Top 15 free CAT Tools every Translator Must Know
Are you a translator looking for ways to boost your productivity and make more profit? This is what you need:Get yourself a CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tool! And this article provides you with a variety of free CAT tools that you can use as you prepare to get a paid one someday. Advancement in technology has allowed the development of numerous translation software programs that facilitate the translation of different text types more efficiently and expeditely. An example of these tools are CAT tools. This article will demystify the concept of CAT tools and aid you in choosing those suitable for you, while indicating those that are free of charge. What are CAT tools?CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools have been designed to help translators in boosting productivity, translation quality and consistency. They facilitate editing, storing previous translations and using them for future projects. They include Wordfast, OmegaT, Trados, MemoQ, Memsource, Déjà Vù, Metatexis, Isometry, Phrase and a non-exhaustive list. Features of CAT tools There are many CAT tools on the market lately with different features included. Nevertheless, modern CAT tools tend to share several common features, namely: Top 15 free CAT tools There are many CAT tools on the market lately with different features included. Nevertheless, modern CAT tools tend to share several common features, namely: Top 15 free CAT tools There are two groups: desktop and cloud-based CAT tools. While desktop CAT tools are installed locally on your computer and can be used regardless of internet availability, cloud-based CAT tools require no installation but internet access. Most CAT tools are nowadays cloud-based. A. Desktop CAT tools 1.OmegaTOmegaT is an open-source software that facilitates translations (in Java) and runs on desktop computers (Windows, Linux and MacOS). It is compatible with Trados files, provides general translation and user glossary functionality, supports about 30 file formats including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power, XHTML and HTML, and Open Document Format. Download OmegaT 2.SimilisSimilis provides its users with a translation memory and supports XML, HTML, MS Word, OpenOffice, as well as Trados files.It offers a translation tool which allows you to translate Microsoft Word documents in interactive mode linked to a Similis server which helps to manage and pre-translate documents as well as helping with translation memory, glossaries, and alignment. The server dealswith all linguistic processes and stores data (memory, vocabulary etc.). Download Similis. 3.CaféTran EspressoOffering numerous powerful features such as MT integration, one-click replacement of suggested text, smart auto-completion as well as a customizable interface, it is a unique CAT Tool that can be used on Mac, Windows and Linux. With the free copy of CafeTran Espresso, you can access the tool forever. It allows you to work with TM files under 1000 TU’s in size and glossaries under 500 wordings/words. Download Cafetran 4.AnaphraseusAnaphraseus is a Wordfast macro for OpenOffice and works in the same way as Wordfast. It offers a TM editor, a translation tool, editing, and glossary creation. Download Anaphraseus 5.Poedit It is a localization management platform suitable for App localization, websites and game localization. Furthermore, it carries a traditional yet user-friendly interface that helps to start translating tools for WordPress translation. It syncs with popular repositories like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure, enables translators to review the translation history of a string and recover previous translations if needed and provides an option to crowdsource translations for your software. Download POEdit 6.ForeigndeskIt is an open-source software produced by the Lionbridge company. Not only that, but it runs on Windows and offers: An integrated translation environment (translation memory, terminology management, contextual visualization and translation assistance)– Possibility to add native support for new file formats– Option to add native support for new file formats– A project management assistant.Download Foreigndesk 7.G-translatorG-translator is a specialized translation tool that translates software and is programmed for use on GNOME desktop environments. It is a po. file editor, similar to the PO edit method used by gettext for the GNOME desktop environment. It processes all po file formats, compiled (gmo/mo), compressed (po.gz/po.bz2 etc.) and all the utilities of a text editor such as find/replace, automatic translation, learning transcribed messages, a message table, and easy navigation through messages and comments. Download G-translator B. Cloud-based CAT tools 8.MateCatWell-known for offering a wide variety of features, MateCat is a free online CAT tool that is solely focused on giving its users access to machine translation databases in order to improve their working efficiency. It has the largest translation memory of approx. 12 billion words. Users can simplify urgent project management by easily splitting the rush projects as teams of various fields like translators,quality, etc., work simultaneously on the same project. 9.PootlePootle is an open-source online translation management tool designed specifically for translating applications. It provides its users with an easy-to-use interface. Due to its easy use, Pootle is preferred by many translators and companies worldwide. Users can have the benefits of translating in any language being spoken worldwide and receive suggestions for continuous translations. 10.Wordfast Anywhere As the name suggests, Wordfast Anywhere offers a connection to public translation databases. However, it must be used online. It allows its users to create private Term Bases (TBs) and Translation Memories (TMs). As it runs on a web browser, different users can easily collaborate and work together on a translation project. 11.SmartCATSmartCAT has great advantages of being free, user-friendly, and comprehensive. It offers collaborative space and freelance marketplace. 12.AcrossOffering a complete translation environment including terminology management, translation memory, quality assurance, and project management, Across is a fully-featured CAT tool. It is compatible with Word Excel, PowerPoint, XML, HTML, InDesign, FrameMaker, rc, exe, dll. While the basic edition is available for free, the premium version can be used on a monthly-charge basis.Download Across 13.GlobalSightAn open-source translation management tool, GlobalSight streamlines, automates, and manages localization processes of firms and can be used by translators, project managers, and editors alike. 14.VirtaalIt is a multi-format translation tool with a specific focus on software translation only. Written in the Python programming language, Virtaal is developed and maintained by Translate.org.za. Moreover, it
