Editor’s note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated in October 2019.
The translation process can often be somewhat tedious—sometimes covering a multitude of topics, requiring extensive research and contextual knowledge. Fortunately, the digital revolution triggered the creation of tools, software and resources that helps ease the burden of translation and improve efficiency, consistency and quality. Below is a list of translation tools that are recommended by translators, for translators.
1.Linguee
A crowd favorite, this unique translation tool combines a dictionary with a search engine, so you can search for bilinguals texts, words and expressions in different languages to check meanings and contextual translations. Linguee also searches the web for relevant translated documents and shows you how a word is being translated throughout the internet. It is often used in conjunction with Google Images to help translators and language learners alike.
2.SDL Trados Studio
The most recommended computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool by Gengo Wordsmiths, SDL Trados is a wise investment for full-time translators. This software features TM, terminology, machine translation and software localization. Most large agencies require translators to work with one of the established CAT tools, so using SDL Trados could also increase your client base and broaden your horizons. If you need time to decide before purchase, try a free demo version for 30 days.
3.The Free Dictionary
Available in a wide variety of languages, this comprehensive site is a dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia in one. Get free access to medical, financial and legal dictionaries, an extensive collection of idioms, acronyms, quotes, and several languages besides English, such as Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese. The encyclopedia also has sections updated regularly, providing users a word or article of the day. The free mobile application is compatible with iOS and Android devices.
4.Fluency Now
Fluency Now Professional is a premium CAT tool and translation memory software created for individual freelancers. Available for $9.95 per month, it’s compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems. For organizations, Fluency Now Enterprise gives access to extra features like Fluency Flow, a project management solution. It also provides a built-in proofreading software and project and document statistics.
5.ProZ
If you prefer interaction and crowdsourcing, then ProZ should be your go-to resource. Home to the world’s largest translation network, ProZ is a portal for professional translators who wish to collaborate on terms translation, dictionaries, training as well as receive access to discounts on translation tools. Translators can ask questions and join forum discussions, too.
6.MemoQ
A translation software designed for freelance translators, MemoQ offers a number of powerful functions that enable you to reuse previous translations. It also has features to help improve quality, check consistency and ensure the use of correct terminology. The 2015 version also has a faster spell-checking feature. See if it works for you by trying the free demo version for 45 days.
7.Memsource
A TM database integrated with Gengo to improve efficiency, Memsource is a cloud-based translation environment that provides an effective and efficient project-management tool. Users can further optimize their translation productivity using features like TM, editing and terminology management all within the platform.
8.Translators Café
An online community and forum where you can ask questions and advice from experienced translators. Registration is free for both professional and amateur translators, and members of Translators Café can bid and acquire jobs at no extra cost. Employers may contact the freelancers based on their bids or they can provide their information to translators. Payments are paid directly to freelancers with no escrow accounts.
9.Zanata
A web-based system for translators, content creators and developers to manage localization projects, Zanata handles the entire translation workflow and allows translators to focus on translations, not tools and formats. Its TM also finds and suggests the best translation matches in the entire system. Zanata’s Editor works on any web browser with no installation necessary. Multiple translators can also work on the Editor, with a chat room for real-time communication.
10.WordFast Pro
Wordfast Pro is a standalone, multi-platform TM tool designed to improve the translation process, for anyone from project managers to freelance translators. Unlike other CAT tools, translators can import and export TMs even with the demo version and can be used for an unlimited time. The only limitation is the size of the translation memory (500 units). There’s no need to pay extra for tutorials and support and they provide excellent customer support.
11.SmartCAT
A collaborative CAT tool, SmartCAT streamlines the translation process by allowing the translator, editor, and other contributors to work and collaborate in real time. This cloud-based software leverages the concept of translation memories (TM) and allows translators to create glossaries for consistent translations. In addition, SmartCAT now supports multilingual translation memories, which makes creating and managing TMs easier than with some desktop applications. This feature can also be beneficial for translators working in mixed language pairs.
12. Magic Search
For quicker terminology searches, Magic Search is a multilingual search engine that provides one-page search results of multiple dictionaries and other sources for different language pairs. It searches multiple sources such as Word Reference, TAUS, IETA, EUdict, and more. Users may also install a Google Chrome extension in their browser and customize the list of dictionaries and sources they’d like to search.
