BasicCAT vs Lokalize
BasicCAT
basiccat.orgLokalize
apps.kde.orgSide by side
| Figure | BasicCAT | Lokalize |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Computer-Assisted Translation Software | 8.0 (#11) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Purpose | BasicCAT is an open-source, free computer-aided translation tool aimed at providing a simple tool for translators. | Lokalize is a localization tool for KDE and other free and open-source software, and a computer-aided translation system for translating OpenDocument files. |
Plans
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.
Lokalize
Lokalize is a free desktop localization tool for KDE and other free and open-source software, and a computer-aided translation system for OpenDocument files. For OpenDocument work, Translate-Toolkit extracts text from.odt files into.xliff files and merges translated text back into the document. Lokalize provides translation memory, terminology management, and quality assurance checks. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Linux installation is available through Discover, other AppStream application stores, or a distribution package manager. KDE links to Windows and macOS installers, including Intel and ARM builds, and lists nightly installers intended for testing. The listed release is version 26.08.2, dated 2026-10-08. Lokalize is licensed under GPL-2.0+ and listed at free. KDE provides a handbook and forum, plus links for bug reports, source code, and localization-project participation. KDE describes itself as a voluntary, international community rather than a for-profit company, legally represented by KDE e.V.