Trados Studio vs. XTRF

SDL Trados Studio is extremely well suited for expert CAT tool users. More novice users will have trouble getting up to speed. I have an office full of employees that constantly ask questions on how to do specific tasks, mainly because the task sequence is not obvious and is only uncovered by rote repetition of the same things. If you learn and apply the same techniques repeatedly, it becomes easier, but it seems the software was designed by software people, sometimes with little thought to the end users who have to figure it out. I don't know that professional training should be so necessary.

Incentivized

In my experience, XTRF's track record on basic functionality leaves a lot to be desired. Those so-called "smart projects" feel more like needy projects, with limitations popping up at every turn. And don't get me started on the integrations—memoQ? Yeah, I feel like it's a struggle. Customizing notifications? Good luck with that. And as for support, well, let's just say you're better off sending messages to the void.

Incentivized

• Xbench plugin works great. You can run Xbench on the whole project with one click.
• TM and TB management
• It is one of the most common CAT tool thus it is easy for translator assignments.

Incentivized

• Basic quotes
• Basic projects
• Basic invoicing

Incentivized

• Preview feature
• Accessing server-based TM often takes time.
• When connecting to server-based TM, I need to enter credentials twice every time. The first attempt always fails.

Incentivized

• Smart projects
• Integrations
• Product support

Incentivized

Again, the list of functions is impressive but the way it is organized (not process-driven) and the fact that complex tasks should be close to basic tasks make the product suitable to hardcore users that have a lot of time to research the manuals and blogs. By the way, Nora Diaz is one of the most respectable users of this product. Her videos help a lot!

Incentivized

We rarely had any issues with SDL safe for a few bugs that we fixed promptly in the upcoming service packs and updates.

Incentivized

memoQ is better quality and cheaper. Previously, Trados had a monopoly on the market but fortunately there are other adequate options available now at a lower cost.

Incentivized

• Trados is used by many clients, so it helps me to get more jobs.
• Having one of the latest versions helps me a lot. I can, for example, import editable pdf documents and work on them within the Trados environment.
• It also helps me with files which need to be returned in bilingual format in Word.

Incentivized

• In my opinion, the limitations in functionality, especially with smart projects and integrations with tools like memoQ, have hindered the full realization of its potential.

Incentivized