In this guide, we want to review the top 10 best text to speech software that’s in today’s market. The main purpose of using text to voice software is language learning and voiceover creating for videos.
- Free Speech To Text Software For Windows
- Text To Speech On Mac
- Best Mac Speech To Text
- Download Speech To Text Software
- The Best Text To Speech Software For Mac For Free Version
- The Best Free Text To Speech Software
Also With TTS software, people are finding it easier to read a difficult text they previously had problems with.
So in such instances, the various transcription software available come to rescue. This software mainly performs speech to text conversion making your job a whole lot easier. Here are Top 10 Transcription Software for Mac. Express Scribe Express Scribe is designed considering the needs of Mac users. Best text to speech software for mac and ios. Are you having a hard time finding the most effective text to speech software which will turn any text document or web page into an audio file? If yes, then look no further anymore. Here is a list of the best text to speech software for Mac that will help you with your problem. ESpeak – Best Text to Speech Software It is a free open source text to speech software with a simple user interface. It is effortless to navigate and use. Its TTS engine is obvious and understandable.
Contents
№1 Notevibes (for natural sounding voices)
Features:
- Commercial and Personal uses
- 177 Natural Sounding Voices
- 18 Languages
- Advanced editor with Voice Tuning
- Dialogs
- Mp3/WAV download
Overview:
Notevibes is a text to speech application that provides both free and paid options for users. In the free version, you have a limit of 5000 characters for testing Notevibes functionality. This is good for personal use for small projects, as it allows you to hear multiple sentences at once.
Notevibes has over 18 languages and 177 unique voices, you won't have a hard time reading your text due to its natural sounding voices.
The personal pack gives you up to 100,000 characters per month to convert your text to voice. This pack best suite for languages learning and pronunciation training.
The Commercial pack gives you up to 1,000,000 characters per month. This means that you can store multiple paragraphs in the software and hear an accurate reading. If you’re looking for the Wav files of the software, then the paid option is the way to go.
With advanced editor you can customize your speech with breaks, emphasis and spelling. The commercial pack allows you to create custom audio files for your company. All intellectual rights for these files belong to you.
No matter what option you choose, Notevibes is the best free text to speech software with the largest number of natural voices and pitch settings.
№2 Natural Reader
Features:
- Microsoft Voice included
- Mainboard Included helping read text in other applications
- Change Speaker and Speed
- All functions to read out text aloud in your computer
- Assists persons with vision impairments
Overview:
Natural Reader is a downloadable text to speech software that comes with the ability to read text aloud in multiple natural sounding voices. The software itself is easy to use, and you can convert written text from PDF, Word, and even email documents into spoken words. Also, Natural Reader has the ability to convert their written text into file formats such as .WAV or MP3 files that can be used on an iPod or a compact disk.
Users like Natural Reader because it's easy to use, has a 'One-click' technology, and there is no difficulty in copying and pasting the text into other forms that TTS software requires. All you need to do is have Natural Reader select the text you'd like to read out loud and press one single hotkey.
The MiniBoard gives users the opportunity to listen to the text without disturbing the ability to read on the computer screen. You can switch between your main window and the floating Miniboard. People that don't have a lot of computer knowledge can use a MiniBoard because of its intuitive text interface.
Natural Reader can adjust the speed of the text that's read and the voices that are used. You can adjust these settings via hotkeys or through the settings option. The software can even magnify text via zoom in feature, making the test more accessible to senior citizens, people with disabilities and others.
№3 Oddcast
Features:
- TTS Translator
- No programming skills needed
- APIs are available for developers
- Users can manipulate the tone, pitch, and speed of the audio playback
- Emotive cues allow you to customize the delivery of your text
Overview:
Oddcast’s Text to Speech functionality allows for their voices to speak out any text dynamically, with accurate lip-syncing and real-time speeds. You can apply special effects to the audio, including expressions and emotive cues.
This functionality comes as a compliment or alternative to a realistic human voice. Oddcast is often used with their Record by Mic or Record by Phone technologies, making it easier for people with learning disabilities to have an opportunity in reading correctly
In fact, there are no programming skills required. Just type in the text bin what characters you would like to be read out loud. Users like this feature as it allows them to read their text without any hassles included.