13. IATE (Interactive Terminology for Europe)
Launched in 1999, IATE, which stands for Interactive Terminology for Europe, is the European Union’s inter-institutional terminology database. This useful resource ensures the consistency and quality of all EU-related written communication. It plays a vital role for translators and language professionals as it covers all 23 official European languages, with 8.4 million terms EU-specific terms, 540,000 abbreviations and 130,000 phrases. Users can rate the reliability of the terms, which are fed into the database by EU terminologists and translators.
14. Microsoft Language Portal
For translators specializing in IT and software, the Microsoft Language Portal lets users search translations of key Microsoft terms and general IT terminology. The term base contains approximately 25,000 defined terms, including English definitions, translated in up to 100 languages. Users can also download the Microsoft Terminology Collection featuring standard terminology terms used across Microsoft products, as well as UI translations, Microsoft Style Guides, and the Microsoft Terminology Service API.
15.OmegaT
A free translation memory tool, OmegaT is an open-source software that allows translators to work more efficiently through fuzzy matching (computer-assisted translation) and automatic match propagation. This tool also uses multiple translation memories simultaneously and allows users to process multiple file projects at the same time. Its powerful tools include the Unicode (UTF-8) support that can be used with non-Latin alphabets; an integral spell checker, and compatibility with other translation memory applications.
16. Website Word Count
This is a free online tool that you can use to calculate repetitions and new words on the websites which are built on WordPress platform. From the developer of Website Word Count herself, Hanna Sles: “I receive many requests daily for English to Russian translation, mostly for website localization. To make it easier to count repetitions and new words on my website, I developed this tool to help translators and customers save their time and efforts. At the end of this year, I am planning to upgrade my tool so that it can also get word counts for websites on other platforms.”
Do you use some of these online tools? Share your thoughts and other recommendations with us!
Want to become a Gengo translator?
FAQs
What is the best online translation tool? ›
- Google Translate. Google Translate needs no introduction, being probably the most well-known machine translation software out there. ...
- DeepL Translator. ...
- Bing Microsoft Translator. ...
- SYSTRAN Translate. ...
- Amazon Translate.
How Much Can You Make As A Gengo Translator? The amount of money you can make on Gengo depends on your translating speed. For Standard translators, they begin at $0.03 a word. Once you feel that you've mastered the standard level of translation, you can take your test to qualify for the Pro level.
What is one writing tool you'd recommend for translators? ›SDL Trados Studio is a handy computer-assisted translation tool that allows you to work with a number of different formats. Because of its popularity amongst translators and translation agencies across the globe, using this tool has been beneficial for professionals to land more work.
What app do professional translators use? ›Trados is the most widely-used desktop translation tool, especially among companies, LSPs, and translation agencies.
Is there a better translation tool than Google Translate? ›DeepL is one of the best Google Translate alternatives for people who really value accuracy, especially when it comes to grasping context and local idioms. DeepL offers an API that you can use to automatically translate your website, as well as a web interface and apps to translate text content or text files (like .
How do I pass Gengo test? ›You must answer at least 4 out of 5 answers correctly to pass. If you get 5/5 correct answers, you may take the Standard or Pro level test. If you get 4 correct answers, you may take the Standard level test.
Can I earn money by translating? ›Freelance translation is a viable option for entrepreneurs who want to try their luck on the translation scene. Having a part-time job and freelancing on the side might be a good beginning, but making an applaudable amount of money as a freelance translator does not happen by accident.
Can I get paid to translate? ›What we offer you. At Fairlingo, both experienced and new translators have the opportunity to translate. The amount of money you will earn depends on the level of translation and your experience. You will be paid through PayPal.
What are the uses of online translation tools? ›It allows users to double-check a phrase or word's meaning. With a database of about 1,000,000,000 translations, the translator can back-check individual words and expressions. Aside from being a multilingual dictionary, translators can also search based on context.
Why translators use CAT tools? ›Many professional translators utilize CAT tools as it can help them increase productivity, catch mistakes, achieve consistency, and eliminate repetitive translations. CAT tools segment the text that requires translation and then present the segments in a way that is easier and faster to translate.
