. It also integrates nicely with the rest of your business tools, such as Slack and WordPress, to provide an exceptional user experience.
Phrase is rated 4.6 out of 5 by G2. Pricing starts from $27 per month for freelancer or the starter plan for $135 per month. A free trial is available.
4. memoQ translator pro – Best for Windows users
As a CAT tool created by translators, memoQ translator pro offers a user-friendly to navigate the translation process and supports a wide range of source text types — but the layout isn’t for everyone.
G2 rates memoQ 4.4 out of 5
Given memoQ was created by industry experts, it’s no surprise the platform is packed with quality-of-life tools like real-time spell checking and quality assurance checks. The user experience is further improved by the ability to reuse your previous work, create as many glossaries as you want, and search your translation history so you never have to translate anything twice.
Unfortunately, this isn’t one for Mac users. The platform runs on Windows only. It isn’t a tool for beginners, either. The layout has some complexity like most of CAT tools, and it has a steep learning curve unless you have a lot of experience using CAT tools. It does have free training courses that will help you to navigate.
memoQ translator pro is rated 4.4 out of 5 by G2. Plans start from $185 per month.
5. Wordfast Pro – Best for freelance translators
Wordfast Pro is an easy-to-use CAT tool available for a one-time fee. However, it may lack the advanced features of other tools on this list.
G2 rates Wordfast 4.1 out of 5
The platform is designed to be as user-friendly as possible — ideal for freelancers who don’t need complicated tools or advanced features. There is a WYSIWYG editor or a tag mark-up editor, so they can use whichever they prefer. Translating a single project into multiple languages is straightforward with multilingual translation packages.
Work can happen faster with automation and time-saving features such as segment filtering and high-speed batch processing. The tool’s Transcheck feature allows for real-time quality assurance and warns you about spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, among other issues.
Freelancers will also love the platform’s one-time fee that does away with monthly subscriptions. There’s even a free version you can try before committing, and there’s training to get you up and running — the training isn’t free, however.
Wordfast Pro is rated 4.1 out of 5 by G2. It costs $480 for a single license.
6. OmegaT – Best free CAT tool
OmegaT is a Java-based, open-source CAT tool that is a great choice for anyone looking for a free solution without an advanced user interface.
G2 rates OmegaT 3.7 out of 5
OmegaT’s translation memory application is everything professionals need from a CAT tool without any of the frills. The tool works on every major operating system, including Linux, works with over 30 file formats, and allows for the simultaneous use of multiple translation memories — something that’s ideal if your running an app localization project.
It has particularly strong quality assurance features, including an integrated spelling checker that uses Hunspell dictionaries, fuzzy matching, and user glossaries.
As an open-source tool, there’s an active community that provides all the support you need. There are loads of plugins you can use to customize the platform and an active developer community that keeps the software patched.
Unfortunately, OmegaT has a very basic user interface, which isn’t the nicest thing to look at for hours at a time. It also lacks some of the more advanced features common in premium tools, like machine translations.
OmegaT is rated 3.7 out of 5 on G2. OmegaT is open-source and free to use.
7. SmartCat – Best for ease of use
SmartCat is a robust CAT tool and TMS with strong AI features, but users may struggle to wrap their heads around the platform usage limits.
G2 rates Smartcat 4.4 out of 5
Smartcat is a cloud-based AI-first translation platform and CAT tool that aims to be the only tool you need to run app localization at scale.
Several automated and machine-learning tools promise to speed up translations. These include GPT-4-powered AI translators, translation memories that let linguists reuse their work, and smart quality assurance checks that improve translation quality in real time.
SmartCat also has several collaboration features to improve teamwork on large projects. Smart segment-locking mechanisms, for example, prevent employees from editing documents while other team members are working on them. There’s also in-context communication, helping translators get the information they need to do a great job.
While the user interface is clean and intuitive, pricing is anything but. SmartCat limits users to a number of “smartwords” per year, which many customers find confusing and can mean projects exceed budgets.
SmartCat is rated 4.4 out of 5 by G2. Pricing starts from $99 per month with a 14-day free trial.
Get started with the best CAT tool today
The best CAT tool will depend on your business and goals. If you’re a freelance translator, a tool with a one-time fee like Wordfast Pro or an open-source tool like OmegaT will be the best choice.
These tools probably won’t cut it for enterprise companies that require more advanced features. Collaborative tools, built-in quality assurance checks, and AI translations will be the order of the day to streamline workflows and localize content as quickly as possible. That’s why Lokalise is the trusted CAT tool of global-first companies like Mastercard, Revolut, and Starbucks.
If you want to automate and scale your localization efforts, start your 14-day free trial with Lokalise today.
