Technology has made a lot of things as easy as they can get. One of the many ways technology is bringing innovation is how voice or text messages can be transformed into ideas or files that can be used for other purposes.

What is Transcription Software?

Transcription software is a tool or application that helps you to transform information and ideas from audio into text that can be used for several purposes, share, and turned into action. It is important to note that all voice-to-text software can transcribe audio input into text.

As an organization, brand, or business, you need to decide on which transcription software is best for you depending on your goals and work processes. You need to decide whether you need accuracy, speed, or a combination of both before you start sourcing for the right transcription software.

You have to put into consideration how you are going to use the software, how it will make your workflow not only fast but also efficient. This will enable you to make the right choice.

We will first take a look at some of the benefits of transcribing audio to text. In subsequent sections, we will take a look at some of the best transcription software that we have around and help you see what they do and what features may interest you in them.

Benefits of Transcribing Audio into Text

  • It Increases Accessibility of your Content: It helps those who are deaf or can’t hear properly have access to an audio or video version of your text. Most smartphones today have these tools that help people who can’t see, or hear use their mobile devices. Hence, transcribing gives more people with certain conditions accessibility to your content.
  • For Diversification Purposes: it does no harm to have a version of your content in audio, video files, and also in text; it will only help you reach more audiences. Hence, by converting your audio to text, you are catering to both people who like audio and serving those who prefer reading at the same time.
  • Top Ranking on Search Engines: When you have video contents online with subtitles, it will help you carry more people along. It helps more people around the globe understand your brand. When your content on vlogging site or YouTube is subtitled, it will help people find you easily when they search for keywords in your subtitle.
  • Easy Distribution: The distribution of text content is easier and faster as they do not consume much bandwidth. Hence, if you have instructional videos, a podcast, or other audio files you can turn them into text so that you can easily distribute them in different formats such as emails, eBooks, manuals, articles, or white papers.

Factors to Consider in Selecting the Right Transcription Software

  1. Accuracy: This is the most important thing you should consider when going for transcription software. Human transcribers and AI-based transcription tools are guaranteed to give the highest level of accuracy up to 90% or more.
    You can run a free trial first to see the accuracy of a transcription software before you commit to it. Check if the transcript contains grammatical and punctuation errors.
  2. Features: Look out for the features that the transcription software offers. You don’t want to subscribe to a software that doesn’t have the features that will help you achieve your goals. Hence, it is important to be sure that the software offers in-browser editing, subtitling, and custom timestamp among others. If you are looking out for a business transcription tool, then you should go for one that has collaboration features that can help your workflow with your team members.
  3. Turnaround Time: This is the time it takes for your transcript to be ready. Make sure you go for a transcription software that is fast and will return the completed transcripts in few minutes. Automatic software transcription is fast but not as accurate as you may want. For accuracy, go for Human-in-the-loop (HITL) transcription software.
  4. Pricing Plans: Budget is one thing you must consider in anything and it is not different when sourcing for transcription software. Most services come with different subscription packages that offer varying features. Do your due diligence to go for a payment plan that best suits what you want.
  5. Background Noise Filter: Some audio or video files may not be clear, in this case, you need a transcription software that will filter all background noises. Your transcription software must be able to clean up disturbances or static noise so that it can deliver a clear transcript.
  6. Ease of Use: Look out for a transcription software that is easy to use; has a user-friendly interface. It should not be difficult to navigate around features offered on the software. Most services offer a guide or illustration lessons to put you through on how to use their services.
  7. Private Policies: Do not jump on any software without reading their policies. You can also request a non-disclosure agreement in case of sensitive data.

Top Best Transcription Software

#1 Transcribe 

Transcribe is most suitable for users who have taken up transcription as a profession. Transcribe is one tool that you can use to turn your speeches, podcasts, calls, lectures, interviews, and other audio or video files into text. Transcribe can help you turn your video or audio files into more than 55 different languages.

In cases where your audio or video file has some traces of background noise, it does not take time to use this tool to transcribe the whole file. Also, in cases where the audio or video file is not audible enough you can make use of a feature on Transcribe that enables you to play the audio/video, and then you can dictate with your voice so that it is turned into text.

Transcribe is secured because it keeps all your transcribed data private. It is a tool that is focused on keeping your data private. It has a special audio player that helps you decode audio. This is to make the task as easy as possible. 

Transcribe offers foot pedal support together with a great slow-motion experience. You have nothing to worry about if you are new to using the software; it comes with a unique help file that puts you through on how to use its features.

It is a transcription tool that allows you to subtitle your videos and you can export the transcripts in the form of SRT or WebVTT files. These video formats can be uploaded on your social media platforms like Vimeo or YouTube.

Important features available on Transcribe are as follows;

  • Automatic audio play and pause.
  • Fully private and secure.
  • It can work perfectly well even when there is no internet connection.
  • Easily converts speech to text.
  • Automatic text expander for acronyms.
  • It has a user-friendly browser-based interface.
  • Has foot pedal integration for manual transcription functions.

#2 Happy Scribe 

Happy Scribe is another wonderful tool that is great for subtitles and transcription. It offers over transcription in more than 60 different languages.

It helps you to collaborate effectively by bringing your team members together including editors and proofreaders so that everyone can enjoy a seamless workflow. It allows you to create vocabulary and use their API to sync third-party applications to ensure the process is efficient and smooth.

Happy Scribe has a good rating on Trustpilot, just so you can know how good it is.

#3 Trint 

Trint is a transcription software that is perfect for both Mac and Windows users who don’t want to undergo the stress of installing transcription software. Trint will enable you to transcribe both audio and video files from your browser.

Trint operates on machine-learning-based algorithms for transcribing video and audio files into multiple languages. It is an encompassing transcription and audio platform that allows you to work seamlessly with your team members using multiple tools. It is less prone to error, fast, and secure.

