Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about PlainScribe's transcription and translation services.

What services does PlainScribe offer?

With PlainScribe, your transcription and translation needs are seamlessly handled. Effortlessly upload any audio or video files, and we will transcribe (in 47 languages) or translate (to English) them for you.

What audio and video formats does PlainScribe support?

We support most of the popular audio and video formats including but not limited to: 3GP, AAC, AVI, FLAC, FLV, M4A, MKV, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG, OGG, OPUS, WAV, WEBM, WMA, and WMV. If you have any questions regarding a specific format, please contact us or just give it a try with your free trial.

How accurate is PlainScribe's transcription?

PlainScribe uses state-of-the-art AI models to deliver highly accurate transcriptions. Accuracy typically ranges from 95-99% for clear audio with minimal background noise. Factors like audio quality, speaker accents, and technical terminology can affect accuracy. You can always edit the transcription after it's generated to make corrections.

Can I transcribe in languages other than English?

Yes! PlainScribe supports transcription in 47 languages including: Arabic, Belarusian, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Marathi, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

How does the pay-as-you-go pricing work?

Unlike typical subscription plans that force users into long-term commitments, we use a straightforward per-hour pricing model. You purchase prepaid credits and use them for transcription as needed. This approach avoids monthly fees and long-term contracts while keeping costs tied to your actual transcription work.

Is there a free trial or free tier?

Yes, new users receive 30 minutes of free transcription to try PlainScribe. This allows you to test our transcription quality and features before making a purchase.

Do my credits expire?

Paid credits expire one year after purchase. You can use them any time during that one-year period.

Why do I have to purchase a minimum of $10 of credits?

The minimum purchase of $10 is necessary to cover the expenses associated with processing and storing your files securely. While we understand your concerns, setting this minimum limit allows us to maintain the high-quality service you expect from us. We value your feedback and suggestions, so please reach out to us with any further questions or comments.

How do I download my transcription?

Once your transcription is complete, you can download it in multiple formats. Simply navigate to your completed transcriptions, click on the file, and choose your preferred download format. We offer TXT, CSV, SRT, VTT, and JSON formats to suit different needs.

Can PlainScribe generate subtitles/SRT files?

Yes, PlainScribe can generate SRT subtitle files from your audio or video content. When downloading your transcription, simply select the SRT format option. The SRT file includes timestamps synchronized with your media, making it ready to use with video editors or media players.

How does the AI summarization feature work?

PlainScribe's AI summarization feature analyzes your transcribed content and generates a concise summary of the key points. This is perfect for quickly understanding the main topics discussed in meetings, interviews, or lectures without reading the entire transcript. The summary highlights the most important information while preserving context.

Is my data secure and private?

As soon as your files are processed, we promptly delete all uploaded content. We retain the transcripts for a maximum of 30 days for your convenience (you have the option to delete the transcripts manually through the user interface). We use secure connections and encryption to protect your data during upload and processing. Be aware that cloud transcription passes your file to third-party providers, which are named in our Privacy Policy and operate under their own terms — they may retain or use data passed to them, including to train their own models. We make a reasonable effort to opt out of model training where a provider offers it, but we cannot guarantee it in every case. For genuinely sensitive material, use the included desktop app, which transcribes entirely on your own machine and never uploads the file.

Do you store my data?

As soon as your files are processed, we promptly delete all uploaded content. We retain the transcripts for a maximum of 30 days for your convenience (you have the option to delete the transcripts manually through the user interface). We use third-party APIs to generate transcripts and summaries, and every one of them is named in our Privacy Policy. These providers operate under their own terms and may retain or use data passed to them, including to train their own models, which is outside our control. Where a provider offers a way to opt out of model training, we make a reasonable effort to do so, but we cannot guarantee it in every case. If a recording is sensitive enough that this matters, use the offline desktop app — it transcribes entirely on your own machine and sends nothing to any third party.

Can I upload sensitive files?

Uploaded audio and video is deleted once processing finishes, and transcripts auto-delete after 30 days. Be aware that cloud transcription passes your file to third-party providers, which are named in our Privacy Policy and operate under their own terms — so for genuinely sensitive material we recommend the included desktop app, which transcribes entirely on your own machine and never uploads the file at all. If you have specific compliance requirements, get in touch.

Can I edit the transcription after it's generated?

Yes, PlainScribe provides an intuitive editor that allows you to make corrections and edits to your transcription. You can fix any errors, add speaker labels, correct punctuation, and format the text as needed before downloading the final version.

What's the maximum file size I can upload?

PlainScribe's web uploader supports files up to 1GB. For larger files, we recommend splitting them into smaller segments, extracting the audio track, or using PlainScribe Desktop for local transcription workflows.

How long does transcription take?

Transcription time depends on the length and quality of your audio or video file. Generally, you can expect transcription to complete in roughly one-third to one-half of the media duration. A 60-minute recording typically takes 20-30 minutes to transcribe. You'll receive a notification when your transcription is ready.

Can PlainScribe help me if I am a transcriptionist?

PlainScribe is an invaluable tool for transcription jobs. It serves as an excellent first step in obtaining accurate text transcripts, providing a strong foundation for you to further enhance and perfect the text using your expertise.

Which languages do you support?

We currently support 47 languages including: Arabic, Belarusian, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Marathi, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Do you offer Enterprise Plans for custom business needs?

Yes, we do! Our Enterprise plans include higher file size limits, priority processing, dedicated support, enhanced security options, and custom integrations. Please contact us, and we'll discuss your requirements.

Can I use PlainScribe for meeting recordings?

Absolutely! PlainScribe is perfect for transcribing meeting recordings from Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and other platforms. Upload your meeting recording and get an accurate transcript with speaker timestamps. You can also use our summarization feature to quickly capture the key points and action items.

Does PlainScribe support speaker diarization?

Yes, PlainScribe can identify and label different speakers in your audio. This feature is especially useful for interviews, meetings, and podcasts with multiple participants. The transcript will indicate when speakers change, making it easier to follow conversations.