Matecat
by Matecat
What Matecat is
Matecat is a free, open-source computer-assisted translation tool from Matecat, headquartered in Rome, Italy. It supports document and website translation, with translation memories, glossary tools, and adaptive machine translation from ModernMT in more than 200 languages. Translation memories and machine-translation matches can reduce how much text translators need to handle. Teams can assign jobs, discuss work in comments, collaborate in real time, and divide projects among translators.
Matecat states that it supports 80 file formats. On the hosted service, XLIFF works out of the box; other formats may require Matecat Filters. REST APIs can create projects and check their status, though obtaining API credentials requires contacting support with a description of the intended use. A user guide covers translating WordPress sites.
The service is available in a desktop browser, and its open-source server can be installed for self-hosting. For hosted use, Matecat says browser-to-server communications use SSL. It also says originals and translations are stored long term, and public segments may be used to provide matches to other users. The free plan is listed as free, with unlimited features, users, and projects. Matecat is not available on mobile devices.
Who it suits
Matecat suits freelance translators, language service providers, and companies that need translation memories, machine translation, or team workflows. It can also suit organizations that want to self-host the open-source server or connect project creation and status checks through its REST APIs.
What it does well
- Free plan lists unlimited features, users, and projects.
- Adaptive ModernMT translation covers more than 200 languages.
- Teams can divide projects and collaborate in real time.
- Supports document and website translation, including WordPress guidance.
- Open-source server can be deployed for self-hosting.
What to know first
- Not available on mobile devices.
- Hosted formats beyond XLIFF may require Matecat Filters.
- API credentials require contacting support with a use description.
- Hosted originals and translations are stored long term.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Matecat | Free · unlimited features, users, and projects | Free |
As matecat.com lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Matecat website in a desktop browser.
- Create a translation project and use XLIFF or check whether another format needs Matecat Filters.
- Use the free plan, which lists unlimited features, users, and projects.
- For self-hosting, follow Matecat's published server installation instructions.
- For API credentials, contact support with a description of the intended use.
Verdict
Choose Matecat if you need a free translation workspace with team collaboration, translation memories, and adaptive machine translation. Its self-hosted server may suit organizations that want data on their own machine. Look elsewhere if mobile access is essential or if you need hosted file formats beyond XLIFF without Matecat Filters.
Questions
How much does Matecat cost?
The listed Matecat plan is free. It includes unlimited features, users, and projects.
Is Matecat open source?
Yes. Matecat describes itself as open source and publishes instructions for installing its server for self-hosting.
Which platforms does Matecat support?
Matecat lists API, Linux, self-hosted, and web platforms. It can be used in a desktop browser and is not available on mobile devices.
Can Matecat translate websites and documents?
Yes. It supports document and website translation, and its user guide includes instructions for translating WordPress sites.
Does Matecat provide an API?
Yes. Its REST APIs can create projects and check their status. Getting API credentials requires contacting support with a description of intended use.
What does Matecat say about hosted data?
Matecat says browser-to-server communications use SSL and originals and translations are stored long term. Public segments may be used to provide matches to other users.
Facts from Matecat's own pages
- API
- Matecat provides REST APIs to create projects and check their status; creating API credentials requires contacting support with a use description. · guides.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- API access
- Yes · matecat.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Collaboration
- Teams can assign jobs, mention people in comments, collaborate in real time, and split projects among translators. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Desktop and mobile
- Matecat says it is not available for mobile devices and can be used on desktop through a browser. · matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Document translation
- Yes · matecat.com, 20 Sept 2026
- File support
- Matecat states that it supports 80 file formats, while its terms say the hosted service works with XLIFF out of the box and additional formats may require Matecat Filters. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · matecat.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Glossary tools
- Yes · matecat.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Rome, Italy · matecat.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- Matecat describes the software as suitable for companies, language service providers, freelancers, and other users. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Machine translation
- Matecat offers adaptive machine translation from ModernMT in more than 200 languages. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Matecat is a free, open-source online computer-assisted translation tool for translation companies, translators, and enterprise users. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Security and data
- Matecat says browser-to-server communications use SSL and its security guide states that originals and translations are stored long term; public segments may be used to provide matches to others. · guides.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Matecat publishes installation instructions for deploying its open-source server, which can keep data on the user's own machine. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Matecat support team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 19:00 CET. · guides.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Translation assistance
- Matecat uses translation memories and machine-translation matches to help reduce the text translators need to translate. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Translation memory
- Matecat has a native integration with MyMemory, and its terms say public segments may be used to provide translation matches to other users. · site.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Website translation
- Yes · matecat.com, 20 Sept 2026
- WordPress
- The user guide includes instructions for translating WordPress sites with Matecat. · guides.matecat.com, 10 Oct 2026
Where Matecat stands on Freedom251
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