Smartcat Erfahrungen

Solid CAT tool for small teams

Kommentare: We occasionally use Smartcat to work on game localization projects in a team with other translators and it has never failed us. Solid solution and you can't beat the price because it's free to use.

Vorteile:

A free robust CAT-tool makes it extremely attractive for translators, small teams and localization specialists.

Nachteile:

Navigation within the many dashboard could be improved. Seems like they're trying to be everything at the same time: a CAT tool, project management software and a marketplace for freelancers and it makes it a bit overwhelming.

Smartcat, an excellent tool for freelance translators

Kommentare: In general, Smartcat is a wonderful tool with a great MT/TM motor that allows for rapid translations in all kinds of fields. The best features are the AI behind the segmentation and the fact you can import .xliff files an translation memories. I can use this tool for direct clients or clients through Smartcat without the use for any other translation software, and the price is great. The QA check needs to be improved.

Vorteile:

I love it when I receive translation jobs from clients (translation agencies) and I don't have to o any configuring or preparing. I can just start translating. Also, when I receive documents that need to be translated, they can easily be converted into a translation file and at the end you can just download the completed translation in the same original file format. Finally, it has been a huge support for me that Smartcat accepts .xliff files and translation memories from SDL Trados.

Nachteile:

The QA is one of the least developed features of Smartcat. You can only review each segment at a time (for as far as I know) and when you indicate you want to ignore an error, the software does not apply it automatically to each of the same issues. It therefore takes a lot of time to do the QA. Also, it would be great if you could receive -xliff files, complete them and then export them to the original .docx, .xlsx, etc. Finally, it would be great if the PDF converter becomes more powerful. In this case it is still difficult to upload PDF files with a lot of images.

Avarege CAT tool with some annoying flaws

Kommentare: It is a very average tool, it has several pros, but too many cons.

Vorteile:

There are several MT tools you can choose and use, that is nice to have (some are more suited to specific projects), it is cloud based and available from anywhere (see also cons).

Nachteile:

It is cloud based (see also pros) without the option to work offline. I have experienced server issues several times, always very near the deadline, which makes it very frustrating.... Shortcuts could be better, you cannot see hidden characters, cannot add specific tags (upper/lower index, etc.), most translators tend to work without touching the mouse, this software makes you break this habit, which is annoying (one second each segment means many minutes/hours in the long run), not very smart navigation within the segment (double down moves you to the end of the segment which is terrible if you just need to edit something in the third line of this segment, etc.)

Scope of upgradation

Kommentare: Hi, Thanks and congratulation for making SmartCat very useful CAT tool. I use Smart Cat from the beginning and very much satisfied compare to Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast and some other online CAT tools. Previously I had informed about some bugs in this Cat tool for working with xliff file for compatibility with Trados.
And thank you very much Team to solve those issues. Now It works fine. I am mainly Bengli/Hindi Translator, working with all Indian languages. Working in this industry for 17+ years. I am requesting you if possible solve following 2 points only. 1. SmartCat allows to export bilingual file but working with this it is not uploaded/updated. In other Cat tools like Trados and MemoQ I can export bilingual word file and can work or edit offline and after that it easily upload/update. For this facility one can work offline in a exported word file. Also for this facility translation done on CAT tool can be reviewed by other translator who do not CAT tool. After reviewing the file Translator can update. 2. Proofreading very much important part for translation and some times client want proofread files along with changes marking, i.e track change mode. Where Reviewer's changes are shown on that file. This facility can be done with Trados in Review by active Track change mode. This is very important facility in trados for Proofreading. If you can add above two facilities Smart Cat will be a complete number one CAT tool. Feel free to write me if any support require.

Vorteile:

Showing text normal size, does not show small or big as shown in original document compare to Trados. Very simple tag management

Nachteile:

Unable to update the translation after working on SmartCAT exported doc file.

Best cloud based CAT tool for translation

Kommentare: I prefer to use SmartCat and choose to use other CAT Tool software only when the client requires me to work on SDL Trados or MemoQ. It also supports Xliff projects and easy to use.

Vorteile:

1. Itis could based so no need to take you files with you. Just login and start your work. 2. It uploades almost all kinds of document format and give good export options 3. Machine Translation assistant, QA checking System, Translation Memory and Glossary are vice easy to use, handly and very easy to import and export.

Nachteile:

It does not have support for Punjabi.western language and we need to manually adjust the right-to-left context direction for tables, Phone numbers, coding strings etc after exporting the target file.

