10 Best Transcription Software in 2024 [Audio to Text]

Imagine sitting for hours trying to transcribe a video or video file manually. That can be a tedious and time-consuming task that drains your energy!

Thankfully, technology is here to transform the way we work — transcription software has come to the rescue, which converts any video or audio recording into text without human labor. In fact, AI transcription services have become a must-have for businesses and professionals who want to get the most out of their conversations. 

Whether you want your audio transcribed to text for education, journalism, podcasting, or any other purposes, we’ve done the legwork for you. Here’s a carefully curated list of the 10 best transcription software to help you get the job done efficiently. Read on!

Our picks for the best transcription software

Before diving into the details of each audio transcription software, let’s take a look at their best features and how they compare against each other.

Transcription software vs. dictation software

Transcription software is primarily used to convert pre-recorded audio or video into text. This is ideal for situations like transcribing podcasts, interviews, meetings, or lectures that were recorded earlier. Users can upload these files, and the software processes them into transcripts. 

On the other hand, dictation software is focused on real-time speech-to-text conversion. It allows users to speak directly into a microphone, and their spoken words are instantly turned into text. This is particularly useful for tasks like drafting documents, or taking notes on the go. Dictation software is often used by individuals who want to streamline their writing process by speaking instead of typing.

What makes the best transcription software?

Before diving into the details, I’d like to clarify the specific criteria for why each audio and video transcription software lands in its role as one of the best options available. 

• Accuracy: First, the app must have an AI-based transcription system that delivers accurate results. Although errors are common with using transcription software, they should be within a limit. The lower the accuracy, the more you will need to edit the transcripts, which takes extra time.

• Versatility: The transcription software should be able to convert multiple types of video and audio files into text, including the most common ones like MP3, MP4, MOV, WMV, etc. Versatility also lies in that the software is available on the Web, Android, and iOS devices, so you can access it anywhere you like.

• Security: If your data isn't safe, it doesn't matter how accurate the transcription is. So I choose transcription tools that have a good reputation and offer security measures.

• Multilingual support: Software that supports multiple languages and dialects allows users to transcribe content in different languages. This is vital for businesses with international clients or operations.

• Ease of use: Lastly, ease of use is a must since no one wants to waste time trying to figure out how to use a new app. The best transcription software will have an intuitive interface that even first-time users can get the hang of.

Best 10 transcribing software to convert audio to text

Now that we’ve covered the essential criteria for what makes top-tier transcription software, let’s dive into the list of the 10 best options available that meet these standards for converting audio and video to text.

1) Notta

The first tool I recommend is the Notta AI transcription software that’s designed to make transcription fast, accurate, and hassle-free. It supports a wide range of file formats, including MP3, MP4 , WAV, M4A, and MOV, among others, allowing users to transcribe both audio and video with ease.

Notta has a well-designed interface that makes navigation easy for first-time users. Simply go to the Notta dashboard to upload files or paste a Google Drive/Dropbox link, and Notta will convert speech into text with high accuracy. What’s more, you can upload multiple files for transcription at once. 

Once your transcription is ready, Notta empowers you to effortlessly edit, search for keywords, highlight key points, and export the transcript in various formats like PDF, Word, and SRT for versatile use. It also includes timestamps that connect the transcript to the original audio, making it easier to access specific information without listening to the whole recording.

Pros:

• Multilingual: Notta's AI capabilities support over 50 languages for diverse transcription needs.

• Easily accessible: With its web and mobile app availability, Notta ensures that you can access your transcriptions anytime, anywhere. And the transcripts are synced across your devices.

• Real-time transcription: Seamless integration with platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams, making Notta a perfect tool for transcribing meetings, webinars, or interviews in real-time.

• AI summary: Notta leverages AI to generate a concise summary from lengthy transcripts, highlighting key points and action items for quick reference.

• Secure: Notta complies with industry standards like SOC 2 and GDPR to ensure the safety of your data. 

Cons:

• The free version has a time limit per transcription.

• Sometimes the speaker's recognition is not entirely correct.

Pricing:

• Free plan that offers 120 transcription minutes in all.

• Pro: $14.99 per user per month for 1,800 transcription minutes.

• Business: $27.99 per user per month for unlimited transcription minutes.

