SDL Trados Studio Reviews

“good for translations but needs speed improvements

Pros

I use this tool mainly for freelance translation work and honestly, one thing I really love about it is how it lets me translate different types of files without messing up the original formatting. Whether it's a PDF, Word document or even a PowerPoint file, the layout stays exactly the same which saves me a lot of time fixing things afterward. That alone makes my workflow so much smoother. I also feel like it's quite beginner-friendly because I was able to start using it without too much trouble. If someone wants to go deeper into the advanced features, there are training courses available on their website that you can purchase which is helpful if you want to learn the tool more professionally.

Cons

sometimes I notice that the software takes quite a long time to load especially when I'm working with larger files. In a few cases it has even crashed while I was in the middle of a project which can be frustrating. Another limitation I've noticed is that it does not really support translating video or similar multimedia formats. For that kind of work, I usually have to rely on other specialized tools.

“powerful tool

Pros

From my experience it is a really powerful translation tool. What stands out to me the most are its translation memory and termbase management features. these help me stay consistent across projects especially when I am working on large or ongoing translations. It also handles big projects pretty well without slowing things down. Another thing I appreciate is how customizable the platform is. there are many options to adjust things based on how you prefer to work. It can feel a little complex at first but once I got used to the interface and understood where everything was, it became a very efficient and precise tool for my translation tasks.

Cons

its difficult to use When I first started using it, the interface felt heavy and overwhelming compared to some other translation tools. I also found that updates and licensing can be a bit complicated to manage. During everyday work, the tool sometimes feels slower and less interactive than I would prefer.

“terrible customer service

Pros

i first tried the product during the trial period and overall I liked how it worked. The features felt useful and it seemed like something that could really help with our translation workflow. Because of that positive trial experience, my organization eventually decided to purchase it. Unfortunately, the one thing that really disappointed me was the customer service. Whenever we needed help or had questions, the support experience was not great. Responses were slow and sometimes not very helpful which made it frustrating when we ran into issues.

Cons

what disappointed me the most was the customer service. My organization purchased the product in March and the payment was processed but we still didn't receive the full license that we paid for. Every time we contact support, we are told that they are still waiting for payment even though the check was already cashed. That experience has been extremely frustrating.

“Flexible but complex and buggy

Pros

one thing I like about this software is that it offers a huge range of options. It feels like you can practically do anything you want when it comes to managing translation work. there are so many features and tools available that it becomes very flexible for different types of projects. Another big advantage is that it's considered an industry standard in the translation field. Because of that, it's much easier for me to collaborate with other translators or agencies since many of them already use the same system.

Cons

Personally, I find the software quite complex and sometimes buggy. The layout does not always feel well organized and many features seem hidden deep inside menus which makes them harder to find. Another issue is that the editor forces the use of its own proprietary formats. This can complicate collaboration and make things harder for everyone involved in the workflow.

“Complete tool but pricey extra features

Pros

this tool really feels like a complete professional environment for translation work. Everything I need for managing translations is basically built into one place. It helps me organize projects, manage translation memories and keep things consistent across different files. Instead of jumping between different tools, I can handle most of my translation tasks within the same platform which makes my workflow much more efficient.

Cons

one thing that bothered me is the documentation and how some features are handled. For example, certain functions like term extraction are not included by default and require additional payment. Considering how expensive the software already is, having to pay extra for features like that feels a bit disappointing.

“Handles large projects

Pros

one of the things I appreciate about this software is how well it can handle large translation memories. Even when the database grows big, it still performs reliably. I also like how multifunctional the tool is. It supports many different types of text and file formats which is really helpful because translation projects often come in different forms. Whether it's documents, presentations or other formats, the software usually handles them without any issues.

Cons

i run into bugs while using the software. It's also not always very simple because there are so many functions to learn. It takes quite time and effort to fully understand how everything works. On top of that, the price is quite high which can make it harder to justify for some users.

“Saves time with slow startup

Pros

What I really like is how much time it saves me by reducing repetitive work. The translation memory feature remembers previously translated segments so when similar text appears again.. it automatically suggests the earlier translation. that helps me stay consistent and work faster. On top of that, it also uses machine translation to assist with suggestions which can speed things up even more when I am working on larger projects.

