A CAT tool stands for “Computer Aided Translation” or Computer-Assisted Translation”. CAT tools don’t include machine translation, as they depend entirely on humans, but they assist translators in managing translation projects so as to deliver better quality. CAT tools have various features. For example, some tools have online terminology databases, some are cloud-based software, some can work with different types of documents, and they all have translation memories which save previous translations for using them later.
In 2013, Proz had conducted a survey about the best CAT tools in the market. The survey was conducted with more than 3000 professional translators who had been working as full-timers for more than 5 years.
As you can see from the below chart, SDL Trados had the biggest market share with more than 72%, while Wordfast ranked second with 32%. When translators were asked what was their favorite CAT tool, Trados was at the top with 36%, while memoQ got 11.9%.
So now as you can see, there are quite a large number of CAT tools in the market and sometimes you will be confused about which one to use; but there is no single perfect option! Your decision will be based on many factors such as budget, the features you are looking for and the size of your translation projects.
So we have managed to create a small list that includes the best CAT tools in the market with their features; so if you are in the process of finding the best option, just read on.
The Key Players
The most recommended CAT tool translation and it has the biggest market share. Complete software for big translation projects, it manages translation services, editing, quality assurance, localization, machine translation and managing terminologies. Big companies are always asking translators to work with reliable CAT tools like SDL. So it will be a good value if you are using SDL, which will increase the number of your clients and boost your revenues.
You can try the free version for 30 days so as to be able to make a decision before purchasing it.
One of the key CAT tools in the market, Memoq is the favorite tool for many translators. It has many powerful features that definitely helps the translation team and result in delivering better quality. For example, it has a fast spell-checker, it enables translators to work together in the same project even if they are using other tools like Trados, and it has a built-in quality assurance feature.
If you are still looking for the perfect CAT tool, or if you have a small translation project, you can use the free demo for 45 days.
It’s a cloud translation platform used by many companies all over the world. It has powerful translation tools that facilitate the translation process – mainly for projects with multiple languages. It has multiple features; for example, it supports 50 file types and it incorporates such features as project management, translation memory and terminology management. It has a free trial that will enable translators to work on 2 files at a time.
It’ a full-fledged translation platform that offers a complete translation solution for all languages and all file formats. The platform includes such features as quality assurance, project management, translation memory, machine translation and terminology management.
The basic membership is free of charge and the yearly premium is €19.50/month which includes a membership in crossMarket and Across Translation Edition.
It’s a standalone translation management tool that mainly focuses on improving the translation process. Wordfast Pro’s main feature is that it’s the only TM tool that runs natively on Windows, Mac and Linux. It supports all languages that are supported by Windows Word. Besides, translators can virtually translate from any file format like Adobe InDesign, PDF, XML and many more! It also includes unlimited TM, glossary access, and Real-Time Quality Assurance. However, the only disadvantage of Wordfast Pro is the translation memory size, which is 500 units.
Why CAT Tools are Important for Translation Companies?
It becomes mandatory now for many companies to ask that translators should work with CAT tools, as they have a great impact on their business, including:
- Saving time.
- More Accuracy
- Efficiency
- Control
Now that you know the importance of CAT tools, how companies are investing in improving their functions and the huge benefits of using them in managing translation projects, you have to make sure while you are outsourcing your project, to choose a translation vendor who works with at least one of these CAT tools.
What sets Future Trans apart from other translation companies is that we have all the CAT tools that are available in the market. All our translators, editors and proofreaders are well trained to use all of them and have years of experience in managing huge translation projects. So, whenever we have a new translation project, we check the project details and decide the most appropriate and the best CAT for it.
So if you are looking for a translation partner who will have full responsibility for your project and will be dedicated to delivering high-quality translation, so you are looking for Future Trans.
Contact us today and get to know more information about how to handle your translation projects.
