Transcription software makes converting audio or video to text faster and more accurate than ever. Instead of having to spend hours typing up interview notes, you can have clean text in minutes.
You can also use transcription software to convert your own recordings into editable text — perfect for students who record lectures or professionals who need notes from meetings.The best transcription software tools are easy to use and produce accurate results in a timely manner.
You don’t want to have to wait around for an hour just to transcribe five minutes of audio. And you definitely don’t want the final transcript to be filled with errors because the software couldn’t decipher what was said.
The best transcription programs are also affordable, especially if you need it for personal use. But there are some great free options for those on a budget, too. To help you find the best tool for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best transcription software solutions available today.
Best Transcription Software
What Is Transcription Software?
Transcription software is a boon for anyone who wants to keep a record of their conversations and meetings. It’s easy to use, and it allows you to convert audio files into text. You can also use it as a dictation tool.
Transcription software is useful in many fields, including education, business, entertainment and medicine.
You can use transcription software to convert your voice into text. This is an effective way for you to keep records of your conversations and meetings. It’s also useful when you want to transcribe an audio file into text format.
Best Transcription Software: Introduction
Transcription software is a vital tool for many businesses. It allows you to turn audio files into text, making it much easier to rapidly search and index large amounts of content.
That’s important when you have a team that needs to sift through phone calls, interviews or other recordings to find specific information or quotes. Transcription software can also be useful for people with disabilities that make it difficult to type or to use speech-to-text software.
And if a business makes its own videos, transcription software can help by converting the audio track into a script that can be edited and corrected before shooting begins. Transcribing audio manually is painful, time-consuming work.
But transcription software takes away most of the pain — though not all of it. Software options range from free online tools that are surprisingly accurate and easy to use, to sophisticated desktop programs that cost hundreds of dollars but give you much more control over your transcriptions.
There are even apps for mobile devices that let you transcribe on the go. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best transcription software available today and how those tools compare to each other.
We’ll focus primarily on the free tools because they’re easy to use and offer good value for most users.
What is the Best Transcription Software?
The best transcription software is a personal choice. If you have the time, learning to type in shorthand could be a good way to go, but most people don’t have the patience or the time to learn this skill.
With that in mind, there are a few transcription software programs that are better than others. To find one that best meets your needs, you’ll need to do a little research.
You can use a search engine to help you find the software program that’s right for you. You’ll also need to check out the features offered by different software programs and determine which ones are most important for your needs.
For example, if you’re in need of a program that will allow you to transcribe multiple files at once, then you’ll want to look for one that offers this feature. Some programs even allow you to save files as MP3s so that they can be played on any computer with an internet connection.
When looking for the best transcription software program, make sure it works well with your computer and operating system.
If it doesn’t work well on your PC, it won’t work well on your Mac either! Also, make sure it’s compatible with your word processing program so that it’s easy to keep track of all of your notes.
1. Rev.com
Rev.com is in the business of helping companies and individuals easily get their audio and video files transcribed. They offer the fastest turnaround times, with a typical transcript in 12 hours or less.
The tool also supports foreign languages such as Spanish, French and German. The service has an easy-to-use interface for uploading files, choosing the timecode format and even editing the text to make it more readable.
You can see real-time pricing and order up as many transcripts as you need. It’s hard to think of a more valuable service on the internet than translation.
But text translation is just the beginning. Imagine being able to instantly translate any audio or video into another language.
That’s what Rev does, and it has been doing so since 2010.
2. Trint
Transcribe is a simple, easy-to-use app that lets you record and transcribe your meetings. You can even record multiple speakers and Transcribe will differentiate between voices.
The app also detects long pauses so that you don’t end up with excess text in your transcript. In addition to the ability to share meetings with others and organize them in folders.
Transcribe lets you easily upload recordings from your computer or cloud storage service like Dropbox.
The app supports more than 80 languages (including English) and also has keyword recognition for up to three keywords, which makes it a great tool for journalists who want to make an interview easier to search through later.
Transcribe has a free version that lets you transcribe up to one hour of audio per month.
Paid subscriptions start at $8 per month or $72 per year, including unlimited recordings. Transcribe is a free online service that lets you easily transcribe audio files (and videos) into text.
Features
-Speed control with variable speed playback
-Multi-channel control for files with multiple speakers
-Ability to loop sections for easier practice and learning.
-Pitch control to better hear difficult sounds or music.
-Bookmarks for easy navigation within your recordings.
Pros
Transcribe is a client-oriented business that caters to all kinds of clients. Transcribe does not limit itself to any particular industry or subject matter and transcribes both audio and video files.
