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 54 languages) or translate (in English only) 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 54 languages including: Afrikaans, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Marathi, Maori, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Welsh.

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 credits and only pay for the exact amount of service you utilize. This approach avoids unnecessary fees for underutilized resources, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness while giving you complete control over your expenses.

Is there a free trial or free tier?

Yes, new users receive free credits to try out PlainScribe. This allows you to test our transcription quality and features before making a purchase. The free trial gives you enough credits to transcribe a sample of your content and see how well PlainScribe works for your needs.

Do my credits expire?

Yes, your credits will expire after 1 year of purchase. However, you can purchase more credits at any time.

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, PDF, DOCX, and SRT 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 7 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.

Do you store my data?

As soon as your files are processed, we promptly delete all uploaded content. However, we retain the transcripts for a maximum of 7 days for your convenience (you have the option to delete the transcripts manually through the user interface). We also use APIs of third party companies to generate transcripts/summaries and are not responsible for how they handle your data.

Can I upload sensitive files?

We do not recommend uploading sensitive files which may contain your private information. We are not responsible for how third party companies handle your data. Please reach out to us for Enterprise plans if you need to upload sensitive files.

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 supports files up to 2GB in size. For larger files, we recommend splitting them into smaller segments before uploading. If you regularly work with very large files, please contact us about our Enterprise plans which offer higher limits.

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 50+ languages including: Afrikaans, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Marathi, Maori, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Welsh.

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.