XTM vs Smartcat

What's the better fit?

If you need translation as a one-off task, Smartcat might do the job. But when localisation is central to your operations, you need a platform that goes beyond file handling and freelancer management.

XTM was built for exactly that. It supports complex localisation workflows at scale, with automation that cuts manual work, built-in quality checks that keep content on-brand, and full visibility across every stage. AI features don’t just plug in—they drive smarter routing, faster reviews, and measurable improvements.

While Smartcat focuses on individual tasks, XTM connects teams, systems, and content in one scalable platform that grows with your business.

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Trusted by teams at over 1,000 of the world’s leading organizations
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Why teams switch from
Smartcat to XTM

Structured workflows, not open bidding

With XTM, you build clear workflows for each step of the process — from translation through to final approval. Smartcat, by contrast, works more like a freelance marketplace, where you post a project and wait for bids. That means less control and less consistency.

Full visual previews, not just strings

XTM’s SmartContext gives translators the full picture — literally. They can see how content appears on a page or interface, so they’re not guessing what “Click here” refers to. Smartcat only shows isolated text strings, which can lead to mistakes and rewrites.

AI that's explainable and customisable

With XTM, you can see how the AI makes decisions, bring in your own models, and tailor the setup to your needs. Smartcat keeps its AI behind the curtain, so you’re left guessing how it works — or why it delivered certain results.

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The results only XTM can deliver

Whether you’re a localization manager, marketer, or product team, we streamline the entire process—saving time, reducing costs, and boosting quality

125%

increase in translation quality

40%

cost savings on external vendors

90%

faster time-to-market

XTM vs Smartcat - the big difference

Smartcat is fine for quick translations with flexible timelines. It’s aimed at smaller teams that don’t need tight workflows or deep oversight.

XTM, on the other hand, is designed for companies that need structure. You get total visibility across projects, control over who does what, and built-in systems for managing quality at scale. That’s why teams with more complex needs often move on from Smartcat — and choose XTM instead.

Side-by-side feature analysis - XTM vs Smartcat

XTM
Smartcat
Feature
Feature
Custom workflows
Custom workflows
Visual context
Visual context
AI transparency
AI transparency
Multiple deployment choices
Multiple deployment choices
Enterprise TM control
Enterprise TM control
Native integrations
Native integrations
60+ connectors
Limited options
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Automation that scales with your content

If you’re only translating the odd document now and then, a basic system like Smartcat might work. But once volumes pick up, manual project posting and freelancer bidding becomes a bottleneck fast.

Smartcat’s process is simple: upload a file, wait for bids, choose a translator. That’s fine for basic tasks, but it can’t prioritise urgent work, route content based on type, or apply quality checks automatically.

XTM Cloud was made for scale. You can set rules so that marketing copy always goes to your brand linguists, technical files trigger extra reviews, and time-sensitive content moves to the front of the queue. Once set up, everything runs on autopilot — no micromanaging needed.

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Context that cuts down on errors

Good translations need more than just words — they need context. Smartcat shows translators plain strings of text with no clue where or how that content will be used. It’s easy to mistranslate something like “Download now” if you can’t see whether it’s part of a banner, a button, or a headline.

XTM’s SmartContext fixes that. Translators can preview how content looks on the live page, in the app, or within a document — complete with formatting, fonts, and layout. That context helps them make smarter choices and saves time on revisions later.

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AI that's open, not hidden

Smartcat uses AI for suggestions and quality scoring, but doesn’t explain how any of it works. You can’t see which models are being used, what they’re basing decisions on, or how to customise anything. That lack of transparency creates problems — especially in industries with strict compliance rules.

XTM takes a more open approach. With its Advanced AI Pack, you get tools like Intelligent Score, which uses recognised industry standards to assess quality. Language Guard flags risky content before it goes live. You can even bring your own AI models if you prefer — and know exactly how they’re being used.

XTM - Intelligent score 3
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Security you can actually control

For companies in finance, healthcare, or government, cloud-only systems aren’t always an option. Smartcat only offers a public cloud setup, with limited control over where your data is stored or who has access.

XTM gives you options. Choose from public cloud, private cloud, or full on-premise hosting — whatever matches your security requirements. That means you stay compliant with internal policies and industry regulations without compromise.

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Translation memory that's really yours

Smartcat mixes translation memory across its community, which might sound helpful, but often leads to inconsistent results. You could end up with other companies’ phrasing in your final translations — and that’s not ideal for brand consistency.

XTM keeps your linguistic assets separate and secure. You decide who contributes, what gets reused, and which terms stay locked. Different teams, product lines, or regions can work from their own sets of terms without stepping on each other’s toes.

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Integrations that actually reduce manual work

Smartcat connects with a few popular platforms, but if you need to build a custom workflow, things get tricky. Many setups require workarounds or manual steps that defeat the purpose of automation.

XTM integrates with more than sixty systems out of the box — from CMSs and PIMs to code repos and marketing tools. Content moves automatically from your systems into translation and back again, with no need to lift a finger. That saves time, reduces errors, and keeps everything in sync.

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Upgrade to XTM for enterprise-grade localisation

When translation quality and business control matter more than marketplace convenience, XTM delivers capabilities that Smartcat simply cannot match.

XTM provides these advantages:

Custom workflows that automate complex business rules rather than simple task assignment

Visual context through SmartContext that shows translators exactly how content appears

Flexible deployment including private cloud and on-premise options instead of cloud-only restrictions

Private translation memory management that maintains linguistic consistency at scale

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Frequently asked questions

How do the costs compare for large teams?

XTM gives you clear, predictable pricing built for enterprise use. Everything you need is included upfront. With Smartcat, costs can creep up fast — especially when projects get more complex and you need better translators or tighter quality controls.

Does XTM support more file types than Smartcat?

Both platforms handle the major formats, but XTM goes a step further with SmartContext. Instead of just showing lines of text, it gives translators a full visual preview of how content will appear on the final page. That extra context helps reduce errors and cuts down on back-and-forth.

What’s the difference between their AI features?

XTM’s AI tools are transparent and customisable. You can see how decisions are made, bring your own AI models, and access clear quality scores through tools like Intelligent Score and Language Guard. Smartcat’s AI is more of a mystery — they don’t share much about how it works or which models are behind the scenes.

Is XTM better for companies with strict quality standards?

Yes. XTM was designed for teams that need structure, traceability, and control. You get role-based permissions, audit logs, and defined workflows — all in a secure, enterprise-ready environment. Smartcat’s marketplace model is more flexible but doesn’t offer the same level of oversight.

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