Now that we’ve covered why CATs (or Computer Assistant Translation programs) are awesome and how they are superior to machine translations, let’s devote some time to studying how CATs differ from one another and how you can pick and choose the best one for you.
What to Ask Before Getting a CAT
Currently, there are a variety of choices when it comes to CATs, with there being more than 30 different CATs for a translator to pick from. Picking one of them can be an overwhelming choice. How do you know which one is the one for you? Luckily, there are a few questions that can help you narrow down your choice.
Which CAT will suit my needs?
Different CAT tools were designed for different types of files, although most can be used for everything. However, some are specialized for documents, some for websites, some for marketing content, app localization, etc. What you do for translation work will help you determine what your precise needs are so you can the right match.
Does the customer have a preferred CAT?
If your customer already uses a CAT tool to work with text translations, you might be forced to use something compatible with their preferred tool. Luckily, most CATs are compatible and play well together. But it is still a good thing to be aware of ahead of time. Ask your clients what they’re using, if applicable.
What is my budget?
The pricing for CATs ranges from free to over $3,000 for a license or per yearly subscription. Keep in mind, though, price-performance matters.
What are the offered features?
Next, check out the features the CAT is known for. Does it offer good compatibility with other CATs and/or programs, and does it have cloud-based services and good support? Which plug-ins does it support, does it offer machine translation, is a spell-checker featured, does it have good database management…whatever you need to use, whatever is most helpful to you, make sure it boasts those features.
What is my operating system?
As we all know, CATs do have preferred homes. Most will be happy in a Windows-based environment and nowhere else, while others will be delighted everywhere.
Basic CAT Taxonomy
Now let’s break down the basics of how CATs differ. The two main specific categories of differences are type and cost. Is it cloud-based or desktop-based? Is it free or how much do I have to pay for it? Let’s address both.
The main difference is that cloud-based CAT tools share TMs and glossaries within the system, so they are perfect for collaboration. They can be accessed via a web browser and don’t require being installed directly on the computer, whereas desktop-based ones are pretty much a computer program. However, to be fair, most modern CATs offer great cooperation methods, so this difference has basically become a moot point in the last few years. So the question here is pretty much just a managerial one regarding what the client and/or company prefer.
This brings us to the pricing, where the age-old idiom “You get what you pay for” perfectly applies. Free CATs can only get you so far due to their limited options and functionality. So, if you are considering becoming a professional translator, investing in the right tool for you is not optional. It is paramount.
Some of the top CATs
- SDL Trados Studio
- Taxonomy: Desktop-based with an optional cloud extension
- Key features: Complex, well-rounded, predictive typing, spell-checker, compatibility
- Pricing and trial: Trial available, up to $3.000 (much less for freelancers)
- MemoQ
- Taxonomy: Desktop-based with an optional cloud extension
- Key features: Efficient editing, designed by translators, excellent compatibility
- Pricing and trial: Trial available, $770 for individuals
- Wordfast Pro
- Taxonomy: Desktop
- Key features: Runs on all platforms, unlimited translation memories, compatibility, MT
- Pricing and trial: Trial available, $460 per license
- Redokun
- Taxonomy: Cloud
- Key features: Highly intuitive, easy to learn, pre-translation of files
- Pricing and trial: Trial available, starts at $125 per month
- Lokalise
- Taxonomy: Cloud
- Key features: Document version control, good conversion tools, great for app work
- Pricing and trial: Trial available, starts at $90 per month
- Matecat
- Taxonomy: Cloud
- Key features: Unlimited storage and projects
- Pricing and trial: Free
There are many more CATs that are, in actuality, really good. Here’s a list of links you ought to check out to educate yourself and help you decide:
- https://www.proz.com/software-comparison-tool/cat/cat_tools/2 Translator support site
- https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-assisted-translation Program review site
- https://redokun.com/blog/cat-tools-list#toc-25 In-depth description of CATs
- https://www.capterra.com/ Program review site
Finally – Are CATs optional?
No, they are not. CATs are undoubtedly necessary, and investing should be a no-brainer. Failing to do so could run you the risk of a CATastrophe in the long run. The best advice I can offer here is simply to pick one and try it by utilizing the trial periods. Rinse and repeat until you find the CAT that suits you best.
This post was written Peter Oletič, a translator with years of experience. Read more about translating: Work Online as a Translator. Subscribe for more business, sales, and investing posts. Have a lovely day!
