Transcription service is one of the most popular freelance work with thousands of providers around the world.
Doing this type of home-based online work, part-time or full-time, has been a source of income for many stay-at-home individuals who want to break free from the humdrum of a typical 8-hour job.
Being a transcriptionist requires great skills in listening, editing, and typing.
Transcription is a professional service that converts recorded or live audio and video files from live interviews, dictations, minutes of meetings, and the like, into a text document usually called a transcript.
A transcript is intended for various purposes used as articles on websites, blogs, or printed materials such as newspapers and magazines.
It is also used as subtitles or closed caption features for video, live news, or recorded events.
It sounds like a pretty easy job, but it requires a skill set not found in many.
It requires practice and focus to be able to get to the level where an aspiring transcriptionist can finally sell his or her services as a general transcriptionist.
A general transcriptionist transcribes an audio or video file that tackles a wide variety of topics from and for many different industries.
If you have this skill set, the next step is to find clients or projects. But the question is where?
The good news is there is a great number of companies or platforms on the internet that hire transcriptionists worldwide, and we have gathered all of them in this video so that you can try one to begin with, or you can even post your services to every one of these companies and see where you can get more paying clients.
Here are the Top 29 sites that hire transcriptionists worldwide.
1. GoTranscript
GoTranscript is a web-based company that boasts a global team of professional and experienced transcriptionists.
You don’t need to be an expert right away to be able to join this company.
You can grow your skills and learn from other members as you go along the way and build your portfolio.
They also offer a very attractive pay or compensation plan for transcriptionists.
They pay transcriptionists for up to 60 cents per audio or video minute.
The average income you can earn from this can reach up to $150 per month and can even earn up to $2,000 per month.
That will be based on your persistence to get more projects from this site.
Income will also greatly depend on how you produce quality transcripts for your clients.
You don’t pay any fees to get in, but you have to pass the test set for new applicants.
If you fail the test, don’t worry, you have unlimited tries until you pass it.
Do not, however, create multiple accounts.
You can use the same account to take the test again.
Transcriptionists on this site get payouts every week that are sent via PayPal.
The nice thing about being a part of this company is that you get the support of its entire community of transcriptionists.
You will receive feedback for every project you submit and will also get tips on how you can level up your game.
You can also do translation services, captioning for videos, and foreign subtitles for videos, if you have the skills.
These tasks pay more than the usual transcription service.
2. Transcription For Everyone
A straightforward name for a company that offers top-notch services in audio transcription, business transcription, court transcription, dictation transcription, digital transcription, interview transcription, legal transcription, medical transcription, online transcription, video transcription, voice transcription, and general transcription.
That’s how they categorize their services which are enumerated on their website.
A career in Transcription For Everyone is a step closer to finding your dream clients because they already have loyal clients who are always in need of transcription services.
They always welcome people with skill sets related to all of the services we have mentioned and as they put it, “transcription is for everyone.”
Just head to their website and learn about the skills and qualities they are looking for such as typing, listening, grammar, and research skills.
They provide regular work for transcriptionists.
This will help you in improving your skills consistently and steadily.
For starting transcriptionists, the rate is $5 per hour, but rates gradually increase until they reach $15 per hour.
3. 3Play Media
3Play Media, founded in 2007, only started as a small startup by four IT students and is now trusted by more than 2,000 clients and big names like Time Warner Cable, Procter & Gamble, and Yale University, just to name a few.
This company is constantly in search of transcription stars to become part of their ever-growing team.
To become a transcriptionist for 3Play Media, you will answer a series of questions and you will be required to transcribe a sample audio or video file that is roughly around 3 minutes long.
This will be typed inside a box on their website.
Applicants say that the tests are quite hard or challenging. And that serves as a heads-up.
So prepare yourself for that.
Results of the assessments will be sent to you within three weeks though and that’s a long time to wait.
Just be patient with it.
If you know you did well, you’ll be looking at a new source of income very soon.
Transcriptionists under the company earn $10 to $25 per hour.
Just imagine the amount of money you will earn if you are willing to spend at least four hours a day.
4. VoxTab
VoxTab is a 15-year-old company, and they are continuously accepting applications to the growing demand of their clients.
They offer transcription services apart from subtitling services, captioning services, and voiceover services.
