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Swordfish

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What Swordfish is

Swordfish is a desktop computer-aided translation application that uses XLIFF to organize multilingual work across many file types. Translators can import source files or translation packages, edit segments in the built-in workspace, use translation suggestions, and export translated files or return packages. It supports XLIFF versions 1.0 through 2.2 and TMX exchange for translation-memory data between CAT tools. Supported content includes Microsoft Office, HTML, Markdown, DITA, JSON, JavaScript, PO, SDLXLIFF, Trados packages, and SRT or VTT subtitles. Translation memory and Auto-Translation are included; Auto-Translation combines matches from translation memory and terminology databases. Listed machine-translation connections include Azure Translator Text, DeepL API, Google Cloud Translation, ModernMT, Qwen, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and Ollama. The maker says Ollama on a local network keeps source text inside that local environment. Segment filters can show statuses such as translatable, translated, commented, or approved, and HTML views of XLIFF files can be opened for proofreading. Swordfish costs $140 per year, with a 30-day evaluation-key trial. Its source code can be downloaded, compiled, modified, and used free of charge.

Who it suits

Swordfish suits translators and localization teams working with XLIFF-based projects, translation memory, terminology, and varied document formats. It also fits users who need machine-translation connections or want to run Ollama within a local network.

What it does well

  • Supports XLIFF 1.0 through 2.2 and TMX exchange
  • Handles Office, web, coding, DITA, PO, and subtitle files
  • Includes translation memory and terminology-based Auto-Translation
  • Connects to numerous listed machine-translation services
  • Offers segment-status filtering and browser proofreading views
  • Source code can be downloaded, modified, and used free

What to know first

  • Subscription costs $140 per year
  • The 30-day trial requires an evaluation key
  • Linux installers are tested only on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
  • Subscription keys cannot be shared or transferred between machines

Limits

The evaluation lasts 30 days; after it ends, the installer version requires a subscription. Linux installers are built and tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and are not tested on other distributions.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
SwordfishOne Year Subscription · Subscription key cannot be shared or transferred between machines$140 a year

As maxprograms.com lists them, read 29 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the Swordfish product website
  2. Download an official installer or obtain the source code
  3. Use an evaluation key for the free 30-day trial
  4. Import files or translation packages
  5. Translate in the built-in editor
  6. Export translated files or return packages

Verdict

Choose Swordfish for a desktop translation workflow centered on XLIFF, translation memory, terminology, and broad file compatibility. Its many machine-translation integrations and downloadable source code add flexibility. Consider another tool if you need Linux support tested across distributions or a transferable subscription key.

Questions

What platforms does Swordfish support?

Swordfish is listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

How much does the subscription cost?

The listed plan costs $140 a year, billed as a one-year subscription.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Official installers provide a free 30-day trial through an evaluation key.

Which translation formats are supported?

Swordfish supports XLIFF 1.0–2.2, TMX exchange, Office, HTML, Markdown, DITA, JSON, JavaScript, PO, SDLXLIFF, Trados packages, and SRT or VTT subtitles.

Which machine-translation integrations are listed?

Integrations include Azure Translator Text, DeepL API, Google Cloud Translation, ModernMT, Qwen, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and Ollama.

Is Swordfish open source?

Its source code can be downloaded, compiled, modified, and used free of charge.

Facts from Swordfish's own pages

CAT tool compatibility
Swordfish supports XLIFF versions 1.0 through 2.2, accepts Trados Studio packages and creates return packages, and supports WordfastPRO and memoQ XLIFF files. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
File formats
Supported formats include Microsoft Office, HTML, Markdown, DITA, JSON, JavaScript, PO, SDLXLIFF, Trados packages, and subtitles in SRT and VTT formats. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Free plan
No · maxprograms.com, 21 Sept 2026
Local AI privacy
The maker says using Ollama on a local network keeps source text within the local environment. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
MT integrations
Listed machine translation integrations include Azure Translator Text, DeepL API, Google Cloud Translation, ModernMT, Qwen, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and Ollama. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Platform limits
The maker says Linux installers are built and tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and are not tested on other distributions. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Proofreading
Swordfish can generate HTML views of XLIFF files for proofreading in the system's default web browser. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Purpose
Swordfish is a computer-aided translation tool built around XLIFF for translating and managing multilingual content across multiple file formats. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Segment filtering
Translators can filter segments using statuses such as translatable, translated, commented, or approved. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Source code
Swordfish source code can be downloaded, compiled, modified, and used free of charge. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Standards
Swordfish uses XLIFF as its core format and supports TMX for exchanging translation memory data between CAT tools. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Support and installers
The subscription includes direct email support, and subscription benefits include ready-to-use installers plus notarized macOS and signed Windows launchers and installers. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Translation engines
Built-in translation engines include translation memory and Auto-Translation, which assembles matches from translation memory and terminology databases. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Translation memory
Yes · maxprograms.com, 21 Sept 2026
Translation workflow
Its workflow supports importing files or translation packages, translating in a built-in editor, using translation suggestions, and exporting translated files or return packages. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026
Trial and access
Official installers offer a free 30-day trial by evaluation key; a subscription is required to use the installer version after the trial expires. · maxprograms.com, 29 Sept 2026

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