App Comparisons

12 Best Transcription Software Tools

By
Teleprompter Team
November 2, 2022
·
5
minutes
12 Best Transcription Software Tools

When you have a Zoom meeting, it's good practice to transcribe it so you can reference it later. This allows you to search for keywords quickly and access parts of the meeting when needed. However, there are so many transcription services out there, it’s hard to choose the best one for your situation.

Understanding Transcription Software

Transcription software converts spoken language into written text, facilitating the creation of accurate records from audio and video content. This tool is indispensable for various professionals:

  • Journalists: Transcription software helps journalists quickly convert interviews and press conferences into text, making it easier to write articles and reference quotes accurately.
  • Podcasters: Podcasters use transcription software to create show notes, enhance SEO for their episodes, and provide accessible content for hearing-impaired listeners.
  • Researchers: Researchers rely on transcription software to transcribe interviews, focus groups, and recorded lectures, allowing them to analyze data and find relevant information efficiently.
  • Business Professionals: In the corporate world, transcription software is used to transcribe meetings, webinars, and training sessions, ensuring that important details are documented and can be reviewed later.

How to Choose the Best Transcription Software

When selecting transcription software, consider the following factors:

  • Accuracy: How well the software transcribes speech to text.
  • Ease of Use: The user interface and how intuitive it is.
  • Language Support: The number of languages the software can transcribe.
  • Integration: Compatibility with other tools and platforms you use.
  • Cost: Pricing plans and whether they fit your budget.
  • Customer Support: Availability of help and support from the provider.

Best Transcription Software Tools

Here are the top transcription software tools for your next presentation or interview.

1. Trint

Trint is an excellent transcription software for iOS and MacOS users. Its mobile app enables you to input phone numbers, upload files, preview transcripts and download them directly to your device. For desktop applications, it requires no software download at all. 

What’s more, this AI-based tool provides real-time transcription as well as transcription for audio and video files. Users can then edit and search these transcripts seamlessly. As such, it’s a great application for reviewing Zoom meetings. 

Systems:

  • iOS
  • Windows
  • MacOS

Transcribes

  • Live Content (i.e. Zoom)
  • Video Files
  • Audio Files

Functionality: 

  • Real-time Transcription 
  • Supports 31 Languages
  • Edit and Search Transcripts
  • Text Editor
  • High Accuracy 
  • Text Editor 
  • Personal Dictionary to Add Non-Standard Jargon

Chrome extension: No

Price: 

  • Starter - $48 for 1-3 users and 7 files per month 
  • Advanced - $60 for 1-15 users and unlimited transcriptions 
  • Enterprise - Customizable - unlimited users and transcriptions 

2. Otter.ai

Otter.ai is another popular app for Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms. These platforms also include Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex. This makes it a versatile transcription tool for meetings.

However, its best feature is that it is powered by Ambient Voice Intelligence. This is an AI-driven tool that improves with every recording. As such, Otter’s software learns voices and context-based language over time.

Systems:

  • iOS
  • Android
  • MacOS
  • Windows

Transcribes:

  • Microsoft Teams
  • Google Meet
  • Cisco Webex
  • Zoom

Functionality: 

  • Real-time Transcription 
  • AI Recognizes Speakers
  • Adjustable Playback Speeds 
  • TLS  Encryption
  • AI Learns Context-based Language,
  • AI Learns Improves With Each Use
  • Keyword Search

Chrome extension: Yes

Price: 

Individual Plans 

  • Basic - Free for 600 minutes of transcription per month with limited features
  • Pro - $8.33 per month for 6000 minutes per month

Organization Plans 

  • Business - $20 per month, and allows you to add more team members and terms to the application. 
  • Enterprise - Customizable and negotiable for large enterprises. 

3. Rev

Rev.com is the transcription service you’re looking for if you need an easy app for Zoom meetings. The platform provides both human and AI-automated transcription services. So, you have a choice of having your transcriptions handled by a professional or a quick AI solution. Plus, Rev offers live captions for Zoom meetings in both English and 88+ other languages. 

And the platform also offers an app for iOS and Android devices that include voice recording. 