Cons

I have noticed that the software startup can be quite slow. Even after increasing my system memory to 16 MB RAM, the launch time still feels sluggish. In my opinion, it would be better if the program loaded more efficiently after fully opening.

“Precise and reliable tool

Pros

In my experience the software is very precise and reliable when it comes to translation tasks. It's also widely used across the translation industry which makes it easier for professionals to collaborate and share projects. I've found that it performs its job very well and gives me the tools I need to produce accurate translations without constantly worrying about formatting or consistency.

Cons

it feels expensive compared to other options. It can also be somewhat slow at times and the interface is not always the most user-friendly. While it does have powerful features, the overall experience could definitely be smoother.

“speeds up work

Pros

this tool has definitely helped me speed up my translation work. The built-in machine translation suggestions are surprisingly accurate and they often give me a solid starting point for segments that would otherwise take more time to translate manually. Combined with translation memories, it really helps reduce the amount of repetitive work I have to do which makes my overall workflow much faster.

Cons

It takes some time to really understand all the functionalities of the software. When I first started using it, the number of options and tools felt a bit overwhelming. After spending time learning it, things become clearer but the beginning can definitely feel complicated.

“Efficient with memories

Pros

I appreciate the automatic translation features that rely on translation memories. they make the whole translation process much more efficient because previously translated content can be reused instantly. Another thing I like is that the software maintains the original layout of the document while translating it. That means I don't have to spend extra time fixing formatting issues after finishing the translation which is a huge time saver for me.

Cons

most translation memories are not included and require additional payment even though the software itself is already very expensive. That makes the overall cost much higher than I initially expected.

“Fast and efficient but outdated ui

Pros

one thing I really appreciate about this tool is that it supports third-party neural machine translation engines like DeepL. That integration makes my translation process much faster and smoother because I can use advanced machine translation directly within the workflow. Instead of switching between different tools, everything can be handled in one place. For me that saves a lot of time and helps improve productivity when working on larger or more demanding translation projects.

Cons

ui is somewhat outdated to me. At times it also feels overcrowded with too many elements on the screen which can make it harder to focus on the translation work itself.

“Sophisticated and customizable tool

Pros

it supports far more file formats than most other CAT tools I have used. When I compare it with tools like Memsource, I feel it is more sophisticated and offers more applications overall. Another thing I like is how customizable the software is. If I spend some time exploring the settings and features, I can really tailor it to fit my workflow and take full advantage of what it offers. One feature I find especially useful is the "100% match copy and confirm" option which saves time when segments are already perfectly matched. I also like that it works offline. I don't need an internet connection just my computer and a valid it license.

Cons

I personally find this tool harder to understand compared to something like Memsource. With Memsource, I feel like I can just open the program and start translating almost immediately but with it I need proper training to use it effectively. I sometimes even spend more time translating in it than I do with Memsource. Another issue for me is the price and the constant upgrades. For example, I bought the it 2017 version near the end of 2018 and only a few months later it 2019 was released. Then came it 2021 and now even newer versions. It almost feels like you have to keep paying just to stay up to date. As a translator, it can feel like the company expects us to keep upgrading constantly. I would honestly prefer a subscription model where I could simply pay regularly and always have access to the latest version, similar to how Memsource handles licensing. Because of all this, I would not recommend it to beginners. In my opinion, it's better suited for experienced translators who already know how to use advanced CAT tools.

“good tool but expensive and complex

Pros

It comes with many useful features and the developers keep updating it regularly. I've noticed that new improvements and updates are released fairly often which keeps the tool modern and functional. Most of the features work reliably and help make the translation process more efficient. It's clear that the platform is continuously evolving.

Cons

its quite difficult to use. Without proper training, it can be challenging to fully understand how the system works. It definitely requires time and effort to learn all the features before using it comfortably.

“easy to use but review mode interrupts workflow

Pros

I find the software quite easy to understand and use once I get familiar with the basics. The workflow section is very helpful because it guides me through the translation process step by step. After I learned the main features like working with translation memories (TM), termbases (TB), managing tags and going between segments I was able to work much faster. Once you understand these core elements, the tool really helps speed up translation work.

