Best translation memory software?
Thread poster: Emily Gilby
Emily Gilby
Emily Gilby  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:50
Member (2018)
French to English
+ ...
Oct 11, 2018

Hi everyone,

I've been putting this off for a while but I think the time has come where I need to invest in a memory tool of some sort. Does anyone have any recommendations for programs that are easy to use? Better yet (and I know this is a long shot) but does anyone know of any free ones? I'm not after anything fancy, just literally a program that lets you input the terms that you've translated, their translations and then lets you search for them in future...
See more
Hi everyone,

I've been putting this off for a while but I think the time has come where I need to invest in a memory tool of some sort. Does anyone have any recommendations for programs that are easy to use? Better yet (and I know this is a long shot) but does anyone know of any free ones? I'm not after anything fancy, just literally a program that lets you input the terms that you've translated, their translations and then lets you search for them in future

[Edited at 2018-10-12 09:51 GMT]
Collapse


 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
anything Oct 12, 2018

Hello Emily--All the CAT (Computer-Aided Translation) tools meet your requirements, for a start just check Tools> Translation tools menu.

The options include
1) trial versions (limited by TU number/features/expiration date);
2) free offline (without the internet requirement) tools;
3) web-based (online/cloud) tools.

Free opts are an offline cross-platform OmegaT and online WordFast Anywhere (FreeTM.com; mind the NDA!); however, I still prefer
... See more
Hello Emily--All the CAT (Computer-Aided Translation) tools meet your requirements, for a start just check Tools> Translation tools menu.

The options include
1) trial versions (limited by TU number/features/expiration date);
2) free offline (without the internet requirement) tools;
3) web-based (online/cloud) tools.

Free opts are an offline cross-platform OmegaT and online WordFast Anywhere (FreeTM.com; mind the NDA!); however, I still prefer old WordFast Classic 3.35x (2002! Requires tweaking with Unicode and newer MS Word!), yet you'd rather check tools on YouTube and official sites to get your own impressions and preferences, deciding on your priorities.

Of course, as many other translators, you can use several CATs, just remember they often use different file format for TM/glossary
Collapse


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:50
Spanish to English
+ ...
WordFast Oct 12, 2018

Wordfast Classic is the cheapest and easiest to use AFAIK, and you can demo it free. It's also compatible with Trados, the would-be Thanos of CAT.

https://www.wordfast.com/products_wordfast



PS: Check your apostrophe use (lets, not let's).


 
Didier Briel
Didier Briel  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 23:50
English to French
+ ...
OmegaT Oct 12, 2018

Emily Scott wrote:
I've been putting this off for a while but I think the time has come where I need to invest in a memory tool of some sort. Does anyone have any recommendations for programs that are easy to use? Better yet (and I know this is a long shot) but does anyone know of any free ones?

As DZiW wrote, OmegaT is free as in speech, and free as in beer:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratis_versus_libre
http://omegat.org/

Didier


 
Emily Gilby
Emily Gilby  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:50
Member (2018)
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Oops! Oct 12, 2018

neilmac wrote:

PS: Check your apostrophe use (lets, not let's).


Apologies! Yesterday was a long day, sad to see my grammar slipped because of it! This is why I need a TM - so I don't get exhausted from researching the same thing over and over and tiring my brain out! Corrected it now

[Edited at 2018-10-12 09:04 GMT]


 
Laurens Landkroon
Laurens Landkroon  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:50
English to Dutch
+ ...
Matecat? Memsource? Across? Oct 12, 2018

Hi Emily,

First of all, and this is just IMHO obviously, investing in a CAT tool is the best and maybe most essential investment a translator can (and should?) make (ok, next to a good pc/laptop and a coffee machine obviously.... (^_-)

I have worked with a lot of cat tools and I find that most of them work more or less the same, so find one that works for you.