Because of these features, Oddcast is one of the best text to speech software with natural voices. Not only does it have a simple interface, but users can see the emotive cues behind each text, giving them more context to their reading. So, think about using OddCast if you’re trying to improve your reading skills.
№4 TTS Demo
Features:
- 600 Characters Max
- 20+ Languages
- Natural Voices
- Faster Voice Recognition
Overview:
TTS Demo is a simple to use text to speech interface. It allows users to paste in 600 characters of text and have it read aloud in 20+ languages. Each of the languages consists of 1-5 voices that you can choose from, giving you a customized reading experience.
Another benefit is its sound customization. Users can adjust the sound, pitch, reverb, and other effects just by clicking the Effects tab on the interface. Users enjoy this feature as it allows them to manipulate the reading speed to a tone that works best for them.
So don't worry if you're suffering from a learning disability, TTS Demo has you covered. Due to its simple interface, you can have text read aloud without having to download additional software. So think about using this top text to audio software the next time you have issues reading the text.
№5 TTS Reader
Features:
- Record audio for publishing
- Listen to articles, websites, and ebooks
- Proofread your own writing
- Chrome Extension for Online Usage
- Export Speech to Audio Files
Overview:
TTS Reader uses naturally sounding speech synthesizers to read out text aloud. You can also import files and edit the text. The position and text will be automatically saved. Because of these features, it's one of the best online text to speech platforms available.
We like that TTS Reader allows you to highlight the selected text once it's read aloud. This allows you to follow with your eyes and read more fluently. As a result, this makes it easier for people with vision problems, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities to get used to the current text they're reading.
Users can choose the speech pattern that works best for them. Want to read the text at a slower speed? It allows you to adjust it to your preferences, making it a great app for people needing TTS solutions to their learning issues.
№6 From Text to Speech
Features:
- Convert English Text to MP3
- 8 Languages
- Adjust Pitch Settings
- Simple Copy/Paste text bin
- Natural Sounding Voices
Overview:
From Text to Speech is the best free text to speech software if you’re on a budget. There’s no paid version available, just a single text box that allows you to paste in your desired text. It will then read the text out loud and have it downloadable in MP3 format.
With over 8 languages available, you'll have no problem reading the difficult text. Also, each language has over 2-3 voices with it, ensuring that you get the right reader to assist your listening needs. So think about using this software if you want to have full control over your reading needs.
And the voice speed can be adjusted using this software. For users needing to skim through text quickly, switch it to a very fast setting. But, if you're trying to comprehend reading, then the very slow feature will help. While this TTS software appears simple, its functionality is a great way to help international students read outside their native tongue.
№7 Text 2 Speech
Features:
- 4,000 characters
- MP3 Downloadable Files
- 6 Unique Voices
- Languages in: US, UK, India
- Easy to Use
Overview:
Text 2 Speech is one of the best text to speech program due to its ease of use. Simply enter in your desired text, select one of the available voices and listen or download the resulting MP3 file.
You'll also like Text 2 Speech because it is completely free. The service is free and you can use the speech files for virtually any purpose, including commercial ones. Because of this feature, users can enhance their reading without burning a hole in their wallet.
With over 4,000 characters available, Text to Speech is best used for short paragraphs at once. And it features 6 different languages and voices, making it easier to have control over the text and produce a better reading experience.
№8 iSpeech
Features:
- Downloads audio in multiple formats
- 3 Reading Speeds
- 27 Natural Voices and Languages
- Convert eBooks, texts, and PDF to Speech
Overview:
iSpeech is a TTS software that has over 30 different languages. It's one of the best text to speech voices as each language can be downloaded in multiple sound formats (.WAV, MP3, OGG, etc.). Because of this, new learners find this software useful as it helps them break down the complicated text into simple audio files.
About 15% - 20% of the world's population has difficulties with a language-based learning disability. Font size, the use or native languages, or settings can go a long way to increase accessibility. With iSpeech, users can select 3 different reading speeds to assist them.
iSpeech helps web developers, bloggers, online content creators, and readers communicate with a larger audience than they would previously. It gives users the ability to absorb information that’s displayed on web pages while not always having to look at the screen.
