# CAT tool

Source: https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-tool · Updated October 14, 2026

A **CAT tool** (computer-assisted translation tool) is software that splits a text into segments, shows each one next to its translation, and reuses earlier translations from a [translation memory](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory) so that a human translator works faster and more consistently.

## What a CAT tool does

- **Segments the text.** The source document is cut into sentences or paragraphs, and the translator works one segment at a time, in a two-column editor.
- **Suggests earlier translations.** Each segment is looked up in the translation memory. An identical sentence comes back as a 100% match, a similar one as a [fuzzy match](https://traduq.com/glossary/fuzzy-match).
- **Keeps terminology consistent.** A [termbase](https://traduq.com/glossary/termbase) shows the approved translation of each term as the translator types.
- **Protects the layout.** Text is extracted from Word, InDesign, HTML or software strings into a bilingual file, often [XLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/xliff), and put back into the original format at the end.
- **Checks quality and counts words.** Built-in QA catches missing numbers or tags, and a [CAT analysis](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-analysis) counts the words by match band for the quote.

## What a CAT tool is not

A CAT tool is not machine translation. DeepL and Google Translate are MT engines: they translate automatically, and most CAT tools can plug them in as one more source of suggestions. In a CAT tool, the translator decides what goes into every segment.

## Common CAT tools

Trados Studio, memoQ, Phrase, Wordfast Pro and Smartcat are the best known paid options; OmegaT (desktop) and MateCat (browser) are free and open source. Our [CAT tools comparison](https://traduq.com/blog/cat-tools-comparison) covers prices, Mac support and file compatibility.

## Example

A manual has 2,000 words, and 300 of them repeat sentences the translator already translated last year. In a CAT tool, those sentences appear pre-filled from the translation memory: the translator only checks them in context, and translates the rest. The same TM then keeps both manuals consistent.

TraduQ is not a CAT tool. Its free tools work alongside one, in the browser and without uploading your files: [count words by match band](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote), [QA-check an XLIFF](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) or [open a Trados SDLTM](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter) without a licence.

## Try it

- [Word count & quote](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote) — Count words by match band against your TM or CAT report, price the job and download the quote PDF.
- [Translation QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) — Check numbers, tags, spaces and consistency in bilingual files.
- [Open SDLTM files](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter) — Read Trados memories without Trados and save them as TMX, Excel or CSV.

## Related terms

- [Translation memory](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory)
- [Fuzzy match](https://traduq.com/glossary/fuzzy-match)
- [Termbase](https://traduq.com/glossary/termbase)
- [XLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/xliff)

## Related guides

- [Best Trados Alternatives in 2026 for Freelance Translators](https://traduq.com/blog/trados-alternatives) — Trados Studio alternatives for freelancers in 2026: memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Phrase TMS, CafeTran, OmegaT and MateCat on price, Mac and Trados files.
- [Wordfast vs Trados Studio (2026): Price, Features, Mac](https://traduq.com/blog/wordfast-vs-trados) — Wordfast Pro or Trados Studio? 2026 prices, three-year cost, Mac and Linux support, Trados packages, TM features and which to pick.
- [memoQ vs Smartcat vs Wordfast for a Small Agency (2026)](https://traduq.com/blog/memoq-vs-smartcat-vs-wordfast) — memoQ, Smartcat or Wordfast for a small translation agency? 2026 prices, team costs, shared TMs, Trados file support and which fits your agency.