A transcription services company is a company that transcribes or converts voice recordings into written text. The work is traditionally done by specially trained transcriptionists, although AI-powered transcription services are now available. The created transcript is used for various purposes, but it often documents important meetings, interviews, notes, focus groups, and more.  

Transcription services can be categorized into the following types: 

• Verbatim transcription: Captures every word in the audio file, including stutters, false starts, filler words, and even background noises, like coughs or laughter.  
• Non-verbatim transcription: Omits background noises and verbal pauses and cleans up incomplete sentences, but every word is still captured as is. 
• Intelligent verbatim transcription: Similar to non-verbatim transcription, but it also involves removing filler words, repetitions, and off-topic conversations.  
• Edited transcript: After recording the audio, the transcript is formalized and edited to make it clear and easy to read. It also corrects any incorrect spelling and punctuation. 
• Phonetic transcription: Words are transcribed using phonetic notation according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). This type of transcription retains pronunciation and dialects for educational, research, speech therapy, and multilingual communication purposes. 

Transcription services companies transcribe live or recorded speech from audio and video recordings. The resulting copy follows the conventions of written language, such as grammar rules, and industry conventions. They can also provide specialized services like timestamping (marking when specific words were spoken) or speaker identification.  

We can break their areas of expertise into several key services:  

• Human transcription
  One or more professional transcriptionists transcribe audio and video content into written transcripts. This category covers different specializations by industry and document types:  
  • Medical transcription: Patient records, medical charts, and doctor’s notes  
  • Legal transcription: Legal contracts, briefs, pleadings, lawyer correspondence  
  • Law enforcement: Officer reports, radio communications, 911 calls  
  • Business transcription: Earning calls, business meetings, presentations  
  • Academic transcription: Theses, dissertations, lectures, speeches  
• AI transcription
  The audio is transcribed using voice recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) transcription software. This method converts speech to text faster and can run 24/7, but it is not as accurate or capable of understanding nuances as its human counterparts.  
• Translation
  Transcription services companies can also convert audio and video into different languages. The transcriptionists are skilled in identifying accents, speech patterns, and words unique to the language and translating them to provide a similar context.  
• Localization
  Similar to translation services, except that the translation also incorporates cultural differences and social nuances. It is commonly used to adapt a brand’s content and messaging to engage audiences in a specific country or region.  
• Audio/video descriptions 
  Craft descriptions that describe sounds or events happening on a video. The descriptions are then shown on the screen or spoken aloud for accessibility for hearing- and visually-impaired viewers.  
• Captioning 
  The agency creates accurate captions in closed and video captioning formats. It also records the timestamp and ensures captions are synchronized with the speaker.  
• Typing/encoding 
  Providing professional typing services for documents and saving them into various online and offline formats. The resulting documents can also be customized to include the client’s letterhead and even emulate their tone and style of writing. 

Transcription services companies charge between $1.50 and $3 per audio minute or $90 to $180 per audio hour. Rates are lower for non-native English speakers, ranging from 70 cents to $1 per minute. The top 50 transcription services companies on DesignRush charge an average of $38 per hour. 21.1% of agencies accept budgets under $1,000 for short manual transcriptions, while 0.9% require a minimum budget of $50,000 for large-scale projects like multilingual transcriptions. 

Transcription service providers also typically bill clients using the following pricing structures: 

• Per audio minute/hour: $1.50 to $3  
• Per line: 7 to 14 cents  
• Per typed page: $4 to $15 
• Per hour of transcriptionist’s time: $25 to $50 

The total cost may also be affected by the following factors: 

• Audio quality: Agencies usually charge more for problematic audio (ex., distorted, muffled, or lots of background noise). 
• Number of speakers: Charges also increase with the number of people speaking, especially if there is a lot of crosstalk. 
• Specialization: General transcription work is much cheaper than medical, legal, or academic transcripts because of the specialists needed for the latter. 
• Location: Typists who are native speakers tend to be more familiar with the language’s idioms and slang, as well as local and regional names, places, and current events, and thus charge a premium rate. 
• Turnaround time: Rush or same-day transcription services are charged extra for expediency. 
• Custom requirements: Timestamps, true verbatim transcript, and other special formatting requirements command higher fees. 
• Human vs. AI: Transcriptions generated by automated or AI-powered tools are much cheaper at the expense of quality and accuracy. 

You should hire a transcription services company to get accurate, high-quality, cost-effective transcripts from skilled professionals.  

