best translation software

Steven Segaert wrote:

... up to you to decide.

CAT tools these days pretty much all do the same. They allow you to extract the text from a document (and focus on the text alone without worrying about formatting), to create a translated text in the same formatting as the original, to re-use your previous works (via Translation Memories or TM's), and to make use of a terminology collection you build yourself or share with others (a TB or term base).

While some tools do certain aspects better than others, the biggest difference is in style and usability - I don't think there are huge differences anymore in what CAT tools can do or not.

So, the best thing to do is to download a few trial versions of CAT tools, put a document in it (you can try a few different types), and start translating. Some programmes were easy to work with, some frustrated me because I had to click ten times to get anything done. Some were just too expensive and some didn't have the functionalities I liked, or not in the right mix.

Basically, you need to find out what you are comfortable with. These things are tools, and they are supposed to make you work better. If you come across a tool that makes it a struggle for you, toss it aside and try the next one. And if you find one that just works for you, then you can read up and compare it with other brands before you buy a full version.

You really will be best served by trying out a few of these tools. Apart from helping you choose, it is also a good way to find out what these tools can do (and how well you are able to make them do it).

Heinrich Pesch wrote:

I'm no big fan of SDL, but during the last few weeks I never regretted to update to 2011. No performance problem here, 4 GB on Win7 and often I have lots of software up and running.
If money is an issue you could look at DVX, looks like they are desperate to sell for 295 Euro the Pro version.
Transit seems to have lost much ground those few last years, and Across too. MemoQ is the favorite tool for many of us, but I have no experience with it. WFP used to be my favorite, but the editor in Studio is much better. Maybe wfp will catch up.

Stanislav Pokorny wrote:



The one that best fits within your working scenario(s). Try, try, try, think, think, think, compare, compare... and... buy.

Samuel Murray wrote:



The best one is Microsoft Word. It has the most comprehensive editing functions, and one of the few tools that provide macro functionality (I know OmegaT has it too, but the editing functions in OmegaT are a little bit less comprehensive than MS Word's).

Isabella M wrote:



thank you very much, in the end that actually might be better than any review

Isabella M wrote:

Hi, which translation software would you say is the best one?
Thanks