They always take pride in having the best transcriptionists in the industry who deliver transcripts of excellent accuracy.
To apply as a transcriptionist at VoxTab, you just need to fill up the application form found on the career page on their website, click next and follow the instructions.
They will be contacting you for a series of tests and assessments so get ready for it.
Transcriptionists are paid $5 to $30 per hour based on their skill levels and performance.
5. Scribie
Scribie is a web-based transcription company.
They have more than thirty thousand home-based transcribers around the world.
Scribie transcribers are paid $5 to $25 per audio hour.
They also give a monthly bonus of $5 for every 3 hours of audio transcription.
There is no limit on the number of transcription files you can submit per day so this gives you a lot of earnings if you are good at what you do.
Another good thing is that transcribers have the freedom to choose from among the available audio or video files on their website.
They don’t send you files to transcribe. Instead, you can preview each file from their website, download it, and start transcribing what you think is easier for you.
The application process is quite easy as well.
The first step is to go to the Apply tab on their website where you can submit your application.
Keep the application number that will be given to you so that you can track the progress of your application.
Check your email for the confirmation link, click on the link provided, or copy and paste it into your browser to complete and verify your submission.
If you made a mistake in entering your correct email address, you can do the entire process again.
Your application will then be reviewed as quickly as 24 hours.
You will get notified via email if your application has been accepted or rejected.
Once accepted, you will receive an email invitation to take the test.
Click on the link.
It will instruct you to create an account on their website with your email address as your username and a strong password.
When logged in, you will see a list of files to choose from. You will then start to transcribe the file you have chosen and submit it upon completion.
Expect another message in your email after you have submitted your transcription test file.
The final step is certification.
You can get certified and the test file you transcribed will be paid, or you can get rejected, but you can still apply again.
Every applicant is given up to a maximum of ten attempts.
With Scribie, you won’t only earn through transcription, you can also earn from your referrals!
Referrals can be a transcriptionist like you or a paying customer.
If you refer a customer, you get 5% of the total order.
If you refer a transcriptionist and pass the test, you get 2.5% of the direct earnings of your referral.
There is no limit on how many you can refer under this program to increase your earnings.
So once you become a part of Scribie, start promoting its services on your social media networks.
Of course, you will be given your own referral or affiliate link so that you can track your extra earnings.
Scribie sends payments via a PayPal account and a verified PayPal account is required to receive earnings.
6. Rev
This web-based transcription company states boldly on its website that transcriptionists can earn comfortably in the confines of their homes.
If you are a beginner or a seasoned transcriptionist, then try out Rev.
A strong English skill is required from applicants and a dependable internet connection.
The pay ranges from $0.30 to $1.10 per audio or video minute and that is a nice rate compared to other transcription companies, actually far better.
You can start earning from your transcription skills in just 3 easy steps.
You will take a quick assessment or test in the English language, grammar, and sentence construction.
You will then be asked to submit a transcription sample which will be reviewed if it meets their quality standards.
Once you pass, you will be asked to register and start working on projects.
You are given the privilege of choosing from a variety of recorded topics like interviews, lectures, and podcasts.
You can also choose your schedule, and it is totally up to you how many hours you would like to work on any given day.
Rev always sends payments for completed projects on time, and the payment schedule is every week sent to your PayPal account.
Feel free to read the amazing testimonials from a lot of their transcriptionists who are already earning from them.
7. Focus Forward
Focus Forward Transcription Company has been in the industry for 15 long years.
They cater to both English and Spanish clients and transcriptionists.
The company currently pays transcriptionists $0.40 per audio minute.
The pay rate gradually increases based on a transcriber’s performance.
Each applicant is considered an independent contractor who has the liberty to choose the number of hours and specific working days, from anywhere in the world.
A scheduling tool is made available for all of their members so that available schedules can easily be tracked and updated.
This also helps Focus Forward to easily assign available audio or video projects based on deadlines set by their clients.
Applying with Focus Forward is as easy as 1-2-3.
But there are 4 steps.
First, you need to download the instructions together with its transcription program.
Second, download the audio test file from their website.
Third, start transcribing the audio test file.
Fourth, and last step, fill out the application form completely together with your transcription file.
Your application will be reviewed within two days and you will be notified via email if you passed or failed the test.
