QA Distiller review
A free Windows desktop tool for checking bilingual files, not managing localization workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
QA Distiller focuses on quality assurance for bilingual translation files and translation memories. From Yamagata Europe, it is aimed at translators and technical documentation professionals who need to identify issues in translated content. Its checks cover omissions and short or untranslated segments, inconsistencies between source and target text, formatting, and terminology. That makes it a specialist companion for teams that already have a way to translate and review content, rather than a system for coordinating localization from start to finish.
The QA controls are the product’s central strength. Users can apply language-dependent and language-independent checks, load terminology dictionaries, and tailor checks or exclusions with regular expressions. Reusable profiles store language and QA settings. For supported number-formatting and quotation-mark errors, selected corrections can be applied automatically. The tool works with formats including TTX, TMX, and XLIFF, and supports terminology dictionaries in DICT and TBX formats. Command-line processing and report exports in HTML, XML, or Excel can suit repeatable checks and different reporting needs.
QA Distiller is free and runs as a Windows desktop application. Its narrow scope is also the main tradeoff: it does not include review workflows, translation memory, or broader localization management features. Teams seeking a shared workflow for assigning translation, review, and release work should look elsewhere; solo translators and small teams that need dedicated QA checks may find its focused approach a better fit. The vendor says extended support is fee-based, with email as a support channel.
QA Distiller pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Flags omissions, inconsistencies, formatting issues, and terminology problems
- Custom checks, exclusions, and reusable language profiles tailor QA
- Command-line processing and HTML, XML, or Excel report exports
- Where it doesn't
- Windows-only desktop deployment limits platform flexibility
- Does not provide review workflows, translation memory, or end-to-end management
- Extended support is fee-based
QA Distiller fact sheet, pricing and score →
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