SmartCat

SmartCat is a translation site that provides a wealth of free translation tools, as well as a marketplace where freelance translators can find clients.

Expected pay: You set it

Husl$core: $$$$

Commissions & fees: Paid by clients, not freelancers

Where: Nationwide

Requirements: 18 or older; pass a vetting process, which may include a background check.

SmartCat review:

Translators on SmartCat are able to sign up for free and use some helpful tools, like a glossary prompt and your past translation records. However, if you want to access the site’s automatic translation software to make jobs easier, you’ll pay a small fee depending on how many pages you need to translate that way.

Freelancers set their own rates — usually between 3 cents and 10 cents per word. And, they note on their profiles whether they have an expertise in any particular topic, such as biology or accounting.

How it works

Clients can come to you. Or you can search for available jobs posted on the site.

When one of the site’s customers needs a human translator, SmartCat presents the job to appropriate freelancers. The job description will have details about the languages to be translated, the time frame, as well as any specific requirements to perform the job. Pay per word is generally set at the rate the freelancer requested. Freelancers are expected to complete the jobs as scheduled and keep the client’s content confidential, unless it breaks laws by, say, calling for terrorist acts.

Pay

Once the task is complete, it is presented to the client. Clients review and, sometimes, ask for revisions. If the work is accepted, the freelancer is paid after SmartCat collects. But payments are never made more than 60 days after the completion of a project.

Freelancers can be paid through ACH deposit, PayPal, Payoneer, international wire transfer and by check. With some of these payment methods, freelancers will pay fees of up to 3%. Notably, the site pays as soon as you earn money, if you have selected a payment method. This could subject you to payment transfer fees on small amounts. So, don’t set up a payment method, until you have a decent amount of money to collect.

You’re generally paid in your home currency. However, because the site is international in a different currency, there is some risk of currency fluctuation that could impact the amount you receive.

What their users say (from Capterra)

It’s perfect for my needs and the volume of translations I do. I know it’s not perfect but I like it and I keep mentioning it to all the translators I know and the agencies I work with. I like the fact that clients can pay through it, so I don ‘t have to chase invoice payments.It’s free and it’s heaven for those who cannot afford the expensive cost for the licence of other CAT tools. Moreover, it’s compatible with 99% of file formats and that means I can accept jobs from many translation agencies.

It is an integrated environment for the translators. No need to install anything to start working They can manage all the communication and delivery and reviews in the platform itself. Find a constant flow of quality gigs.