Systems:

  • iOS
  • Android
  • Windows
  • MacOS

Transcribes:

  • Zoom

Functionality:  

  • Real-time Transcription
  • English and Foreign Subtitles for 88+ Languages
  • Live Captions for Zoom
  • FCC and ADA Compliant Captioning 
  • Both Manual and Automatic transcription Services

Chrome extension: Yes

Price: 

  • Manual Transcription - $1.25 per minute
  • Automated Transcription - 25 cents per minute
  • English Captions and Subtitles - $1.25 per minute
  • Foreign Subtitles - Varies from $3-7 per minute depending on language 
  • Automatic Live Captions - $20 per Zoom host 

4. Audext

If you’re unsure of your expected transcription needs, Audext probably has a pricing plan for you. 

Audext offers both automatic and professional transcription services to cover your Zoom meetings, interviews, and more. 

Systems:

  • Windows
  • MacOS

Transcribes:

  • Audio Files Only

Functionality:  

  • Real-time Transcription
  • 80% Accurate Automatic Transcription 
  • 99% Accurate Manual Transcription 
  • In-built Text Editor 
  • Speaker Identification for Automatic Transcription 
  • Easy UI 
  • 60+ Languages

Chrome Extension: No

Price: 

Professional

  • $1.20 per minute and an additional $0.50 for added parameters. 

Automatic 

  • One-time Purchase - $12 an hour 
  • Subscription - $30 per month, 2 hours of transcription, and $5 for additional hours. The fee per extra hour decreases as total hours increase.
  • Enterprise - Custom Pricing Options 

5. Transcribe by Wreally 

With files that never leave your computer, Transcribe by Wreally is perfect for those with security first in mind. Plus, the service offers the flexibility to transcribe your Zoom meetings and interviews in whichever way that’s most comfortable for you. This comes in three options.

The first is Magical Automatic Transcription which is what you’d expect from any other automated transcription option. However, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you’ll enjoy the other options. Voice Type Dictation and Self-transcription provide you the tools quickly and effectively transcribe your own audio either manually or with your voice. 

Systems:

  • Windows
  • MacOS
  • Linux

Transcribes:

  • Zoom
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Audio Files

Functionality: 

  • Works with Foot Pedal to Control Audio Playback  
  • 60+ Languages 
  • Multiple Transcription modes 
  1. Magical Automatic transcription for Audio and Video files
  2. Voice Type Dictation for Files with Poor Audio Quality
  3. Self-Transcription Tools
  • Text Expander to Automatically Expand Defined Acronyms
  • Work Offline 
  • Files Never Leave Your Computer for Security 

Chrome extension: Yes

Price: 

  • Self-Transcription - $20 a year 
  • Automatic Transcription - $20 a year and $6 per hour

6. Descript

Descript markets itself as an all-in-one audio and video editing software solution. It offers features that cover podcasting, video editing, screen recording, and most important to this list - transcription.  As such, Descript is strong as an all-around tool for media content creators.

In terms of transcription, its strongest feature requires the Pro account for the filler word filter. This feature allows the user to detect and remove filler words such as “like” and “um” to save editing time.  

Systems:

  • Web
  • macOS
  • Windows

Transcribes:

  • Audio
  • Video

Functionality:

  • 22 Languages Supported
  • Automatic Transcription (Paid Feature)
  • Professional Transcription (Paid Feature)
  • Automatic Cloud Back Up
  • Filler word filter (Pro Features)

Chrome extension: No

Price: 

  • Trial - All features and three hours of transcription 
  • Professional Transcription - $2 per minute
  • Creator Plan - $12 per month with 10 hours of transcription
  • Pro Plan - $24 per month with 30 hours of transcription 

7. Express Scribe

Express Scribe has been around since 1993. In 29 years, they’ve managed to build a very solid tool for transcribing audio information on Windows and Mac Desktops. Express Scribe transcribes 45+ audio and video formats. It also features software support for USB foot pedals to control the playback speed. 
Plus, it offers integration options for other applications such as Express Dictate and Dictation Recorder.

As a whole, Express Scribe is great for professional transcriptions without many bells or whistles, and comes at a reasonable one-time price.

