Speech recognition services have become an indispensable tool for converting audio to text, whether it’s business meetings, scientific research, or content creation. They help save time and effort while ensuring accuracy. Thanks to advances in AI, many platforms now offer features such as real-time transcription, multilingual support, and editing capabilities. This article provides an overview of the top 15 transcription services in 2025, suitable for both personal and professional use.
What is transcription software?

It is a tool that converts spoken speech from audio or video files into written text. This is a technical assistant who listens attentively and writes everything down, while the user can focus on more important things, such as discussing a problem. Whether you’re holding a meeting, interview, lecture, or just taking voice notes, the software will help you save time.
Types of speech recognition tools
- Manual. The user types what he hears by controlling the playback of the audio recording using keyboard shortcuts (play, stop, rewind or forward). This can be useful if a person wants to control every detail.
- Automatic. Artificial intelligence-based software or platforms do most of the work for humans. They quickly convert audio files into text, which can then be edited to improve accuracy.
- Specialized options designed only for specific tasks, for example, for medical or legal vocabulary, allowing you to recognize professional terminology.
TOP 15 Transcription software
FollowUp
It offers the implementation of the AI-secretary development for taking notes and logging business meetings. The program integrates with the user’s calendar. From the beginning of the meeting, for example, in ZOOM, the bot connects and makes a full recording. Then, within 3-10 minutes, he processes the material and sends the Sammari to all participants by e-mail. The report will indicate the topic of the meeting, the participants, the issues discussed, the decisions taken, the dates set and the responsible persons. It is suitable for use in trade, marketing, education, consulting, design.
The AI model can be trained to meet the needs of individual departments or the specifics of the company’s activities.
Otter.ai
It remains one of the most popular assistants for synchronous speech recognition with the highest accuracy. The software uses artificial intelligence to decode meetings, interviews, and lectures, and can even recognize different speakers. Otter.ai It also integrates with the main video conferencing tools, making it an excellent choice for:
- professionals and teams who need real-time transcription;
- students and journalists who need accurate transcripts of meetings and lectures.
Rev
It is suitable for human voice recognition with a high level of accuracy. Rev offers AI-based options, as well as using hand tools. By using the AI-based option, the user receives a draft at a lower price. However, for more complex or confidential materials, it is recommended to switch to manual mode, the tools of which will ensure 99% accuracy. The user can upload files directly to Rev or add a link to the content on Zoom, YouTube, Vimeo. The editing tool allows you to quickly find and highlight the right places in the text. Rev is widely used in the media industry, academia, and the legal field.
Google Speech to Text

It offers an efficient audio-to-text converter that works directly with Google Cloud. The neural network «speaks» 120 languages and dialects, ensuring accurate transmission of speeches at meetings, in interviews, and in voice notes.
Dragon Professional
The service is a market leader in voice recognition and transcription software. It is recommended for people who require a high level of accuracy and customizable voice commands. After a few sessions, the software adapts to the user’s voice, speeding up the transcription of voice notes, as well as other tasks. Dragon is often used by lawyers, healthcare professionals, and corporate professionals.
Amazon Transcribe
It offers software for automatic transcription based on advanced artificial intelligence to convert audio to text, which is especially useful for companies wishing to automate the transcription of audio files. Developers can create their own workflows using the useful Amazon APIs, making them the best solution for corporate needs as well as application integration.
Microsoft Azure Speech to Text
It includes speech recognition, conversion, translation into the desired language, as well as application functions with voice control support, and integrates well with other Microsoft services. It allows you to customize language models, which makes it very suitable for industries that require special programs, such as medicine.
Whisper Transcription
A universal multitasking model capable of recognizing speech in many languages, identifying them and translating them into the desired language from OpenAI.
This is a very flexible tool, as the training was conducted on the basis of an extensive set of audio materials. It is preferred by developers and those who need to decode voice memos and multilingual content. This converter accurately processes complex files, which makes it popular among professional linguists.
Express Scribe
It offers transcription software designed with the interests of professional transcriptionists in mind. It supports pedal integration, variable playback speed, and compatibility with a wide range of file formats. It is suitable for those who want to manually decrypt voice notes.
Descript
This comprehensive transcription and editing software is most popular among podcasters and video editors. Descript automatically transcribes audio and video files and offers simple editing techniques that allow you to make corrections directly to the transcription. The multitrack editor is suitable for those who work with multiple audio or video sources.
Trint

An artificial intelligence-based program designed with collaboration in mind. Its intuitive interface allows teams to simultaneously edit transcriptions, mark sections for verification, and translate recognized speech into multiple languages. Trint is suitable for editorial offices, marketing teams, and content creators who need to work together on large-scale projects.
Sonix
«Knows» four dozen languages and offers such effective functions as:
- automatic marking of speakers;
- visualization of the shape of the audio signal;
- a timestamp.
Sonix also integrates with various Zoom, YouTube and Dropbox platforms, making it versatile for various industries.
It is suitable for representatives of industries that require fast automated conversion in several languages, for example, for teams working with international projects, as well as using large volumes of audio materials.