№9 Readspeaker Voice Demo
Features:
- Easy to Use
- 70+ Unique Voices
- 20+ Languages
- Industry Leading TTS Voice
- 250 Max Character Limit
Overview:
Readspeaker Voice Demo uses humanlike, realistic voices to help readers engage with their content. With over 20+ languages and 70+ voices, it's one of the larger TTS applications on this list. Thus making it the best text to speech software for someone that's struggling to learn their native language.
How does it work? Simply go on their website and type in the desired text you want to be read out loud. You’ll have a limit of 250 characters, so you’ll be able to have a few sentences read in audio format.
You'll like Readspeaker because of the quality they place behind their voice talents. Each voice actor is set under weeks of training and is given a script to help them produce a natural sounding voice. Because of this, you'll have a reliable TTS system that can help you boost your reading comprehension.
№10 Readspeaker
Features:
- 100 Voices
- 35 languages
- Text Pitch Adjustment
- Speech Production
- Enhance Reading Comprehension
Overview:
Readspeaker is an online platform that provides TTS solutions that are used by multiple websites. Readspeaker was the first to create a speech-enabling application for websites, making it one of the best free text to speech applications available.
Also, Readspeaker has helped students with learning disabilities by improving their reading comprehension and speed. Now, they can consume the same information in a way that gives them learning challenges and suits their style.
With over 35 languages and 100 unique voices, you won't have any issue learning in your native language. Readspeaker has a customized reading area and highlights colors to help you read faster. Thus, you won't have any issues getting your reading levels up to speed.
Conclusion
When searching for the best text to mp3 software, you have to decide which application is best for your needs. For general purpose reading, you should opt for Notevibes. But if you need something that's simple you can use From Text to Speech. Whichever one you choose, you'll have some high-quality software to help make your reading easier and more efficient.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info.
In today’s post, I’ll be sharing my recommendations for the best free transcription software based on my experience as a professional audio transcriptionist. Whether you’re transcribing medical, legal, academic (qualitative research), post-production, or other content, you’ll find something here that fits the bill.
Transcription software speeds up the process of converting audio files to text. Using hotkeys or a foot pedal, you can quickly and easily navigate the audio and re-listen to hard-to-hear phrases. The software runs in the background, so you don’t have to keep switching between the audio player and your word processing software.
Note that this post is about transcription software that’s designed to help you transcribe audio recordings manually. Professionals in many industries can benefit from this type of software, including audio transcriptionists, journalists, researchers, and filmmakers.
This isn’t a post about speech recognition or dictation software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, although you can use these tools with the software I recommend here if you choose to.
This also isn’t a post about tools that auto-magically do the typing for you – as in, you upload a dictation and out pops a transcript. In many cases, it’s actually faster to transcribe from scratch than to edit an error-laden rendering from an auto-transcription tool.
This is a pretty long post, with detailed info on the features of each program. If you’d rather just skip to the end for my recommendation for the best free transcription software (and get a discount on pro software), click here.
If you’re a professional transcriptionist looking for work, check out my other blog posts for tons of work-from-home resources, or browse online jobs on FlexJobs here (note: you can currently get 30% off by using promo code FLEXLIFE at checkout). FlexJobs is my top-recommended resource for higher-paying remote jobs from top-rated employers like Apple, SalesForce, and Capital One.
Free Speech To Text Software For Windows
Onward!
Choosing the best transcription software for audio and video transcription
There are three things to keep in mind when choosing a transcription player:
- Compatibility. Your transcription software must be compatible with your computer’s operating system and word processing software as well as your transcription foot pedal. (View my recommendation for the best transcription foot pedal.)
- Functionality. While all of the transcription software below lets you control audio playback with hotkeys or a foot pedal, different programs offer different features – for instance, automatic timestamps, audio enhancement, or video subtitling.
- Pricing. All of the transcription players that I recommend offer a free version of their licensed software. To play back longer files, work with less common audio and video formats, or use advanced features, you may need to upgrade to the licensed software. The transcription players listed here all have affordable upgrades.