Cons

Occasionally, the review mode appears automatically even when I did not intentionally enable it. This can interrupt my workflow and force me to spend extra time adjusting settings before continuing my work.

“Disappointing...

Pros

To be honest, I did not like the software as much as I expected. I had really high expectations before using it because of its reputation in the industry. However after spending some time working with it, I ended up feeling somewhat frustrated. It didn't fully meet the expectations I initially had and the experience was not as smooth as I hoped.

Cons

the software is somewhat confusing. I had very high expectations because it is such a well-known and popular tool in the industry. However the price feels far too high compared to what it offers. In many cases, similar features can be found in other translation tools that are easier to use and more affordable.

“Works offline but needs powerful hardware

Pros

main reason we use this software is simply because we have to. We are a translation company and many of our clients specifically require us to work with it Studio. Over the years, those clients have invested heavily in the platform sometimes even decades ago and they are not very willing to switch to another tool. So even though there is not anything we particularly love about it, we still use it every day because it is part of the workflow our clients expect.

Cons

I have been aware of it for a long time because it has been around since the late 1980s. For many years it really did not have serious competition but when other tools started entering the market, it kept adding more and more features like project management, quality assurance and resource management. The problem, in my opinion is that trying to fit all of this into one tool has made things complicated. For example, handling tags is extremely hard. You can't simply copy and paste them the way you would expect. The reality is that many translators use several different translation tools in a single week and most people don't want to read long user manuals just to perform basic actions. it should work naturally, the way users expect it to. The QA system is another area that feels overly complex. In fact, many of our clients prefer us to run QA checks using external tools like Xbench or Verifika instead. I've also experienced issues when working with large projects that contain many files. When dealing with something like 100 files which is common in software localization, opening and saving them can take a very long time and sometimes even causes the software to crash. Other tools handle this situation much better. Pricing is also an issue. The Freelance version costs around 600 EUR but only supports five languages, while the Professional version that unlocks more features costs around 1000 EUR. That feels expensive and the lack of a monthly subscription option probably pushes some users toward unofficial copies.

“Powerful tool with frustrating licensing

Pros

feature that I really value is that the software works offline. I don't always need an internet connection to use it which can be very helpful in certain situations. Sometimes I am working in places where the internet is unstable so having a tool that runs locally on my computer is very important. On top of that, it still offers strong functionality even without being connected online.

Cons

I've noticed that when the translation memory becomes very large, it requires a fairly powerful computer to run smoothly. If the machine is not strong enough, performance can slow down significantly. Because of that.. using this tool comfortably often means investing in better hardware.

“Must-have for professionals

Pros

It offers a huge range of features and options. There are smart actions, integrations with other tools and a large number of add-ons available, including third-party add-ons that expand its capabilities even further. Because of all these features, it becomes an extremely powerful CAT tool. In my opinion...it is currently one of the best translation tools available.

Cons

Licensing has been one of the most frustrating parts for me. Even after paying for the software, the licensing system can still be annoying to deal with. the license is tied to specific hardware and switching it between devices requires server activation or deactivation. that becomes a real problem if the activation server is down or under maintenance especially when I suddenly need to move the license from my office computer to my home computer for weekend work.

“Industry standard but slow and clunky

Pros

this software is basically a standard. Because of that, I feel like every professional translator should have it. Many agencies and clients expect translators to use it so having experience with it becomes almost essential. Once I learned how to properly use the software and mastered its features, I realized how powerful and helpful it can be for managing translation work.

Cons

its not easy to use at first... ui feels difficult and sometimes almost confusing. Even translators who have used it for many years still find certain parts difficult to understand. It also feels like development has slowed down in recent years, while other competing tools have caught up or even improved beyond it. Despite that, it remains a must-have tool simply because it is so widely used across the industry.

“Must-have tool

Pros

there is definitely a reason why it is considered the industry standard for CAT tools. It offers an enormous amount of functionality and many organizations rely on it as a key part of their workflow. In our case, it even acts as a sort of benchmark when evaluating linguists or team members. Even people who do not directly handle translation still benefit from understanding how it works because it integrates with many systems and processes. I also really like the learning resources available there are helpful videos and troubleshooting guides online. Because the tool is so widely used, there are also large communities of users who share tips, advice and solutions which makes learning and solving problems much easier.

