You’re just starting out as a translator, making $200-300 a month, and Trados Studio costs from $150/year - which is the cheapest option out there. The obvious question: is there something free, cloud-based, where you just open your browser and start working? There is. And some of these tools actually cover 80% of what an average freelancer needs - if you know their limits.
Why a cloud CAT tool?¶
A cloud CAT tool (Computer-Assisted Translation - software that helps automate translation work) is a web platform where you translate directly in your browser. No installation needed, files are stored on the server, and your Translation Memory (a database of your previous translations) and glossaries are accessible from any device.
For a freelancer, that’s convenient: laptop died - grab another one and keep working. Switched your OS - nothing to reinstall. Working from a tablet at a coffee shop - also fine (though not the most comfortable experience, honestly).
The downsides: no internet means no work at all. And your files live on someone else’s servers - for some clients, that’s a confidentiality concern.
Smartcat Forever Free: the most generous free plan¶
Smartcat is probably the most well-known cloud CAT with a free tier. And it’s genuinely decent for getting started.
What you get for $0¶
- 15,000 words per month of AI translation (Smartwords)
- CAT editor with no project limits
- Translation Memory and glossary - unlimited storage
- Unlimited users (you can invite colleagues)
- Access to a marketplace with 500,000+ translators
- AI translation for 280+ languages
- Projects never expire - they stay in your account forever
For a beginner translator or a small team of 2-3 people, this honestly covers the basics. You get a full CAT editor with TM and glossaries, no limits on project count or file size.
Where’s the catch¶
15,000 words per month is the limit specifically on AI translation (Smartwords). You can do manual translation in the CAT editor without any limits. But if you’re using machine translation as a first draft (and in 2026, most translators do) - 15,000 words will run out after 2-3 medium projects.
Advanced QA checks, extended analytics, and some AI features (like AI Agents - autopilot for translation projects) are only available on paid plans starting at $99/month.
There’s another thing worth knowing about. Trustpilot and ProZ have serious complaints from freelancers about payment issues through Smartcat’s marketplace. Delays lasting months, blocked payments with no explanation. One freelancer wrote: “Money was withheld for 6 months, support didn’t respond to a single message.” If you’re planning to use the marketplace to find clients - definitely check the current payment situation.
As a CAT tool, Smartcat is great. As a marketplace for earning money - there are risks. More details on Smartcat and its main competitor in our Phrase TMS vs Smartcat comparison.
MateCat: completely free and open source¶
MateCat is a different beast. It’s completely free, with zero word limits, and runs on open-source code (LGPL license).
What you get¶
- Unlimited translation - no word or project limits whatsoever
- 80+ file formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, InDesign, OpenOffice, iWorks)
- 83 languages
- Public TM with 12 billion matches (yes, billion - it’s an aggregated database from various sources)
- Private TM - create your own databases, stored in your account
- Built-in machine translation (ModernMT by default)
- QA checks (including lexiqa for in-segment verification)
- TM export/import in TMX format
How it works¶
Open matecat.com, upload a file, pick your language pair - and translate. Without registration, you can translate a single file. With a free account, you get access to TM storage, project management, and more.
ModernMT (the built-in MT engine) adapts to your translation style in real time - it learns from your edits and suggests more accurate options with every segment. For a beginner translator, it’s like having an assistant who gets smarter every minute.
Limitations¶
MateCat is a pure CAT editor without TMS functionality. There’s no team management, no marketplace, no task distribution between translators. For a solo freelancer, that’s not a problem. For an agency, it’s not enough.
The interface is simple - sometimes too simple. Some features (like advanced segmentation or complex QA rules) are missing. If you’re used to Trados or MemoQ, MateCat will feel spartan by comparison.
One more thing: that public TM with 12 billion matches is both an advantage and a risk. Those matches come from different sources with varying quality. For technical or legal translation, you’re better off relying on your own private TM.
Wordfast Anywhere: a classic with limits¶
Wordfast Anywhere is the cloud version of the well-known desktop CAT tool Wordfast. It used to be completely free for everyone - now it comes with limitations.
Free mode¶
- 15,000 words per month
- TM and glossaries
- QA checks (Transcheck)
- Machine translation
- Alignment (creating TM from already-translated parallel documents)
- Up to 10 documents at a time in your workspace
What happens after 15,000 words¶
When you hit the limit, Wordfast Anywhere drops into “basic mode” until the end of the month. That means: TM and glossaries become unavailable, MT shuts off, uploading new files is blocked, and the segment toolbar gets disabled. Basically, you’re left with a bare text editor.
For a translator who works irregularly or handles small volumes (1-2 documents per month), 15,000 words might be enough. But if you’re an active freelancer with a steady stream of orders - that limit runs out in the first week.
Strong points¶
Wordfast Anywhere stores TM, glossaries, and files on a secure server - password-protected access from any device. The interface isn’t the most modern, but it’s functional and stable. For anyone already familiar with desktop Wordfast, the cloud version will feel intuitive.
