Smartcat

Solid CAT tool for small teams

Commenti: We occasionally use Smartcat to work on game localization projects in a team with other translators and it has never failed us. Solid solution and you can't beat the price because it's free to use.

Aspetti positivi:

A free robust CAT-tool makes it extremely attractive for translators, small teams and localization specialists.

Aspetti negativi:

Navigation within the many dashboard could be improved. Seems like they're trying to be everything at the same time: a CAT tool, project management software and a marketplace for freelancers and it makes it a bit overwhelming.

Scope of upgradation

Commenti: Hi, Thanks and congratulation for making SmartCat very useful CAT tool. I use Smart Cat from the beginning and very much satisfied compare to Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast and some other online CAT tools. Previously I had informed about some bugs in this Cat tool for working with xliff file for compatibility with Trados.
And thank you very much Team to solve those issues. Now It works fine. I am mainly Bengli/Hindi Translator, working with all Indian languages. Working in this industry for 17+ years. I am requesting you if possible solve following 2 points only. 1. SmartCat allows to export bilingual file but working with this it is not uploaded/updated. In other Cat tools like Trados and MemoQ I can export bilingual word file and can work or edit offline and after that it easily upload/update. For this facility one can work offline in a exported word file. Also for this facility translation done on CAT tool can be reviewed by other translator who do not CAT tool. After reviewing the file Translator can update. 2. Proofreading very much important part for translation and some times client want proofread files along with changes marking, i.e track change mode. Where Reviewer's changes are shown on that file. This facility can be done with Trados in Review by active Track change mode. This is very important facility in trados for Proofreading. If you can add above two facilities Smart Cat will be a complete number one CAT tool. Feel free to write me if any support require.

Aspetti positivi:

Showing text normal size, does not show small or big as shown in original document compare to Trados. Very simple tag management

Aspetti negativi:

Unable to update the translation after working on SmartCAT exported doc file.

Avarege CAT tool with some annoying flaws

Commenti: It is a very average tool, it has several pros, but too many cons.

Aspetti positivi:

There are several MT tools you can choose and use, that is nice to have (some are more suited to specific projects), it is cloud based and available from anywhere (see also cons).

Aspetti negativi:

It is cloud based (see also pros) without the option to work offline. I have experienced server issues several times, always very near the deadline, which makes it very frustrating.... Shortcuts could be better, you cannot see hidden characters, cannot add specific tags (upper/lower index, etc.), most translators tend to work without touching the mouse, this software makes you break this habit, which is annoying (one second each segment means many minutes/hours in the long run), not very smart navigation within the segment (double down moves you to the end of the segment which is terrible if you just need to edit something in the third line of this segment, etc.)

Smartcat, an excellent tool for freelance translators

Commenti: In general, Smartcat is a wonderful tool with a great MT/TM motor that allows for rapid translations in all kinds of fields. The best features are the AI behind the segmentation and the fact you can import .xliff files an translation memories. I can use this tool for direct clients or clients through Smartcat without the use for any other translation software, and the price is great. The QA check needs to be improved.

Aspetti positivi:

I love it when I receive translation jobs from clients (translation agencies) and I don't have to o any configuring or preparing. I can just start translating. Also, when I receive documents that need to be translated, they can easily be converted into a translation file and at the end you can just download the completed translation in the same original file format. Finally, it has been a huge support for me that Smartcat accepts .xliff files and translation memories from SDL Trados.

Aspetti negativi:

The QA is one of the least developed features of Smartcat. You can only review each segment at a time (for as far as I know) and when you indicate you want to ignore an error, the software does not apply it automatically to each of the same issues. It therefore takes a lot of time to do the QA. Also, it would be great if you could receive -xliff files, complete them and then export them to the original .docx, .xlsx, etc. Finally, it would be great if the PDF converter becomes more powerful. In this case it is still difficult to upload PDF files with a lot of images.

Best cloud based CAT tool for translation

Commenti: I prefer to use SmartCat and choose to use other CAT Tool software only when the client requires me to work on SDL Trados or MemoQ. It also supports Xliff projects and easy to use.

Aspetti positivi:

1. Itis could based so no need to take you files with you. Just login and start your work. 2. It uploades almost all kinds of document format and give good export options 3. Machine Translation assistant, QA checking System, Translation Memory and Glossary are vice easy to use, handly and very easy to import and export.

Aspetti negativi:

It does not have support for Punjabi.western language and we need to manually adjust the right-to-left context direction for tables, Phone numbers, coding strings etc after exporting the target file.