• Enterprise: custom pricing.

Whether you're in education, journalism, or business, Notta is a top choice for efficient and accurate transcription. Start transcribing your video and audio fast and keep them organized across all your devices. 

Transcribe audio/video to text in minutes

Use Notta AI transcription tool to easily transcribe any audio and video to text in minutes. Accuracy and ease-of-use are guaranteed.

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2) Descript

Descript is essentially a video and audio editing app that comes with transcription capabilities for converting audio or video files to text. It offers automatic audio transcription in 20+ languages and claims 80% accuracy. But if you demand perfection, go for its professional transcriptionists who assure 99% accuracy.

With Descript, you can transcribe audio files and then edit the transcriptions right in the software. The software works well for podcasters and YouTubers because it allows you to easily edit and format your transcriptions to place on blog posts. You can also use Descript to create subtitles for your videos or caption files for your audio. 

Pros:

• Add speaker labels to the transcripts to help identify who said what.

• Remove filler words from transcripts.

• Sync the files across platforms.

• Integrate with YouTube, Vimeo, and other video hosting platforms.

Cons:

• Its accuracy went down significantly when transcribing speakers with accents or speech impediments.

• Transcription in languages other than English is not very good.

Pricing:

• Free plan with 1 transcription hour per month.

• Creator: $12/use/month for 10 transcription hours.

• Pro: $24/user/month for unlimited features.

• Enterprise: Contact for custom pricing.

If you are a content creator who records podcasts or videos, Descript is an excellent tool to transcribe your audio files and then easily edit the transcriptions. The software also offers screen recording and webcam recording options. 

3) Rev

Being one of the most renowned transcription services in the market, Rev provides accurate video/audio transcripts, on-screen captions, and translated subtitles powered by AI.

This service is pretty straightforward to use. With Rev, you can upload lectures, interviews, podcast episodes, or meeting recordings and receive a written transcript quickly. The transcriptions are ~90% accurate.

You'll need clear, high-quality audio with no background noise for a quality transcript. If the audio quality is shoddy, you may do better off hiring one of their human transcriptionists.

Pros:

• Human and automated transcription.

• Fast turnaround time.

• Supports up to 31 transcription languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, and more.

• The interactive editor makes it easy to make corrections.

Cons:

• Sometimes it misses brand or technical terms.

• Slow customer support.

Pricing:

Rev offers a subscription plan with 20 automated transcriptions and captioning per month at a flat rate of $29.99, which is best for professionals who use a transcription service regularly.

If you only need to transcribe a file occasionally, a non-subscription charge based on time is more suitable: 

• Audio & video human transcription: $1.50 per minute

• Automated transcription: $0.25 per minute

Rev is a versatile tool when you need transcripts of your audio and video files. Trusted by Turner Classic Movies, CBS, Viacom, PBS, Spotify, and Stanford, it's well worth it to give Rev a try when you want to test human transcriptions aided by artificial technology.

4) Happy Scribe

Happy Scribe is one of the best transcription software in the market that offers fast and accurate transcription and subtitle services via artificial intelligence technology. 

By the time of writing this article, this tool offers automatic transcription in 60+ languages (up to 85% accuracy) and human-made transcription in 10 languages (99% accuracy).

Happy Scribe is pretty easy to use. Simply upload the files, select your language, and it will start processing. You'll have a full transcript at half-time of the audio length, e.g., it takes 5 minutes to transcribe a 10-minute file.

Happy Scribe also has an interactive editor that allows you to edit and manage the text freely. Students, professionals, and busy people who need to transcribe audio files for work or school will enjoy using the tool.

Pros:

• Automatic and human transcription.

• Add captions to videos.

• Support audio files of any size and length.

• Export your file to TXT, PDF, SRT, Word, STL, VTT, and more.

• Sync audio and video with timestamps.

Pricing:

• For automated transcription: starting from $10 per month (billed annually) for 120 minutes.

• For human transcription: starting from $1.75 per minute.

You can choose to use its automated software to get your transcription work completed or hire Happy Scribe's human transcribers to create more accurate transcripts. 

5) Otter.ai

Founded in 2016, Otter is a reputable transcription software that can transcribe pre-recorded video and audio files to text, including interviews, lectures, and podcasts.