Cons

the software can feel clunky and slow. Sometimes it behaves in ways that are not very interactive. However I've also noticed that once I accept that things may take longer and work patiently with it, the software usually performs well enough to get the job done.

“Flexible but crowded and pricey

Pros

biggest advantages for me is that it can handle almost any file format I come across in translation work. That flexibility means I can use it for nearly any type of client or project. Another important factor is its popularity in the translation industry. Since so many agencies use it, having it is almost essential if I want to collaborate with them. In that sense, investing in the software really pays off over time.

Cons

its not very user friendly. It feels like it includes far more features and options than the average translator actually needs to produce good quality work. All those extra tools make the interface feel crowded and harder to navigate. On top of that, the price is quite high and the program has crashed on me several times.

“Sophisticated but hard to master

Pros

I have found that it manages large files and translation memories very well. Even when dealing with complex formatting, it usually handles everything smoothly. Compared to other CAT tools I have used, it reproduces formatting much more accurately and doesn't overload the text with too many intrusive tags. This is especially noticeable when using external machine translation engines. I also like the system of project packages and return packages. For language service providers and translators working with them, this feature makes project management and the sharing of translation memories or terminology much easier.

Cons

I wouldn't describe it as interactive software. Even for someone who learns new tools quickly, there is still a noticeable learning curve. It seems like the program includes too many features for what most translators actually need. Because of that, it becomes confusing to learn. I also found that when starting new projects or creating translation memories, the default location often changes depending on previous projects which leads to mistakes until I learn to watch out for it. The interface itself feels like it has evolved over many years without a clear structure so it doesn't always feel logical or comfortable. On top of that.. the software occasionally crashes which can be stressful when working on important translations.

“Useful tool

Pros

best things about this software is how widely it is used among language service providers. Because of that, I feel confident that I am keeping up with the latest industry standards. It also works well with formats from other CAT tools which makes collaboration easier. I like that editing translation memories is quite straightforward and the fuzzy match functionality is also very helpful for reusing similar translations efficiently.

Cons

Terminology management is another area where I feel improvements could be made. The system could definitely be simplified. error messages are often unclear and sometimes I need help from the support team just to understand what went wrong. Unfortunately, support is not always included with the license. another issue is the frequent release of new versions. Every couple of years a new version appears and upgrading usually requires paying again.

“Comprehensive solution

Pros

it has helped me save a lot of time during my translation work. With its features and automation, I can complete projects faster while maintaining better quality and consistency for my clients. I personally find it easier to use and more complete compared to many other CAT tools I have tried. Once someone starts using it regularly, it becomes hard to switch to another tool because of how comprehensive it is.

Cons

some of the add-ons available for the software could be improved or simplified. While they add useful functionality, a few of them feel overly complicated and could benefit from a more user-friendly design.

“Helpful for glossaries

Pros

since this is one of the most widely used translation tools, incorporating other translators' glossaries is relatively easy. I also find the glossary management features very useful. For example, I can create new glossaries from previously translated documents which helps build terminology databases quickly. That functionality saves a lot of time and makes it easier to maintain consistent terminology across different projects.

Cons

For beginner translators, the software can feel quite overwhelming because of the large number of features and options. However...despite that difficulty, learning how to use it has almost become necessary in the translation industry. Even if someone only uses the free trial at first, gaining experience with it can be important for professional work.

“Simple interface and expensive for many

Pros

What I really like about this software is the way the screen and workspace are organized. Everything feels well-placed and easy to access so I don't have to waste time searching for features. The layout is clean and simple which makes the overall experience much smoother when I am working on translations. For me the simplicity of the interface is a big advantage because it lets me focus on the translation itself rather than figuring out where tools are located.

Cons

price is quite high and many translators simply cannot afford to purchase it themselves. Because of that, many people end up using versions provided by their clients instead of owning their own license. Unfortunately...those versions are not always the same which can create compatibility issues.

“easy setup with high cost and crashes

Pros

from my experience, the software comes with several really useful functions that make translation work more efficient. I also appreciate the quality assurance features because they help catch mistakes before finishing a project. Installation and maintenance are also pretty simple. I didn't have to go through a complicated setup process and keeping the software running smoothly has been relatively easy.

