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Translation · head to head

MateCat vs Weglot

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
Weglot logo

Weglot

Translation

Make your website multilingual in minutes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; Weglot free plan is capped at 2,000 words and a single language
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MateCat and Weglot actually diverge.

Attributes where MateCat and Weglot differ
AttributeMateCatWeglot
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription

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 MateCat

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

Only in Weglot

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

Weglot

  • E-commerce store translation into multiple languages instantlynot MateCat
  • Government website content accessibility in native languagesnot MateCat
  • Educational institution information in student/parent native languagesnot MateCat
  • International website reach for marketing teamsnot MateCat
  • Custom web application translation with media file supportnot 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.

Weglot

  • Free plan is capped at 2,000 words and a single language
  • Starter plan at $17 per month is limited to 1 language; reaching 3 languages requires the $32 per month Business plan
  • Word caps scale by tier from 10,000 on Starter up to 5,000,000 on the $769 per month Extended plan, with Enterprise priced on request beyond that

Pricing, plan by plan

MateCat

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

Weglot

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2000 words
    • 1 language
  • Starter$17/month
    • 10000 words
    • 1 language
  • Business$32/month
    • 50000 words
    • 3 languages
  • Pro$87/month
    • 200000 words
    • 5 languages
    • Professional translator access

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 Weglot if

  • You want to start without paying.
Weglot review

Questions people ask

Is MateCat or Weglot better?
Neither clearly leads. MateCat starts at Free and Weglot at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MateCat or Weglot?
MateCat starts at Free and Weglot at Free.
Does MateCat or Weglot run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use MateCat for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Weglot is typically brought in for.
What can MateCat do that Weglot 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.

Weglot: What is Weglot's pricing model?

Weglot offers seven tiers from free ($0/month with 2000 words, 1 language) to Enterprise (custom pricing). The Pro plan at $87/month includes 200,000 words and 5 languages with professional translator access.

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.

Weglot: Does Weglot offer a free trial?

Yes, all plans include a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Users can test the platform before committing to a paid plan.

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.

Weglot: What discount does Weglot offer for annual subscriptions?

Subscribe annually to receive 2 months free, effectively discounting your annual cost by one-sixth. You only pay the difference when upgrading plans mid-billing cycle.

Source
Weglot: How does Weglot handle over-limit usage?

When accounts exceed their plan's word limit, Weglot sends email notifications. An auto-upgrade feature is available to automatically move to the next tier without service interruption.

Source
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