Trados Studio

Avantages

SDL Trados Studio is THE tool we use on a daily basis to manage most of our translation projects. It is powerful and I still have to come across a file type which Studio could not process. The SDL App Store is also a huge benefit and the integration of plug-ins just makes our work even faster. Want to be an efficient Language Service Provider? Then get yourself a SDL Trados Studio license!

Inconvénients

I wish one could export selected segments for review. Also, a more flexible segment sorting would be much appreciated

Avantages

- The Office-suite-look user interface makes the tool seem really familiar and user-friendly.
- Trados Studio has improved over time and has been implementing new useful filters for the most common file formats that make them a reference CAT tool in the sector.

Inconvénients

- Misses some powerful and advanced functionalities, especially to work with software files such as .resx, for that you need to turn to Passolo, also from the SDL family.

Avantages

Very useful when you get to find a version that works.

Inconvénients

Amazing number of bugs in any version. One version corrects previous bugs, and adds even worse ones.

Avantages

Trados is one of the most commonly used translation software out there. What I like about Trados is that it remembers phases that I have used previously so I can create a more consistent translation which alone is a huge time saver.

Inconvénients

Occasionally it freezes up it is also expensive. If you are working for an agency your agency might be able to offer you a different software free of charge.

Avantages

This program is probably the closest to the industry standard. It's extremely robust, with lots of add-ins the expand the capabilities. It covers all the standard bases as well for a modern CAT tool, and is usually the only CAT tool you'll see fully integrated in other translation project management tools or TMSs.

Inconvénients

It feels a little clunky in some places, and the features aren't always where you would expect to find them. SDL is clearly trying hard to get everyone onboard with their environment and their tools, but the reality is that the majority of translators in our industry (highly specialized legal translators) are at a point in their career where they don't need to invest in Studio to get the work they need, and so many top translators are unwilling to take projects that work in Studio. There is a very glitchy "offline review tool" that converts the project to a bicolumn word document, but it is not designed to be used for translation outside of the Studio environment, so it is a pain to work with, if it works at all.

Avantages

I just love Trados. I have used it since 2007 and Im one happy customer !

Inconvénients

Sometimes after updating few issues happens but they get solves soon.

Avantages

Translation Memory management is great, userinterface is friendly and doesn't take long getting used to.

Inconvénients

Processing PDF files can be a paint, sometimes impossible. Performance could be improved, maybe opt in for hardware accelleration? Definitely missing OCR option - I belive it is a must. Segmentation of documents could be improved, a lot of the times text loses sence due to segmentation.

Avantages

Easy to learn, worth the investment, makes my job easier and faster, helps me keep the same format as the original document.

Inconvénients

It is very pricey but the investment is worth the money if you want to work as a translator full time

Avantages

The possibility to handle almost all file formats you may come across while working as a translator, which allows you to use it for virtually any client and kind of project. Besides this, being the most popular software in the translation industry, it's essential if you want to work with agencies - so it's an investment that pays off.

Inconvénients

Not exactly user friendly. You get the feeling it has jus too many features and options an average translator does not need in order to provide a good quality translation. Besides this, it's very expensive and keeps crashing.

Avantages

Rich in features and functionalities. The support for community-made add-ons that solve various problems or improve (facilitate) functionality.

Inconvénients

Trados has the steepest learning curve among the leading CAT tools, and managing even a simple setting can be quite a challenge. I have to say I hate the fact the in order to be able to work with terminology, you are required to purchase a separate – and costly – tool.

Avantages

Trados supports a lot more file formats than any other CAT tool. If I compare Trados to Memsource, it is more sophisticated, and has more applications; and the translator if he/her has some time to spend can customize the software and use its advantages to the fullest.

A very good feature - 100% matches copy and confirm themselves.

No need for the Internet. You just need your computer and a valid TRADOS version.

Inconvénients

It is harder to understand than, e.g., Memsource. You cannot just open the software and translate, you should train to use its full potential. I spend more time when translating using TRADOS than when I use Memsource.

Quite expensive. I hate those almost yearly upgrades. At the end of 2018/beginning of 2019, I bought TRADOS 2017 version, and a few months later, I found out that TRADOS 2019 came out, so I just threw money down the drain.
Later, TRADOS 2021 was released. And it goes and goes like that as now, here comes TRADOS 2022.!!! A translator might feel like a money-making machine for the company. You purchase a license and might think that's it - but no, two/three years later, you should upgrade because the support would run out.