Phrase (ex-Memsource): no more free plan¶
If you see in older articles that “Memsource is free for freelancers” - that’s outdated. Memsource was renamed to Phrase in 2022, and there’s no free plan anymore.
What they offer¶
The cheapest option is the Freelancer plan at ~$27/month (or ~$324/year). For that you get 1 TMS seat, a CAT editor, QA checks, TM and term bases, integrations with GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket, and 24/7 support.
There’s a 14-day free trial with Enterprise features (minus integrations). For agencies, the Team Start plan starts at $29/user/month.
Why Phrase is still worth mentioning¶
Phrase’s CAT editor is one of the best on the market. It holds a 4.5/5 rating on G2 based on 1,250+ reviews. Translators praise the speed, stability, and clean interface. One reviewer on ProZ wrote: “Unlike Trados, Phrase is just plug-and-play. You open it and work, without thinking about bugs and glitches.”
But at $27/month ($324/year), it’s not “free” by any stretch. For a translator with stable income - a smart investment. For a beginner who doesn’t know if they’ll stick with the profession - an unnecessary expense.
More on Phrase and alternatives in our Trados Studio review and CAT tools comparison.
Comparison table: everything in one place¶
| Feature | Smartcat Free | MateCat | Wordfast Anywhere | Phrase Freelancer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $0 | $0 (with limit) | ~$27/mo |
| Word limit | 15,000/mo (AI) | No limit | 15,000/mo | No limit |
| TM | Unlimited | Public + private | Yes (up to limit) | Yes |
| Glossary | Yes | Yes | Yes (up to limit) | Yes |
| MT | 280+ languages | ModernMT | Yes | DeepL, Google, Microsoft |
| QA | Basic | lexiqa | Transcheck | Advanced |
| File formats | Standard | 80+ | Standard | Standard |
| Registration | Yes | No (basic use) | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace | 500,000+ linguists | No | No | No |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | No |
| Collaboration | Real-time | Basic | No | Yes |
What about free desktop CAT tools?¶
If cloud tools don’t work for you (need offline access, worried about data privacy, or just want more control) - there are two desktop options worth a look.
OmegaT - completely free, open source, runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s got TM, glossaries, MT integration, and supports plenty of formats. The downside - the interface looks like it hasn’t been updated in 15 years, and the learning curve is steeper than cloud tools. We wrote a full guide on OmegaT.
CafeTran Espresso - free version limited to 1,000 Translation Units in TM and 500 glossary terms. Enough for small projects. Full license costs €80/year, which is cheaper than most competitors. Translators on ProZ love CafeTran for its flexibility and AI integration.
When free is enough¶
A free cloud CAT is a solid working option if you’re:
- A beginner translator still learning how CAT tools work
- A freelancer with low volume (under 15,000 words per month)
- A translation student looking to practice
- Translating irregularly, as a side gig
It makes sense to upgrade to a paid tool when:
- Your volume grows and you’re constantly hitting limits
- Clients require you to work in a specific CAT (Trados, MemoQ)
- You need advanced QA checks for legal or medical texts
- You’re working in a team and need a full TMS with task distribution
Here’s my advice: start with MateCat or Smartcat Free, build your skills, accumulate Translation Memory. When your income grows - invest in Phrase or Trados. You can export your TM in TMX format and move it to any platform - it’s your main asset, and it stays with you. More on this in our article about managing and monetizing Translation Memory.
FAQ¶
Which free cloud CAT tool is best for beginners?¶
MateCat is the simplest option to start with. It’s completely free, has no word limits, and you can start translating without even creating an account. Smartcat Forever Free is also a good choice, but it has a 15,000-word monthly limit on AI translation.
Is it safe to store client files in cloud CAT tools?¶
Smartcat and Phrase store data on encrypted servers and comply with GDPR standards. MateCat is open source, and you can even deploy it on your own server for maximum privacy. Wordfast Anywhere stores files on a secured, password-protected server. But if a client requires an NDA with specific data storage conditions - check with the platform whether their infrastructure meets those requirements.
Can you export Translation Memory from a free CAT tool?¶
Yes. Smartcat, MateCat, and Wordfast Anywhere all support TM export in TMX format - the industry standard that every CAT tool can read. Glossaries can be exported as TBX or CSV. So if you later switch to a paid tool, you can take your entire translation database with you.
Does Memsource still exist or is it Phrase now?¶
Memsource was rebranded to Phrase in 2022. It’s now one product - Phrase Localization Platform. There’s no free plan anymore. The cheapest option for freelancers is ~$27/month or ~$324/year. There’s a 14-day free trial.
Is 15,000 words per month a lot or a little?¶
An average document (diploma, certificate, reference letter) is 500-2,000 words. A standard translation page is 250 words. So 15,000 words is roughly 7-30 documents or 60 translation pages per month. For a beginner translator or irregular work, that’s plenty. For an active freelancer translating 3,000-5,000 words per day - that’s 3-5 working days before you hit the limit.