Not all transcription works the same way. While some tools let you upload a recording and receive a transcript shortly after, others transcribe your words as you speak - live, on the spot.

These two approaches are known as standard transcription and real-time transcription. And while they might sound similar, it's important to understand the differences so that you can choose the option that best suits your workflow and meets your needs - whether you're looking to transcribe interviews, meetings, lectures or podcasts.

In this article, we'll break down how standard and real-time transcription work, explore their pros and cons, and help you decide which one is right for you.

Jump to:

• What is standard transcription?
• What is real-time transcription?
• Real-time vs standard transcription: which should you use?
• How to improve transcription accuracy
• How Transcribe supports all your transcription needs

Standard transcription - the process of transcribing an audio or video file - is the most common way to turn audio or video into text. You start by uploading a pre-recorded audio or video file - like an interview, lecture, meeting, or podcast - and the transcription is generated shortly after. It's not instant, but it's fast - most files are processed in a matter of minutes. The exact time it takes depends on the length and quality of the audio file, and the transcription tool you use.

Transcribing audio and video files tends to be more accurate than real-time transcription. Because the entire recording is available upfront, the software can analyze context, cross-reference words, and apply formatting like speaker labels and timestamps more accurately and effectively.

Learn how to transcribe an audio file with our handy guide.

Real-time transcription, also known as live transcription, is the process of converting speech to text as it's happening. Instead of uploading a recording, you simply start talking (or start a meeting, lecture, or interview), and the words appear on-screen almost instantly - usually with a delay of just a second or two.

Because live transcription works in real time, it may be slightly less accurate than regular transcription - especially in noisy environments or when multiple people are speaking. But it's fast, flexible, and designed for immediacy - and in certain situations, speed matters more than perfect accuracy.

What's more, certain transcription tools, like Transcribe, offer an option to refine your real-time transcript afterward to improve accuracy and fill in any gaps.

Learn how to transcribe audio to text in real time.

So which is the right choice for you?

In situations where you need to follow along as someone speaks - perhaps during a meeting, lecture, or live interview - real-time transcription is the way to go. Live transcription can be especially helpful for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, enabling them to engage with spoken content in real time.

In most other situations, standard transcription is the natural choice. It delivers higher accuracy and often includes helpful extras like timestamps and speaker separation. If you can wait until after a recording is completed, you can then upload the audio or video file and receive a polished transcript in a matter of minutes - if not seconds.

That said, with Transcribe's "Refine Transcript" feature, you don't have to choose between speed and accuracy. You can start with real-time transcription, then refine it afterward to improve the quality and accuracy.

Whichever method you choose, the accuracy of your transcript will depend on various factors, including audio quality, background noise, and how clearly each person speaks.

Check out our guide for top tips to improve transcription accuracy.

Whether you're working with a pre-recorded file or capturing speech in the moment, Transcribe gives you the flexibility to work your way.

If you already have a recording, simply upload your audio or video file to our app or online platform to generate a transcript in minutes. Transcribe supports a wide range of file formats and offers excellent accuracy. Speaker labels and timestamps are automatically applied, and it's easy to review, edit, and share your transcript when it's ready.

With Transcribe, you can also record and transcribe in real time - right in your browser or in the app. It's perfect for live meetings, lectures, interviews, or any situation where you want to follow along as someone speaks.

Once your real-time session ends, you can save the raw transcript, or choose to refine your transcript to improve the accuracy. This optional feature uses fewer time credits than standard transcription, making it a quick and cost-effective way to polish your live notes.

Whether you upload a file or record live, once you have your transcript, you can edit the text, generate AI summaries and transcript translations, and download it in multiple file formats, giving you complete control over how you use and share your content.

Download the Transcribe app or launch the online editor to try both transcription options and see what works for you.