BasicCAT
What it is
BasicCAT is a free, open-source computer-aided translation tool for desktop use on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It includes translation memory and terminology management, along with language checks, Quickfill, AutoCorrect, interactive machine translation, and segment merging and splitting. Listed file support includes TXT, IDML, XLIFF, and Gettext PO, as well as the TMX, TBX, and SRX standards. Translators can export Word files for external review or create bilingual paragraph files. Documentation lists built-in connections to 12 machine translation services, including Baidu, Google, Microsoft Bing, MyMemory, Tencent Cloud, IBM Watson, and Amazon. Most listed services require API keys; MyMemory instead requires an email address. Language checks use LanguageTool through its API or locally. Translation memories and terms can be shared through a server program, while Git collaboration applies to work files and does not sync those resources. The sharing server requires Java 8 or later. Available plugins include ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepL, Google, and Amazon machine translation options, plus a Gettext PO filter.
For and against
For
- Includes translation memory and terminology management.
- Supports several file formats and translation standards.
- LanguageTool can run through its API or locally.
- Available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Against
- Most machine translation services require API keys.
- Git collaboration does not sync translation memory or terms.
- The sharing server requires Java 8 or later.
The verdict
BasicCAT combines core translation resources, file support, and machine translation connections in a free desktop tool. Check the service credentials and sharing limits before choosing it for team work.
Who it suits
BasicCAT suits translators who want a free desktop workspace with translation memory, terminology tools, and language checks. It can also suit teams sharing resources through a server or collaborating on work files with Git.
Plans and prices
BasicCAT
Open source · free CAT tool
Read 3 Oct 2026 · basiccat.org
On the record
- Collaboration
- BasicCAT supports sharing translation memory and terms through a server program, and Git collaboration for work files; Git collaboration does not sync translation memory or terms.docs.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Export and review
- BasicCAT can export Word files for external review and bilingual paragraph files.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The homepage lists support for TXT, IDML, XLIFF, and Gettext PO files, and for the TMX, TBX, and SRX standards.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integration requirements
- The documentation says users need API keys for the listed machine translation services, while MyMemory requires an email address instead of an API key.docs.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Language checking
- BasicCAT uses LanguageTool for language checks, and the documentation says users can use its API or run LanguageTool locally.docs.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Machine translation integrations
- The documentation lists built-in support for 12 machine translation services, including Baidu, Google, Microsoft Bing, MyMemory, Tencent Cloud, IBM Watson, and Amazon.docs.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The download page lists machine-translation plugins including ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepL, Google, and Amazon, plus a Gettext PO filter plugin.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BasicCAT is an open-source, free computer-aided translation tool aimed at providing a simple tool for translators.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Service limits
- The documentation states that Baidu and Bing have a 2 million limit per month, MyMemory a 10,000-word limit per day, and Yandex a 1 million-word daily and 10 million-word monthly limit.docs.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Sharing server requirement
- The translation-memory and term-sharing server requires Java 8 or later, and the documentation says an access key can be set in key.txt.docs.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The support page recommends posting BasicCAT issues on its GitHub issue tracker rather than emailing the maker.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Supported desktop platforms
- The download page offers Windows 32-bit and 64-bit, macOS Intel and Apple CPU builds, and a Linux and other platforms archive.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Translation tools
- Features include translation memory, terminology management, language checking, Quickfill, AutoCorrect, interactive machine translation, and segment merging and splitting.basiccat.org · read 3 Oct 2026
