Are you looking for work-from-home jobs in transcription but are not sure of which companies to try?
In this post, I give an in-depth overview of the best transcription websites, as well as important variables to consider before applying, such as qualifying countries, pay rate, payment method, and entrance test difficulty.
WHAT IS A TRANSCRIPTIONIST?
A transcriptionist, sometimes known as a transcriber, is someone who converts audio information into text.
If you are a fast or even average typist, transcription can be a great way to make money from home. Most organizations don’t require much from you to get started, only a computer, internet connection, and a pair of headphones.
HOW DOES TRANSCRIPTION WORK?
Your duty as a transcriber is to simply listen to an audio file and write down exactly what you hear. These audio files may be from lectures, interviews, or even court cases. Most transcription companies have a wide range of fields to transcribe from.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TRANSCRIPTIONISTS?
General and Specialized.
General transcriptionists aren’t limited to a specific field and aren’t obliged to know everything there is to know about it. They work on a wide range of documents in a variety of industries.
Specialist transcriptionists are limited to a single field. A legal transcriptionist, for example, specializes in transcribing legal files and must have professional training in that field.
This article will concentrate on general transcription websites.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO WORK AS A GENERAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST?
To work as a transcriptionist, you usually don’t need any prior experience. However, in order to get accepted into most companies, you may need to pass a short competency test.
You must also be fluent in English. You need to be an excellent writer with excellent grammar and punctuation skills.
Additionally, you should be a good listener and be able to type quickly. You don’t have to be a lightning-fast typist, but the faster you type, the better. This is because the faster you type, the more files you can complete and, as a result, the more money you can earn.
Another reason you don’t need to be the fastest typist is that some of these organizations’ transcribing platforms include pre-installed AI software that transcribes the audio recordings for you beforehand, and all you have to do now, instead of typing from scratch, is edit the software’s initial draft, addressing spelling and punctuation problems.
Furthermore, some companies that don’t have pre-built AI software for rough drafts may allow you to use third-party software like otter.ai and Express Scribe to help you with your transcription.
The following items are required in terms of equipment:
- A computer or laptop in good working condition
- A fast internet connection
- A good pair of headphones.
HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE AS A TRANSCRIPTIONIST?
The majority of transcription companies pay a standard rate of $10 to $60 per audio hour.
It’s crucial to understand that an audio hour differs from a working hour. An audio hour refers to the length of an audio file, not the actual time taken to transcribe it. Transcribing an hour-long recording almost always takes more than an hour.
1. Rev
Eligible Countries: Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, The United States (excluding California)
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $18-$66 per audio hour
Rev is a popular transcription platform that is undoubtedly every transcriber’s dream. This is because Rev pays more than other transcription sites ($21-$66 per audio hour depending on audio difficulty), and job availability is pretty high.
Rev is also one of the few companies that have built-in AI transcribing software, which makes your life as a transcriptionist much easier. Getting into Rev, however, is not as easy. The entrance test is pretty challenging; you must submit an almost impeccable solution in order to get hired.
Another downside to Rev is that it only hires from a few countries (as seen on the list above)
Rev pays its transcribers every Monday via PayPal.
Pro Tip: If you don’t make it into Rev’s transcription program, you can try applying for their captioning program instead. Captioning is similar to transcription, except that you will be transcribing video files and adding subtitles. Getting into Rev’s captioning program is much easier than getting into the transcription program, and once you reach a certain level as a captioner, you get unlimited applications to transcription.
2. Scribie
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $5 to $20 per audio hour
Scribie is a great site for beginner transcriptionists. The test is fairly easy to pass; you simply need to have a good command of the English language. Their pay ranges from $5 to $25 per audio hour.
Scribie is a good platform to gain the experience you need to advance to better-paying transcription companies like Rev. This site always has jobs available to work on, and applications are open to everyone anywhere in the world who has a verified PayPal account.
3. TranscribeMe
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $15 to $22 per audio hour
This is another excellent transcription company that pays handsomely. Earnings per audio hour range from $15 to $22. The entrance exam is quite rigorous, requiring you to have a strong grasp of the English language. You must also adhere to the style guidelines.
In my opinion, working for TranscribeMe is relatively easier than working for Rev as the files are clearer and easier to transcribe.
Job availability, on the other hand, is limited, and you may have to wait a while before being assigned some work to do. However, it isn’t ridiculously limited, so this is still a fairly solid gig.
TranscribeMe hires people from all over the world and pays them every Thursday via PayPal.
4. QA World
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $12 per audio hour
Out of all the transcriptionist platforms, QA World is the easiest to get accepted into. This company has the easiest entrance test. However, their pay rate is very low ($12 per audio hour). Job availability is, unfortunately, also very low.
Just like Scribie, you can utilize QA World to practice transcription for more substantial transcription gigs. QA World employs people from all over the world and pays them through PayPal.