What is the best document translator? ›
1. Google Translate. Google Translate is the most famous Machine Translation service in the world.
Which translator are recommended for large number of system? ›SDL Trados Studio
Most large agencies require translators to work with one of the established CAT tools, so using SDL Trados could also increase your client base and broaden your horizons.
DeepL Translate: The world's most accurate translator.
What is an AI translator? ›AI translation is a machine translation process based on complex deep learning algorithms. Using intelligent behavior, it can reason and understand a source text and generate another in a different language.
How do I become a translator? ›...
- Become fluent in another language. ...
- Get specialized training. ...
- Become certified. ...
- Target a specific industry and learn the terminology. ...
- Gain work experience.
When using Google Translate with technical, simple content suited for a more accurate outcome, accuracy percentages can be close to 90%, requiring only 10% to be edited for a high-quality translation.
Is DeepL more accurate than Google Translate? ›For the languages that it supports, DeepL is regarded to be a bit more accurate than Google Translate. However, DeepL Translate has a limited language selection as compared to Google Translate and also costs more money.
What is the best Google Translate alternative? ›- DeepL.
- Microsoft Translator.
- iTranslate.
- Linguee.
- 5.Baidu Translate.
- Babylon Translator.
- Reverso Translation.
- TripLingo Translator.
Yes, it is 100% legitimate and safe to work for! The most common language pairs requested are currently English and Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Chinese. Gengo is a global platform that provides services 24/7, meaning you can set your own schedule and work whenever and wherever you want.
Can you be a translator without a degree? ›You can become a translator without a degree. At a minimum, professional language translators have a high school diploma or GED. Typically, employers don't require a formal degree in the language or languages you desire to translate, though some employers or clients may prefer it.
How do I create a Gengo account? ›
Creating your Gengo account
Please select "Customer" from the drop-down menu, read Gengo's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and agree by clicking the box, and enter your e-mail address and password. When you click the green button labelled "Create new Gengo account" you will be redirected to the screen below.
- Pick up freelance work online. ...
- Test websites and apps. ...
- Pick up tasks on Amazon's Mechanical Turk. ...
- Take surveys for money. ...
- 5. Make money from your blog as an affiliate. ...
- Sell your wares on Etsy. ...
- Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel. ...
- Become an Instagram influencer.
- Your own website.
- Traditional agencies.
- Online agencies. Gengo. OneHourTranslation.com. Unbabel. TextMaster.
- Oldies (but goodies?) ProZ. TranslatorsCafe. TranslationDirectory. TheOpenMic.
- General-purpose marketplaces. Upwork. Fiverr. Freelancer.com. Smartcat.
You can connect a Google AdSense account to your search engine to make money on contextually-relevant ads placed into the search results. Advertisers compete for placement in the search results, and when someone clicks on one of their ads, you can make a portion of the revenue.
How do I become a Gengo translator? ›- Step 1: Sign up. Create an account.
- Step 2: Enter your details. Please enter your name and address.
- Step 3: Tell us your experience. ...
- Step 4: Take the Gengo translator test. ...
- Step 5: Agree to our Terms & Conditions. ...
- Step 6: Go to the Work Dashboard, and start working!
EARN Rs. 5,000/Day Typing Online NO Skills Required Easiest Way to ...
How much can you earn translating online? ›How much does an Online Translator make? As of Oct 3, 2022, the average hourly pay for an Online Translator in the United States is $37.99 an hour.
What is a translator software? ›Translation software refers to any application that supports human translators throughout the process of transferring text from one language to another. It's designed to improve speed and quality through automation and terminology management. Translation software comes in both desktop and cloud versions.
How accurate is Google translation? ›Yes, Google Translate is very accurate for the most part. In some cases, it's 94%+ accurate! In fact, it's one of the top-rated translation tools when it comes to translation accuracy, though the exact accuracy will depend on the language pairs that you've chosen.
How can different tools be used in translating a literary text? ›- Borrowing. Borrowing is where words or expressions are taken directly from the source text and carried over into the target language. ...
- Calque (loan translation) ...
- Literal Translation. ...
- Transposition. ...
- Modulation. ...
- Equivalence/Reformulation. ...
- Adaptation. ...
- Compensation.
What are the 3 types of translators? ›
Generally, there are three types of translator: compilers. interpreters. assemblers.