Express Scribe (NCH Software)
• Compatible with PC and Mac
Express Scribe is highly popular and versatile transcription software that’s compatible with a wide range of setups, including Mac systems.
Express Scribe was the first transcription player I ever used, and I still use it regularly – particularly for its audio cleanup features, which I’ve covered in more depth further down.
The makers of Express Scribe, NCH Software, have a suite of other tools designed to help audio transcriptionists and other digital media professionals be more productive. A couple of these include:
What audio and video formats is Express Scribe compatible with?
The free version of Express Scribe is compatible with MP3, WAV, WMA, AIFF, MP2, VOX, and DCT audio files.
Express Scribe Pro is compatible with most audio and video file formats.
What word processing software is Express Scribe compatible with?
Express Scribe works with Microsoft Word and all other major word processing and text editing software, including WordPerfect and Lotus Word Pro.
If you’re a professional transcriptionist, I recommend subscribing to Office 365 Home or Personal to get all the latest updates of Microsoft Word, since many online transcription services will require you to have a current version of this word processing software.
What foot pedals are compatible with Express Scribe transcription software?
The AltoEdge USB foot pedal is the only pedal that can be used with the free version of Express Scribe. AltoEdge pedals are compatible with Windows and Mac OS X.
The licensed version of Express Scribe is compatible with several widely used transcription foot pedals, including:
• AltoEdge
• Olympus RS-27
• vPedal
• Infinity USB
To connect your foot pedal to Express Scribe, go to Options > Controller… in Express Scribe and click on the Controller setup wizard… button. The wizard will guide you through foot pedal setup and configuration.
Express Scribe free vs. Express Scribe Pro
The free version of Express Scribe works with MP3, WAV, WMA, AIFF, MP2, VOX, and DCT audio files. To play videos and additional audio formats and get access to technical support, you’ll need to upgrade to Express Scribe Pro.
Express Scribe Pro works with most audio and video file formats.
Upgrading from the free version of the software to the licensed version costs $70 USD for a lifetime license. Express Scribe runs regular promos, so it may cost less.
What features are included in Express Scribe transcription software?
Some of the features included in the free and/or licensed versions of Express Scribe include:
Audio bookmarking. This feature lets you mark positions in the audio so you can skip back and re-listen to them later. You can also include notes with your bookmarks. I use this feature to make a note each time a new speaker is introduced so I can easily identify those speakers later in the transcript.
Custom timestamps. Use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + T to insert timecodes into your document. Alternately, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut for your timestamps in Express Scribe – learn how in my transcription tutorial. You can style your timestamp the way you want; for instance, [inaudible 00:15:29] or _unclear 15:29_.
Adjustable playback speed. Speed up the audio to cut down your transcription time, or slow it down to make out difficult phrases. Pitch stays constant – no chipmunk voices!
Adjustable rewind and fast-forward speed. Express Scribe lets you fine-tune your rewind and fast-forward preferences to navigate audio more efficiently. You can set how far the audio jumps back (if any) when you press stop, adjust rewind/fast-forward speed, and choose whether you want these controls to gradually increase or stay constant.
Typing interface. If you don’t have a word processor, you can type your transcript directly into Express Scribe’s Notes Window. Optionally, you can use the window to make notes for the currently selected dictation.
Word and line counter. Express Scribe’s Word / Line Counter is a convenient feature for medical and legal transcriptionists who bill clients by the word or line. You can define the number of characters per line.
Archived dictations. When you finish transcribing a file in Express Scribe, you have the option to mark the file as Done to move it to a list of archived dictations. You can recover archived dictations to the active list or clear them whenever you want. I use this feature to double-check the list of files I’ve completed since the beginning of a billing period.
Audio cleanup tools. Express Scribe offers a range of audio processing tools to make poor-quality audio more intelligible. I’ve described these features in more depth further down.
Control playback with hotkeys. If you don’t have or want to use a transcription foot pedal, you can assign keys or key combinations to specific functions, such as play, stop, rewind, fast-forward, and others. Hotkeys are system-wide, which means they can be used in your word processing program even when Express Scribe is minimized.