Another issue is that this CAT tool is not for beginners. It is difficult to understand, quite hard to use and takes a lot of time to get used to it. I still feel more comfortable with Memsource. The option to subscribe for the license and just pay quarterly could be a great option for TRADOS (it is for Memsource), therefore, I won't need to purchase software, I will just get the latest version as long as I pay the subscription fee.

I cannot recommend TRADOS for beginners, it is software for advanced translators.

Avantages

It makes your job as a translator sooo much easier, faster and more professional!
The translation memories and termbases allow you to work like 2x faster and keep consistency throughout your project.
It's a really powerful tool (after 5 years working daily with it, I still discover new and incredible tools and features every week).

Inconvénients

The software may freeze or present some errors that force you to reopen it.

It may also have a hard time working with MS Word file full of tags.

You may need a strong PC to work it properly and smoothly.

Avantages

That it facilitates third-party neural machine-based translation engines like DeepL.

Inconvénients

The UI feels a bit old-fashioned and sometimes overcrowded.

Avantages

Trados is a productivity tool that is indispensable for professional translators. It is the preferred platform of the industry and many clients require its use. Therefore, it is a good investment for professional translators. It has batch processing features and filtering options which aid in quality control and increase productivity.

Inconvénients

The filtering functions could be better/more complex. I have experienced quite a few bugs over the years. Easily accessible customer support costs extra. Finding direct help from Trados without paying for the support package is like pulling teeth. Luckily, so many people use the software, it is usually easy and quick to find troubleshooting tips through online forums.

Avantages

Trados Studio offers a steep learning curve. Within a few days after starting, you will be able to work efficiently and the user interface is quite fool-proof. There is a lot of information available online should you run into any issues with file formats or other matters that seem to be a hurdle to you.

Inconvénients

At first I was taken aback a bit by the price, however, considering that thanks to using the programme you will be able to work faster and more efficiently, your investment will soon pay off.

Avantages

There's a reason Trados is considered the standard for CAT tools across the industry. Not only is it one of the largest as far as functionality, but it's our #1 litmus test for not only our linguists but also our team members. Even if somebody never touches translation directly, it's important for them to know and understand how Trados works and how our software can integrate with it. I also personally love the videos and resources that are available to help troubleshoot any issues. Since it so widely used, there are also large communities of users that share tips and solutions that work for them.

Inconvénients

I feel like this is probably the complaint I see the most often, that Trados can be "clunky," unintuitive, and slow. It definitely has some quirks in those areas, but as long as you realize that when you're getting on, that it's just going to take as long as it takes and you're patient with it then it goes great.

Avantages

Fairly easy to use if you only do simple Word document translations. Pretty straightforward. Tags are easy to insert.

Inconvénients

Doesn't format as well as other CAT tool and the free version has a limit of terms it can store per client.

Avantages

It really speeds the working process, and helps keep consistency of similar documents.

Inconvénients

The only minus is the pricing, and that there are many update also to be purchased.

Avantages

This software has a feature wich gives you some suggestions about the words and sentences you have already translated.

Inconvénients

It happened several times that I lost my job because the program crashed and I could not recovered.

Avantages

Ease of use
Compatibility
Popularity

Inconvénients

Speed
Size

Avantages

In everyday situations I use this program. It is imperfect, but it gives a better result than the translators from Google. I am pleased with the simple interface and nice design. At the same time, the program has good functionality and remembers the previous translation (it allows inserting already finished pieces at full or partial coincidence).

Inconvénients

Translation is imperfect, as in any other automated translation system. I would like to improve the translation of the artistic text.

Avantages

I did not like much actually. I had great expectations but in the end I was a bit frustrated.

Inconvénients

It is confusing. I expected much from the product as it is very popular. But the price is way too high and what it offers is not something we can`t find in other similar products.

Avantages

The program has an intelligent memory that allows it to extract and quickly translate familiar pieces of text. This is a very convenient function, which is little implemented. It was she who caused my acquaintance with this system. I recommend.

Inconvénients

Absolutely useless for ordinary non-professional literature. This is not a translator in the classical sense. The program remembers what the translator has already translated. This point of many is misleading.

Avantages

Being one of the most used translation software, incorportating other translator glossaries is fairly easy. The feature to create new glossaries from already translated documents is perfect and really useful.

Inconvénients

It can be a little overwhealming for begginer translators with so many features, but nowadays is almost mandatory that every translator learns how to use this software, at least on the free trial.

Avantages

Very important software for translating.

Inconvénients

I didn't like the fact that it is a bit hard to learn using it.