Amazing free tool

Kommentare: It's perfect for my needs and the volume of translations I do. I know it's not perfect but I like it and I keep mentioning it to all the translators I know and the agencies I work with. I like the fact that clients can pay through it, so I don 't have to chase invoice payments.

Vorteile:

It's free and it's heaven for those who cannot afford the expensive cost for the licence of other CAT tools. Moreover, it's compatible with 99% of file formats and that means I can accept jobs from many translation agencies. Every time I needed help the support team was there for me and was quick in replaying.

Nachteile:

They have two servers (Europe and USA) and if you are logged on one, you don't get notification about chat messages received on the other. Sometimes you lose connection to the server too often. They used to send you SMS notifications, which was a great feature, but then they had issues back in December 2018 and never fixed them. I got the feeling that they have stopped developing the software and become less tech guys and more salesmen. I hope they will fix the tech issues with SMS notifications.

User-friendly software

Kommentare: I've been working with Smartcat since more than 3 years and I keep using it as my preferred software for translations as it's user-friendly, as lot of features which are very helpful on my job.

Vorteile:

This software is very easy to use and has lot of features which are really helpful in my job. I think this it the best software for translatios at all!

Nachteile:

In 3 years I did not have any problem with this software. The only problem is that sometimes I cannot upload very heavy files.

SmartCAT review

Kommentare: Overall, a nice working tool helping with daily translation tasks

Vorteile:

Ease of use Availability on multiple devices Multiple file formats

Nachteile:

Few free AI translation engines Sometimes formatting glitches Experienced a few unscheduled downtimes

I recommend

Kommentare: Smartcat is the main CAT tool i use in my translation work. I've tried out different softwares and none of them were as complex, but easy to use.

Vorteile:

The complex package of services offered The simple, but efficient workspace The intuitive design That it is a cloud based app

Nachteile:

I can't say i didn't like something about Smartcat

Finally, An easy-to-use & affordable CAT tool!

Kommentare: Smartcat is an all-in-one platform for translation/localization solutions, it fits well with the buissness owner in term of:
Find qualified translators.
Communicate with them easily and swiftly
Creating a group and manage them.
And it is an integrated environment for the translators in term of:
No need to install any thing to start working
They can manage all the communication and delivery and review matters in the platform itself
Find a constant flow of quality gigs in their field.

Vorteile:

The usability of this product is incredible. And the fact that is in the cloud is also a plus. For whom that used other CAT tools, they will realize immediately how easy-to-use and effective Smartcat is.

Nachteile:

The lack of integration with the other web apps. Thus there are difficulties in migration from a X CAT tool to Smartat.

A good option to translate and manage translation projects online.

Kommentare: Smartcat is an online platform where you can manage and work on translation projects. It's easy to use (especially if you are from the industry) and you can integrate your own TMs/glossaries, add new terms and apply standard quality check routines. It has an embedded online CAT tool, but it also allows you to download the .xliff file and work offline on your preferred tool (to upload it back to the platform). Also, it works as a whole project management system, where you can contact/hire translators, organize different language pairs in a same project and track each file status.
For translators, it also allows you to work online, submit your job and get paid directly on the platform (although I personally had a slightly bad experience with that, described in the cons). Overall, it's a useful option for translators and Project Managers and it's worth trying it.

Vorteile:

It's easy to use and, if you are already familiar with a CAT Tool, you won't miss any basic feature on their online alternative. It's 100% online, so you can access it anywhere and keep working. It has a simple, yet intuitive interface. It allows you to work both online or offline with your preferred third-party tool.

Nachteile:

I had a bad experience when receiving payments from one project delivered on their platform. Their page said there would be no charges, but I've got charged USD 3.00 on my first transfer, which was a high percentage, considering the paid amount. Their support team was kind, but didn't solve my problem, saying that this charge was probably from my selected receiving method (Payoneer). The real con here is that they automatically transfer your funds after any small payment if you keep a chosen method. Thus, you may want to be careful with your receiving method and do not leave any selected until you actually want to transfer your funds, avoiding unnecessary charges. This should be better explained there!

A freelancer's must-have!

Vorteile:

The thing I like best about SmartCAT is that I can accomplish everything in one place in CLOUD and FOR FREE there! I'm a very early user of SmartCAT and stick to it ever since my first trial. It's a highly integrated platform that I can set my profile, get contact from clients, accept tasks, do translation, submit translation and get paid all on there. The experience is very intuitive and smooth. Basically anyone who have ever used any CAT tool would master it without problem. SmartCAT also has a large translator and PM pool. I have formed good relationships with many translators and PMs there with whom I have collaborated. It has made my life as a freelancer so easy and I'm really grateful to it.