Every tool has its pros and cons, and I always seem to find at least a few issues that make me co
... See more
Hi Emily,

First of all, and this is just IMHO obviously, investing in a CAT tool is the best and maybe most essential investment a translator can (and should?) make (ok, next to a good pc/laptop and a coffee machine obviously.... (^_-)

I have worked with a lot of cat tools and I find that most of them work more or less the same, so find one that works for you.

Every tool has its pros and cons, and I always seem to find at least a few issues that make me come back to Trados. For example, the autosuggest feature alone saves me at least a few hundred euros per month.

If you are relatively new to the business, and don't have the capital to buy such a (too?) expensive tool, definitely go for one of the cheaper or free tools!
Also, next to reading/watching relevant info from the insane amount of very useful content on proz about our profession, definitely check out the tool guide for translators by Jost Zetzsche (if you didn't know this already ofcourse).
http://www.internationalwriters.com/toolbox/

Happy hunting!

Let us know what you decide and tell us your experience!

Cheers,

Laurens.
Collapse


 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 23:50
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
@DZiW and @Neil Oct 12, 2018

DZiW wrote:
For a start just check Tools> Translation tools menu.


Sadly, that "menu" is just a series of [presumably paid] advertisements disguised as a menu.

advertisement

neilmac wrote:
Wordfast Classic is ... compatible with Trados.


No version of Wordfast Classic is in any way compatible with any version of Trados released in the past 10 years.


[Edited at 2018-10-12 09:47 GMT]


 
Dan Lucas
Dan Lucas  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:50
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
splutter Oct 12, 2018

neilmac wrote:
It's also compatible with Trados, the would-be Thanos of CAT.

Oh dear, I appear to have spat out my cocoa. So... Studio clicks its fingers and half the CAT market disappears? Well, it would be interesting to watch.

OP - maybe start with Wordfast?

Dan


neilmac
 
Emily Gilby
Emily Gilby  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:50
Member (2018)
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks! Oct 12, 2018

Thanks everyone! Some really useful tips here! As you say, I'm new to this profession (as a full timer anyway) so I'd rather start with something free just to get the feel of things. I've had a look at your suggestions and remember that I'd used Wordfast Anywhere during my master's! I'm going to try this one and hope it all comes flooding back

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:50
Spanish to English
+ ...
I stand corrected Oct 12, 2018

Samuel Murray wrote:

...

No version of Wordfast Classic is in any way compatible with any version of Trados released in the past 10 years.


[Edited at 2018-10-12 09:47 GMT]


Really? Has it been that long? I'll get my coat...


 
mc1529
mc1529
United States
Best translation memory software -- things to consider Sep 19, 2019

For anyone looking for the best translation memory software, here's what you should look for in the application:

1. Web-based (fast and accessible on any device from anywhere in the world, easy on your computer's storage, instantly accessible, scalable, easy to instantly onboard team members & collaborate)
2. Combo of powerful tools with minimal clutter in the interface (stay away from big toolbars you need to learn)
3. Allows you to upload your existing TM files, do TM
... See more
For anyone looking for the best translation memory software, here's what you should look for in the application:

1. Web-based (fast and accessible on any device from anywhere in the world, easy on your computer's storage, instantly accessible, scalable, easy to instantly onboard team members & collaborate)
2. Combo of powerful tools with minimal clutter in the interface (stay away from big toolbars you need to learn)
3. Allows you to upload your existing TM files, do TM lookup and glossary upload/lookup.
4. Strong security & confidentiality (no one can afford to risk a data breach or non-compliance in this day and age)
5. Additional time-saving functionality such as:

- bookmarking (to mark where you left off in the translation process)
- instant messaging next to the translation editor, organized by project
- running log of edits w/timestamp, date and editor name
- automatic file formatting
- dynamic spellcheck
- dynamic machine learning
- best possible OCR engine for scanned docs
- fast batch translation for multiple files
- robust file compatibility
- more-than-adequate language pairs

Hope this list helps.

Here's an article on a translation memory software application that contains what's listed above: https://www.pairaphrase.com/best-translation-memory-software-for-translators/
Collapse


 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:


You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Best translation memory software?







Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »