Computer-assisted Translation (CAT) Tool – is any software that assists a linguist or LSPs to effectively execute their activities with higher productivity and time-cost savings.

CAT Tools are broadly classified into two types: Online CAT TOOLs and Offline/Desktop CAT Tools.

Online CAT TOOLS:

These CAT TOOLS mainly provide Machine translation, terminology and shared TMs/Termbases to the translators/linguists through a browser.

They may work in various platforms, since only the browser is the only need for working on them.

They may also have project management, invoicing and other functions.

Examples: Smartcat, Matecat and XTM.

Desktop based CAT TOOLS:

These are more powerful and a better companion to a translator. They provide various functions such as TM, Termbases (TB), MT, search past translations etc.

I would always recommend these categories for Translators and/or Linguists.

Examples:

SDL Trados Studio 2021, MemoQ and Wordfast.

In next article, we will learn about the Translation memory and more topics.