Video playback. It can be helpful to view a video as you transcribe it. To do this in Express Scribe, go to View > Float Above Other Windows. Under View, you can also select Show Express Scribe Mini Control to make the Express Scribe window smaller and less intrusive.
Load multiple files at a time. Select multiple audio or video files on your local drive by holding Ctrl or Shift and clicking on them, and then drag the files into the main Express Scribe window.
Switch foot pedal rewind and fast-forward. If you prefer your rewind and fast-forward controls in reverse positions, you can do this in Express Scribe by navigating to Options > Controller… and clicking on Command map / test… From there, you can map the right, left, and middle pedals to your chosen actions.
Multi-channel control. On stereo recordings, you’re given the option to adjust the volume of each channel to increase audio clarity. The Channels feature is displayed by default when you select a stereo audio file, but you can toggle it on and off under View.
File management. Express Scribe offers many options for managing incoming and outgoing files. You can load audio into Express Scribe manually from a local folder or CD. You can also dock most portable analog and digital recorders to load recordings into the program. Alternately, you can set Express Scribe to sync with and automatically download recordings from a folder on your computer network (LAN) or an email attachments folder or the Internet using an FTP server. You can email your completed transcripts to clients, forward them to a folder on your computer or local area network, or send them directly to an Internet server.
Speech-to-text. Express Scribe has an automatic speech recognition engine if you want to attempt to run it on a dictation and then edit the resulting document. In my experience, auto-transcription tools don’t produce great results and it’s usually faster just to transcribe from scratch. But it’s there if you want it.
Audio cleanup tools in Express Scribe transcription software
When you open a file in Express Scribe, it converts the file, slightly reducing its quality. This is different from The FTW Transcriber, which harnesses Windows Media Player to play most files in their original format, preserving the integrity of the audio.
However, Express Scribe does provide a range of features to help improve the clarity of recordings that are worth mentioning in more detail. These include:
- Special Audio Processes. Under File > Special Audio Processes, you’ll find three special audio settings: Background Noise Reduction, Extra Volume Boost, and High Pass Filter. The volume boost increases volume of the original audio by 10%. The noise reduction feature filters out all sound below a specified volume threshold, which can help reduce ambient background noise. The high-pass filter is an EQ function that filters out frequencies below a specified pitch threshold, which can make voices sound more intelligible. If this all sounds Greek, don’t worry – all you have to do is click on the setting you want and Express Scribe does the rest.
- Volume Auto-Adjust (Range Compression). This feature can be found under Options > Playback. According to the developer’s website, “Dynamic range compression amplifies quiet passages in the audio without making loud passages any louder.” Any transcriptionist who’s had their eardrums assaulted by a loud and unexpected cough into the microphone in an otherwise quiet recording will appreciate the usefulness of such a feature!
- Channels Control. This multi-channel control feature is available on audio files that have been recorded in stereo. It lets you adjust the volume of each channel to increase audio clarity. You can toggle Channels Control on and off under View.
Text To Speech On Mac
I recently discovered a nifty feature that I’ve since used to calculate the aggregate length of a batch of audio files for billing clients. To do this, select any group of files in the Express Scribe playlist by holding Ctrl or Shift and clicking on them. You can then go to File > Dictation information… and Express Scribe will display the total duration (in minutes) for just the selected files.
A final thing I want to mention about Express Scribe is that you can adjust the Auto backstep on stop feature to millisecond precision. Auto backstep is the amount of time the audio jumps back when you press stop. The same function in FTW only lets you adjust by increments of a full second. My preference is to set auto backstep to 500 ms: I find that a setting of 0 seconds isn’t enough and results in missed words in the transcript, but 1 second wastes too much time relistening to audio. I’ll often press stop hundreds of times in a single file, and those seconds add up! So I appreciate this extra detail in Express Scribe.
The FTW Transcriber (Tyger Valley Systems)
- Compatible with PC
- According to the company website, “you can use the FTW Transcriber on a Mac if you install a Windows environment using software such as WMWare Fusion.”
The FTW Transcriber is another popular transcription program that offers a wide range of features and customization options.
In particular, I find that The FTW Transcriber’s automatic timestamping feature is a huge time saver when clients want timestamps at every speaker change.