It has a web app, a mobile app for iOS and Android, and a Chrome extension so that you can access it almost anywhere.

Otter also has an assistant that will join virtual meetings and record and transcribe the voice conversations in real-time. With this tool, you can review, edit, and manage the transcriptions directly in the app.

Pros:

• Speaker identification by name.

• Timestamps allow you to jump to certain parts of the call.

• Automatically transcribe online meetings and recorded files.

• Rich editing features.

Cons: 

• Only supports English (U.S. and U.K.).

• Many users complain about inaccuracy due to accents and speed of talking.

Pricing:

• Basic: offers 300 monthly transcription minutes for free.

• Pro: $16.99 per month with 1,200 monthly transcription minutes.

• Business: $30/user/month with 6,000 monthly transcription minutes.

• Enterprise: custom pricing.

If you're a faculty member at a school, a student, or a staff member inside a nonprofit, you can receive discounts from Otter on its plans. 

Check the comprehensive Otter review

6) Scribie 

Scribie is a nice option for those who need to transcribe audio files regularly. While it doesn't have as many features as the ones we introduced above, Scribie does offer accurate transcription with a simple 4-step process (transcribe, review, proofread, and quality check) and its price might be the lowest in the current market.

Scribie claims to transcribe files quickly and efficiently with 80%-95% accuracy for its automatic transcription service, and the rate can be up to 99% in manual.

Pros:

• Automatic and manual transcription.

• Online transcript editor.

• Fast turnaround time.

• All transcribers are under NDA to ensure data security.

• Affordable price.

Cons: 

• Only supports English.

• Doesn’t have a mobile app.

• < 60% accuracy for noisy/poor audio.

Pricing: 

• Automated: $0.10 per minute.

• Manual: $0.80 per minute.

• Pro Subscription: $9 per month.

Due to its flexible pricing plans, Scribie is an excellent choice for either individuals or businesses who need a large volume of transcription and don’t care for advanced editing and sharing features.

7) Amberscript

Amberscript, being one of the best video transcription software, provides audio and video transcription with fast turnaround time by combining artificial and human intelligence. 

This tool supports machine-made transcription in 39 languages and manual transcription (with a claim of up to 100% accuracy) in 15 languages.

What’s more, you can try Amberscript for free to ensure that you like either its automatic software solution or its manual transcription services before committing to one of its paid plans.

Pros:

• A hybrid of automatic and manual transcription and subtitle services.

• Edit, search through, and export transcription files.

• GDPR-compliant for data security.

• It offers a speech-to-text API for businesses.

Cons: 

• Its accuracy for automatic transcription (~85%) is not high compared to other tools.

• The waiting time is long.

• It’s quite expensive.

Pricing: 

• One-off model: $20 per hour of uploaded audio or video.

• Subscription model: $56 per month for 5 automatic transcription hours.

• Manual transcription: $6 per minute.

8) Sonix

Sonix is another AI-powered platform that makes it easy to convert audio and video files in over 35 languages.

With Sonix, you can transcribe meetings, lectures, interviews, and any kind of audio or video. You can focus on reading the content later instead of scrolling through hours of audio. Plus, you are able to search through, edit, organize, and share the transcript with teams afterward.

Sonix’s integrations with popular productivity tools like YouTube, Zoom, and Zapier will make your workflow easier.

Pros:

• Automated transcription, translation, and subtitles.

• In-app media player.

• Collaboration with teams.

• Enterprise-grade security.

Cons: 

• Doesn't offer a mobile app.

Pricing: 

• Standard: $10 per hour.

• Premium: $22/user/month + $5 per hour.

• Enterprise: Contact for pricing.

Sonix isn't the best transcription software for you if you're a student or casual user. The per-hour rates can add up quickly. You also might not be able to get the most accurate transcriptions unless you're willing to pay a bit more. However, it may be worth considering if you are a professional who needs to transcribe in bulk.

9) Transcribe

Transcribe.com gives you valuable speech-to-text service using AI-powered automatic transcription in more than 120 languages. 

You can record the conversations in real-time or simply upload the recorded files to get a transcript. This tool will convert videos, interviews, audio notes, phone calls, speeches, lectures, and podcasts into text quickly and accurately. 

The Transcribe software is a nice option for podcasters, journalists, and businesses who need to get the most out of media content and save time.

Pros:

• Works offline without an Internet connection.

• Supports various formats like mp3, m4a, wav, m4v, mp4, mov and avi.

• Export transcribed text with timestamps.

Cons: 

• Out-dated interface.

• Slow customer support.

Pricing: 

• Free for a 15-minute trial.

• Pro: $14.99/month to enjoy all features.

Trusted by the likes of Lyft, Adobe, Groupon, PayPal, Pepsi, and VISA, Transcribe gives you a transcription solution that doesn’t break the bank. Use it for unlimited voice typing to transcribe your next podcast interview or Zoom team meeting.

10) Temi

If you're looking for online transcription software that transcribes audio and video files efficiently using AI technology, Temi is the way to go. It claims a 90% - 95% accuracy rate on condition that the audios are with little background noise and minimal accents.

The software is easy to use: import the files from your desktop and it will start transcribing immediately.

Temi offers accurate speaker recognition so that you know who says what clearly. Moreover, it has a free transcript editor that allows you to edit the final transcript online if you find any errors.

Pros:

• Support all file types.

• Download transcripts in PDF, Word, VTT, and SRT format.

• The editor adjusts playback speed and allows for skipping through transcripts.

Cons: 

• Only supports English.

• The software isn't always accurate and can be a bit slow.

Pricing: 

• Base rate of $0.25 per minute.

Be careful about sending files to the software where the first 10 minutes consist of greetings and general chit-chat. Otherwise, you’ll waste money paying for the per-minute charge. Overall, Temi is a nice option for anyone needing a less expensive transcription service.

How to improve transcription accuracy?

Choosing one of the software above will go a long way to ensuring you receive an accurate transcription. There are several things you can do to help these automatic transcription tools improve the accuracy of the transcription:

1. Clear recording: Ensure that your audio or video recording is of high quality. Use a good microphone, record in a quiet environment, and reduce background noise, echoes, or interruptions. This makes it easier for transcription software to distinguish words.

2. Choose software with speaker diarization: Use transcription software that includes speaker diarization, which differentiates between multiple speakers.

3. Add custom terms: Many transcription tools allow you to add custom words, phrases, or industry-specific terminology to improve accuracy, especially in fields like medicine, law, or technology.

4. Proofread transcripts: Even the best AI-powered tools may make occasional errors. Always review and edit transcripts to ensure accuracy, especially for important documents.

Wrapping up: the best transcription software of 2024

Automatic transcription saves us a lot of time and maximizes the value of content by making it easier to transcribe audio and video files. 

Whether you're a journalist needing quick transcriptions, a business professional looking to summarize meetings, or a content creator turning audio into text, the transcription software options listed above will help you work efficiently. 

While all the software options have their strengths, Notta stands out as an exceptional choice. With its support for 50+ languages, export options, and real-time transcription capabilities, Notta offers a well-rounded experience. 

Transcribe audio/video to text in minutes

Use Notta AI transcription tool to easily transcribe any audio and video to text in minutes. Accuracy and ease-of-use are guaranteed.

Start for Free

FAQs about transcription services

1. What is the easiest way to transcribe audio to text?

The easiest way is to use AI-powered software that can transcribe with high accuracy. One of the best transcription apps is Notta, which offers both real-time and file-import transcription.

2. How long does it take to transcribe an hour-long audio manually?

Manually transcribing an hour-long audio typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, though this can vary depending on factors like audio quality, the number of speakers, and the complexity of the content. 

3. What’s the difference between automatic and manual transcription?

Automatic transcription adopts AI-based technology to convert audio and video files to text automatically. The text can be further edited and shared. The major benefits of using automatic transcription software are fast and cheap. 

Moreover, it usually includes extra features like speaker recognition and time stamps that enable you to review the transcript easily.

Human transcription, however, is completed by trained transcriptionists who listen to the audio recording and then transcribe it manually. Due to this, it takes a longer turnaround time with a higher accuracy rate of nearly 100%, though the cost is higher.

4. Can ChatGPT transcribe audio?

ChatGPT itself cannot directly transcribe audio files, as it is designed to process and generate text-based content. However, you can integrate ChatGPT with transcription tools or services that convert audio to text.