Is Crowdin or MateCat better?

Neither clearly leads. Crowdin starts at Free and MateCat at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.

Which is cheaper, Crowdin or MateCat?

Crowdin starts at Free and MateCat at Free.

Does Crowdin or MateCat run on more platforms?

Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.

Can I use Crowdin for free?

Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.

What is Crowdin best used for?

Crowdin is most often used for software localization and translation management, multi-language content distribution via cdn, open source project localization, professional translation service integration. Of those, software localization and translation management and multi-language content distribution via cdn are not what MateCat is typically brought in for.

What can Crowdin do that MateCat cannot?

MateCat covers Browser-based CAT interface, Machine translation suggestions, Translation memory, Quality assurance checks.

Translation · head to head

Crowdin vs MateCat

Crowdin

Translation

Simple, transparent pricing. Start free and scale as you grow.

From: Free
Rated: -

Full review Website

MateCat

Translation

Free, browser-based CAT tool under the LGPL, developed and hosted by the translation company Translated

From: Free
Rated: -

Full review Website

The short version

Each has a real cost: Crowdin pricing based on hosted words (words × target languages) makes per-unit costs variable; MateCat the hosted version most users rely on depends on Translated srl’s continued operation and infrastructure decisions, unlike a self-run desktop tool.
Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crowdin and MateCat actually diverge.

Attributes where Crowdin and MateCat differ
Attribute	Crowdin	MateCat
Pricing model	subscription	Open source, no licence fee

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Translation).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Crowdin

Nothing recorded that MateCat does not also cover.

Only in MateCat

Browser-based CAT interface
Machine translation suggestions
Translation memory
Quality assurance checks
Project management
File translation

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Crowdin

Software localization and translation managementnot MateCat
Multi-language content distribution via CDNnot MateCat
Open source project localizationnot MateCat
Professional translation service integrationnot MateCat
Machine translation and AI content generationnot MateCat

MateCat

A freelance translator wanting a no-install, browser-based CAT tool with built-in machine translation suggestionsnot Crowdin
A small agency wanting basic hosted project management without paying for a commercial TMSnot Crowdin
A translator who wants MT suggestions from multiple engines surfaced alongside translation memory matches in one interfacenot Crowdin
A team occasionally needing quick file translation through a browser without setting up desktop softwarenot Crowdin

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Crowdin

Pricing based on hosted words (words × target languages) makes per-unit costs variable
Individual plan pricing not published; requires contacting sales
14-day trial limited to Team plan only; enterprise trial is 30 days
Annual billing only available for enterprise plans

MateCat

The hosted version most users rely on depends on Translated srl’s continued operation and infrastructure decisions, unlike a self-run desktop tool.
It is developed by a commercial translation company whose own paid services sit alongside the free tool, which is worth being aware of when evaluating vendor neutrality.
Being browser-based, it requires a stable internet connection, unlike OmegaT’s fully offline desktop application.
Advanced terminology management and enterprise-scale project features are more limited than a paid commercial TMS such as memoQ or Smartling.
Self-hosting the open source LGPL code independently of Translated’s hosted service requires technical setup effort that most individual translators are unlikely to undertake.

Pricing, plan by plan

Crowdin

Free

Free TierFree
- CDN: up to 1M requests and 10GB data transfer
- 14-day free trial of Team plan available
- Open source program: free license for non-profits

MateCat

Free

MateCatFree
- Free browser-based CAT tool, LGPL licensed
- Hosted and operated by Translated srl

Which should you pick?

Choose Crowdin if

You want to start without paying.

Crowdin review

Choose MateCat if

You need browser-based cat interface.
You want to start without paying.
You also want machine translation suggestions.

MateCat review

Questions people ask

Is Crowdin or MateCat better?: Neither clearly leads. Crowdin starts at Free and MateCat at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crowdin or MateCat?: Crowdin starts at Free and MateCat at Free.
Does Crowdin or MateCat run on more platforms?: Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Crowdin for free?: Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Crowdin best used for?: Crowdin is most often used for software localization and translation management, multi-language content distribution via cdn, open source project localization, professional translation service integration. Of those, software localization and translation management and multi-language content distribution via cdn are not what MateCat is typically brought in for.
What can Crowdin do that MateCat cannot?: MateCat covers Browser-based CAT interface, Machine translation suggestions, Translation memory, Quality assurance checks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Crowdin: Does Crowdin offer a free version?

Yes, Crowdin provides a free tier with up to 1M CDN requests and 10GB data transfer per month. 14-day free trial available for Team plan after registration.

Source

MateCat: Is MateCat really free?

Yes, it is free to use as a hosted browser-based tool and released as open source under the LGPL.

Crowdin: How is Crowdin pricing calculated?

Crowdin pricing is based on hosted words, calculated as number of words times number of target languages. Example: 500 words in 10 languages equals 5,000 hosted words.

Source

MateCat: Who maintains MateCat?

Translated srl, an Italian translation company, develops and hosts it; this differs from OmegaT, which is maintained by a volunteer open source community.

Crowdin: What trial options does Crowdin offer?

Crowdin provides a 14-day free trial of the Team plan and a 30-day free trial for enterprise plans. Open source and academic licenses are also available.

Source

MateCat: Can I self-host MateCat instead of using Translated’s hosted version?

The code is open source under the LGPL and technically self-hostable, but doing so requires meaningful technical setup most individual users skip in favour of the hosted service.

Crowdin: Does Crowdin offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes, Crowdin offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if canceling within 30 days of signup. Unlimited translators and proofreaders are included on all paid plans.

Source

Crowdin vs MateCat

Crowdin

MateCat

The short version

Where they differ

What each one covers

Only in Crowdin

Only in MateCat

What people use each for

Crowdin

MateCat

Where each one falls short

Crowdin

MateCat

Pricing, plan by plan

Crowdin

MateCat

Which should you pick?

Choose Crowdin if

Choose MateCat if

Questions people ask

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Related pages

More on Crowdin

More on MateCat

Keep looking

Other head to heads