Payday is every 15th of the month. That’s every two weeks.
You will receive your payment for completed projects to your verified PayPal account.
Take note, your PayPal account must be a verified account, or you won’t be able to receive your earnings.
So better make sure you take care of this requirement from day one.
8. TranscribeMe
TranscribeMe has a very user-friendly website that makes it easy to find the Jobs page.
The Jobs page on this website is where you can get started as a freelance transcriptionist and get paid just by working at home.
When you become a TranscribeMe transcriptionist, you are eligible to get amazing benefits.
The company offers career advancement opportunities.
It means you can be promoted to a higher position within the company based on your skills and performance.
They also offer expert training programs for their transcriptionists and joining doesn’t cost a single dime.
Audio and video files are only 2 to 4 minutes long, and they don’t give you long interviews that take up more than that.
You can then work on as many available clips as you can without getting bored working on a long audio or video file.
To get started working for TranscribeMe, just go to their website, click the Jobs menu, and click the Get Started button.
You will then be redirected to a page where you need to create an account.
After the registration process, you need to complete a short training course, and then take the assessment test.
If you successfully pass the course and the exam, you will be contacted for available paid projects that you can start working on.
TranscribeMe takes pride in its generous pay rates which are $15 to $22 per audio hour.
The lowest pay you can get from the company, well, based on the time you spent with them, is $250 per month and the highest income you can potentially earn is a whopping $2,200 per month!
Payments are sent to a Verified PayPal account.
9. Casting Words
Casting Words, based in Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a tech-driven transcription company that services clients around the world including big media names The Economist and The New York Times.
The company makes it easy for transcriptionists to start work and get paid right away.
They don’t have much information on their website.
The 3 easy steps to get started as a freelance transcriptionist are the main highlight.
Sign Up. Work. Get Paid.
With this company, you will get total flexibility at work.
You can decide what hours you work on any day of your choice.
You must be at least 18 years old upon signing up.
You will need to fill out their online application form including your hours of work and professional background.
You will then be asked to undergo an assessment evaluation, and you will be graded based on your ability to follow certain guidelines.
You can find this in the Quick Start Guide on their website.
You will be redirected to a typing test which takes roughly 90 minutes to complete after you have clicked on the verification link sent to your email address.
The email contains style guides, policies, and useful resources.
Make sure you have read and understood everything before you take on the job.
If you are unable to complete the test due to a valid personal reason, just click on the Return button, indicate the reason, and retake the test within 24 hours.
The test is an audio file that you need to transcribe with all your best.
You immediately get the result within 24 to 48 hours.
Make sure you provide your contact details such as your email address, phone number, and other ways they can easily get in touch with you.
If you have been disapproved on the first try, you can apply again after 7 days.
On getting the job as a transcriptionist, always be aware of the deadline set by Casting Words.
Late submission of completed transcripts leads to a penalty.
The worst is you might not get paid for the work you have done, even if you have completed it.
Each of your submissions will be evaluated and scored by their in-house editors and you need to wait for up to three working days before you get the result.
Each submission can result in a passing or failing rate.
Worry not, a job well done equates to bonuses or incentives in the form of additional income on top of your base pay.
Casting Words pays transcriptionists from $0.85 to $1.00 per audio minute, and they only send payments to a verified PayPal account.
Make sure you have that taken care of.
The standard skill set required to be able to start a transcription career is excellent listening skills because you will listen to a lot of audio and video, written communication skills, and a good command of the English language like grammar, usage, sentence structure, and punctuation.
You should have basic computer skills as well as you will be operating transcription software to make your job easier.
The typing speed required is at least 75 wpm or words per minute.
You must also be good at online research and can work independently under little supervision.
You can work anywhere you like as long as you have access to a reliable internet connection, even in the middle of the sea!
But most importantly, you must understand the quality of work you provide and the deadline set for each project.
This will increase your reliability stars which will eventually translate to a higher pay rate, performance-based bonuses, and even career advancement!
You already have this information at hand, so it’s totally up to you where you want to stay and work for longer.
10. Verbit
This transcription company that hires transcriptionists worldwide takes pride in its system, a combination of technology and human touch.
That’s a good way to stir a client’s curiosity and eventually try their service.