5. Go Transcript
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $36 per audio hour
Go Transcript is a transcription company that hires beginner transcriptionists from all over the world. No experience is required to work at Go Transcript, and their website states that you can earn up to $0.6 per audio minute, which is $36 per audio hour.
The entrance exam, in my opinion, was absurdly difficult; I could not hear anything. The test has, however, reportedly been updated and is no longer as difficult. Feel free to go ahead and give it a shot.
Go Transcript hires worldwide and pays weekly via PayPal.
6. Casting Words
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $4.80 to $60 per audio hour
Casting words is another legit company that has been in business for quite a long time. This company offers a variety of jobs through which you can make money.
Transcribing audio and video files, captioning and subtitling video files, and modifying scripts are just a few examples. Once your tasks have been performed, evaluated for quality, and approved, you will be paid.
Unfortunately, the Casting Words platform does not include automatic transcription software, but you can download the files and utilize other transcription software such as Otter.ai, Express Scribe, or Listen N Write to complete the task.
Although the entrance exam is straightforward, jobs are difficult to come by if you are still a beginner on their site. The majority of jobs are designated for higher-level transcribers with expertise.
Casting words employs people from all around the world and pays via PayPal. Their pay ranges from $4.80 to $60 every audio hour, depending on a variety of factors like the sort of assignment you do, your level, and the grade you obtain on your completed project.
7. Verbit
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $18 per audio hour
This is another amazing transcription company that uses automated speech-recognition technology. All you have to do as a transcriber is edit what the machine has already transcribed.
The entrance exam is pretty simple; you must pass a grammar test and proofread an audio file that has already been transcribed. Simply follow their transcription guidelines to the letter, and you’ll be fine.
The beauty of Verbit is that it is open to all countries.
Verbit pays $18 each audio hour, with payments made every two weeks via Paypal.
8. Way With Words
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $27 to $103.80 per audio hour
Way With Words is a UK-based company that is another great transcription site for beginner transcriptionists as it does not require previous experience.
The entrance test is super difficult, but the pay is amazing. Their pay rate ranges from $27 to $103.80 per audio hour, which is quite generous, in my opinion.
This organization welcomes applications from all over the world and pays through PayPal.
9. 3Play Media
Eligible Countries: The United States
Payment Method: Check and Bank deposit
Pay Rate: $10 to $30 per hour
3 Play Media is a US-based company that hires transcriptionists from the United States.
This is a great choice for beginner transcriptionists as experience is not required. You only need the following skills to work as a 3Play Media transcriptionist:
- Strong written communication skills
- Excellent skills in English grammar and punctuation
- Aptitude in using the internet as a research and reference tool
- Typing speed of 75 words per minute or higher
To apply to this company, you must be 18 years old or older and have a bank account and a mailing address, as payments are handled by check or bank deposit.
The entrance exam consists of a series of short tests, and the company responds in about three weeks.
3Play media pays $10 to $30 per hour. They do not specify their rate per audio hour.
10. Quicktate and iDictate
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal
Pay Rate: $0.0025 and $0.005 per word
Quicktate and iDictate are two sister companies that offer transcription services for all kinds of files, including letters, memoranda, voicemails, legal notes, and medical reports.
The difference between these two companies is that Quicktate transcribes audio files that are shorter than 5 minutes while iDictate deals with files that are longer than 5 minutes.
As a transcriber, you may apply for both Quicktate and iDictate using the same application.
The companies do not hire applicants with felony convictions. In order to apply, you will, therefore, need three references (none of whom can be family members) and a background check to complete the application. The background check will cost you $20.
Their pay rate is $0.0025 and $0.005 per word and they pay weekly via PayPal.
They hire applicants from all over the world.
11. Crowd Surf
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal, Bank transfer
Pay Rate: $1.80 and $12 per audio hour
This is a transcription and captioning services company that hires internationally. The entrance exam is moderately demanding.
New applicants who have just completed their admission exam may need to wait a few weeks to months to receive their login credentials and have their account activated before they can begin working.
CrowdSurf pays between $.03 and $0.20 per media minute, or $1.80 and $12 per audio hour, which is a relatively low rate.
This site pays via PayPal and bank transfer, among other options.
12. Daily Transcription
Eligible Countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
Payment Method: Check
Pay Rate: $45 to $51 per audio hour.
Daily Transcription is a company that provides transcription services to the entertainment, corporate, legal, and academic institutions.
Professional transcriptionists, as well as new and inexperienced transcriptionists, are encouraged to apply. You are required to have a typing speed of at least 50 words per minute, exceptional listening abilities, a strong command of the English language, and the capacity to work under pressure.
To apply, visit their website and complete an application form. You will also be required to pass a skills assessment test.