Systems:

  • Windows
  • macOS

Transcribes:

  • Audio
  • Video

Functionality: 

  • Foot Pedal compatibility
  • Automated features for sending and receiving files
  • Works with speech recognition software to convert speech to text
  • Works with Microsoft Word and other popular word processors
  • Variable Playback Speed
  • 45+ supported formats

Chrome extension: No

Price: 

All Express Scribe plans are a one-time fee.

  • Express Scribe Professional - $80 for unrestricted professional licenses 
  • Express Scribe Basic - $70 for the standard edition

8. InqScribe

InqScribe is a straightforward transcription software. Similar to Express Scribe, it comes with foot pedal compatibility to make professional transcription easy. Unlike Express Scribe, this software is rather barebones.

As such, it’s good as a simple and affordable transcription option but lacks even automated transcription options. 

Systems:

  • macOS
  • Windows

Transcribes:

  • Audio
  • Video

Functionality: 

  • Transcribe and Take Timecoded notes
  • Mouse-free media controls for keyboard and foot pedal 
  • Transcription Export Options
  • Unicode-compliant and multi-language support within the same document

Chrome extension: No

Price: 

  • Individual Licenses - $99 
  • Volume Pricing - 10% off for purchases of 5 or more licenses, and 15% for purchases of 10 or more licenses. 

9. Sonix

Sonix is a strong automated transcription software powered by machine learning for fast and accurate transcription. Functionally, it is a simple transcription tool. Overall, it’s a powerhouse that brings automation to transcription and uses AI to make sorting and storing your transcription easy. 

Systems:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Web

Transcribes:

  • Zoom
  • Audio
  • Video

Functionality: 

  • Supports 35+ Languages
  • Automated Transcription 
  • Automated Translation 
  • Automated Subtitles
  • Multi-user permissions for collaborators 
  • Search function across all transcripts.

Chrome Extension: No

Price: 

  • Standard - $10 per hour 
  • Premium - $5 per hour + $22 per user per month 
  • Enterprise - Custom Pricing

10. SpeedScriber

If you want fast and automated transcription, you should consider SpeedScriber. It works as simply as uploading your files and waiting for the transcription to return. However, SpeedScriber is unfortunately currently only available on macOS.

Overall, it is a very basic tool that serves a practical purpose but can quickly become expensive depending on the level of use with its pay-as-you-need model. 

Systems:

  • macOS

Transcribes:

  • Audio
  • Video

Functionality: 

  • Import and Export options for audio and video files 
  • Transcribes in minutes
  • Edit controls

Chrome extension: No

Price: $0.50 per minute

11. Temi 

Temi is a simple automated speech-to-text transcription service that prides itself in its advanced speech recognition software, and primarily markets itself to journalists and podcasters. It offers another fast, automated transcription service similar to SpeedScriber. Plus it comes at a cheaper price.

However, Temi does have some requirements to achieve at least 90% to 95% accuracy. The audio is recommended to include little background noise, clear speakers, and minimal accents. 

Systems:

  • Web
  • iOS

Transcribes:

  • Audio

Functionality: 

  • Simple Editing Tool
  • Custom Timestamps
  • Speak Identification
  • Expert Transcription 
  • TLS Data Encryption 

Chrome extension: No

Price: $0.25 per minute

12. oTranscribe

oTranscribe is possibly the barebones of barebone transcription tools. However, it is a serviceable transcription solution. It allows users to upload a file and manually transcribe it in a single window in their browser.

It is also free and open-source software. As such, it’s the best option for occasional or one-off transcription projects but lacks features to help larger projects. 

Systems:

  • Web

Transcribes:

  • Audio
  • Video

Functionality: 

  • Open-Sourced
  • Interactive Timestamps
  • Automatic saves
  • Video file support
  • Export to Markdown, plain text, or Google Docs
  • Hotkeys to control playback
  • Easy-to-use platform 

Chrome extension: No

Price: Free!

Use Teleprompter for Even Smoother Meetings 

The best way to ensure that your transcription reads well, and your meetings go smoothly, use Teleprompter for your next Zoom meeting. The Teleprompter app reduces the anxiety of presentations while making you look and sound like a professional by staying on script. Never waste time editing verbal slips from your transcription again.

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