What are the 4 basic concepts of translation? ›Outlining of some of his statements will be enough to get his point of view on trans- lation process: 1) the translation must convey the source words, 2) the translation must convey the source ideas, 3) the translation must be read like the original, 4) the translation must be read like a translation, etc.
What is translation skill? ›Translators are fluent in at least two languages so they can communicate between people who speak different languages. You can translate written or spoken communication to help people who aren't multilingual communicate better.
Is Google translate a CAT tool? ›Google Translator Toolkit was an online computer-assisted translation tool (CAT) - a web application designed to permit translators to edit the translations that Google Translate automatically generates using its own and/or user-uploaded files of appropriate glossaries and translation memory.
Are CAT tools good? ›At the beginning CAT tool divides your text into separate segments which are presented in a more suitable shape making the text easier to translate. CAT is especially useful when translating legal, scientific or technical documents. These documents are often full of repetitive terminology.
Are CAT tools useful? ›Common CAT Tool Users
Overall, it's estimated that CAT programs are used by more than 86% of translators. Furthermore, they are fundamental to the commercial translation way of doing business and they help save on translation cost and time.
For the languages that it supports, DeepL is regarded to be a bit more accurate than Google Translate. However, DeepL Translate has a limited language selection as compared to Google Translate and also costs more money.
Is Google Translate the best? ›Well, the short answer is this: Yes, Google Translate is very accurate for the most part. In some cases, it's 94%+ accurate! In fact, it's one of the top-rated translation tools when it comes to translation accuracy, though the exact accuracy will depend on the language pairs that you've chosen.
Is DeepL Translate accurate? ›If you want the most accurate translations possible, DeepL is definitely one of the best options. When it comes to translation accuracy, DeepL is regularly rated as the best, even beating out Google Translate. You can use the web interface or desktop apps for personal translation.
What translator is the most accurate? ›DeepL Translate: The world's most accurate translator.
What is the best translator to use? ›
- Best for everyday use: Google Translate.
- Best for basic phrases: Microsoft Translator.
- Best for conversation: Speak and Translate.
- Best for regional dialects: SayHi.
- Best for offline translation: iTranslate.
- Best for cultural immersion: TripLingo.
- Best for Asia travel: Waygo.
- Google Translate. ...
- Yandex Translate. ...
- Bing Translator. ...
- Reverso. ...
- Translatedict. ...
- MyMemory Translation. ...
- Babylon Translator. ...
- PROMT Online Translator.
Pocketalk Translator makes it easy to hold conversations in different languages, and can really help break down barriers when you're traveling for work or pleasure, but it's at the pricier end of the market so make sure it covers the languages you need before investing.
Is Microsoft Translator good? ›Fortunately, Microsoft Translator makes up for this with its excellent chat-based experience for text and voice conversations. The efficiency of this particular feature is what attracts developers in a couple of niches to the service.
Does DeepL have a limit? ›Translate text without limits
With DeepL Pro, you can bypass the free translator's limit of 5,000 characters and translate as much as you need via the web and desktop apps.
The translation software that professional translators use is called a CAT tool, which stands for “computer-aided translation.” And while that might sound a lot like Google Translate at first glance, it isn't.
What language is the most accurate in Google Translate? ›Some of the most accurate translations are the Spanish-English language pair. Even translations between these languages are not at the level for use by a business. Other languages have a lower level of accuracy. Some of these include Chinese, German, and Portuguese.
Is Google Translate 2022 good? ›When using Google Translate with technical, simple content suited for a more accurate outcome, accuracy percentages can be close to 90%, requiring only 10% to be edited for a high-quality translation.
Is there a better translator than DeepL? ›We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to DeepL, including Google Translate, Translate Me, Unbabel, and Microsoft Translator.
Why is Google Translate not accurate? ›Google Translate often produces translations that contain significant grammatical errors. This is due to the fact that Google's translation system uses a method based on language pair frequency that does not take into account grammatical rules. Google Translate does not have a system to correct for translation errors.
Is Google Translate improving? ›
Google Translate is the world's number one translation software. Since its launch in April 2006, Google Translate's quality of translation has improved a lot thanks to advances in machine learning, such as the GNMT (Google Neural Machine Translation) model.