Temi
This affordable artificial intelligence-based service is known for its ease of use and short lead times. Temi’s interface is simple, allowing users to upload files, receive transcripts in a few minutes, and easily make changes to the application. Although Temi may not be as reliable as some other platforms, it is suitable for those who need low-cost decryption without increased quality requirements.
Speechmatics
One of the best solutions for synchronous speech recognition and conversion with support for more than 30 languages. Suitable for jobs in industries that require instant transcription of spoken language, such as broadcasting, events, and customer service. Speechmatics uses advanced neural networks to ensure high accuracy and fast processing.
Happy Scribe
It is a universal assistant for converting audio to text, as well as creating subtitles. Transcription and compilation of subtitles in several languages is performed by neural networks in automatic mode. It is an effective assistant for users who need subtitles for the content they create. The software is used by video bloggers on YouTube, as well as teachers and filmmakers.
Summary table of the characteristics of the latest transcription software, indicating the main advantages, disadvantages, and approximate cost
Software Name | Main Features | + | – | Cost, euro |
FollowUp | Record and recognize the entire conversation.Fixing agreements, tasks, responsible persons, and deadlines. The formation of Sammari. Sending Sammari to the participants. | The recognition accuracy is 98%.The quality of sammarination is 100%. Ease of implementation and application. | Free trial version for 100 minutes. Flexible pricing plan for growing teams. | |
Otter.ai | Synchronous conversion with speaker identification. Integrates with Zoom and Google Meet platforms. Searchable transcripts, as well as automatic time setting. Collaborative editing for team workflows. | High accuracy of synchronous transcription. Convenience for users with mobile devices. | The free plan provides few minutes. Limited customization options. | 7.50 for regular users, 18 for businesses. |
Rev | AI-based transcription to speed up processing. The possibility of manual transcription with high accuracy (99%). Integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive, and some others. | High precision. Short lead times. Convenient editing tools. | The high cost of the manual transcription option. It doesn’t work in real time. The lack of user vocabulary limits the ability to decipher speech using industry terminology. | 1.40 minutes for human transcription, 22 euro cents for automated transcription. |
Google Speech-to-Text | It works in real time. The ability to configure it to recognize specific industry terms. Easily transforms voice recordings into text. Connects to Google Workspace to improve your workflow. | Integrates with Google. High accuracy in different languages. | A reliable internet connection is required. | From 0.005 per minute. |
Dragon Professional | Customizable macros and voice commands. High accuracy of audio transcription in noisy environments. Supports transcription of audio recordings into text for long-term dictation. Adaptable voice profiles for increased accuracy. | High accuracy and adaptability. Easy to train, use. | Expensive for small businesses. It requires a lot of resources on older systems. | From 450 per license. |
Amazon Transcribe | Transcribes voice recordings with speaker identification. The possibility of synchronous transcription in batch mode. Customized vocabulary and language models for the needs of a specific industry. It integrates seamlessly with other AWS services. | Configurable parameters. Scalability for large enterprises. | AWS expertise is required. Difficulty in training non-technical users. | Approximately 0.00035 per second. |
Microsoft Azure Speech to Text | It offers real-time audio transcription. Speaker’s diary for speaker identification. The ability to adjust to the needs of the medical dictation software. Scalability, adaptability to enterprise-level solutions. | Close integration with Azure services. Multilingualism. | It’s a difficult setup for non-IT users. | from 90 euro cents per hour. |
Whisper | Open source code and the ability to customize by developers. Processes complex audio signals, including those made in noisy environments. Provides high accuracy of audio-to-text conversion. No internet connection is required for local processing. | Free and adaptive. | Technical assistance may be required during setup and adaptation. High quality conversion. | Free. |
Express Scribe | Compatible with voice recording and editing software. Supports foot pedals for hands-free transcription. Adjust the playback speed. Easy integration with word processors. | It is convenient for converting large amounts of information. It is best suited for manual conversion. Compatible with multiple formats. | Limited automation capabilities. | From 35 euros for the Pro version. |
Descript | AI-based transcription with multitrack editing. Full integration with podcast and video editing tools. Allows you to make corrections to overlays directly in the text editor. Export to various formats, including SRT for subtitles. | Intuitive editing options. Supports collaboration. There is an option to suppress background noise. Allows you to translate into 22 languages. | Premium features are highly priced. Limited offline access. | There is a free tariff, paid – from 11 to 22 per month |
Trint | AI transcription with high accuracy and speaker identification. Collaborative editing with the ability to add tags, comments, and reviews. Multilingual transcription and translation. Export to various formats, including Word and SRT. | Suitable for team projects. Multilingual support. | Limited free features. The high cost of full access to functions. | 44 per month. |
Sonix | Automatic transcription with support for multiple languages. Marking the dynamics and visualizing the shape of the audio signal. Integration with Zoom and YouTube platforms. Customized vocabulary for specific industries. | High conversion speed and accuracy. Recognizes 40 languages. Removes the parasitic words. | An internet connection is required. The recognition quality decreases if the speaker has an accent, as well as if the sound quality is poor. | It offers payment options as you use and subscribe. 10 euros per hour for automatic conversion. The monthly subscription is 22 euros, which reduces the cost of using the service by half. |
Temi | AI-based transcription with fast processing. Text editing and search functions in the application. Supports multiple file formats, including MP3 and MP4. An affordable price structure suitable for small projects. | Budget efficiency. An easy-to-use platform. | Lower accuracy for complex audio signals. A narrow range of possibilities. | 22 euro cents per minute. |
Speechmatics | It works in real time with high processing speed. Multilingual support for more than 30 languages. Designed for live broadcasts, events, and customer service. API integration for user applications. | High accuracy in real time. | Individual integration can be difficult. The lack of a free version. | Multi-level prices, adjusted for regions. |
Happy Scribe | Transcription and subtitling using time-stamped AI. Multi-language support for transcription and subtitles. Easy export to subtitle formats, such as SRT. Editing in the browser to adjust conversions and subtitles. | It is well suited for subtitles and captions. Easy editing and collaboration. | Limited offline functionality. | 11 per hour. |
How to transcribe audio files into text in 6 simple steps
- Select a service. The developers offer dozens of different options with many options, for example, creating subtitles, translating into another language. Therefore, it is necessary to choose depending on what is supposed to be done. To begin with, it is worth exploring the offers, paying attention to the pros and cons of the programs. For example, if you need to transform a meeting of several speakers, it is important that the program is able to distinguish between several voices. If content is being prepared for the hard of hearing, then subtitles are needed.