Additionally, The FTW Transcriber doesn’t convert most file types when you open them, resulting in optimum audio quality.
What audio and video formats is The FTW Transcriber compatible with?
The FTW Transcriber plays most audio and video file formats.
Best Mac Speech To Text
What word processing software is The FTW Transcriber compatible with?
The FTW Transcriber is compatible with all word processing software.
What foot pedals are compatible with The FTW Transcriber?
The FTW Transcriber is compatible with several popular foot pedals, including:
- Infinity USB
- AltoEdge
- Philips ACC series
- vPedal
- Some Olympus and Grundig pedals
To install most pedals in The FTW Transcriber, first unplug any pedals you’re not using and close down any other transcription software. Then plug the pedal into your computer and restart The FTW Transcriber.
The FTW Transcriber free vs. licensed software
The free version of The FTW Transcriber lets you use any of the compatible foot pedals. However, free mode has limited features and only plays back files of 15 minutes in length.
The licensed mode of the software is ad-free and lets you play full-length files, minimize the player window, and access all the premium features.
Download Speech To Text Software
Instead of a one-off payment, the FTW Transcriber offers subscription-based pricing for its licensed transcription software. You can try it out for one month for $10, or you can get access for two years for $24 – that is, just $1 per month.
Licensed users of The FTW Transcriber get a bonus product: “If you have a valid license key for the FTW Transcriber, you can use it to get a free license key for our file conversion software Generic File Converter (GFC), which converts a huge number of file types.”
Generic File Converter converts audio, video, and image files. A full license key for this program normally costs $35. Transcriptionists and other professionals who work with digital media will no doubt get a lot of use out of this tool.
What features are included in The FTW Transcriber transcription software?
Some of the features included in the free and/or licensed versions of The FTW Transcriber include:
Automatic timestamps. The FTW Transcriber offers two types of automatic timestamps: You can set the program to automatically insert timestamps at specified intervals (for instance, every 30 seconds), or you can insert timestamps at the start of every paragraph. (View an example of each type of transcript.)
Custom timestamps. If you don’t want to use the automatic timestamping feature, you can insert timestamps whenever you want by assigning a hotkey of your choice. The FTW Transcriber lets you insert timestamps in just one keystroke instead of a triple-key combination. If you’re transcribing a video, you can add frames to your timestamps if you know the frames per second. FTW offers a wide range of customization options for your timestamps – you can even make them bold or italicized.
Start timestamps from a position other than 00:00:00. Some video transcription projects require you to sync the timestamps in your transcript with an on-screen timecode. This is common in post-production transcription, where it usually makes more sense to preserve the on-screen timecode rather than start from zero. Using FTW’s Timestamps Start From feature, you can easily offset the starting position of your timestamps to sync them with the timings onscreen.
Save custom configurations. You can save all your preferred settings for timestamps into configuration files and send them to other team members or transcription staff. In a configuration, you can save your automatic timestamp settings, the appearance of the timestamps, and other transcript markup (e.g. [unclear], [inaudible], etc.).
Create keyboard shortcuts for common transcription phrases. The FTW Transcriber lets you create five different custom tags for marking up your transcripts – for example, you could create shortcuts for [unclear], [overtalking], [inaudible], Speaker 1, and Speaker 2 tags. (These are in addition to your standard timestamp hotkey, making for a total of six custom tags per project.) You can also save different sets of markup for different clients into configuration files. If you want to have FTW insert a timestamp into any or all of these phrases, such as [inaudible 01:12:44], you can do that, too.
Audio bookmarking. FTW’s bookmarking feature is similar to Express Scribe’s. You can bookmark as many play points as you want (with optional comments), so you can easily navigate to them again later.
Video playback. When you open the FTW Transcriber, it “floats” by default unless you minimize the window, so you can watch videos while you transcribe them into your word processing software.
High audio quality. The FTW Transcriber harnesses Windows Media Player to play most files in their original format, resulting in optimum audio quality. This is different from some other players like Express Scribe, which convert files when you open them, slightly reducing their quality. FTW also offers you the option of converting certain types of files automatically. You can find this under Settings > Conversions menu.