Some of the key benefits you’ll receive include: 

• Accurate documentation: Professional transcription services try to maintain a 95-99% accuracy rate. This is especially important for law firms and medical facilities requiring highly accurate documentation.
• Faster turnaround time: Averaging 80 WPM (words per minute), a professional transcriptionist types at twice the speed of the average person. Highly experienced transcriptionists can do much faster at 100-120 WPM. Increased speed means transcripts are processed in less time without compromising quality. 
• Reduced costs: The median pay for a full-time transcriptionist in the US is around $37,000 annually. For an equivalent amount, you can already hire a transcription services team. AI transcription services can reduce the cost even further, although at the expense of accuracy. 
• Increased searchability: Converting your audio and video to written text makes it possible for search engines to read its content, increasing its chances to appear on top of search results.  
• Efficient resource allocation: Transcription services can spare your team the tedious task of listening to and typing recordings, allowing you to focus on core business operations. 
• Enhanced accessibility: Converting audio to written text makes it more accessible to a broader audience. For example, transcripts can be converted to closed captions for videos and webinars, which is especially beneficial for hearing-impaired individuals. 
• Repurposed content: Transcriptionists can write and edit transcripts so that they can be repurposed in many ways. A video interview, for example, can be turned into blog posts, news articles, or social media posts. 
• Easier translation: Written transcripts are the first step to translating your content into other languages. Some agencies also offer translation services for this reason.  
• Scalability: Transcription service providers can handle projects of all sizes. Whether it’s one video interview or a year’s worth of podcasts, these agencies can handle the workload and deliver on time. 
• Added insight: The transcripts generated by transcription services firms can be used to identify trends, customer preferences, and other insightful information that businesses can use to make data-driven decisions. 

Success story 

Our experts have chosen this case study because it perfectly illustrates how a professional transcription service can enhance work efficiency and productivity in the specialized field of law: 

• Challenge: A legal firm struggled with inefficient transcription processes handled by paralegals who lacked proper transcription training. This led to delays, errors, and increased stress, which affected case preparation timelines and staff workload. 
• Solution: The firm partnered with Ditto Transcripts, which provided trained legal transcriptionists and signed confidentiality agreements to ensure data security. The transcription service included certified, court-ready documents, enabling paralegals to focus on case support instead of transcription tasks. 
• Results: The firm achieved improved accuracy, faster turnaround times, and reduced overtime. It also saw a boost in business due to an increase in cases won, all while easing staff workload.

To choose the best transcription service for your business, consider the following steps: 

1. Determine your needs 
   Clarify the type of transcription services you require, the scope, the objectives, and the project duration.   
2. Set your budget 
   Transcription costs vary from agency to agency, and defining a budget will help you narrow your choices. Make sure your budget accommodates any emergency expenses you might incur for the project's duration.  
3. Do your research 
   Google is an excellent place to start looking for agencies, while agency directories like DesignRush provide more helpful and accurate information, such as ratings, authentic client reviews, and portfolios.   
4. Review client testimonials 
   Check reviews from clients as they provide insight into a transcription services company’s ability to deliver satisfactory results. Google My Business and the DesignRush directory are the best places to find accurate reviews. 
5. Shortlist your picks 
   Choose five transcription services that best align with your requirements. Contact each to inform them of your intentions and schedule interviews.  
6. Send out an RFP 
   Your request for proposal (RFP) should contain the project details, the bidding process, and the contract terms. Include a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) if the proposal contains sensitive information. 
7. Interview your candidates 
   Verify what types of transcription services they provide, their specializations, and the length of experience they have working with similar businesses. Also, note their communication skills and their responsiveness to your questions.  
8. Review accreditations 
   Ask if they have certifications relevant to your specific industry. For example, a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) specializes in medical transcription, while Certified Academic Transcribers (CAT) are proficient in academic transcriptions.   
9. Check for industry memberships 
   Being a member of widely recognized transcription organizations is another good indicator of the agency’s competency and reputation. Some notable memberships include the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT), the American Translators Association, and the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).  
10. Conduct tests 
    Provide a short audio file sample for the agency to transcribe. Check for accuracy, formatting, and how well they adhere to guidelines. Take note that agencies may charge a small fee for this. 
11. Decide on a partner 
    Choose a transcription services company that best meets all your project requirements.  

Need more help in finding a top transcription services provider? Visit DesignRush Marketplace today and share with us brief information about your project. We’ll send you a list of the best transcription services companies that suit your needs, free of charge.  

Find the best translation services on DesignRush based on your budget. Filter companies for minimum budgets ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, and other relevant criteria.

You can also explore our agency directory to comprehensively compare transcription services companies by location, industry, expertise, team size, pricing, and hourly rates, helping you find the perfect fit for your project. 