Amazing free tool

Commenti: It's perfect for my needs and the volume of translations I do. I know it's not perfect but I like it and I keep mentioning it to all the translators I know and the agencies I work with. I like the fact that clients can pay through it, so I don 't have to chase invoice payments.

Aspetti positivi:

It's free and it's heaven for those who cannot afford the expensive cost for the licence of other CAT tools. Moreover, it's compatible with 99% of file formats and that means I can accept jobs from many translation agencies. Every time I needed help the support team was there for me and was quick in replaying.

Aspetti negativi:

They have two servers (Europe and USA) and if you are logged on one, you don't get notification about chat messages received on the other. Sometimes you lose connection to the server too often. They used to send you SMS notifications, which was a great feature, but then they had issues back in December 2018 and never fixed them. I got the feeling that they have stopped developing the software and become less tech guys and more salesmen. I hope they will fix the tech issues with SMS notifications.

User-friendly software

Commenti: I've been working with Smartcat since more than 3 years and I keep using it as my preferred software for translations as it's user-friendly, as lot of features which are very helpful on my job.

Aspetti positivi:

This software is very easy to use and has lot of features which are really helpful in my job. I think this it the best software for translatios at all!

Aspetti negativi:

In 3 years I did not have any problem with this software. The only problem is that sometimes I cannot upload very heavy files.

SmartCAT review

Commenti: Overall, a nice working tool helping with daily translation tasks

Aspetti positivi:

Ease of use Availability on multiple devices Multiple file formats

Aspetti negativi:

Few free AI translation engines Sometimes formatting glitches Experienced a few unscheduled downtimes

I recommend

Commenti: Smartcat is the main CAT tool i use in my translation work. I've tried out different softwares and none of them were as complex, but easy to use.

Aspetti positivi:

The complex package of services offered The simple, but efficient workspace The intuitive design That it is a cloud based app

Aspetti negativi:

I can't say i didn't like something about Smartcat

Great Companion!

Aspetti positivi:

Easy to use. Convenient user interface. Cloud based. Free to use.

Aspetti negativi:

Personal dictionary doesn't work properly. When you add a word to the dictionary it just ignores for the segment not for the rest of the document and in the future with another project it does not recognize the word either.

Easy to use but hard to find new clients

Commenti: I have worked some projects for clients through this platform, but my concern is that I have to create new database in this platform while I can't upload other database (from trados, from Memsource , MemoQ). It is a pity for a translator that each new platform has to create new database.

Aspetti positivi:

It is a platform very similar to others on-line translation platform. I find it is very easy to use (for whom has used other similar on-line platform). But it is not that easy to find new clients even though it claims that it is a place to search for new clients.

Aspetti negativi:

I hope there is opportunity to integrate database with other similar translation platform, but it sounds not.

It's not always as friendly as can be

Commenti: I used it a few times in the last couple of years but no significant volume of work did come from there. Recently, one of my regular clients changed to Smartcat and I started having work there on a daily basis. Generally, it's a good experience as it's easy to use and we can get a job done very quickly.

Aspetti positivi:

It's easy to use, payments come promptly and takes the burden out of contacting non paying clients with all the problems that come from it. We can see all our payments and jobs done easily and we know when the money will arrive. Also the translation interface is easy to use, with concordance search and TM lookup tools, as well as segment by segment verification which allows for immediate action on possible errors

Aspetti negativi:

It would be useful that machine translation could be available, but it depends on project managers and on the way they create the projects. I've seen it working with MT, which is really useful, not because it will be used directly in the translation but simply because it's like having a dictionary in front of your eyes when we just try to remember a specific word. It's like having the cake's recipe, or cooking without it. I guess PMs want to prevent it's abusive use, but for conscious translator it's very practical.

Fast and professional translation

Aspetti positivi:

I love Smartcat. This platform has helped me to grow in my career. It has great tools and statistics I can sheer with my customers. It has also helped me to increase my number of regular clients. I love the order information page and market.

Aspetti negativi:

I can’t get a preview of the work done during the translation.

Great, but no for us!!

Commenti: I liked it, but my name is hidden for international users because of sanctions made against Iran.

Aspetti positivi:

The functionality, features, ease of use, ... are great. This is the application I jumped to immediately from Trados Studio, Memq, ...

Aspetti negativi:

We, Iranians, because of being under unfair sanctions presented by USA , could not use the money transfer feature, so that, I still have credit in my panel for work I've done, but I cannot change it to money. Here, contrary to what American statesmen claim, we the ordinary people lose our benefits instead of the government or IRGC!!

