Crowdin vs Smartcat are two popular tools that businesses use for various purposes. In this article, we’ll compare Crowdin vs Smartcat to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Table of Contents
Overview
Let’s start with a brief overview of both Crowdin and Smartcat.
Crowdin
Crowdin’s ability to handle complex file structures makes it particularly effective for SCORM package localization, where multiple interrelated files need to be translated while maintaining their functional relationships. Its integration capabilities with development tools facilitate continuous localization for regularly updated SCORM content.
Smartcat
Smartcat’s collaborative environment allows multiple translators to work simultaneously on different components of SCORM packages. Its marketplace integration provides quick access to specialized e-learning translators who understand the technical aspects of SCORM content localization.
Ratings Comparison
| Platform | Crowdin | Smartcat |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Product Rating | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Capterra Customer Service | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Capterra Ease of Use | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Capterra Functionality | 4.6 | 4.2 |
Crowdin – Features & Capabilities
Crowdin is a cloud-based translation management system (TMS) designed to streamline the localization of digital content, including websites, apps, software, and multimedia resources. It supports over 100 file formats and offers features like translation memory (TM), glossary management, and automated quality assurance (QA) checks to ensure consistency and accuracy. Crowdin facilitates real-time collaboration among translators, developers, and project managers with built-in communication tools like comments and notifications. Its workflow automation eliminates repetitive tasks such as file synchronization and pre-translation, saving time and reducing errors.
Crowdin integrates seamlessly with over 550 tools, including GitHub, Jira, Slack, and CMS platforms, enabling continuous localization workflows. Additional features include in-context editing for accurate translations, branch management for agile development, and API/CLI tools for custom automation. The platform also provides secure data storage with customizable access permissions. Crowdin’s scalability and user-friendly interface make it ideal for businesses of all sizes aiming to manage multilingual content efficiently while accelerating time-to-market.
Smartcat – Features & Capabilities
Smartcat is a cloud-based translation management system (TMS) and CAT tool that combines advanced AI capabilities with collaborative features to streamline localization workflows. It supports translation memory (TM), glossary management, and integration with multiple machine translation (MT) engines to boost productivity and ensure consistency. Smartcat’s AI-driven features include automated OCR for PDFs and images, generative AI translation with terminology control, and AI-powered quality scoring for enhanced accuracy. The platform supports over 150 languages and various file formats, allowing flexibility across projects.
Its real-time collaboration tools enable translators, editors, and project managers to work simultaneously on the same document, with segment commenting and chat features for seamless communication. Smartcat also includes robust quality assurance (QA) checks for typos, formatting issues, and terminology consistency. Additional features like pre-translation settings, customizable workflows, and integration with external applications make it adaptable for diverse localization needs. With a user-friendly interface and free access for freelancers, Smartcat is a versatile solution for individual translators and enterprises alike.
Pricing Comparison
Let’s compare the pricing plans for both Crowdin and Smartcat.
| Product | Pricing Plans |
|---|---|
| Crowdin | Pro Plan at $50 / month, Team Plan at $150 / month and Pro Plus Plan at $450 |
| Smartcat | Pro Plan at $99 / month |
Conclusion
Smartcat and Crowdin are both effective localization platforms, but they cater to different priorities and use cases. Smartcat stands out for its AI-powered automation, unlimited user seats, and integrated marketplace for sourcing professional linguists, making it ideal for large enterprises and teams seeking streamlined workflows and scalability. It excels in project automation, offering features like automated task assignments, real-time AI monitoring, and built-in OCR and video transcription without additional plugins. These capabilities make Smartcat particularly suited for marketing, eLearning, and multimedia localization.
Crowdin, on the other hand, is popular among software developers and smaller teams due to its developer-friendly integrations and support for agile workflows. It offers a free version with crowdsourcing capabilities, making it accessible to individuals or projects with limited budgets. However, Crowdin’s reliance on plugins for advanced features like OCR or video transcription adds complexity for larger-scale projects.
Ultimately, Smartcat is better suited for enterprises prioritizing automation and comprehensive localization solutions, while Crowdin appeals to smaller teams or developers needing a user-friendly platform with strong integration options.
Alternative You Can Consider
If you’re looking for an easier way to edit and update SCORM files, Doctor eLearning offers a hassle-free solution. Instead of relying on complex SCORM authoring tools or going back to your original eLearning vendor, Doctor eLearning allows you to directly modify published SCORM files. You can replace outdated images, swap audio narrations, or update videos — all without needing the source files. This gives you full control to keep your SCORM content fresh and relevant, even if the original authoring tool is no longer accessible.