The company has a broad range of experts, including medical transcriptionists, legal transcriptionists and court reporters who can provide closed captioning services.
3. Express Scribe
Express Scribe is professional audio playback control software designed to assist the transcription of audio recordings. It is installed on the typist’s computer and can be controlled using the keyboard (with ‘hot’ keys) and/or foot pedals.
This computer transcriber application offers valuable features for typists including variable speed playback, multi-channel control, playing video, file management, and more.
This transcribing software also offers valuable features for typists including variable speed playback, multi-channel control, playing video, file management, and more.
Typists can use this software to make their job easier; it will save them a lot of time by speeding up or slowing down the audio for them. Express Scribe is professional audio player software for PC or Mac designed to help transcribe audio recordings.
A typist can install it on their computer and control audio playback using a transcription foot pedal or keyboard (with ‘hot’ keys). This computer transcriber application features variable speed playback, foot pedal operation, file management and more.
Features
1.Variable speed (constant pitch) playback 2.Supports a variety of foot pedal controls
3.Ability to Dock portable recorders to load recordings.
4. Uses systemwide HotKeys so you can control playback when using other software. 5.Automatically receives and loads files by internet (FTP), email, LAN and Express Delegate. 6.Automatically sends typing to the person who dictated the work.
- Express Scribe is professional audio player software for PC or Mac designed to help transcribe audio recordings. A typist can install it on their computer and control audio playback using a transcription foot pedal or keyboard (with ‘hot’ keys).
- This computer transcriber application features variable speed playback, foot pedal operation, file management and more. This program is free.
Pros
1. Easy to install and use
2. Portable
3. Can be used on multiple computers using the same license key
4. Works with both Windows and Mac
5. Supports many audio formats, including WAV, MP3, WMA and AAC
6. Compatible with foot pedals, so you don’t have to use your keyboard to operate it.
7. Automatic file sync when connected to the internet.
Express Scribe is professional audio player software for PC or Mac designed to help transcribe audio recordings.
5. Inqscribe
Inqscribe is an easy-to-use yet powerful application for playing, transcribing and translating video. Inqscribe supports the following: Unlimited media files. All the standard media keys (play, pause, stop, ffwd/rewind, volume up/down). Variable speed playback (from 0.1x to 2.0x).
Minimalistic interface with adjustable transparency. Export to QuickTime (.mov), text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), and Final Cut Pro XML (.xml) formats.
Final Cut Pro XML export allows you to import your transcript directly into Final Cut Pro! You can also use InqScribe’s Final Cut Pro XML export feature to transcribe your video in a tool that’s more convenient than Final Cut Pro and then import it back into Final Cut Pro with all of your timings intact!
If you’re not using Final Cut Pro, please see our compatibility page; we may be able to help you get your transcript into your favorite program.
InqScribe is transcription software that allows you to do your own typing, quickly and easily. It features a unique interface that makes it easy to add time codes and speaker IDs, and cut and paste lines of text.
InqScribe even has an automation feature to speed up your more routine tasks. InqScribe offers a free trial.
We think 15 days is plenty of time to decide if you want to purchase the software, but even if you do go over, we’ll still let you use the trial version!
Features
1. Inqscribe is a professional, easy to use tool that allows you to transcribe audio or video files.
2. Transcribes media files layback control & hot key support
3. Syliavle audio and video formats Editable transcripts for error correction.
4.Drag and drop file importation
5. Keyboard shortcuts for increased productivity
InqScribe offers free and premium transcription software for audio and video. Used for transcription, research, film, and more.
6. Otter
Otter is a web app that allows users to input text using voice recognition software (as well as traditional typing). Otter will then use natural language processing (NLP) to analyze each piece of text and generate meaningful insights based on its contents.
The app will also allow users to easily share their work with others via email or social media.
Features
Otter’s premium version now includes private groups. You can create private groups for your organization, which can include members from your organization, as well as anyone outside of your organization who you’d like to collaborate with.
Each private group has its own set of workspaces where you can store data securely together with other members in the group.
Pros
– A multi-device platform: Otter works on Android and iOS devices, as well as Mac and Windows computers.
– Unlimited recordings: You can make as many recordings as you want. There are no time limit restrictions.
– 612 minutes of transcription free every month with the free plan. No credit card required!
Otter is an AI-powered assistant that makes it easy to search, edit, organize, and share your voice conversations (for English only for now).
With Otter, you get smart transcription that’s 6x faster than typing (and more accurate), speaker identification, powerful full-text search, 1 tap voice reply, optimized photos of whiteboards and slides from meetings, export to popular text formats such as .docx and .pdf files, multi-device sync across a desktop computer and mobile devices; plus much more in the future!
7. Sonix
Sonix is the best automated transcription service in 2019. Our industry-leading, speech-to-text algorithms will convert audio & video files to text in minutes.
It transcribes podcasts, interviews, speeches, and much more for creative people worldwide.
Sonix converts audio to text using state-of-the-art AI. Get started for free today.
We are the market leader in automated transcription software that uses machine learning technology to accurately convert audio to text.
Features
Sonix is an easy to use automated transcription service that’s powered by AI. Sonix transcribes your audio and video files in over 35 languages so they are easy to search, edit, and share.
For just $0.10 per minute (that’s $6/hr) Sonix uses the latest AI technology to convert your audio to text in minutes. No more tedious manual transcriptions!
After you upload your files, Sonix provides you with a fully synchronized transcript and caption file (SRT) that can easily be searched for keywords and topics of interest.
You can also export your transcripts into Microsoft Word or PDF documents.
What is Transcription Software?
Transcription software converts audio files into text documents. It works by matching spoken words with words in its dictionary.
The software also helps you edit the transcript to make it more readable.
The software has an integrated media player that allows you to control the playback speed and volume of the audio file. This feature makes it easier for you to transcribe voices with heavy accents or those speaking at fast speeds.
This software also provides keyboard shortcuts that allow you to perform common editing functions such as cutting, copying and pasting text without using your mouse.
Some programs also come with additional features such as spell checkers, autocorrect functionality, word counters and hot keys.
How Do You Select the Best Transcription Software?
Transcription software is used to convert audio and video files into text. These days, transcription software can be used by business owners to transcribe recordings of meetings, conferences and interviews easily.
Transcription apps are also convenient for students who need to convert their class lectures and research materials into text. Selecting the right transcription software for your needs is not easy, especially with so many options available in the market.
Different types of transcription software have different features. Some are specifically designed for podcasts or videos, while others are better suited for converting audio files into text.
Features like translation and multilingual support may also be useful in some situations. Before using any type of transcription software, make sure that it offers all the features you need for a smooth experience.
Ease of use: Using a transcription tool should be simple, even if you are not very familiar with this technology.
The best transcription software has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to convert audio and video files into text in just a few clicks.
Advanced tools may offer more options, but they should still be easy to use even if you don’t have any technical background or experience with this type of software.
1. Transcription Software Accuracy
There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there about the accuracy of transcription software. While it’s possible to get mediocre work from a human transcriber at a low price, it’s nearly impossible to find a good one for less than $5 per minute.
If you’re not sure what your transcription software can do, here are a few things to consider: When you speak in loud and clear voice, how does the transcriptions match up? Is it too quiet or too loud?
Does your voice sound like someone else’s? Do people mishear you? Does the transcription software recognize words that appear in your transcripts but don’t appear anywhere in your recordings?
Does the transcription software identify pauses between words or phrases, such as “um,” “like,” and “you know?” These little sounds can make all the difference.
2. Transcription Software Features
One of the major benefits of transcription software is that it provides a clean and easy way to convert audio or video into text. It also offers tools that can be used to edit and proofread the transcript.
Transcribing audio used to be an incredibly tedious task that required much time, patience, and attention to detail. However, thanks to advances in technology, the process has become far easier than it once was.
The best transcription software applications are able to convert a variety of media files into text without any hassle. The most advanced programs can even convert audio from several different languages into text, saving you from having to learn a second language just so you can transcribe your data.
You also have the option of using a web-based program for transcribing your audio and video files. These web-based programs are usually paid services but offer more features than their free counterparts.
The main advantage here is that you don’t need to install any software on your computer in order to use them. As with any software application, you should carefully consider what transcription software features you will need before purchasing one.
Some of the most important features include: Multi-language support: You may want a transcription tool that supports multiple languages if your business requires you to communicate with people of different languages.
3. Transcription Software Turnaround Times
From the very start of our journey together, I need to make it clear that there is no one-size-fits-all turnaround time for digital transcription. Different audio files have different levels of clutter, which means some will be harder to transcribe than others.
Also, there is no single way to cut out the clutter and transcribe a file. Some methods are faster and more accurate than others, but rarely does one method work best for every situation.
Here are some things to consider when you’re trying to figure out the right turnaround time for your transcription software: What do you want to achieve?
