Softwr

Translation · head to head

MateCat vs Plunet

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
Plunet logo

Plunet

Translation

Business and translation management system for language service providers and in-house translation departments

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.; Plunet pricing is never published and licensing is per user, so a growing agency faces a recurring negotiation each time it adds project managers.
  • They diverge on capability: MateCat covers Browser-based CAT interface, Plunet covers CAT tool connectors.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MateCat and Plunet actually diverge.

Attributes where MateCat and Plunet differ
AttributeMateCatPlunet
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feequote
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 Plunet

  • CAT tool connectors
  • Automated pricing
  • Vendor and resource management
  • Workflow templates
  • Financial reporting
  • Client and vendor portals

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

Plunet

  • A translation agency running dozens of concurrent projects across freelance vendors that needs automated quoting from CAT analysesnot MateCat
  • A corporate localisation department wanting margin and vendor-cost visibility across internal and outsourced worknot MateCat
  • An LSP replacing spreadsheet-based project tracking that is causing missed deadlines and billing disputesnot MateCat
  • An agency needing client and vendor self-service portals to cut manual email coordinationnot 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.

Plunet

  • Pricing is never published and licensing is per user, so a growing agency faces a recurring negotiation each time it adds project managers.
  • Configuration to match an agency real workflow is substantial, and firms report months of setup before the system reflects how they actually work.
  • It manages the business layer only; you still need and pay for separate CAT tools, so total software spend is higher than the Plunet quote alone suggests.
  • The interface is dense and built for full-time project managers, which makes it a poor fit for occasional users or very small teams.
  • Reporting and dashboards are functional rather than modern, and firms wanting BI-grade analytics typically export data to a separate tool.

Pricing, plan by plan

MateCat

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

Plunet

On request
  • Plunet BusinessManager$undefined/year
    • Licensed per named or concurrent user
    • Implementation and configuration charged separately
    • Pricing not published, quote depends on user count and modules

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 Plunet if

  • You need cat tool connectors.
  • You also want automated pricing.
Plunet review

Questions people ask

Is MateCat or Plunet better?
Neither clearly leads. MateCat starts at Free and Plunet at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MateCat or Plunet?
MateCat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MateCat and On request for Plunet.
Does MateCat or Plunet 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. Plunet 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 Plunet is typically brought in for.
What can MateCat do that Plunet cannot?
MateCat covers Browser-based CAT interface, Machine translation suggestions, Translation memory, Quality assurance checks. Plunet covers CAT tool connectors, Automated pricing, Vendor and resource management, Workflow templates.

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.

Plunet: Does Plunet translate documents?

No. It manages quoting, workflow, vendor assignment and billing around translation work performed in separate CAT tools.

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.

Plunet: Is pricing public?

No. Plunet is sold on a quote basis licensed per user, and cost depends on user count and modules selected.

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.

Plunet: Who actually buys it?

Translation and localisation agencies and corporate in-house translation departments, not the companies commissioning a one-off translation.

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