BasicCAT vs Matecat
BasicCAT
basiccat.org
Matecat
matecat.comSide by side
| Figure | BasicCAT | Matecat |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Computer-Assisted Translation Software | 8.0 (#11) | 8.3 (#6) |
| 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. | Teams can assign jobs, mention people in comments, collaborate in real time, and split projects among translators. |
| Purpose | BasicCAT is an open-source, free computer-aided translation tool aimed at providing a simple tool for translators. | Matecat is a free, open-source online computer-assisted translation tool for translation companies, translators, and enterprise users. |
| Support | The support page recommends posting BasicCAT issues on its GitHub issue tracker rather than emailing the maker. | The Matecat support team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 19:00 CET. |
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.
Matecat
Matecat is a free, open-source online computer-assisted translation tool for translators, language service providers, companies, and enterprise teams. It uses translation memories and machine-translation matches to reduce the text translators need to translate, and offers adaptive machine translation from ModernMT in more than 200 languages. The tool supports document and website translation, glossary tools, and real-time teamwork: teams can assign jobs, discuss work in comments, and divide projects among translators. Matecat states that it supports 80 file formats, while the hosted service works with XLIFF out of the box and other formats may require Matecat Filters. REST APIs let users create projects and check their status; API credentials require contacting support with a use description. Its open-source server can be self-hosted. For hosted use, Matecat says browser-to-server communications use SSL, originals and translations are stored long term, and public segments may provide matches to others. It runs in a desktop browser, not on mobile devices. The listed plan is free, with unlimited features, users, and projects.