Smartcat (smartcat.com) is a cloud-based translation platform that serves both enterprise localisation teams and language service providers (LSPs). Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Smartcat combines three core capabilities: a professional computer-aided translation (CAT) editor, an AI-powered machine translation engine, and a marketplace connecting clients directly with a global network of 500,000+ freelance translators and LSPs. This combination makes it unusual in the market — it is simultaneously a translation management system for in-house teams and a sourcing and project management platform for agencies and outsourced translation workflows.
Smartcat's AI translation capabilities include neural machine translation with project-specific adaptation, AI-assisted post-editing suggestions in the CAT editor, and automated quality assurance checks. The platform also offers Smartcat AI for content generation — allowing teams to generate multilingual marketing copy, product descriptions, and other content in multiple languages simultaneously using AI, rather than translating from a single source language.
How Smartcat Works
Project managers upload source files (documents, XLIFF, PO, DOCX, XLSX, and many others), create a project, and configure target languages. Smartcat AI generates machine translation drafts automatically. Managers then either assign the project to in-house translators, invite freelancers from the Smartcat marketplace, or use a connected LSP. Translators work in Smartcat's CAT editor, which provides translation memory matches, glossary enforcement, AI suggestions, and quality checks inline. Completed translations are reviewed, approved, and exported in the original file format. The entire project workflow — from file upload and vendor assignment to delivery and invoicing — is managed within Smartcat's dashboard.
Key Features
- Smartcat AI translation — neural machine translation with project-specific adaptation and AI post-editing suggestions in the CAT editor
- AI content generation — generate multilingual marketing copy, product descriptions, and content directly in multiple languages using AI
- Freelancer marketplace — access to 500,000+ vetted freelance translators and LSPs covering 280+ language pairs for outsourced translation
- Professional CAT editor — cloud-based translation editor with TM matches, glossary, AI suggestions, QA checks, and real-time collaboration
- Translation memory and glossary — project and account-level TM and glossary to maintain consistency and reduce costs across projects
- Multi-format file support — DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF, XLIFF, PO, JSON, HTML, InDesign, and 50+ other formats for document and software localisation
- Automated QA checks — flags missing tags, terminology errors, inconsistencies, and formatting issues before project delivery
- Vendor and project management — end-to-end project management with vendor assignment, deadline tracking, and integrated invoicing
- API and integrations — REST API, GitHub connector, and integrations with CMS platforms for automated content localisation workflows
- Real-time collaboration — multiple translators and reviewers can work on the same project simultaneously in the CAT editor
Smartcat Pricing
Smartcat offers annual subscription plans. The platform's freelancer marketplace charges are separate from the subscription.
- From $1,200/year (~$100/month) — platform access including Smartcat AI translation, CAT editor, translation memory, glossary, QA automation, and project management features. Marketplace translation is billed separately at per-word rates agreed directly with freelancers or LSPs. Custom enterprise plans available for larger programmes.
A free plan with limited usage may be available for evaluation. Always verify current rates at smartcat.com/pricing.
Who Should Use Smartcat?
Smartcat is particularly well suited to language service providers and translation agencies managing multiple clients and projects simultaneously — the combination of professional CAT tooling, project management, and integrated vendor marketplace is purpose-built for the LSP workflow. Enterprise in-house localisation teams that regularly outsource translation to freelancers will also find the marketplace integration valuable, as it replaces separate vendor management tools. The AI content generation feature appeals to global marketing teams producing multilingual content at scale. Teams looking purely for a developer-focused localisation pipeline without the agency workflow layer may find Lokalise or Localazy more appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smartcat used for?
Smartcat is a translation management and localisation platform used by in-house localisation teams, translation agencies, and language service providers. It combines AI machine translation, a professional CAT editor, and a global freelance translator marketplace, allowing teams to manage the full translation workflow — from file upload and AI-generated drafts through human translator assignment, review, and delivery — within a single platform.
How much does Smartcat cost?
Smartcat's subscription starts from $1,200 per year (approximately $100 per month). This covers platform access including AI translation, the CAT editor, translation memory, QA automation, and project management. Human translation ordered through the freelancer marketplace is billed separately at per-word rates agreed directly with the translators or LSPs. A free evaluation plan may be available — check the Smartcat website for current availability.
How large is the Smartcat translator marketplace?
Smartcat's freelancer marketplace includes more than 500,000 translators, editors, and language specialists covering 280+ language pairs. Translators are vetted and rated based on their performance history on the platform. Project managers can search the marketplace by language pair, subject matter specialisation, and rate, and invite specific translators directly to their projects. The marketplace also includes translation agencies and LSPs for teams that prefer working with established vendors rather than individual freelancers.
What file formats does Smartcat support?
Smartcat supports more than 50 file formats including DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF, XLIFF, PO/POT, JSON, HTML, InDesign (IDML), FrameMaker (MIF), SubRip (SRT), and many more. This broad format support covers both software localisation file types (XLIFF, PO, JSON) and document translation formats (Office, PDF, InDesign), making Smartcat suitable for teams that handle both software strings and marketing or documentation content in the same platform.
Does Smartcat have AI content generation beyond translation?
Yes. Smartcat AI includes a content generation feature that can produce original multilingual marketing copy, product descriptions, social media posts, and other content directly in multiple target languages simultaneously — rather than writing in one language and then translating. This is distinct from machine translation post-editing and is designed for marketing and content teams that need to produce high-volume multilingual content efficiently without a traditional source-then-translate workflow.