Cons

I've experienced frequent crashes while using the software especially when handling large files. Performance can also become slow in those situations. On top of that, I feel it lacks some features that other CAT tools already offer which can make the workflow less efficient.

“Efficient but lacks some features

Pros

it is very easy to set up and deploy. Getting started with a new project takes only a few steps and I can create projects in almost any language spoken around the world. One feature I really like is the ability to reuse my translation memories across different projects. That saves me a lot of time because previously translated segments are automatically suggested. going through the panels also feels interactive and saving or locating projects later is super simple.

Cons

one of my biggest frustrations is the cost. it is expensive and the constant upgrades make it even more costly over time. If I don't renew or upgrade, I won't get new features even though I already purchased the software. It also feels bulky as time goes on because the program takes up more RAM and storage the longer I use it.

“friendly and costly solution

Pros

In my experience the software is quite easy to learn especially once I understand the basic workflow. It has definitely been worth the investment because it helps make my work faster and more efficient. Another thing I really appreciate is how it preserves the original formatting of documents while I translate them. That means I don't have to spend extra time fixing layout issues after finishing the translation.

Cons

it is definitely expensive and the price can feel intimidating at first. However if someone plans to work as a professional translator full time, the investment can still be worth it because the tool is so widely used across the industry.

“Smart tool but unstable with large files

Pros

one of the features I find most useful is the translation memory. It's a smart tool that becomes incredibly helpful when I am working on large documents with repeated phrases or sentences. Instead of translating the same thing over and over again, the software suggests previous translations which speeds things up significantly. I also like that the system supports many different file types making it flexible enough for various projects.

Cons

not always very stable. It has an annoying habit of crashing especially when working with large files or complex projects. On top of that, the high price can be a major barrier for independent translators who are just starting out or working on their own.

“good for collaboration

Pros

it is widely used by translation agencies and professional translators which makes collaboration much easier. Since so many people in the industry are familiar with it, sharing projects and translation memories is pretty smooth. I can easily exchange translation memories with agencies or even with other translators. The interface itself is fairly easy to understand and it includes many helpful features that support translators in producing accurate and consistent work.

Cons

the lack of an auto-save feature. If the program suddenly becomes unresponsive or my computer shuts down unexpectedly, all the work I have done can simply disappear. that has happened to me before and it's incredibly frustrating to lose progress like that. Considering how expensive the software is, I honestly expected a more reliable safeguard for situations like this.

“Powerful tool

Pros

this is probably one of the most widely used CAT tools among large companies. It has a powerful translation memory system and offers a lot of versatility when it comes to different types of texts. Whether I'm working on technical documents, marketing content or other materials, the software usually handles it well.

Cons

I have also run into a few bugs that make the software harder to use than it should be. It's not the most interactive tool and it took me quite a long time to understand how all the features work. Learning to use it properly requires patience and time. What makes it more frustrating is that there are free tools out there that offer similar functionality and are almost as good.

“Advanced features with tough setup

Pros

Its very common in the translation field and many agencies actually require translators to use it. Personally, I found it a bit harder to learn compared to tools like Memsource. However once I became more familiar with it, I realized that it offers more advanced and complex features. Because of that, it has actually become my preferred translation software.

Cons

When I first started using it, setting up the translation memory was quite confusing for me. I struggled with the configuration at the beginning and was not sure if I was doing things correctly. Eventually, after watching a few tutorials on YouTube and experimenting with the settings, I managed to understand how it works. Once I figured it out, things became easier but the initial setup was definitely challenging.

“Speeds up workflow but lacks Mac support

Pros

Like most CAT tools, this software allows me to translate much more efficiently than working manually. It speeds up my workflow significantly because translation memories and suggestions help reduce repetitive work. As a result, I can complete more work in less time while still maintaining good quality.

Cons

one inconvenience I faced was that I could not use the free trial on my Mac. I had to install the software on a Windows PC instead which was not ideal for me. Even after installing it, I found it difficult at first to understand how to use the software effectively especially when trying to make it learn and adapt to specific types of content. In some cases, I noticed that the time saved during translation was later spent editing and proofreading the output.