If you are a transcriptionist looking for more projects, just go to their website and scroll down to the bottom.
You will see the button on the right side that says, “Join us as a transcriber”.
Click on that, and it will take you straight to their registration page.
On the registration page, it says:
“We are an AI-based transcription company that combines technology with human editing. We are looking for freelancers who have excellent language skills and great attention to detail to join our team…”
AI-based transcription?
That is something we don’t get to read from the rest of the transcription sites out there.
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, in case you don’t know it yet, so that leaves us curious as well.
But to make this mystery sweet, we’ll let you find out about it yourself.
Below their page, you will find a brief description of the qualification process.
Just fill out the form to begin your journey with them.
The form is easy on the eyes and not too much information is required of you.
They only use a simple and very basic Google Form.
You might want to check their FAQ page first for more vital information that you need before starting a project with them.
But many reviews come up on the internet that Verbit is a wonderful company to work for because as many stated, the company really cares about its employees as part of a family and that their Human Resource team always reaches out to their remote and international workforce.
Well, you don’t have to take our word for it.
You have to try it for yourself if it is indeed a great company to work for.
And you can just leave a comment on this video about it.
Reviews help, you know.
It helps a lot for home-based freelancers like you.
Verbit pays their transcribers $0.30 per audio minute.
11. OutSec
OutSec is a transcription company based in the United Kingdom that hires transcriptionists globally, but one important thing to note is that you will be required to work within the UK office hours.
Even if that is the case, you can still inform your availability within those hours and what day is most convenient for you.
They also require a minimum production quota for each of their transcribers.
This company does not hire beginners as well.
You need to have at least a year of experience in the industry.
Thus you will be asked for two employer references when you apply.
The application process is not that easy.
Once you pass the screening stage, you will be asked to complete a typing test, and you must have a minimum typing speed of 70 wpm or words per minute.
Under the company, you will be assigned to a specific client or clients.
You won’t be able to choose what material to write, unlike in most web-based transcription companies where you get the total freedom to choose a video or audio material you want to work on.
Their international workforce receives their pay through PayPal.
And the pay rate? Not bad really.
We consider it very generous, which is $15 to $45 per 30 minutes of transcribed material.
No wonder OutSec only accepts transcribers with a considerable amount of experience because they only want to give the best service to their clients and higher pay for their transcribers.
12. TranscriptionServices
TranscriptionServices is no doubt a transcription company with its name alone.
You will surely never go wrong.
Maybe they decided on this straightforward name for Google search reasons.
Well, anyway, the company offers transcribers part-time and full-time work from any country in the world just as long as you have the experience and the confidence to provide quality work.
They offer very competitive pay, and transcribers are given flexible hours at any time of the day.
If you know other languages, you can also transcribe audio files with higher pay.
You can transcribe audio in French, Arabic, Filipino, and more.
It’s easy to apply to this company.
All you need to do is send an email with the subject “Transcription Application” and provide the information asked of you.
You will find the information they need on their website.
You must follow instructions correctly because you are scored for this as well.
After you have answered and submitted the information, the last step to your application is to email a PDF file of your resume.
13. BabbleType
BabbleType has openings all year round for beginner or seasoned transcriptionists around the world to add to their ever-growing team, but be aware that they are meticulous when it comes to the selection process because they make sure they always provide the most accurate transcribed materials for their clients.
You will be required to watch a short video that can be found on their website before you can start to apply.
Take note of the instructions on the video and make sure you follow them carefully.
The video explains how to complete a transcription test.
Even if you choose to do part-time work for this company, you can still earn $15 per hour.
14. 1888TypeItUp
This company charges a $59 entrance examination fee so only serious applicants are the ones applying for a position in this company.
Yes, getting in is hard, not to mention the amount you need to pay, but getting in will all be worth it because the pay is very generous.
Once you submit your job application, a payment page will appear where you can enter your payment information for the required exam fee.
After submission of payment, you will then be directed to a page where you can download their exam materials.
Exam fees are non-refundable and the processing time can take up to one month.
According to the company, they only want to get the best and those who are serious about getting a project with them, thus the exam fee makes the process of weeding out the most serious applicants easier for them.
And those serious applicants who will pass can earn from $30 to $180 per audio hour.
15. CrowdSurf
With CrowdSurf, you can work as a transcriber anytime and anywhere.