It allows you to include searchable templates on your website. It also has a fast turnaround time as you can finish transcribing in few minutes. Top features on the Trint platform are as follows;

  • It supports multiple file formats for your transcripts.
  • Fast conversion of audio to text.
  • The Trint app on iPhone gives you access to the platform on the go.
  • It has tools for distributing content and transcripts.
  • Its AI transcription helps to reduce error rates.

#4 Rev 

Rev is a perfect tool for audio transcription. Unlike some of the other tools that we have discussed, Rev is a hub or platform that has many talented transcriptionists who offer their services. On this platform, you are charged for the transcription of your audio file, and the transcript is delivered to you within 12 hours with a high degree of accuracy.

This is one option that takes the entire stress off you. All you need to do is to upload your audio file on the website.

You can decide to edit the final transcript if you so desire and you can decide to share it with members of your team or anyone. Rev integrates perfectly well with Dropbox and Google Drive for fast and efficient workflow.

Rev is highly rated by some international corporations such as Forbes, Spotify, and CNBC among others.

#5 Descript

Descript is a transcription tool that is good for audio and video editing. It combines a screen recorder, transcriber, and editor; all in one package to give you great audio and video transcriptions.

Descript includes publishing tools that make both video and audio editing very easy. It is simple to use the tools on Descript. The drag-and-drop feature allows you to input your media file onto the editor so that the media file is transcribed into a text file.

The transcript is shown in a document editor that allows you to edit it if you wish, you can then share it. Descript allows you to correct any error using the snip-out filters, or Overdub, and you can as well subtitle the videos.

It is a perfect tool for projects that need the collaboration of a group of people. Its remote recording feature allows you to synergize or collaborate with your team members to get the best results.

Important features on Descript include the following;

  • Live, automatic multitrack transcription.
  • It gives you access to the best human transcriptionists around.
  • Top data security.
  • You can use it to create audiograms from highlights of your podcasts. 
  • It permits different file formats such as VTT, DOC, RTF, and SRT.

#6 Inqscribe 

Inqscribe is a new software on the market but its user-friendly interface and ease of use have made it become a popular choice. It is very easy to use Inqscribe, even first-timers will easily find their way around it.

It has a comprehensive guide and on-screen instructions that will help you understand and easily get to know how to use the features. It also includes a glossary of transcription terms so that first-timers can get to learn the feature fast.

Inqscribe is a cross-platform that works with both video and audio formats. You can use it to type simple notes, add customized timecodes, and export subtitles. The editor on Inqscribe is similar to that on word processors as it can allow you to insert custom snippets with just a stroke.

Important features that you will find on Inqscribe include the following;

  • It is Unicode compliant.
  • Easy and fast transcript sharing.
  • It can play both video and audio from tertiary storage.
  • It is compatible with Windows Media and Quick time player.
  • It works with multiple export formats.
  • It works well with USB foot pedals.
  • It supports several languages.
  • It has a pitch lock feature to prevent voice distortion.
  • Keyboard-based, and mouse-free controls.

#7 Express Scribe

Express Scribe as the name “express” implies means it is a perfect choice for the fast execution of transcription jobs. If you need to transcribe your audio file and you are pressed for time, then Express Scribe is your best bet. It is a free tool that is great with audio players.

It can easily integrate with mobile devices and computers through USB.

Express Scribe has a searchable text editor which can be used to edit your finished transcript. It can easily integrate with MS Word and USB foot pedals. It works with both Mac and Windows devices and supports a majority of video and audio file formats.

The key features on Express Scribe are as follows;

  • Multiple channel control.
  • It manages your file automatically.
  • Automatic file loading and reception through email or FTP.
  • Variable playback speeds.
  • It integrates easily with both digital and analog voice recorders.
  • It supports encrypted dictation files.

#8. Sonix 

Sonix is a transcription service that is best for podcasters. It gives a highly accurate transcription that you can rely on. It offers transcription in over 40 languages and boasts of millions of users across the globe.

Sonix works online and its users only need to upload either their video or audio file to the service, and the transcription is done in few minutes. You can edit the transcript via the in-built editor that is similar to a word document.

With Sonix, you don’t have to bother about punctuations or speaker separation as this is taken care of automatically by the service. It also offers a qualitative analysis of your transcripts.

You can also subtitle your video content. The key features that you will find on Sonix include the following;

  • It is super-fast and accurate.
  • It supports many languages.
  • Automated translation.
  • Allows multitrack uploads.
  • Word-wise timestamps.
  • It offers affordable pricing plans.
  • It supports multiple text formats such as DOC, TXT, and PDF.
  • Custom dictionary.
  • It is a browser-based transcript editor.

#9. Otter

It is a transcription tool that is an ideal choice for transcription in real-time. It is an online platform that gives you the chance of recording and transcribing audio files in real-time. It takes only a few minutes to complete the transcription as it is done on the go. 

You can use Otter on mobile devices because it is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. Otter gives several options for sharing and editing your transcripts. It has a speaker identification feature that you might not find on other tools.

It is a free transcription tool but you have limited access when you are on the free version. However, if you are on the premium version, you will enjoy access to video and audio files that are pre-recorded.

It is easy to collaborate with your team when you use Otter because it can interact with remote working tools like zoom. Other top features on Otter are as follows;

  • AI-based adaptability.
  • Searchable transcripts.
  • Real-time transcription and recording.
  • The dictation feature is great for academic use.
  • It can be used by both individuals and businesses.

Summary

To wrap things up, regardless of what your transcription needs are, at least one of the tools highlighted above will surely cater to them.

Take your time to pick one that best suits your business model and goals and you will be happy you made the right choice.