Translation Management Systems (TMS) are essential tools for businesses and organizations that need to translate large volumes of content across multiple languages efficiently. While many enterprise-level TMS solutions come with significant costs, there are also free Free TMS System options available for smaller businesses, startups, or individual translators. These free systems can help streamline the translation process without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the best free TMS solutions to consider in 2024:
1. Lokalise (Free Tier)
Lokalise is a cloud-based TMS that offers a free tier for small projects or individual translators. This system is especially useful for app and software localization, but it can be adapted for general translation projects as well. Lokalise’s free tier allows users to manage and collaborate on translations with a limited set of features.
Key Features (Free Version):
- Collaboration Tools: You can invite a small number of collaborators to work together on translations.
- Translation Memory (TM): Store translations for reuse in future projects, ensuring consistency across your content.
- Version Control: Keep track of all changes and updates to translation files.
- Basic API Access: Allows for integration with other tools or platforms.
Best For: Small teams or individual developers working on app localization and other smaller translation tasks.
2. Wordfast Anywhere
Wordfast Anywhere is a web-based TMS that offers free access to its core features for individual translators or small teams. It provides essential translation management tools while being lightweight and easy to use. While it is not as feature-rich as some paid systems, it’s a great option for users who need a simple, free solution.
Key Features:
- Translation Memory (TM): Stores translations to ensure consistency throughout projects.
- Online Project Management: Manage translation projects from any location with internet access.
- Glossary Management: Build custom glossaries for consistent terminology usage.
- Bilingual Files: Allows translators to work with bilingual files such as .xliff and .tmx formats.
Best For: Freelancers or small businesses who need a simple and cost-effective translation tool.
3. MateCat
MateCat is a powerful, free, cloud-based TMS that caters to both professional translators and teams. It integrates seamlessly with other tools and offers several useful features typically found in more expensive TMS systems. MateCat is highly recommended for freelancers and small companies that need a robust translation management solution without the upfront cost.
Key Features:
- Translation Memory (TM): MateCat uses a dynamic Translation Memory that helps automate translation work while maintaining consistency.
- Machine Translation (MT): Integrates with machine translation engines such as Google Translate and Microsoft Translator for faster translation.
- Project Management Tools: Includes task assignments, deadlines, and progress tracking.
- Collaborative Environment: Supports team collaboration and allows users to share and edit translation projects in real-time.
Best For: Freelancers, translation agencies, and small businesses looking for a free tool with machine translation integration.
4. POEditor (Free Plan)
POEditor is a user-friendly TMS that offers a free plan for small projects. It is particularly popular among developers who need to localize software or web apps, but it can also be used for general translation management.
Key Features (Free Version):
- Translation Memory: Saves previous translations to avoid redundancy and ensure consistency across projects.
- Multiple File Formats: Supports various file formats such as .po, .xliff, and .json, which is useful for app and website localization.
- Collaborative Tools: You can invite collaborators to work on translation projects and track progress.
- API Access: Allows integration with external tools and systems.
Best For: Developers or businesses that need a free, lightweight TMS for software and web app localization.
5. Zanata (Open Source)
Zanata is an open-source TMS designed for managing translation workflows across different languages. Being open-source, it allows you to download and host the system yourself. It’s ideal for teams with some technical expertise, offering a fully customizable translation environment.
Key Features:
- Translation Memory: Zanata offers a robust translation memory feature to reuse and maintain consistency across different content types.
- Collaborative Tools: Works well with multiple translators, enabling them to collaborate on the same project.
- Glossary and Terminology Management: Create and manage terminology to ensure accuracy in translation.
- Version Control: Allows you to manage different versions of your translations, ensuring that the most current version is always available.
Best For: Teams with technical expertise that want to fully control their TMS and are looking for a customizable solution.
6. Smartcat (Free Version)
Smartcat offers a cloud-based translation platform with a free version ideal for freelancers and small teams. It combines a TMS with a marketplace for translation services, enabling collaboration between users and external translators. The free version of Smartcat provides essential tools for managing small projects effectively.
Key Features (Free Version):
- Translation Memory (TM): Access a shared Translation Memory to improve productivity and consistency.
- Machine Translation (MT): Integrated with MT engines for faster, automated translation, which can be edited by human translators.
- Collaboration Tools: Share projects and communicate in real-time with team members or external translators.
- File Support: Works with a variety of file formats, including Word, Excel, and .xliff.
Best For: Freelancers, small businesses, or agencies who need an affordable, user-friendly platform for translation management.
7. GlotPress (Open Source)
GlotPress is an open-source, web-based translation management system that allows users to create and manage translation projects for WordPress and other websites. It’s a free alternative for those who need basic TMS functionalities without complex features.
Key Features:
- Multilingual Project Support: GlotPress supports translation projects for WordPress and other platforms.
- Collaborative Translation: Allows multiple translators to work on the same project.
- Translation Memory: Automatically suggests translations to improve efficiency and consistency.
- Real-Time Editing: Changes to translations are visible in real time, making collaboration smooth.
Best For: WordPress site owners, small teams, and open-source projects requiring an easy-to-use TMS.
Conclusion
For those looking to implement a TMS without breaking the bank, there are several free options available, each with its unique strengths. Here’s a quick recap of the best choices:
- Lokalise: Best for app and software localization.
- Wordfast Anywhere: Ideal for freelancers and small businesses.
- MateCat: Perfect for small teams and freelance translators who need machine translation integration.
- POEditor: Great for developers localizing software and websites.
- Zanata: Best for teams with technical expertise who want an open-source solution.
- Smartcat: A solid option for freelancers and small teams with a marketplace integration.
- GlotPress: A good choice for WordPress-based translation projects.
