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Translation · head to head

MateCat vs Phrase

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
Phrase logo

Phrase

Translation

A flexible platform with product capacities that scale with your team

From
On request
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.; Phrase business and Enterprise tiers require contacting sales for pricing
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MateCat and Phrase actually diverge.

Attributes where MateCat and Phrase differ
AttributeMateCatPhrase
Starting priceFreeOn request
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 Phrase

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 Phrase
  • A small agency wanting basic hosted project management without paying for a commercial TMSnot Phrase
  • A translator who wants MT suggestions from multiple engines surfaced alongside translation memory matches in one interfacenot Phrase
  • A team occasionally needing quick file translation through a browser without setting up desktop softwarenot Phrase

Phrase

  • Software localizationnot MateCat
  • Translation managementnot MateCat
  • Multi-language content deliverynot 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.

Phrase

  • Business and Enterprise tiers require contacting sales for pricing
  • Multimedia localization (Phrase Studio) is a paid add-on across all plans

Pricing, plan by plan

MateCat

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

Phrase

On request
  • Freelancer$27/month
    • 1 TMS Seat
    • 200K managed words
    • Annual billing
  • Software UI/UX$525/month
    • 15 Strings seats
    • 1M managed words
    • Developer Portal with APIs
  • Team$1245/month
    • Unlimited TMS Seats
    • 20 Strings Seats
    • 1.2M Strings Managed Words
  • Business$null/mo
    • Unlimited TMS Seats
    • 150 Strings Seats
    • 3M Strings Managed Words

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 Phrase if

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

Phrase review

Questions people ask

Is MateCat or Phrase better?
Neither clearly leads. MateCat starts at Free and Phrase at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MateCat or Phrase?
MateCat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MateCat and On request for Phrase.
Does MateCat or Phrase 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. Phrase starts at On request.
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 Phrase is typically brought in for.
What can MateCat do that Phrase 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.

Phrase: What is the lowest-cost Phrase plan?

The Freelancer plan starts at $27/month when billed annually, including 1 TMS Seat and 200K managed 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.

Phrase: Does Phrase offer a free trial?

Yes, Phrase offers a 14-day free trial of Enterprise features across all plan types.

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.

Phrase: What are the per-seat costs for higher Phrase tiers?

The Team plan ($1,245/month) provides unlimited TMS seats and 20 Strings Seats. Business and Enterprise plans have unlimited seats but require custom quotes for pricing.

Source
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