This company hires transcriptionists worldwide.
Their workforce has the freedom to choose their working hours and days.
It means that under the company, you can work as little or as much as you please.
It is free to sign up to CrowdSurf, and you get paid instantly via PayPal.
The company also offers career advancement opportunities such as promotions to well-deserved, hard-working members of their team.
For the application process, CrowdSurf uses Work Market to hire and send payments to their freelance transcriptionists.
You can choose from a variety of methods when receiving your pay like PayPal and Direct Deposit, among others.
Your account with the company will be created after you have passed the assessment.
It usually takes 3 to 5 business days to know the result.
Make sure to follow the instructions they will send to your email address.
CrowdSurf pays freelance transcribers from $2 to $8 per hour.
16. AlphaSights
AlphaSights Transcription Company only welcomes freelancers with at least three years of proven experience as a transcriber and must own transcription software such as Express Scribe and use Microsoft Word version not older than version 2007.
AlphaSights offers 100% human transcription services and doesn’t use automatic speech software to produce more accurate transcripts for its customers.
What you will get when you become a freelance transcriber under the company is a very competitive compensation rate, some long-term and consistent projects, flexible working hours, and career advancement opportunities with a higher compensation package.
You are required to have at least 3 years of professional transcription experience in business and general transcription and must always meet 99% accuracy for submitted audio projects.
You will be evaluated for every transcribed material you submit just to make sure you are consistent with your delivery and commitment.
Get ready with your professional references as they often ask for this as part of the requirement.
To start, you will need to complete an application form on their website and finish a short transcription test.
You can begin work right away after passing the exam, and you will be paid $55 per audio hour and possibly a handsome bonus for some of the quality work you provide.
17. Triple A Transcription
Triple A Transcription is a web-based transcription company that started in Australia and has been providing projects for a lot of freelance transcriptionists anywhere in the world.
They are always in search of transcriptionists to keep up with the demands of their ever-growing business.
You can work from home when you become a part of this company, and they provide a steady stream of projects.
This means you don’t need to worry about the consistent flow of income for you.
The company makes sure you are taken care of.
You can also choose from a wide variety of subjects that you want to transcribe and can work as much or as little as you want.
It’s all totally up to you.
If you want to earn more, then transcribe more available audios that are in their library.
Transcriptionists get paid regularly and reliably via PayPal for every audio work completed.
18. Transhiva
Transhiva is a transcription company that takes pride in its professional culture with the tagline “One of the Finest Places to Work.”
To them, finding the right people for their motivated team is always a top priority.
If you are the kind of freelancer who provides work with passion and dedication, Transhiva can be a great home for you.
You can check the requirements from their website, and you can easily send your resume to them.
Always be on the lookout for an email from the company for the next steps to becoming a part of their team.
19. Wavel
Wavel is a web-based transcription company that combines the power of speech recognition technology and human skills to produce the fastest and most accurate transcription service for its clients.
This company offers $12 per 60 credits paid via PayPal.
Reviewers also get paid $12 per 60 credits.
It is easy to apply to this company.
When you click on the button that says “Join As A Transcriber” on their website, it will take you to a page where you will be asked to create a new account.
You can do this first so you can log on back and review the steps for the application process and the transcription exam.
20. Way With Words
A general transcription company called Way With Words hires newbie freelance transcribers worldwide.
You will also find the most welcoming and helpful staff in Way With Words.
They also offer flexible working hours to their workforce, so as we always say, you can work as much or as little as you want based on your preference or goal.
The pay rates range between 45 cents to $2 per audio minute, and this is calculated based on the turnaround time.
It means that the faster you submit transcribed material, the higher the pay, but of course, its quality and accuracy will be checked as well.
The application process is quite easy.
Just fill out the application form on their website and complete a couple of easy tests to assess your skills and ability in transcription.
So do your best. Pass the tests, and get hired… and that is a great way to earn with words.
21. Appen
Appen is a technology company that offers a variety of freelance work or work-from-home opportunities that include transcription.
They are open worldwide and accept beginners in transcription.
Although sometimes there is no hiring for transcriber positions, you can easily check it out just by going to their jobs page.
The compensation for freelancers ranges from $9 to $18 per hour.
