Two tools built for the same job
Both products do one thing: you upload audio or video, or paste a link, and get back a timestamped transcript to edit and export. RocketScribe does not join meetings or sell human transcription, and TurboScribe's site mentions neither. Both run in the browser. The free tiers match closely, with 3 files a day of up to 30 minutes each. The Unlimited plans share a price ($20 a month or $120 a year), a 10-hour and 5 GB file limit, and 50-file batches.
The real differences are in how much you transcribe and how you want to pay. TurboScribe sells one plan for everyone who pays. RocketScribe adds a cheaper plan with a monthly allowance and a one-off pack of minutes.
Where TurboScribe is better
For heavy users, TurboScribe Unlimited is at least as good a deal as ours. It states no cap on overall usage, and its systems are designed for at least 720 hours a month. Above about 24 hours of audio a day, uploads are processed more slowly in High Volume Mode, and some customers go past 1,000 hours a month. RocketScribe Unlimited costs the same but has a fair-use cap of 12,000 minutes (200 hours) a month and speaker identification up to 2,400 minutes. If you need more than that, Unlimited Max at $200 a month adds dedicated capacity.
- 98+ transcription languages against our 90+, and built-in translation of transcripts and subtitles into 134+ languages. RocketScribe only links to Google Translate.
- Three transcription modes that trade speed for accuracy, and a Restore Audio option that removes background noise.
- Unlimited storage on the paid plan, folder export of up to 1,000 files, and SRT segments you can tune by words, duration or characters.
- A Teams option priced at $120 per user per year.
Where RocketScribe is better
Price is the main reason to pick RocketScribe if you transcribe less. Plus costs $10 a month, or $72 a year, for 1,200 minutes (20 hours) a month, with speaker identification, files up to 5 hours and batches of 20. Against TurboScribe Unlimited that saves $10 a month, or $48 a year.
The Minute Pack suits people who transcribe in bursts. It costs $10 for 600 minutes, works out to $1 per hour of audio, stays valid for 12 months and can be stacked. On a free account it also unlocks Plus limits and covers speaker identification. TurboScribe's site does not list a pay-as-you-go option.
- You can try RocketScribe without creating an account. Transcripts made as a guest stay with you if you sign up later.
- Free files can be up to 500 MB, and all export formats are available on Free.
- Link import names YouTube, SoundCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive and direct file links. TurboScribe's pages name YouTube.
- You can record from your microphone in the browser and share a read-only link to a transcript.
Who should pick which
Pick TurboScribe if you transcribe more than about 200 hours a month, need translation, or want speaker labels on every file of a very large backlog. It is also the safer choice if you expect your volume to grow quickly.
Pick RocketScribe if you transcribe up to 20 hours a month, or only now and then and would rather not hold a subscription. It is also an easy way to test a file before deciding, since you do not need an account. If you are unsure, both free tiers allow 3 files a day, so you can run the same recording through each and compare.