- Make sure that the file meets the requirements of the software. The quality of the recording strongly affects the recognition result. Speech recognition services support MP3, WAV, and M4A formats. If the recording is in a different format, it is better to convert it before uploading.
- Upload the prepared file or import it from the cloud. After downloading, the system starts analyzing and conducts preparatory activities. The larger the volume of the source material, the more time it will take to prepare.
- Set up the transcription settings. For example, select a language and set the paragraph splitting option. The more settings you have, the more precisely the recording will be structured, which will make it easier to read.
- Edit the transcription result. This is a necessary step, because there is no service yet that would produce a perfectly written text. Mistakes always occur if complex professional terms, phrases, and phrases were present in the speech. You may need to add punctuation marks, subheadings, and correct semantic inaccuracies.
- Export the file and save it. The services usually offer DOCX, TXT, and PDF formats. The first option is more suitable for editing; for further inclusion in presentations or for printing, it is better to use the latter.
Conclusion
The advent of technical assistants for speech conversion has taken over some of the routine processes and freed up time and effort to work on projects. Now you don’t have to worry about the accuracy of handwritten minutes of business meetings, negotiations, and interviews: technology has learned how to do this for a person. Transcription techniques are easy to use, even a beginner can handle them. Programs with a wide range of options have been developed for more advanced users who place high demands on accuracy and quality of reproduction.
As a result, in business and in production:
- labor productivity has increased;
- internal communications have been strengthened;
- the effectiveness of teamwork has improved.
Neural networks have made life easier for students and journalists, as well as people working with large amounts of audio and video. The task of composing content for the hard of hearing has been simplified, since the software allows you to synchronously produce subtitles. Neural networks help specialists implementing major international projects not only to keep records of meetings, but also to translate participants’ speech into the necessary languages. Special resources have been developed for those who use many complex, highly professional terms in their speech, for example, doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
Frequently Asked questions about transcribing audio materials into text
Is it possible to transcribe using ChatGPT?
Yes, you can. For example, ChatGTP from OpenAI is a development called Whisper API. Supports formats: MP3, MP4, MPEG, M4A, WAV, WebM, MPGA, recognizes 50 languages and dialects, including Hindi, Swahili, Greek. The result strongly depends on the quality of the source code.
Is it possible to translate spoken speech into text using an iPhone?
It is possible, but only on iPhone 12 and higher devices and only in the English version. The option is located in the Notes section. You can search in the transcript, add text to a note, or copy text to other documents.
Which conversion software can be considered the best in terms of accuracy?
The Rev program combines high accuracy and speed of transcription, and supports various file formats.
Which transcription software can be considered the best for real-time operation?
- Otter.ai – one of the best programs for synchronous transcription with the highest accuracy.
- Google Speech-to-Text provides high accuracy in different languages.
- Amazon Transcribe is recommended for large businesses. It has a linguistic dictionary and can be customized to the terminology of different industries.
- Microsoft Azure Speech to Text is suitable for use in medicine, multilingual.
Is there an application that converts audio to text?
Applications Transcriptor, Google Docs Voice Typing and Otter.AI provides easy voice to text conversion.
Can transcription software create subtitles?
The Trint program allows you to transcribe videos, supports SRT for subtitles, and integrates with Google Docs, Chrome, and Dropbox platforms.
Is there a free AI for transcription?
Yes, for example, TurboScribe: it uses artificial intelligence to transcribe audio files for free. 3 free conversions daily. Other than that, Otter.ai and oTranscribe allows you to use the basic set of options for free. Both options are suitable for the implementation of simple projects.