Is Lokalise or MateCat better?

Neither clearly leads. Lokalise 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, Lokalise or MateCat?

Lokalise starts at Free and MateCat at Free.

Does Lokalise or MateCat run on more platforms?

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

Can I use Lokalise for free?

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

What is Lokalise best used for?

Lokalise is most often used for automating multi-product translation workflows, integrating github and gitlab for code localization, translating figma designs for global audiences, maintaining consistency with translation memory. Of those, automating multi-product translation workflows and integrating github and gitlab for code localization are not what MateCat is typically brought in for.

What can Lokalise do that MateCat cannot?

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

Translation · head to head

Lokalise vs MateCat

Lokalise

Translation

New packages to fuel your revenue growth

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: Lokalise there is no free tier; the entry Explorer plan starts at $144 per month; 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 Lokalise and MateCat actually diverge.

Attributes where Lokalise and MateCat differ
Attribute	Lokalise	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 Lokalise

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.

Lokalise

Automating multi-product translation workflowsnot MateCat
Integrating GitHub and GitLab for code localizationnot MateCat
Translating Figma designs for global audiencesnot MateCat
Maintaining consistency with translation memorynot MateCat

MateCat

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lokalise

There is no free tier; the entry Explorer plan starts at $144 per month
Multi-product workflow support requires the $999 per month Advanced plan
Enterprise security and support features are gated behind a custom quote

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

Lokalise

Free

Explorer$144/month
- Entry-level tier
- Glossaries
- Translation memory
Growth$375/month
- Enhanced automation
- Custom triggers
- Templates
Advanced$999/month
- Complex multi-product workflows
- Most popular tier
- Advanced AI capabilities
Enterprise$null/custom
- Custom SLA
- Specialized security
- Dedicated support

MateCat

Free

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Lokalise if

You want to start without paying.

Lokalise 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 Lokalise or MateCat better?: Neither clearly leads. Lokalise 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, Lokalise or MateCat?: Lokalise starts at Free and MateCat at Free.
Does Lokalise or MateCat run on more platforms?: Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Lokalise for free?: Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Lokalise best used for?: Lokalise is most often used for automating multi-product translation workflows, integrating github and gitlab for code localization, translating figma designs for global audiences, maintaining consistency with translation memory. Of those, automating multi-product translation workflows and integrating github and gitlab for code localization are not what MateCat is typically brought in for.
What can Lokalise do that MateCat cannot?: MateCat covers Browser-based CAT interface, Machine translation suggestions, Translation memory, Quality assurance checks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lokalise: How much does Lokalise cost?

Lokalise offers Explorer plan at $144/month for basic translation features, Growth at $375/month for enhanced automation, and Advanced at $999/month for complex workflows. Enterprise plans require custom quotes. All pricing is for monthly billing with no setup fees.

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.

Lokalise: Does Lokalise offer a free trial?

Yes, Lokalise provides a 14-day free trial for all plans with no credit card required, giving full access to evaluate features before committing to a paid subscription.

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.

Lokalise: What features does Lokalise's Advanced plan add?

The Advanced plan ($999/month) is designed for teams with complex, multi-product workflows. It includes all Growth features plus advanced AI capabilities, 24/7 support, and a dedicated account manager.

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.

Lokalise vs MateCat

Lokalise

MateCat

The short version

Where they differ

What each one covers

Only in Lokalise

Only in MateCat

What people use each for

Lokalise

MateCat

Where each one falls short

Lokalise

MateCat

Pricing, plan by plan

Lokalise

MateCat

Which should you pick?

Choose Lokalise if

Choose MateCat if

Questions people ask

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Related pages

More on Lokalise

More on MateCat

Keep looking

Other head to heads