BasicCAT vs Centus
BasicCAT
basiccat.org
Centus
centus.comSide by side
| Figure | BasicCAT | Centus |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $145/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Computer-Assisted Translation Software | 8.0 (#11) | 8.9 (#1) |
| Collaboration | BasicCAT supports sharing translation memory and terms through a server program, and Git collaboration for work files; Git collaboration does not sync translation memory or terms. | Real-time chat, comments and screenshot sharing let translators, editors, managers and designers work together. |
| File formats | The homepage lists support for TXT, IDML, XLIFF, and Gettext PO files, and for the TMX, TBX, and SRX standards. | Start lists XML, YAML, and JSON file formats, while Grow lists 20+ file formats. |
| Support | The support page recommends posting BasicCAT issues on its GitHub issue tracker rather than emailing the maker. | The pricing page includes free 24/7 support in all plans. |
| Translation tools | Features include translation memory, terminology management, language checking, Quickfill, AutoCorrect, interactive machine translation, and segment merging and splitting. | Features include machine translation, glossaries, translation memories, and automated QA checks. |
Plans
Centus
- Start$145 a month
- Grow$295 a month
- Business$545 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
BasicCAT
BasicCAT is a free, open-source computer-aided translation tool intended to give translators a simple desktop workspace. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and includes translation memory, terminology management, language checking, Quickfill, AutoCorrect, and interactive machine translation. Users can merge or split segments, export Word files for external review, and create bilingual paragraph files. Listed file support includes TXT, IDML, XLIFF, and Gettext PO, alongside TMX, TBX, and SRX standards. Its documentation lists built-in connections to 12 machine translation services, including Baidu, Google, Microsoft Bing, MyMemory, Tencent Cloud, IBM Watson, and Amazon. Most services require API keys; MyMemory instead requires an email address. Language checks use LanguageTool through its API or locally. Translation memory and terms can be shared through a server program, while Git collaboration is for work files and does not sync those resources. The sharing server requires Java 8 or later.