Translating game projects requires precision, consistency, and speed. In order to simplify and automate the work process, localization specialists around the world are using Smartcat, a cloud-based management system for translations that integrates AI tools, translation marketplace, and an automated payment system.
In this article, we discuss what Smartcat is, how it works, how it can help both businesses and freelancers, and also how to use it.
What Smartcat is and its capabilities
Smartcat is a cloud-based platform for managing translations and localizations that integrates CAT(computer-assisted translation) tools, TSM (translation management), translation marketplace, and an automated payment system. Here is what the service features:
Translation technology based on AI
Smartcat uses CAT (computer-assisted translation) tools, including AI, translation memory, and glossaries. This allows for:
- The repeated use of previously translated content
- The insurance of coherent terminology
- The improvement of translation quality over time through a self-learning system: if in the first months of work, the accuracy of the translations is 90%, then in a year, it will already reach 100% (according to data provided by the service itself).
How it looks to work with texts through the service
Artificial intelligence suggests translation options and learns from the editors. This saves money and accelerates work done on the project. The service supports over 280 languages. All available languages are listed on a special page.
Using the service, one can translate various types of content from images to audio and, of course, texts:
Content formats available for translation
In addition, the service features a content generation function for different languages, as well as translation for the whole site. Smartcat Website Translator is a cloud-based tool for automated website translations in 280+ languages. It works with any CMS through JavaScript and also with WordPress, Drupal, Webflow, Weebly, and many other platforms.
Automated website translation from German into English
A cloud-based system for managing translations (TMS)
The whole localization process, from uploading a text to a finished translation, happens in the cloud. This means that there is no need to install software, instead teams work from one space, allowing for convenient project management in real time.
The service supports many file formats used for working with translations: DOC, JPEG, PDF, JSON, XLIFF, etc. Over 50 formats in total. All formats can be found in this article.
For translators: An integrated marketplace (job board)
Inside Smartcat is a working marketplace with hundreds of thousands of specialists. This gives companies access to qualified specialists in the necessary languages. Moreover, there aren’t just translators here, but also proofreaders and editors.
Services available on the platform
There are over 500,000 linguists and 5,000 agencies registered on the platform. You can choose your language, specialization (from electronics to beauty) and if a native speaker is necessary, and the system will suggest suitable candidates.
For businesses: Automated payments
Smartcat has a module for the automation of payments, which helps with contracting, billing, and daily money transfers—all from the cloud. The platform solves difficulties with reoccurring invoices, currency exchanges, and local payment particularities. Companies pay in one window, then Smartcat distributes the money among contractors, and freelancers receive payments to their cards or PayPal. There is also automated invoicing that helps to unburden both sides.
Here is how to set up the payment process through Smartcat:
- You add the payment recipients. Just their emails will do. Contractors’ card and account numbers aren’t necessary.
- Smartcat creates an invoice.
- You pay one time covering all vendors at once.
- Smartcat processes payments. You can pay in your currency, and the specialists will receive the payment in theirs.
Payment through Smartcat is available in 150+ countries. Over 38 currencies are accepted. Neither side will pay fees when using a bank transfer; however, there is a small fee when paying via PayPal or a credit card.
This system is completely integrated into the translation platform: tasks, content, evaluation tools, memory, projects,—all occur in one working process. You can start from the recruitment phase for translators, then translate using a CAT tool, and later move on to invoicing and payment, never having left the platform.
Integration of popular tools
Smartcat supports the integration of various CMS: Figma, Google Docs and Spreadsheets, GitHub, Webflow, Windows, Mac, and other products amounting up to over 30. Everything can be seen here.
These integrations allow you to automatically pull content from other programs into the system, accelerating the processing of large volumes and eliminating manual labor. And if the necessary integration isn’t available, you can fill out a special form to connect with the service’s developers to request a custom solution.
How Smartcat is useful for businesses
Smartcat is first and foremost a service for helping save time and money.
- Cutting expenses on translations
Because of AI, translation memory, and automated services, with the help of Smartcat you can cut expenses without cutting quality. This is especially important for game studios, where there is a large volume of repeated elements and regular updates.
According to Smartcat’s own data, the service cuts the costs of translations by 70%.
- Reducing the time to complete work
Several translators working simultaneously from the cloud and built-in tools for quality control accelerate projects exponentially. According to data from Smartcat, the service accelerates the time to complete jobs by 400%.
Under cases, you can read through the history of various projects and see their statistics working with Smartcat.
- Maintaining brand integrity
Terminology databases, glossaries, and company policies allow for the preservation of a common style. This is important for games where each word can affect how the world and characters are experienced. Smartcat helps to preserve the professional level of the content and its integrity.
How Smartcat is useful for freelancers
Smartcat for specialists is both access to clients and a free program for work.
- Free access to professional tools
Smartcat provides translators with the majority of the functions for free: CAT tools, memory, dictionaries, and quality control. This is especially valuable for starting specialists to whom access to cutting-edge solutions without large investments is important.
- Help with employment
The marketplace within the platform helps to find new offers. Clients see your profile, portfolio, and specializations. You can join in on team projects or receive individual orders.
- Automated payment
The service takes over and provides safety and transparency—clients cannot receive services without having paid.
How to use the service
What you need to begin:
- Register on smartcat.com.
- Choose who you are: a business, translation company, university, or freelancer. For the first three, you need a corporate email; a normal Gmail won’t work.
- Choose a plan. The service has a free trial period lasting 15 days. After this, you will need to pay, starting at $99 a month. This is, of course, unless you are a translator, in which case the service is free.
Later you can upload a file and connect an integration, as well as hire translators. You can join a team from your company or invite team members. You can work with tools for translations, pay contractors for work, and everything else that we outlined above.
Translators can register with a normal email for free:
Tasks will appear on the screen when a client chooses you
You can also choose tasks on your own, as with other services:
Tasks you can accept
The interface is intuitive with built-in hints that can aid even newcomers.
Training for Smartcat
The service offers training for translators, editors, and managers. The courses cover all stages of work, from creating a project to managing a team. There are text-based guides as well as video lessons.
Smartcat Academy is an official educational platform from Smartcat with free online courses to help you quickly master working with an editor, including reviewing and editing AI translations, translating multilingual content, and integration with such tools as Articulate Rise 360 and Figma.
The academy courses are suitable for all levels, from newcomers to experienced users. You can register for free by email.
Mini-courses are also available on Smartcat’s YouTube channel that features useful playlists such as «How-to Videos» and «How to use Smartcat CAT editor», but there are also playlists on specific integrations from Figma to Dropbox.
For answers to questions about the service, check out Smartcat’s knowledge base. For articles about working with translations and about how to use the service, check out our blog.
If you need a translation for a game project, from interfaces to dialogues, from marketing texts to guides, here at INLINGO we know how to provide high quality, speed, and convenience.
Contact us to discuss your project!