I won't get back to desktop

Commenti: When I started to use Smartcat after a couple of years of Trados experience, I was so happy I almost burst into tears.

Aspetti positivi:

Smartcat has almost everything I need as a translator or project manager. And more features are coming! I'm proud that I contributed to some of them because the Support Team pays attention to all requests and issues we may face when working in Smartcat.

Aspetti negativi:

There are still some things I'd like to see in Smartcat. Like editing URLs in hyperlinks. But I was promised that feature would come some day. Well, we'll see :)

Smartcat for smart business

Commenti: Overall, it's a good platform for any freelancer to find jobs.

Aspetti positivi:

I'm a freelancer who is registered with Smartcat to find new projects and potential clients. What I like about Smartcat is that it's easy to share a project with my client. It's an integrated platform where finding clients, working on projects, and getting paid for my work can be done at one site.

Aspetti negativi:

I haven't been able to actively search for newly posted jobs. The client is the one who always offers me a job, but I'd like to be able to apply for jobs out there from my end too. In addition, I have had a couple of clients who didn't pay on time and couldn't communicate with them.

Best Translation Platform

Aspetti positivi:

the very kind and responsible support team as well as best user friendly interface ever seen .

Aspetti negativi:

honestly nothing they are the best , their payment procedures are fast and secure

On the Right Track

Commenti: Smartcat helps my team, part of a not-for-profit organization concerned with the dissemination of culture and knowledge, tremendously. We highly appreciate it and look forward to using it for many years to come.

Aspetti positivi:

Smartcat is the first and only online translation platform my team and I use and we find it quite useful and beneficial, albeit needing of some tweaks to become ideal for our use. My colleagues usually send queries and suggestions to the team; some of them have been taken into consideration and some not yet. Generally, we like smartcat and fully support it.

Aspetti negativi:

Every now and then, the application is not fully accessible or too slow. Other specific issues, relating to my team's needs, are conveyed to the Smartcat team and we hope they are all resolved in due time.

Very easy to use, multiple file formats, side machine translation for reference

Aspetti positivi:

Very easy to use, multiple file formats, side machine translation for reference, work online from everywhere without need to save in your computer, supports TM and reference files and keeping the file format exactly as the original.

Aspetti negativi:

cannot export text file as xliff or other Cat files formats, and cannot export xliff with history

Great tool for translators

Aspetti positivi:

easy to use, receive payments, talk to customers and other people working on the same project

Aspetti negativi:

different servers, so we have to switch every time, no away from work notification, no dates and links for and to the projects on the payments page (I often don't remember what project it was I am getting paid and don't know when I completed it)

Review of the SmartCAT platform.

Commenti: I have to say that SmartCAT is a very good alternative. It's functional, it's user friendly and it's mostly free. Also it's got good costumer support. Also its job market is fairly active.

Aspetti positivi:

It's free to use almost entirely. It's being actively maintained and updated. Its customer support is good. Since it's web-based, it runs on any platform. It has a job market. It has several methods to receive payments. You can use it to collect payments from clients outside of the SmartCAT platform.

Aspetti negativi:

It has layout issues when working from a mobile (elements overlap). Since it is web-based, you can't use it if your internet connection is not working. You have to pay to use machine translation.

Best CAT tool on the market

Commenti: This is my main tool for translation and client searching

Aspetti positivi:

Great Marketplace for Translation Company and Customers. You can find different leads for translations jobs.

Aspetti negativi:

I can't work on my computer and the upload it to the Editor Page so I don't loose the correct format of the document.

Smartcat for freelance translators

Aspetti positivi:

Smartcat is an easy to use, comprehensive software. Highly recommendable for new freelance translators. Supports various input types.

Aspetti negativi:

Frequent deletion from archives, lacking some editing options, sometimes slow server response

Smart is Smart

Commenti: Most valuable thing which I like for the software is that it is an source between vendor and customer which make you free from getting touch with agency.

Aspetti positivi:

I am using the software for getting work from our client. Whenever client uploads any job, I receive it immediately. Most valuable thing which I like for the software is that it is an source between vendor and customer which make you free from getting touch with agency.

Aspetti negativi:

The software should in multiple Languages. So that people would get the actual benefit of it. it is only one Language.

short review

Commenti: I use 3 years to work with translations, the main thing is to always keep it open)

Aspetti positivi:

convenient to use, availability for any customer

Aspetti negativi:

I stopped receiving SMS messages about invitations to work