22. Done It Now
Another Australian-based company hiring transcriptionists or transcribers internationally is Done It Now, and they hire beginners in the field.
So do it now!
Go to their website and go to their Contact Us page.
Scroll down below until you see the link to apply, or simply fill out the short contact form and wait for them to contact you.
There is no explanation of how their hiring process goes, but they will surely email you the steps on how you can be a part-time or full-time transcriptionist under the company.
23. Ai-Media
Ai-Media’s services include captioning and transcription for clients around the world.
They accept transcriptionists from any location, freelance and home-based.
You can check their career page to see available positions in transcription.
The pay rate is a bit higher than most transcription companies nowadays.
Just head straight to their jobs portal for transcription positions, fill out an application, and submit your resume.
24. Quicktate
Quicktate is also good news for beginners in freelance transcription, and they hire internationally.
Pay frequency is every week via PayPal.
You can apply for the transcription position by clicking the transcriber link located in the middle of their website.
Just scroll a little down and you will find that link.
Transcription projects are for general and medical transcriptionists and medical materials offer a higher pay per completed project.
25. OneSpace
OneSpace was originally called CrowdSource.
They offer freelance opportunities for home-based freelancers of various skill sets that include graphic design, data entry, proofreading, online research, and of course, transcription.
OneSpace pays for completed projects daily.
So if you need immediate cash flow, this is a perfect space for your skills.
Go to the “Freelancer” page on their website to apply for available transcription opportunities and yes, they hire beginners.
The pay varies so you might want to check out projects that are worth your time and skills.
Payments for completed projects are sent via PayPal.
26. Take Note Typing
Take Note Typing is another great site where beginners in transcription can gain valuable experience because they accept transcription newbies.
Projects under this company are for legal, medical, and general transcriptionists.
Just choose what best fits your skill set and experience.
They also accept work-from-home transcriptionists from any location in the world.
This UK-based company offers total freedom to its freelancers as they get to choose the number of days and hours they are willing to put in.
Compensation for the work is 60 cents per audio minute, but they only send payments once a month.
That’s a long time to wait if you ask us, but a lot of freelancers are happy about it, though.
The application process in the company has 3 parts: a typing speed test, an English language test, and a transcription test.
You must pass all 3 to be able to get hired by this company.
Projects are sent via your registered email once you get hired.
27. A and P Transcription Services
A and P Transcription Services does not hire beginners in transcription.
They only hire freelance transcriptionists with at least one year of experience.
When you apply on their website, just choose your country of residence from the dropdown list, fill out their online application form, and attach your resume.
This company offers general and legal transcription so if you have experience in legal transcription, you will receive higher pay.
You can choose audio projects to transcribe from a variety of formats like interviews, speeches, radio shows, and more.
28. TranscriptionWing
For general transcriptionists and beginners, TranscriptionWing is a great place to start because they hire beginners internationally.
This is where you can get more experience if you want to be an expert soon, a place where you can improve your skills.
So if you want to fly high and mighty in this industry, learn from here, and spread your wings!
You can find on the website about the pay rate which is $0.60 per audio minute.
You can start applying just by filling out the application form found on their website.
29. High Fidelity Transcription
High Fidelity is a transcription company based in Minneapolis, MN. Independent transcriptionists under this company earn $18 per hour.
Applicants must have a considerable amount of experience in transcription focused on audio interviews and focus group discussions and must have the patience to transcribe long audio from 30 minutes to an hour.
Candidates must have a typing speed of 70 WPM or words per minute.
Transcribers must also meet the minimum quality score with a 99% accuracy per submitted project to continuously receive paid assignments.
High Fidelity hires worldwide and only hires seasoned transcriptionists.
Well, that wraps up the total list of the best companies that hire worldwide that we can collate for you.
It’s up to you to find out what is best for you, and at least you have a lot of options.
An important tip: If you want to double your pay for every project you get, you can offer your services directly to private individuals and companies without having to go through these sites.
By finding your clients, you can charge higher especially if you have a robust portfolio of past and present clients.
Ask for testimonials from your clients and show those to your prospective clients.
You can charge as much as $1 per audio minute or more… and that is a whole lot of money!
We will be sharing with you tips on how to get direct clients and how to charge more.
So don’t forget to subscribe to this blog.
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