“very poor experience

Pros

Personally, I didn't notice anything particularly unique about the software. From my perspective, it feels quite similar to many other machine translation tools available on the market. It performs its job but I didn't see a standout feature that clearly sets it apart from comparable solutions.

Cons

Unfortunately, my experience with the software has not been great when it comes to Asian languages especially Sinhala. I have noticed many font errors when working with Sinhala text which makes the tool very difficult to use for those types of translations. Because of these issues, it becomes almost unusable for Sinhala users which is a major limitation in my opinion.

“nice compatibility

Pros

what I really appreciate about this software is its excellent compatibility. It works well with many different file types and systems which makes my work much easier. At first, it took me a little time to understand how everything works but once I learned the basics, it became quite simple to use. Another big advantage is that almost every translation provider accepts it so I can easily collaborate with agencies and other translators without worrying about compatibility issues.

Cons

A downside for me is the price. its quite expensive and support is only available during regular working days. it requires a fairly strong computer to run smoothly because it consumes a lot of system resources.

“a bit costly for daily use

Pros

it is an extremely powerful tool with a lot of advanced capabilities. It comes packed with strong functionalities that allow me to handle large translation projects without feeling overwhelmed. Whether I am working alone or collaborating with a team, the software provides the structure and tools needed to manage complex translation work efficiently.

Cons

it actually feels too powerful. It offers many advanced features but I don't necessarily need all of them in my daily work. Because of that, the price feels a bit too high considering how little of the full functionality I actually use.

“Efficient tool

Pros

one feature I find very useful is the smooth integration of translation memories from multiple projects. This allows me to reuse previous translations easily which saves a lot of time and keeps terminology consistent. I also like that it connects with external machine translation engines which can help speed up the translation process. On top of that, the quality assurance features help identify potential errors before finalizing a project.

Cons

cost is definitely one of the biggest issues. Its quite expensive especially now that there are many online translation tools that are free or partially free. With so many alternatives becoming available, the price of this software becomes harder to justify.

“Speeds up work but crashes unexpectedly

Pros

A feature I use quite often is the one that suggests words and sentences based on translations I have already done before. the system remembers previous segments and offers them as suggestions when similar text appears again. This helps me work faster and maintain consistency across different documents.

Cons

I have unfortunately lost work several times because the program crashed unexpectedly. When that happened, I was not able to recover the files I was working on which meant I had to redo the work from the beginning. That experience was extremely frustrating and stressful.

“Industry standard but slow and buggy

Pros

In the translation industry, SDL it 2017 or 2019 is widely considered a standard tool. one reason for that is the wide range of tools and settings available within the platform. these features make it easier for translators, reviewers and project managers to collaborate and work smoothly on the same projects without running into workflow problems.

Cons

Since this is such a large platform, it can feel heavy and slow on mid-range computers. I've also noticed that the system sometimes flags too many issues during checks, producing false positives that I then have to review manually.

“Time-saving tool

Pros

one thing I noticed after using the software for a while is how much time it can save. At first, it may take some effort to learn all the functions properly but once I fully understood how to use it, the benefits became very clear. For freelancers especially mastering this tool can make a huge difference in productivity.

Cons

one thing that stood out to me is how much training is required before you can use the software properly. Its not really something you can just install and start using right away. Even though it becomes valuable once you understand it, mastering it requires several hours of training and practice.

“worth the investment!

Pros

it has a strong reputation as one of the best CAT tools available. Many professionals rely on it daily for their translation work. The main downside for me is the price because it can be quite expensive. However if someone can afford it as a freelancer, I honestly think it is worth the investment.

Cons

honestly, I don't have many complaints other than the price. For freelancers especially, the cost can be a real obstacle. many independent translators work with limited budgets so investing in such expensive software can be difficult.

“Handles large projects & needs better word banks

Pros

This software is very well known and respected in the language services industry. Because it's so widely used, it often becomes a preferred choice for agencies and professional translators. Another thing I like is its ability to handle large volumes of translation work which allows me to translate long articles and documents much faster than I could manually.

Cons

I think the word banks stored in the translation memory could still be improved. In some cases, the accuracy for common languages could be better. Even with these tools, human proofreading is still necessary to make sure the translation is correct. I would also appreciate more flexible pricing options for people who don't need to use the software very frequently.