Swordfish
Swordfish is a desktop computer-aided translation tool built around XLIFF for translating and managing multilingual content.
What Swordfish is
Swordfish is a desktop computer-aided translation tool built around XLIFF for translating and managing multilingual content. Users can import files or translation packages, work in a built-in editor with translation suggestions, then export translated files or return packages. It supports XLIFF versions 1.0 through 2.2 and TMX exchange for translation memory data. Supported content includes Microsoft Office, HTML, Markdown, DITA, JSON, JavaScript, PO, SDLXLIFF, Trados packages, and SRT and VTT subtitles. Translation memory and Auto-Translation are built in; Auto-Translation assembles matches from translation memory and terminology databases. Listed machine translation integrations include Azure Translator Text, DeepL API, Google Cloud Translation, ModernMT, Qwen, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral and Ollama. The maker says Ollama on a local network keeps source text within that environment. Translators can filter segments by status and create HTML views of XLIFF files for proofreading in a browser. A subscription costs $140 a year, with a 30-day trial available by evaluation key. The source code can be downloaded, modified and used free of charge.
Good
- Supports XLIFF versions 1.0 through 2.2
- Translation memory and Auto-Translation are built in
- Integrates with listed machine translation services
- Source code can be modified and used free
Watch out
- Subscription costs $140 a year
- Subscription key cannot be shared between machines
- Linux installers are not tested on other distributions
Who it suits
Swordfish suits translators managing multilingual content in XLIFF workflows, including users exchanging translation memories or working with the listed file formats. Its Linux installers are specifically built and tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
Verdict
Swordfish covers a broad range of file formats and translation workflows centered on XLIFF. Buyers should note the annual subscription terms and the stated limits on Linux installer testing.
Plans and prices
From Swordfish's own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Swordfish | $140 a year | Subscription key cannot be shared or transferred between machines · One Year Subscription |
The facts
Each one read from Swordfish's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- CAT tool compatibility
- Swordfish supports XLIFF versions 1.0 through 2.2, accepts Trados Studio packages and creates return packages, and supports WordfastPRO and memoQ XLIFF files.checked 29 Sep 2026
- File formats
- Supported formats include Microsoft Office, HTML, Markdown, DITA, JSON, JavaScript, PO, SDLXLIFF, Trados packages, and subtitles in SRT and VTT formats.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Local AI privacy
- The maker says using Ollama on a local network keeps source text within the local environment.checked 29 Sep 2026
- MT integrations
- Listed machine translation integrations include Azure Translator Text, DeepL API, Google Cloud Translation, ModernMT, Qwen, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and Ollama.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Proofreading
- Swordfish can generate HTML views of XLIFF files for proofreading in the system's default web browser.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Swordfish is a computer-aided translation tool built around XLIFF for translating and managing multilingual content across multiple file formats.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Segment filtering
- Translators can filter segments using statuses such as translatable, translated, commented, or approved.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Source code
- Swordfish source code can be downloaded, compiled, modified, and used free of charge.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Standards
- Swordfish uses XLIFF as its core format and supports TMX for exchanging translation memory data between CAT tools.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Support and installers
- The subscription includes direct email support, and subscription benefits include ready-to-use installers plus notarized macOS and signed Windows launchers and installers.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Translation engines
- Built-in translation engines include translation memory and Auto-Translation, which assembles matches from translation memory and terminology databases.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Translation memory
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Translation workflow
- Its workflow supports importing files or translation packages, translating in a built-in editor, using translation suggestions, and exporting translated files or return packages.checked 29 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Nochecked 21 Sep 2026
- Trial and access
- Official installers offer a free 30-day trial by evaluation key; a subscription is required to use the installer version after the trial expires.checked 29 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform limits
- The maker says Linux installers are built and tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and are not tested on other distributions.checked 29 Sep 2026
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