Nachteile:

I don't have major pain points about this software, but of course there are places for improvement. For example, it would be great if it could provide a calendar feature for translators so that it could send out-of-office replays to project invitations automatically during the translator is away on vacation. Currently I have to send chat messages to clients manually before I leave for vacations and that's kind of inconvenient.

Smartcat is the best, forget the rest!

Kommentare: As a freelance translator, Smartcat provides me with an easy way of translating my documents, keeping in touch with my clients, and the most importantly, finding new potential clients. So far, I have worked with so many clients and I have been able to please them with my service thanks to the service that Smartcat offers to me. So, I would like to thank you to Smartcat team for all the easiness and functionality they offer. This means a lot to me as it does to so many freelance translators like me!

Vorteile:

I work as a freelance translator on Smartcat about over 2 years and it continues to fascinates me. The functionality of the interface is the best feature of Smartcat, providing efficiency and speed with translators. Also, customer support team really helps all the participants of a project immediately, asking valuable questions in regard of the problem. Finally, Smartcat offers me everything for free that CAT tools do extraordinarily expensively. So, thank you!

Nachteile:

Sometimes I have difficulty in using machine translation in the segments or in setting some glossary option, which sometimes drives me crazy. Probably this is because of me but I wish the settings interface had the same functionality as main interface of the software.

It's not always as friendly as can be

Kommentare: I used it a few times in the last couple of years but no significant volume of work did come from there. Recently, one of my regular clients changed to Smartcat and I started having work there on a daily basis. Generally, it's a good experience as it's easy to use and we can get a job done very quickly.

Vorteile:

It's easy to use, payments come promptly and takes the burden out of contacting non paying clients with all the problems that come from it. We can see all our payments and jobs done easily and we know when the money will arrive. Also the translation interface is easy to use, with concordance search and TM lookup tools, as well as segment by segment verification which allows for immediate action on possible errors

Nachteile:

It would be useful that machine translation could be available, but it depends on project managers and on the way they create the projects. I've seen it working with MT, which is really useful, not because it will be used directly in the translation but simply because it's like having a dictionary in front of your eyes when we just try to remember a specific word. It's like having the cake's recipe, or cooking without it. I guess PMs want to prevent it's abusive use, but for conscious translator it's very practical.

Still waiting for some improvements

Vorteile:

I use SmartCat as freelance translator and it's great to have the possibility to use a CAT-tool anywhere you are, just connecting yourself to their server. It also allows you to communicate with the PM and the other translators working on the same project with other target languages.

Nachteile:

I think that it still needs some improvements. For exemple, I've asked several times to reintroduce the option to upload more translated files at once in the same project (very useful when you choose to use another CAT-tool to perform the project), but nothing has been done. This option was available at the beginning, but now it has disappeared and it causes a huge loss of time when you're working on projects composed by a great number of files. It would also be useful to have an icon next to each file name indicating if the file contains comments or not, avoiding to open them one by one to check if there are comments to be read (the e-mail alert doesn't work regularly).

Almost a perfect software

Kommentare: I have worked on more than five CAT tools, including MemoQ, Trados, MateCate, Memsource, google translator toolkit, etc, and I've never been satisfied until I tested SmartCat.
I've been using SmartCat for more than two years and I am satisfied with the experience, but I hope that SmartCat handles the features I mentioned in the "Cons" section, especially the Auto-complete feature, which I would pay for it if it was available.

Vorteile:

Completely free project management CAT tools support Receiving Payments Requesting payments for non-SmartCat projects Receiving job projects

Nachteile:

The look-up feature is not working probably No auto-complete feature like other Cat tools (ex: Memsource).

Smartcat

Kommentare: All my translation projects are done with smartcat

Vorteile:

This Is a valuable software for translation Easy to understand use and share with others I love it and use it for all my translation projects

Nachteile:

Sometimos it does not recognize fragments por sentences previously translated and you have to do them again

Excellent CAT Tool for everyday use

Kommentare: I use smartcat on a daily basis. It's an excellent platform, that is free, powerful and allows you to manage your invoicing even for external clients.

Vorteile:

I love how smartcat is not only a powerful CAT tool, but much much more than that: a market place, has it's own invoicing system,..

Nachteile:

Some few glitches but they're always working to fix them. The few times I had some issues, I have been contacted by support and it was fixed extreemly fast.

Smartcat is great for teaching Computer Assisted Translation

Kommentare: Overall, I am satisfied with this product and I will continue to use it and to recommend it to my students for their Translation Projects and other tasks.