Their salary is pretty good, ranging from $0.75 to $0.85 per audio minute or $45 to $51 per audio hour. Although their website states that they cannot guarantee a particular quantity of work, their top transcriptionists earn between $250 and $950 each week.
Daily Transcription pays weekly by check only.
13. Wavel.ai
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal, TransferWise.
Pay Rate: $12 per audio hour
Wavel.ai is another transcription site that uses AI-powered transcription technology. This company is based in Singapore but hires transcriptionists worldwide.
To apply, you need to fill out a registration form on the company’s website, following which you will receive an email with a link to the entrance exam. The transcript test is due in three days, and the evaluation procedure is mostly focused on accuracy and grammar.
Their pay rate is $0.20 per audio minute or $12 per audio hour, and they pay via PayPal and TransferWise.
14. Audio Bee
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: PayPal, Payoneer, Direct bank deposit.
Pay Rate: $24 to $120 per audio hour
Audio Bee is a website that offers various freelance jobs, including transcription. The company is based in California but hires freelancers worldwide.
You must pass two quizzes and two audio examinations in order to get hired as a transcriptionist. The pass mark is 80%, but you can be given a chance to retake the assessment if you score between 50% and 79%.
It usually takes 2-3 days to hear back from the company regarding whether you have been accepted or not.
Their pay rate is between $24 and $120 per audio hour, and they pay via PayPal, Payoneer, or direct bank deposit.
15. SpeakWrite
Eligible Countries: United States, Canada
Payment Method: Direct bank deposit, Check
Pay Rate: $450 per month.
SpeakWrite hires remote transcriptionists with experience in general, legal, and Spanish transcription.
You must be a legal resident of the United States (except California) or Canada to apply.
You must have excellent English skills and have a minimum typing speed of 60 words per minute. You must also be fluent in Microsoft Word 2007 or newer and use a Windows computer.
Applicants for general transcription should have at least one year of experience in the field. Legal transcription applicants should have at least 1 year of experience working in a law firm.
Applicants for Spanish transcribing should be bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish).
According to their websites, a transcriptionist’s average monthly income is $450 per month.
16. Transcription For Everyone
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: Direct deposit, PayPal
Pay Rate: $24 per audio hour
Transcription For Everyone is a company based in Jerusalem that hires transcriptionists from all over the world.
This company only specializes in general and legal transcription and will train you in those areas.
To apply, you need to send your CV to the company via their website and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Thereafter, you will be sent a link to the transcription test.
The base pay rate is $0.40 per minute of audio or $24 per hour of audio. This money, however, is split between the transcriptionist and the transcript editor, so you’ll only get half of it.
If you live in Israel, payments are sent via direct deposit, and if you live outside of Israel, payments are made using PayPal.
17. Voxtab
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: Direct bank transfer, PayPal
Pay Rate: $27 per audio hour
Voxtab hires experienced transcriptionists from all over the world. This company does not have an entrance test like most transcription sites.
To apply, go to their website and fill out an application form with your personal information, employment experience, and résumé, and they will contact you.
To be considered by this company, you must also be a native English speaker, preferably with a university education.
Their minimum payment is $27 per audio hour, and they have a 40-day payout cycle. This job may not be ideal for you if you want to be paid every week or month.
18. Accutran Global
Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
Payment Method: Unknown
Pay Rate: $0.005 to $0.0066 per word
AccuTran Global is a Canadian transcription company that employs transcribers from all over the world. This company hires transcribers in specialized fields, namely financial, medical, and legal.
This means that the company is not suitable for beginner transcriptionists.
Their pay rate is $0.005 to $0.0066 per word transcribed.
19. Take 1
Eligible Countries: Unknown
Payment Method: Unknown
Pay Rate: $30 per hour
This is a UK-based transcription company that offers transcription services to entertainment and media clients around the world.
They mainly transcribe TV programs. Take 1 hires experienced transcribers only. They require fast typing speeds of at least 80 words per minute, excellent English skills, and you need to be available for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
There is no entrance exam for this company. You can apply by filling out a form on their website. The hourly pay rate is $30.
CONCLUSION
This article lists 19 companies hiring work-from-home transcriptionists. The majority of the companies hire people from all over the world but it’s best to visit each website to confirm if they are hiring from your country.
Transcription can be quite a lucrative way to earn money from home but it requires you to put in hours upon hours of work for little pay. This blog is geared toward helping people gain true financial freedom through passive income.
Check out my other posts for ideas on how to make real money with the least amount of effort.
Read More:
- 9 Beginner Typing Jobs from Home ($20 per hour)
- 25 Non-Degree Online Jobs
- 33 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Real Money Online ($1000+)
- How to make money with blogging: Top 5 Ways
- How to Make $50 A Day Online
- How to Make Money Easy Online: 5 Passive Income Ideas