The key performance metrics for transcription services measure the quality, efficiency, and overall value of the final transcription. Here are the most important metrics to track: 

• Word error rate (WER)
  The percentage of words that are incorrectly transcribed (substitutions, deletions, insertions); lower WER indicates higher accuracy 
• Character error rate (CER)
  The percentage of characters that are incorrectly transcribed 
• Match error rate (CER)
  The accuracy of individual word matches between the two texts 
• Average time to completion
  Tracks how long it takes to deliver a completed transcription after receiving the audio/video file 
• On-time delivery rate
  The percentage of transcripts delivered on or before the agreed-upon deadline 
• Error resolution and rework rate
  The percentage of transcripts that require corrections or rework due to errors 
• Client satisfaction (CSAT) score
  A customer satisfaction score (out of 5 or 10) based on feedback after the completion of a transcription project 

When hiring transcription services, it's important to watch out for red flags that could indicate poor quality, hidden fees, or security risks. Here are some red flags to be aware of: 

• Unrealistic accuracy claims 
  Beware of transcription services claiming "100% accuracy guaranteed" without a clear explanation of how it’s achieved. Look for services that specify an accuracy rate of 98-99% and outline their quality assurance process. 
• No confidentiality or security measures 
  Don't consider transcription services companies that don't provide encryption, NDAs, or secure file transfer methods, they can put your information at risk of leaks or breaches. 
• Inconsistent or hidden pricing 
  Don't consider services that won't provide a clear, upfront pricing breakdown. Vague or inconsistent pricing may suddenly change after you submit a project. 
• Overreliance on AI tools
  Avoid transcription companies that only use AI-powered transcription with no human review process, as you risk low-quality transcripts that require major editing. 
• No clear turnaround times  
  Be wary of promises of "fast turnaround" without specific deadlines or timelines because this can disrupt your project schedules. 
• Poor customer support 
  Don't shortlist a company if you experience delays in response from support, no direct contact for urgent queries, or unclear communication channels. It signals potential problems and collaboration issues. 
• Excessive upcharges for basic features 
  Avoid transcription services companies that charge extra for basic features like timestamps, speaker labels, or file formatting, as these services can significantly increase your costs. 
• Inflexible payment terms 
  Disregard agencies that require a full payment upfront. No flexibility for payment plans or deposits may indicate that the company isn’t reliable and potentially often fails to deliver quality projects or meet deadlines. 
• No industry-specific experience
  Don't choose transcription services that lack experience or claim no expertise in your specialized industry (e.g., legal, medical, or technical transcription). These fields often involve unique terminology and specific formatting requirements. 
• Limited file upload options or format restrictions 
  Beware of companies with limited support for common audio/video formats (e.g., .mp4, .wav) or outdated file submission methods (like email-only). Modern transcription companies should support multiple file formats and integrate with tools like Dropbox or Google Drive. 
• No API or automation for large-scale projects 
  Be careful of transcription services with no API or automated bulk upload system for large-scale transcription needs, as they could slow down your workflow. 
• No rework or revision policy
  If the transcription services company doesn’t offer free revisions or only allows minimal edits, it could signal poor service. 

Questions you should ask before hiring transcription services companies include the following: 

Its Relevant Background 

1. How long has your company been providing transcription services? 
2. Do you have experience working with businesses similar to ours? 
3. What are your transcription team's certifications?
4. What is your average turnaround time? 
5. What can you do for me that other transcription service providers can’t? 
6. What significant obstacles have you encountered, and how did you address them? 
7. Do you have any notable success stories with previous clients you can share with us?
8. What is your pricing structure — per minute, per hour, or flat fee?  

Its Services and Processes 

1. What types of transcription services does your company provide? 
2. Do you offer human transcription, AI-based transcription, or a combination of both? 
3. What transcription tools and technologies do you use? 
4. What types of languages are you capable of transcribing? 
5. How will the files be transmitted? 
6. What types of files is the transcriber capable of handling? 
7. In what format will the final transcript be? 
8. Is the transcript and audio/video synced and searchable? 
9. Do your transcriptionists sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)? 

Related to Your Project 

1. How much oversight do you have? 
2. What strategies and processes do you use to ensure our transcripts are submitted on time? 
3. How do you address inconsistent formatting, and how do you prevent it? 
4. How do you ensure confidentiality when transcribing sensitive information? 
5. What are your procedures for handling a data breach? 
6. How do you prevent errors, especially when transcribing large amounts of audio? 
7. How do you deal with poor audio quality or lots of background noise? 
8. What types of input do you need from our end? 
9. How often should we expect to get reports on the project’s progress? 
10. Can I request a sample or trial transcription to assess quality? 

The best transcription services companies in the US are:   

1. Ditto Transcripts   
   • 4.8 stars on DesignRush (5 reviews) 
   • 4.9 stars on Google (90 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, BPX Energy, Adirondack Museum, Arkansas State Police Department 
2. Daily Transcription 
   • 4.6 stars on DesignRush (3 reviews) 
   • 4.7 stars on Google (44 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Google, Netflix, ExxonMobil, Disney   
3. GMR Transcription    
   • 4.5 stars on DesignRush (2 reviews) 
   • 4.9 stars on Google (52 reviews) 
   • Top clients: NYU, Columbia University, CNBC, Microsoft 
4. Dolbey  
   • 4.7 stars on DesignRush (4 reviews) 
   • 5.0 stars on Google (4 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Hollister Family Medicine, Maui Family Medicine, Veteran Medical Group, Midtown Community Health Center 
5. TechSpeed  
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (13 reviews) 
   • 3.8 stars on Google (16 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Harvard University, Wacom, American Red Cross, Newell Brands