Frequently Asked Questions on buying Wordfast licenses

Wordfast licenses are sold under the terms and conditions of the End User License Agreement. Below are a few useful explanations and details, subject to change without notice.

1. Who is Wordfast software intended for?
2. What’s the difference between Wordfast Classic, Pro, Studio, and Anywhere?
3. What will the license get me? How long will I be able to use it?
4. Can I use my Wordfast license on more than one computer?
5. How will I get the full, licensed Wordfast program after I pay?
6. Do you have a representative or dealer in my country?
7. Will I get an invoice when I buy a Wordfast license?
8. Do you provide a hotline?
9. Will I have to buy upgrades to newer versions?
10. How can we get free licenses for our university or humanitarian NGO?
11. If I buy only Classic or Pro now, will I be able to purchase the other one easily when I need it?
12. Will we get a bulk discount if we buy several licenses?
13. Who qualifies for the special 50% discount price?
14. MyCommerce does not let me buy the license, saying there’s an “export restriction”. Why?
15. I switched the price to my currency at MyCommerce and the price seems too high. Why?
16. Why am I charged a tax?
17. How can I contact the Wordfast team with questions?

1. Who is Wordfast software intended for?

Wordfast programs are so-called CAT tools for professional translators and the translation industry.

Wordfast Classic and Wordfast Pro are try-before-you-buy software. Download and install the software and test it out in the demo mode. Buy your license if you are happy with the software.˄ top

2. What’s the difference between Wordfast Classic, Wordfast Pro, Wordfast Studio, and Wordfast Anywhere?

Wordfast Classic (WFC), an MS Word add-in, is a great tool to translate MS Word documents. Wordfast Pro (WFP) is a standalone application that lets you translate a number of file types, including MS Word files, in its own interface. Wordfast Studio is a brand name for a bundled product: the combined license for Classic and Pro.

Wordfast Anywhere (WFA) is a web-based, cloud translation solution, accessible at www.freetm.com. Currently, Wordfast Anywhere is free of charge, so you don’t need any license to use it.

More information can be found in our wiki site. If you are interested in Wordfast Server, please contact us.˄ top

3. What will the license get me? How long will I be able to use it?

The license lets you run the program (Classic, Pro, or both) in the full mode (= without the demo limitations) for three years. After three years, the license expires and the program may automatically revert to the demo mode, unless you renew the license. Renewing a license costs half the price of a new license; you can renew the license before or after it has expired.

All updates and upgrades of the software are free of charge for you, as long as your license is valid.

A license also lets you contact our email hotline service. The hotline team will help you use the program successfully.˄ top

4. Can I use my Wordfast license on more than one computer?

Corporations may use a license on just one computer at a time. Individuals (freelance translators) are allowed to use their license on two computers simultaneously. We understand freelancers often own a desktop and a laptop computer.

When you stop using Wordfast on a computer (when you uninstall it or you replace your computer with a new one), you can license Wordfast on your new computer, as long as your license is valid (= is not expired).˄ top

5. How will I get the full, licensed Wordfast program after I pay?

When you buy a license, you will receive an email with your login details for www.wordfast.net, which will enable you to license your Wordfast installation. You’ll find detailed instructions at wordfast.net/wiki/Licensing.˄ top

6. Do you have a representative or dealer in my country?

No, we don’t. Wordfast licenses are sold directly on-line. Start your order from our website. You will be directed to the secure MyCommerce on-line store (Share-It) where you will finish your order and pay. Alternatively, you can buy your license from proz.com.

But note that there may be colleagues (translators) in your region who can provide basic training to help you start using Wordfast software.˄ top

For resellers: We have no special prices or conditions for resellers, except a few long-term partners. Note that re-selling Wordfast licenses is forbidden in the Wordfast end user license agreement. However, you can help a client buy their license(s) by ordering under their name (so the license holder is the end client from the beginning), while MyCommerce on-line store lets you have the invoice issued under your name.

7. Will I get an invoice when I buy a Wordfast license?

Yes, you will. When you buy a Wordfast license or a license renewal, the seller (MyCommerce or proz.com) will email you an invoice after the payment has been completed. Shortly after that, you will receive a license email from Wordfast; it delivers your login details for our website.

If you need a bill (pro-forma invoice) before you pay, start the purchase process in our Buy section. Once you reach the MyCommerce web store, click Customer Service near the bottom of the page. Contact the MyCommerce team. They will be able to send you the bill you need.˄ top

8. Do you provide a hotline?

Owners of a valid license are entitled to our email-based hotline. To access the hotline, log in at www.wordfast.net with the credentials you received when you bought your license.˄ top

9. Will I have to buy upgrades to newer versions?

As long as your license is valid (three years from purchase date), you can upgrade to any new Wordfast version free of charge. To do so, simply download and install the new version; it will replace the older one.˄ top

10. How can we get free licenses for our university or humanitarian NGO?

Educational institutions that teach translation skills as well as humanitarian NGOs can apply for free Wordfast licenses under the conditions set in our gratuity clause.˄ top

11. If I buy only Classic or Pro now, will I be able to purchase the other one easily when I need it?

Yes, if you want to upgrade your license from Classic or Pro to Studio (= Classic + Pro), contact us at sales at wordfast dot net. You will pay the just the price difference between your current license and Studio.˄ top

12. Will we get a bulk discount if we buy several licenses?

If you buy three or more licenses at the same time, our system will automatically apply a 15% discount. If you buy ten or more licenses at the same time, our system will automatically apply a 30% discount.˄ top

13. Who qualifies for the special 50% discount price?

The special discount price only applies to individuals (freelancers) in lower-income countries, as explained here.˄ top

14. MyCommerce does not let me buy the license, saying there’s an “export restriction”. Why?

Most likely, you tried purchasing your license or license renewal for the special discount price, while you are based in a country where the special price is not available. The special discount price is only available to individuals in lower-income countries; for details, see here.˄ top

15. I switched the price to my currency at MyCommerce and the price seems too high. Why?

Wordfast prices are in euros (EUR). Unfortunately, our e-commerce partner, MyCommerce (Share-it), often use significantly above-average exchange rates. Most likely, the best option for you is keeping the price in EUR when you order in the MyCommerce (Share-it) on-line store. PayPal, your credit card company or your bank will convert the amount as you pay.˄ top

16. Why am I charged a tax?

If you are an individual located in the EU, electronic deliveries such as software licenses are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). Note that if you specify the license is registered to your company name at the top of the order form at MyCommerce and then you specify your European VAT ID, the tax should not be charged for your purchase – except in Germany because Digital River, the company running the payments site, is based in Cologne, Germany, so German buyers are actually making a domestic purchase (and can claim VAT back with their tax authority).

If you are based outside the EU, other taxes, such as sales taxes, consumption taxes, or goods and services taxes (GST), may apply. Note that MyCommerce/Share-it e-store may still refer to “VAT”, even though the tax has a different name in your country.˄ top

17. How can I contact the Wordfast team with questions?

If you own a license, log in at wordfast.net and contact our email hotline. If you don’t own a license, use the contact form.˄ top