The best transcription services of 2025: Expert tested

The first decision to make when selecting a transcription service is whether you need human-generated transcripts created by professional transcriptionists, who have a higher degree of accuracy and are trained in specific industries like medicine, law, and education. Note that human-generated transcripts will cost more and take longer to produce than automated ones, and not all services have this option. Be sure to compare pricing and turnaround time as well as available languages for human transcription before deciding. 

If you go with automated transcription software, you’ll want to weigh factors like cost, accuracy, and additional features. The cost per minute of AI-generated transcription varies, with options to buy in bulk and use as needed, pay as you go, or lock in with a subscription. Automated transcription isn’t as accurate as human and is likely to require some editing, but some services are better at identifying speakers and capturing style and grammar than others. You should also compare features, such as the ability to transcribe meetings in real time, generate summaries and related content, collaborate with team members, or record on the go with a mobile app.