Vorteile:

My comments might be a lit bit atypical as I use Smartcat primarily as a pedagogical tool. I teach Japanese to undergraduate students and theory of translation to postgraduate students (with a number of different language pairs and combinations). Smartcat enables the student (or learner) to create a profile (for employability purposes) and to grasp essential principles of working with a CAT tool in a relatively short time. Based on my own experience, my observations of students using Smarcat as well as students' feedback, I can say that the main advantages of this software are: well-structured and intuitive process of creating a project, easy to operate Editor view (with a customizable layout) and revisions record. What is also worth mentioning is the ease of access to the glossary (including adding new terms) and the fact that the glossary can be easily exported for further processing. The software worked relatively well with the Japanese to English language pair and students were able to produce good quality Translation Projects.

Nachteile:

I am still not sure about some functions that you can find in other CAT tools, for example, how to correct / amend the source text. It is also annoying not being able to split / merge segments as you like. It may not be entirely Smartcat's fault but at times chunks in a different language (usually Russian) appeared when translating from Japanese into English.

Great One-Stop-Shop For Translation

Kommentare: Meeting clients and increasing efficiency for non-SC-based projects

Vorteile:

Accuracy of text recognition of non-editable documents, ease of use

Nachteile:

Forced TM insertions and confirmations on false 100%+ matches

Fast and professional translation

Vorteile:

I love Smartcat. This platform has helped me to grow in my career. It has great tools and statistics I can sheer with my customers. It has also helped me to increase my number of regular clients. I love the order information page and market.

Nachteile:

I can’t get a preview of the work done during the translation.

All-in-one

Kommentare: Currently it is quite nice, with good payout options, especially since they added implemented Payoneer.

Vorteile:

It's time-saving having a CAT tool and a payment service integrated into one product, with a chat to help communication. Files can be exported in different formats.

Nachteile:

The payment service changes from now and then and we are not notified in advance. The search within the translation memory provides little information (i.e., segment confirmed by whom and when) or context. Some usernames disappear and you cannot know who confirmed the segment of left a comment unless they are aware of the issue and write it within the comment.

Very useful Translation tool and business management

Kommentare: I am very happy I discovered smartcat, I used to use it on a daily basis then. It is very useful to organize your files and translation projects. Also, to find new clients and gain some money inside the web app itself. They need to pay attention to the cons I listed by me.

Vorteile:

It is very good compared with paid translation tools supporting many languages Gives good opportunity to find new clients Setting your rate is a great advantage to avoid rate negotiation

Nachteile:

They didn't have a mobile app Customer service and dispute is done via e-mail and not a dispute platform which is not easy there is risk to get paid if customer decided not to pay Hang up sometimes when dealing with large files

Boost your translation profile, or find excellent candidates

Kommentare: Smartcat helps you focus on their translation by splitting files into sentences without worrying about formatting. It is a boon for businesses and freelancers to match and explore work opportunities.

Vorteile:

1. It has a web interface dashboard to view all your translation work, files, glossaries, and translation memories in one place. 2. You can pitch for translation, copywriting, transcription, or similar projects on the Smartcat community or apply on the inbuilt job portal. 3. Businesses can also find translator freelancers easily by going through the profile database and selecting as per star rating and credentials. 4. Freelancers can chat with businesses to explore further. 5. You can also set your pay rates to filter clients who meet the minimum price quoted. 6. The best thing about its payment page is that you can also receive payments from non-Smartcat projects. 7. The translation editor interface is easy to use and user-friendly. The best part is that all this comes for free. 8. There are a whole lot of settings to help in your translation work. Set up notifications, choose file formats, use templates, and so on. 9. Productivity services help you use OCR and machine translation. 10. If you complete your profile to 100% and get at least three ratings, you will get regular work from businesses worldwide.

Nachteile:

1. Machine translation and OCR are handy for freelancers, but they are payment-based services starting from a minimum of $1. 2. You may not get regular work initially. 3. Some jobs listed on the platform are too old to be helpful.

My best translation CAT tool

Kommentare: It is a good platform which puts every thing in one place.

Vorteile:

Ease to use, it doesn't need high speed internet, you can easily manage clients, free to use to freelancers, take large files without problems, SmartCat is a workplace and a bank 🏦 where you can work and receive money from clients.

Nachteile:

As a work place I am expecting to see the site removing some limitations for example some clients may assign you a scanned PDF file mostly hand written translation test to mark however it is imposible to re-upload them, also it is impossible to upload bilingual documents reviewed outside the tool.