What is the difference between a CAT tool and TMS?

Translation Management Systems (TMS) and Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools serve distinct purposes within the translation industry. Each tool caters to a specific set of users, tailored to their unique needs and workflows.

TMS are designed with a broader scope in mind, geared towards translation project managers, translation agencies, language service providers, and enterprises. They offer a comprehensive platform for managing translation projects from initiation to delivery, ensuring seamless collaboration and streamlined processes.

On the other hand, CAT tools are targeted specifically at individual translators, regardless of whether they work as freelancers or are employed by a larger organization. These tools focus on facilitating the translation process by providing tools for efficient translation, revision, and terminology management.

The primary use case for TMS lies in managing the entire translation lifecycle, from assigning tasks to translators, tracking progress, and ensuring quality control, to finally delivering the translated content to clients. They offer advanced features such as project scheduling, cost estimation, and reporting, making them indispensable for large-scale translation projects.

CAT tools, on the other hand, are utilized by translators to increase their productivity and accuracy. They provide translation memories that store previously translated segments, enabling translators to reuse previous translations or make quick edits, significantly reducing the time and effort required for translation. Additionally, CAT tools offer terminology databases to ensure consistency in terminology across translations.