Load multiple files at a time. To do this in FTW, click on Open Playlist. Select a group of audio or video files on your local drive by holding the Ctrl or Shift keys and clicking on them, and then drag the files into the playlist window. However, unlike in Express Scribe, you can’t clear specific files from the playlist – you have to clear them all at once.
Control playback with hotkeys. If you don’t want to use a transcription foot pedal, you can map keys on your computer keyboard to specific actions, such as play, rewind, fast-forward, timestamp, and bookmark audio. These hotkeys can be used in your word processing program even when The FTW Transcriber is minimized.
No loading time. The FTW Transcriber plays files without downloading them. Local files play instantly, so you don’t have to wait several minutes for large files to load.
Adjustable playback speed and balance. Like Express Scribe, The FTW Transcriber lets you speed up or slow down audio at a constant pitch. There’s also a balance control so you can isolate the audio more in one ear or the other (you can also achieve this effect in Express Scribe using the Channels control).
Switch foot pedal rewind and fast-forward. To switch the rewind and fast-forward functions on your foot pedal, go to Settings and tick the box next to Switch pedal FF/Rew.
InqScribe (Inquirium)
• Compatible with PC and Mac
While InqScribe isn’t as widely known as Express Scribe and The FTW Transcriber, I’m covering it briefly here because it’s the best transcription software I know of for post-production and entertainment transcription – if you’re transcribing TV shows, documentaries, films, or YouTube videos, InqScribe can save you a lot of time. For instance, you can click on timecodes right within your transcript and it’ll take you to that spot in the video.
Additionally, if you want to create subtitle files and/or export subtitled videos, InqScribe is the tool for the job. You can export your subtitles in several common formats, including Subrip (SRT), Final Cut Pro XML, Spruce STL, and WebVTT.
What audio and video formats is InqScribe compatible with?
InqScribe is compatible with most audio and video formats.
What word processing software is InqScribe compatible with?
InqScribe doesn’t currently support other word processing software. Instead, you type directly into the program, from which you can optionally paste your transcript into a program like MS Word.
InqScribe free vs. licensed software
The licensed version of InqScribe is a one-time payment of $99 for an individual license. By default, when you download and install InqScribe, it runs in free mode. You can add a 14-day trial of a full license.
The main restriction of free mode is that you can’t save or print your transcripts or create and export subtitled QuickTime movies.
What foot pedals are compatible with InqScribe transcription software?
InqScribe works with most USB foot pedals, including Infinity USB and vPedal. It doesn’t work Olympus pedals, the Philips LFH2310 pedal, or pedals that use a serial port.
You can configure your foot pedal in InqScribe using the Set up Foot Pedal… wizard in the Edit menu.
My recommendation for the best free transcription software
Didn’t have time to read the whole article? If you’re just looking for the best free transcription software, these tips should help you choose:
- For transcribing basic audio formats of longer than 15 minutes, use the free version of Express Scribe. If you don’t have an AltoEdge foot pedal, you’ll have to use hotkeys to control audio playback. To play back videos, you’ll need to upgrade.
- If you need to transcribe video or less common audio formats, go with the free version of The FTW Transcriber. Free mode lets you use most popular foot pedals. However, you’ll need to upgrade to play back files of longer than 15 minutes. Click here to get 7% off the licensed software.
- If you’re a Mac user, use the free version of Express Scribe.
The Best Text To Speech Software For Mac For Free Version
If you’re ready to upgrade to premium transcription software, I’ve compared the main strengths (in my opinion) of each of these programs below:
The Best Free Text To Speech Software
If you’re a professional transcriptionist, I recommend using more than one transcription player. Often, a phrase that’s unclear in one player will become intelligible when you listen to it using another player (or even a different pair of headphones, for that matter).
For example, I might transcribe a file in Express Scribe after running some special audio processes on it. Then, I’ll do a second pass using The FTW Transcriber and noise-canceling headphones. (Check out my recommendations for the best headphones for audio transcription.) This cuts down on the number of inaudibles in my transcript, resulting in a cleaner final product.
Now it’s your turn. What’s your vote for the best transcription software, and why? Or what new features would you like to see added to your favorite transcription program? Leave a comment below!