OmegaT

Free, open-source desktop translation memory tool for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About OmegaT

OmegaT is a free computer-assisted translation tool maintained by volunteers since the early 2000s. Written in Java, it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and gives translators the core features of commercial CAT tools: segment-by-segment editing, translation memory with fuzzy matching, glossaries, match propagation, spell checking and connectors to machine translation services. It reads and writes standard formats such as TMX and XLIFF, so it can exchange memories and files with Trados, memoQ and other tools, and it supports a long list of document formats. It is distributed under the GNU GPL and costs nothing. Many students, volunteer translators and freelancers on Mac or Linux rely on it. The interface looks old-fashioned and takes some getting used to, handling of complex agency packages can be fiddly compared with paid tools, and support comes from the community rather than a vendor.

Best for: Freelancers, students and volunteers who want a free CAT tool on any desktop OS.

What works

Completely free and open source
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Exchanges TMX and XLIFF with commercial tools

Why people leave

Dated, less intuitive interface
Agency-specific packages can be awkward to handle
Community support only

Top OmegaT alternatives

See all 4

1
Matecat
Free and browser-based, with machine translation and shared memory built in.
66.5
2
memoQ
A polished professional suite if you can pay for a licence.
62.6
3
Smartcat
A cloud CAT editor with team features and a linguist marketplace.
57.2
4
Trados Studio
The tool many agencies require, worth it for heavy agency work.
49.1

Why people left OmegaT

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OmegaT: common questions

Is OmegaT free?

Yes. OmegaT is free, open-source software.

Is OmegaT open source?

Yes.

What platforms does OmegaT run on?

OmegaT is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to OmegaT?

The highest-ranked OmegaT alternatives right now are Matecat, memoQ and Smartcat. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 OmegaT alternatives

OmegaT facts

4 of 4 verified

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux; Checked Oct 25, 2026omegat.org(opens source in a new tab); “free professional translation memory application that works on Windows, macOS and Linux.”
License: GNU GPL; Checked Oct 25, 2026omegat.org(opens source in a new tab); “OmegaT is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.”
Interoperability: TMX, XLIFF; Checked Oct 25, 2026omegat.org(opens source in a new tab); “Compatible with other translation memory applications via TMX, XLIFF, etc.”
Written in: Java; Checked Oct 25, 2026omegat.org(opens source in a new tab); “Programming (Java) OmegaT is written in Java.”