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Translation · head to head

SDL Trados Studio vs Weglot

SDL Trados Studio logo

SDL Trados Studio

Translation

Windows desktop CAT tool that agencies treat as the default exchange format

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Weglot logo

Weglot

Translation

Make your website multilingual in minutes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Weglot has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SDL Trados Studio it runs on Windows only, so macOS translators pay for a virtual machine or a second computer before they can accept work.; Weglot free plan is capped at 2,000 words and a single language
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SDL Trados Studio and Weglot actually diverge.

Attributes where SDL Trados Studio and Weglot differ
AttributeSDL Trados StudioWeglot
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, WebWeb

Identical on both: 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 SDL Trados Studio

  • Translation memory
  • Term base integration
  • File filters
  • Alignment
  • Quality assurance checks
  • App store extensions

Only in Weglot

Nothing recorded that SDL Trados Studio does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

SDL Trados Studio

  • Freelance translators who must open and return agency supplied Studio packagesnot Weglot
  • Language service providers running multi-vendor projects with shared memories and term basesnot Weglot
  • Regulated translation work where segment level memory matches must be auditablenot Weglot
  • Translating formats such as InDesign or structured XML where tag handling is the hard partnot Weglot

Weglot

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

Where each one falls short

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

SDL Trados Studio

  • It runs on Windows only, so macOS translators pay for a virtual machine or a second computer before they can accept work.
  • A perpetual licence covers the version you bought, and each major release is a further purchase, so the total cost over five years resembles a subscription without being described as one.
  • The learning curve is long: project settings, filters and memory configuration have to be understood before quality output is possible, which makes casual use impractical.
  • Memories and projects are local by default, and real collaboration needs GroupShare or the cloud tiers at extra cost, so two translators sharing one memory is a paid upgrade.
  • Third party plugins from the app store are maintained by their authors and frequently stop working after a major Studio release, which strands workflows that depend on them.

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

SDL Trados Studio

On request
  • SDL Trados Studio$undefined/year
    • Freelance, Professional and cloud tiers sold separately
    • Perpetual desktop licences and subscriptions both offered
    • Prices vary by region, reseller and frequent discount campaigns

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 SDL Trados Studio if

  • You need translation memory.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want term base integration.
SDL Trados Studio review

Choose Weglot if

  • You want to start without paying.
Weglot review

Questions people ask

Is SDL Trados Studio or Weglot better?
Neither clearly leads. SDL Trados Studio starts at On request and Weglot at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SDL Trados Studio or Weglot?
Weglot has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for SDL Trados Studio and Free for Weglot.
Does SDL Trados Studio or Weglot run on more platforms?
SDL Trados Studio runs on Windows, Web. Weglot runs on Web.
Can I use Weglot for free?
Yes. Weglot has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SDL Trados Studio starts at On request.
What is SDL Trados Studio best used for?
SDL Trados Studio is most often used for freelance translators who must open and return agency supplied studio packages, language service providers running multi-vendor projects with shared memories and term bases, regulated translation work where segment level memory matches must be auditable, translating formats such as indesign or structured xml where tag handling is the hard part. Of those, freelance translators who must open and return agency supplied studio packages and language service providers running multi-vendor projects with shared memories and term bases are not what Weglot is typically brought in for.
What can SDL Trados Studio do that Weglot cannot?
SDL Trados Studio covers Translation memory, Term base integration, File filters, Alignment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SDL Trados Studio: Is it still called SDL Trados?

The product is now sold as Trados Studio by RWS, which acquired SDL in 2020. Older documentation and job adverts still say SDL Trados.

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
SDL Trados Studio: Do I need it if my clients use a cloud TMS?

Often yes. Agencies still send Studio packages, and accepting them without the tool means manual conversion and lost memory matches.

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
SDL Trados Studio: Can I run it on a Mac?

Not natively. Translators use Parallels, Boot Camp on older hardware, or a Windows virtual desktop.

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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