Comparing turnaround times between services is only useful if you know what you want to achieve with your transcription service in the first place.
If your goal is just to get as much information down as possible as quickly as possible, there’s no need to worry about accuracy. If you want perfect transcripts though, it’s going to take a little longer.
What’s the quality of your sound? The better the quality of sound on your audio or video files, the quicker it’ll be for a software program or human transcriber to get all the details down on paper.
However, poor quality won’t necessarily slow things down that much if you’re using an automated transcription.
4. Transcription Software Pricing Plans
How much does transcription software cost? Transcription software pricing can vary widely.
Some of the most popular transcription software programs are free or offer free trials, while others require a monthly subscription.
The most expensive transcription software programs can reach $3,000 per month or more.
Transcription software pricing models can be complicated because many transcription services charge different amounts for different features and functions. Some transcription services have separate pricing plans for enterprise and individual users.
Some services charge per minute of audio while others charge a flat fee per month. Many transcription services also offer volume discounts for large-scale use.
To get started, sign up for a free account. You’ll be able to do everything that comes with a paid account except download your audio.
Paid plans start at $5/month and include unlimited usage, unlimited file uploads, and the ability to download your audio.
5. Transcription Software Background Noise Cleanup
Transcription software is often used by people who want to convert recordings into written text. There are a wide variety of reasons that someone might want to use transcription software, including business, personal and professional uses.
Transcription software can be used to quickly create a written record of an important meeting or conversation. This type of software often works well for the creation of subtitles or captions in films and other forms of media as well.
If you are interested in using transcription software, you should be aware that many programs are available that offer a wide range of features.
In addition to being able to create relatively accurate transcriptions on their own, some programs can also clean up background noise in recordings that you have already made.
This can be a very useful feature if you wish to improve the quality of your existing recordings. It is important to understand that not all transcription software offers this feature.
You may need to conduct some research in order to find the best program for your needs. The following guide will help you learn more about transcription software background noise cleanup so that you can choose the best program for your needs.
There are two different types of background noise cleanup tools offered by transcription software programs: manual and automatic tools. Some programs offer both types,
6. Transcription Software Ease of Use
When you’re running a business, any time you can save is time you can use to grow your company. This is especially true when it comes to hiring employees.
One aspect of the hiring process that requires a significant amount of time is scheduling interviews, especially phone interviews. Not only do you have to determine when a candidate is available, but you also need to ensure that your team members who will be conducting the interview are available as well.
After you’ve finally scheduled the interview, you need to take notes as the candidate speaks. This helps you remember which candidates did or didn’t work out for future reference, and it also helps if multiple people on your team are involved in the process.
Some people prefer to use simple note-taking software or even just pen and paper during their interviews to take notes. Others prefer using transcription software instead.
This type of software records calls and then transcribes them into text files for your later reference.
7. Transcription Software Privacy Policies
If you’re a transcriptionist or student in need of fast, accurate and easy-to-use transcription software, Express Scribe is for you. More than just a foot pedal, Express Scribe offers the following features:
Variable speed playback from 50% up to 200% with pitch adjustment Playback audio files in a variety of formats including .wav and .ds2 Works with most popular foot pedals including Infinity I/II, VEC Infinity IN-USB1/IN-USB1T, VEC Infinity USB IN-USB2/IN-USB2T and IN-USB3 foot pedals
Option to skip silence during play back to speed up the transcription process Support for a number of file formats including WAV, WMA, MP3, DCT and AIF files.
Best Transcription Software: Frequently Asked Questions
Transcribing audio is a time-consuming task that can be frustrating and tedious.
There are, however, a number of great transcription software options available that can help automate the process so you can focus on other things.
While there are many different types of transcription software available, not all programs are created equal.
The best transcription software will accurately transcribe your files quickly at an affordable price.
Best Transcription Software: Wrapping Up
The best transcription software will be easy to use, have a wide range of features, and provide very high accuracy. The programs we considered all offer great accuracy, both automatic and human-based.
They each have mobile apps that make it easy to upload audio and video files to send for transcription. In many cases, they also provide other features such as built-in editing tools and the ability to create timestamps.
In terms of ease of use, Rev is at the top of the list because its user interface is simple and straightforward. It doesn’t have a lot of advanced features that can be difficult for novice users to understand.
TranscribeMe also offers some advanced features but at a higher price point than Temi’s premium tier.
Although all these programs offer free trials or demo versions, we recommend signing up for TranscribeMe’s free trial first.
Great post on the best transcription software.
Thanks, Jody.