# Page 2 | Trados Studio Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 2 - Is Trados Studio the right Translation Management solution for you? Explore 88 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/151746/Trados-Studio/reviews --- Trados Studio 4.3 (88) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/151746/Trados-Studio/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Page 2 - Reviews of Trados Studio ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 26-50 of 88 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use VR Verified Reviewer CEO Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "From work horse to elephant, from elephant to dinosaur" July 19, 2022 3.0 Our overall experience with Trados Studio is that it is a tool that is hard to master. We think that at some stage no love was put any longer into this tool. Pros We use this software because we have to. We're a translation company and our clients ask us to use this tool. They made an investment in Trados Studio years or even decades ago and they are reluctant to change. There is nothing really we like about this tool. However, we have to use it daily. Cons Trados Studio was first launched at the end of the 1980s. For years, they had not serious competitors. When other players entered the market, Trados added more and more features related to Project Management, QA , Resource management etc. It\`s hard to combine all this into one tool and here are some thoughts for Trados (owned by the RWS group these days) to right the ship: 1. Adding/fixing tags is totally unintuitive. They cannot just be copied and pasted. It´s important to know that many translators are having to deal with 10 (ten) translation tools in a typical work week - and nobody these days bothers to read user's manuals. You expect the software to work as you think it should. Just like when you hire a car: You don't read the user's manual. 2. The QA is so compley and cumbersome that it should be overhauled immediately. In fact, most of our clients are asking us to do the QA using Xbench, Verifika etc. 3. Handling multiple files can be difficult and cause Studio to crash. If you have a software project with 100 files, which is not uncommon, opening and saving these files takes a very long time. Other tools handle this much better. 4. The Freelance version (which I think is around 600 EUR) only handles 5 languages. The Professional version, which allows all languages, package creation etc., is 1000 EUR. I think that's too expensive. Adding to this, there no monthly subscription scheme, probably pushing many translators into pirate software. Alternatives considered [memoQ TMS](https://www.capterra.com/p/162762/memoQ/) Review Source GC Gregory C. Freelance translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The CAT tool against which all others are judged" February 3, 2022 4.0 Trados is the quintessential professional software - it is not exactly elegant (or resource efficient), but it gets the job done better as well as or better than any other. Over the years, it has become the industry standard. Would I recommend it to translators who are just starting out? That would depend on what features they need and whether they could afford the high price tag. That said, in my case, once I got past the considerable learning curve, I find myself using Trados almost exclusively. Pros Trados handles everything from large files and TMs to complex formatting with relative ease. In particular, it handles formatting better than any other CAT tool I have used (in the sense that it reproduces formatting accurately without inserting an excessive number of obtrusive tags into the test), including when using external MT engines. For LSPs or those working with them (such as myself), the system of creating 'project packages' and 'return packages' takes project (and TM/terminology) management relatively straightforward. Cons Trados is not exactly 'user friendly' or 'intuitive' - indeed, it has quite the learning curve, even for those who are generally quick learners. It is a perfect example of software with 'too many' features and options for the average end user (translator), which makes it quite confusing to learn. When deploying Trados, there are several mistakes you have to make three or four times before you learn to watch out for them (such as the default location for each New Project or new TM being wherever the previous iteration was created). The user interface itself would seem to have evolved over many years, and is not exactly logical - or comfortable for that matter. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the software does crash from time to time, which can be quite nerve-wracking. Review Source AF Auda F. Freelance translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Advanced CAT tool" August 14, 2022 4.0 Pros Trados supports a lot more file formats than any other CAT tool. If I compare Trados to Memsource, it is more sophisticated, and has more applications; and the translator if he/her has some time to spend can customize the software and use its advantages to the fullest. A very good feature - 100% matches copy and confirm themselves. No need for the Internet. You just need your computer and a valid TRADOS version. Cons It is harder to understand than, e.g., Memsource. You cannot just open the software and translate, you should train to use its full potential. I spend more time when translating using TRADOS than when I use Memsource. Quite expensive. I hate those almost yearly upgrades. At the end of 2018/beginning of 2019, I bought TRADOS 2017 version, and a few months later, I found out that TRADOS 2019 came out, so I just threw money down the drain. Later, TRADOS 2021 was released. And it goes and goes like that as now, here comes TRADOS 2022.!!! A translator might feel like a money-making machine for the company. You purchase a license and might think that's it - but no, two/three years later, you should upgrade because the support would run out. Another issue is that this CAT tool is not for beginners. It is difficult to understand, quite hard to use and takes a lot of time to get used to it. I still feel more comfortable with Memsource. The option to subscribe for the license and just pay quarterly could be a great option for TRADOS (it is for Memsource), therefore, I won't need to purchase software, I will just get the latest version as long as I pay the subscription fee. I cannot recommend TRADOS for beginners, it is software for advanced translators. Review Source IC Ignacio C. Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The biggest reference for CAT tools." August 6, 2019 5.0 SDL Trados Studio is, by far, the most known CAT tool out there. It's an expensive software, but once you start using it for your projects, you will quickly notice how this can pays itself off in a few months (or days, depending on your workload). After years translating with SDL Trados, it's impossible to imagine my rountine without a CAT Tool like this. The downside is that it may freeze at sometimes for no apparent reason. It also demands a good PC to run it smoothly, as it tends to be a bit slow in older devices. Overall, it is worth every cent if you do intend to work as a translator! Pros It makes your job as a translator sooo much easier, faster and more professional! The translation memories and termbases allow you to work like 2x faster and keep consistency throughout your project. It's a really powerful tool (after 5 years working daily with it, I still discover new and incredible tools and features every week). Cons The software may freeze or present some errors that force you to reopen it. It may also have a hard time working with MS Word file full of tags. You may need a strong PC to work it properly and smoothly. Review Source ZL Zhuofu L. Director Writing and Editing Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Absolutely the worst! Should totally be replaced by some big companies!" July 8, 2023 2.0 Terrible. User-unfriendly. Bugs here and there. When you use this, please be prepared to spend more time troubleshooting than translating. Pros Nothing. It wastes a lot of my time in troubleshooting every single time. Cons It is soooooo damn difficult to use!!!! I have an B.A. and M.A. degree in Translating and Interpreting and took university courses about Translation Tools. And yet TRADOS is just sooooooo unbelievably difficult to use. Because my client sent me a Trados package, so I decided to switch to it. And yet, every single time, you have to spend hours in trouble shooting. If I used that much time in translating, I would have finished the tasks long time ago. There are sooooo many bugs. For example, you have put in the translation terms manually for soooo many times, and yet there is simply no hit or the term menu would not show up. You have put in all the right files, and yet sometimes it even refuses to create a project. You created a translation memory with an older version of the software, and it cannot even recognise the translation memories created by its own older version of products. Simply put, this is just dumbness!!!! The software is so stupid that it made itself so complicated to use. I believe that if Microsoft or Google were interested in the market, they would have made something far far better. And since its inception, Macbook has been so popular and yet there is still no mac version on the market. This company is just so unbelievably dumb! Trados were a breakthrough when it came out, but if it continues on this stupid and arrogant route, it should be deserted by the era. There are so many more replacement translation softwares that are far more user-friendly Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Translation Services Supervisor Sports Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Industry Leading Translation & Terminology Software" November 4, 2019 5.0 Be prepared to spend a long time getting used to the interface. Ask many questions if you get the introductory sessions. Mastering the system takes a while. Take time to master the basics (translation and alignment), and then move to the more complex operations (glossary importation). The explanation videos, support team and online resources are very helpful. Allow for plenty of RAM for the system to work at full capacity. My department is implementing Trados to automatize our processes, accelerate the translations of template documents, archive translations and improve terminological consistency. Benefits will include time and cost savings, when implementation is completed. Pros After getting used to the complicated interface and jargon, the software is very efficient, customizable, and a remarkable translation and terminology resource. By all accounts the industry standard. The company has a multitude of helpful apps, and launches interesting products and updates quite regularly. Visually, the website layout is very appealing. Cons Trados is complex to get used to and requires a significant amount of training. Less computer-savvy translators may find the learning curb steep. The interface can be small and too cluttered. The corporate training sessions we purchased were clear, but a lot of information to ingest all at once. Furthermore, Trados uses a lot of jargon (Termbase, Multiterm, TU, TM, etc.). I had several issues with activating the licence, and had to request technical help (quickly solved issue). The website can be hard to navigate, given the amount of apps and information. Reason for choosing Trados Studio Best and most-used product on the market. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Freelance Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The best CAT tool out there" June 14, 2022 5.0 I think it is the best CAT tool. It might seem difficult to use at first, but it is a true powerhouse with so many features... Pros Many features, options, smart actions, integration with other tools, many add-ons (also third party add-ons). It is extremely good CAT tool, and in my opinion it is the best CAT tool right now. Cons Licensing. It is unbelievable how licensing can annoy users who paid for the software and how it is limiting them (binding to a specific hardware, server activation/deactivation - terrible when the site is down for maintenance and you need to switch the license from your office computer to home computer for some weekend work). Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Managing Director Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The must-have C.A.T. tool!" May 25, 2018 4.0 SDL Trados helps us manage any project of any size, whatever files need to be processed. This is the 'Swiss knife' of the translation industry! Pros SDL Trados Studio is THE tool we use on a daily basis to manage most of our translation projects. It is powerful and I still have to come across a file type which Studio could not process. The SDL App Store is also a huge benefit and the integration of plug-ins just makes our work even faster. Want to be an efficient Language Service Provider? Then get yourself a SDL Trados Studio license! Cons I wish one could export selected segments for review. Also, a more flexible segment sorting would be much appreciated Review Source Zanna M. Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "popularity costs money" November 27, 2018 5.0 I'll summarise it short - experience is really good. If there's anything bad, then it depends only on our, translators, mood :) Pros I, as a translator, would say it's the most popular tool among translators. So you can trust - it's legit. Another advantage - you can translate almost any kind of text thanks to Trados. Besides, it available for companies, or for individuals. Quick to install. Cons Since it's legit and so popular, sure you must pay for it. Good things cost money. I don't want to say it should be for free, but a bit less. {on the contrary, to myself- if the company wants to keep the high quality of the programme, it has to pay all the IT specialists who work on it}. Another thing - if you want to start to use it on your own, you really have to read, watch and do everything else to understand how to use it properly. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Localisation Engineer Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Power tool with a great user interface." March 8, 2018 4.0 Pros \- The Office-suite-look user interface makes the tool seem really familiar and user-friendly. - Trados Studio has improved over time and has been implementing new useful filters for the most common file formats that make them a reference CAT tool in the sector. Cons \- Misses some powerful and advanced functionalities, especially to work with software files such as .resx, for that you need to turn to Passolo, also from the SDL family. Review Source DL Daniel L. Government authorized translator Information Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Powerful tool with a steep learning curve" May 28, 2022 4.0 Trados Studio is the business standard which means it that it's a must-have for any professional translator. It is difficult to learn, and never ceases to frustrate, but, overall, it can be the only tool you really need. Pros This software is standard within the translation business and therefore a must-have for every professional translator. The software can be very powerful once you have learned to master it. Cons The learning curve is very steep, the user interface is counter-intuitive, bordering on byzantine. Even for power users with many years of use, this software never ceases to confuse. The development has stalled, which means that competing software is now just as good, or better, but Trados Studio is still a must-have due to its ubiquity. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Interpreter Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good tool but not a must have" March 29, 2019 4.0 Pros Trados is one of the most commonly used translation software out there. What I like about Trados is that it remembers phases that I have used previously so I can create a more consistent translation which alone is a huge time saver. Cons Occasionally it freezes up it is also expensive. If you are working for an agency your agency might be able to offer you a different software free of charge. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Project Manager Translation and Localization Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Ottimo tool per la traduzione" January 15, 2023 4.0 Pros Supporta diverse tipologie di file e di formati Cons La grafica e l'interfaccia utente sembra arretrata e non è user friendly Review Source SB Sara B. Freelance Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "One of the Leading CAT Tools on the Market" January 27, 2022 5.0 It is an essential tool in my day-to-day workflow, and I choose it over other CAT tools because it is a golden standard within the industry, although there are many ways it could be improved. Pros Its best features are its extended use among language service providers, meaning that I am up to date with the latest industry requirements, it is compatible with other CAT tool formats, it is easy to edit the memory, and has a good fuzzy match ratio. Cons Terminology management could be streamlined, and error messages are unclear and often require help from the support team, which is not included in the license purchase. They also come out with new versions every two years, which you need to pay extra for. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Freelance Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Extremely buggy" August 27, 2018 1.0 Negative due to the amount of bugs. This is a relatively simple piece of software, but the number of problems reported by the users defies imagination. In addition, it ends up to be as expensive as 5 licences of MS Office Pro, which is infinitely more complex and has a fraction of the problems. Pros Very useful when you get to find a version that works. Cons Amazing number of bugs in any version. One version corrects previous bugs, and adds even worse ones. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Project Manager Translation and Localization Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "A more modern CAT tool" July 16, 2019 4.0 The offline review tool needs to work before I can give it my wholehearted recommendation. There are many features that I definitely like more than competitive tools, and if I was doing translation myself, I'd have a hard time avoiding the purchase. That being said, it remains a necessary evil at best for translation agencies who have clients that require its use. We would not be using it if a client did not require it. Pros This program is probably the closest to the industry standard. It's extremely robust, with lots of add-ins the expand the capabilities. It covers all the standard bases as well for a modern CAT tool, and is usually the only CAT tool you'll see fully integrated in other translation project management tools or TMSs. Cons It feels a little clunky in some places, and the features aren't always where you would expect to find them. SDL is clearly trying hard to get everyone onboard with their environment and their tools, but the reality is that the majority of translators in our industry (highly specialized legal translators) are at a point in their career where they don't need to invest in Studio to get the work they need, and so many top translators are unwilling to take projects that work in Studio. There is a very glitchy "offline review tool" that converts the project to a bicolumn word document, but it is not designed to be used for translation outside of the Studio environment, so it is a pain to work with, if it works at all. Review Source CP Chiara P. Freelance translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Indispensable software for a translator" August 8, 2022 5.0 Pros It is very easy to understand and to use. You can easily go to the workflow section and once you have learned the main features (how to use TM and TB, add/remove tags, go to the next segment, etc) you will procede at high speed. Cons Sometimes the review mode is inserted without having chosen it. Review Source JA Joana A. CEO Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A staple in the translation industry" January 25, 2022 4.0 I have been using Trados since 2007 and definitely think that one can't be in this industry without it. Pros The sheer amount of file formats it can work with. Cons Trados is still not the most user-friendly, but it is really doing much better. Alternatives considered [memoQ TMS](https://www.capterra.com/p/162762/memoQ/) Reason for choosing Trados Studio I didn't, we work with both. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer French Translator/Proofreader Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "My favorite Desktop Translation software" September 13, 2018 5.0 Pros I just love Trados. I have used it since 2007 and Im one happy customer ! Cons Sometimes after updating few issues happens but they get solves soon. Review Source NP Niki P. Project Manager, Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "3year experience" July 23, 2019 4.0 Pros Compatibility with different files as well as creating and maintaining TMs Cons Split files and assign to different translators proofreaders etc. Obligatory updates from Trados 2014 to 2019 for example. Price-point Alternatives considered [Smartcat](https://www.capterra.com/p/155255/smartCAT/) Reason for choosing Trados Studio due to the fact that the vast majority of freelancers and companies uses this software. Review Source SA Samuel A. Software Telecommunications Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best CAT Tool on the market" May 8, 2023 5.0 I was used to other similar CAT tools, but overall Trados is the best tool by far. Pros It really speed up my translations. The Machine Translations are really accurate. Cons It takes a little time to get to know all the functionalities. It can be a little overwhelming at the beginning. Review Source JK Joseph K. Swahili Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Reliable But Super Expensive!" October 15, 2020 5.0 A very good software overall, anyone starting out as a translator should take advantage of Trados trial before committing to buy it, they should ready their pockets though. Pros Easy to set-up and deploy. Even easier to start a project in almost any language spoken in the world. I can reuse my TMs on any project i am working on, a very good feature. Navigation through the panels is easy and self-explanatory, saving projects and locating them is super easy. Cons Too expensive! Whats with yearly upgrades? i mean if i do not renew definitely i do not get feature upgrades and yet i possess the software. Bulky. As you use it overtime expect your RAM and storage to be depleted with time. Alternatives considered [memoQ TMS](https://www.capterra.com/p/162762/memoQ/)[Wordfast Pro](https://www.capterra.com/p/159255/Wordfast-Pro/) Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Junior Project Manager Translation and Localization Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Probable the best translation CAT tool." August 28, 2018 4.0 Pros Translation Memory management is great, userinterface is friendly and doesn't take long getting used to. Cons Processing PDF files can be a paint, sometimes impossible. Performance could be improved, maybe opt in for hardware accelleration? Definitely missing OCR option - I belive it is a must. Segmentation of documents could be improved, a lot of the times text loses sence due to segmentation. Review Source MG Magali G. Freelance translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The use of this software shoul be taught in every translation school !" February 4, 2020 5.0 Most of the time, when you know a technical issue with Trados, most of translation agencies of the world already know how to solve them. Also, the support team is super available and helful. Pros It helps save a huge amount of time. Once you completely master it's use, the advantage is undeniable, especially if you're a freelancer. Cons It requires a complete training and several hours to master this software. Even if it's worth it, it's impossible to use the software right after the purchase without training. Review Source MF Melanie F. Translator Translation and Localization Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The essential tool for productive translators" October 24, 2018 5.0 Overall, I have had a very positive working experience with Trados Studio in the past 3 years. I like the optional add-ons available from SDL's website to help you automate certain tasks. Pros Trados Studio offers a steep learning curve. Within a few days after starting, you will be able to work efficiently and the user interface is quite fool-proof. There is a lot of information available online should you run into any issues with file formats or other matters that seem to be a hurdle to you. Cons At first I was taken aback a bit by the price, however, considering that thanks to using the programme you will be able to work faster and more efficiently, your investment will soon pay off. Review Source Similar Products Featured