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Translation · head to head

MateCat vs memoQ

MateCat logo

MateCat

Translation

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
memoQ logo

memoQ

Translation

Adapt your communication to local cultures with memoQ

From
€2904/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MateCat has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MateCat the hosted version most users rely on depends on Translated srl’s continued operation and infrastructure decisions, unlike a self-run desktop tool.; memoQ only Starter tier has published pricing; Essential, Professional, and Enterprise require sales consultation
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MateCat and memoQ actually diverge.

Attributes where MateCat and memoQ differ
AttributeMateCatmemoQ
Starting priceFree€2904/year
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: 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 MateCat

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

Only in memoQ

Nothing recorded that MateCat does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

MateCat

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

memoQ

  • Maintaining standardized terminology across marketsnot MateCat
  • Detecting inconsistencies and terminology issuesnot MateCat
  • Translating multiple projects simultaneously with teamnot MateCat
  • Managing translation memories and term bases centrallynot MateCat

Where each one falls short

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

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.

memoQ

  • Only Starter tier has published pricing; Essential, Professional, and Enterprise require sales consultation
  • Higher tiers require minimum PM license requirements (1+, 5+, 10+)
  • Linguist subscription scaling not transparent for plans above Starter

Pricing, plan by plan

MateCat

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

memoQ

€2904/year
  • Starter$2904/year
    • 1 Project Manager license
    • 5 Linguist subscriptions
    • Translate unlimited content
  • Essential$null/custom
    • 1+ PM licenses
    • 10 Linguist subscriptions per PM
    • Contact sales for pricing
  • Professional$null/custom
    • 5+ PM licenses
    • 10 Linguist subscriptions per PM
    • Contact sales for pricing
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • 10+ PM licenses
    • Custom Linguist subscriptions
    • Contact sales for pricing

Which should you pick?

Choose MateCat if

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

Choose memoQ if

Nothing in the data separates memoQ from MateCat on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

memoQ review

Questions people ask

Is MateCat or memoQ better?
Neither clearly leads. MateCat starts at Free and memoQ at €2904/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MateCat or memoQ?
MateCat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MateCat and €2904/year for memoQ.
Does MateCat or memoQ run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use MateCat for free?
Yes. MateCat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. memoQ starts at €2904/year.
What is MateCat best used for?
MateCat is most often used for a freelance translator wanting a no-install, browser-based cat tool with built-in machine translation suggestions, a small agency wanting basic hosted project management without paying for a commercial tms, a translator who wants mt suggestions from multiple engines surfaced alongside translation memory matches in one interface, a team occasionally needing quick file translation through a browser without setting up desktop software. Of those, a freelance translator wanting a no-install, browser-based cat tool with built-in machine translation suggestions and a small agency wanting basic hosted project management without paying for a commercial tms are not what memoQ is typically brought in for.
What can MateCat do that memoQ cannot?
MateCat covers Browser-based CAT interface, Machine translation suggestions, Translation memory, Quality assurance checks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

memoQ: What is memoQ's entry-level pricing for translation management?

memoQ Starter plan costs 2,904 euros per year (approximately $3,194 USD annually). This includes 1 Project Manager license and 5 Linguist subscriptions with unlimited translation capacity.

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.

memoQ: Does memoQ charge based on translation volume?

No, memoQ explicitly states no volume-based pricing model. Users can translate as much content as needed within their subscription tier without additional volume charges.

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.

memoQ: How do I get pricing for memoQ's Enterprise plan?

memoQ's Enterprise tier requires minimum 10 Project Manager licenses and custom Linguist subscription arrangements. Customers must contact memoQ sales directly for pricing details.

Source
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