Best Transcription Services in the UK, 2019
No one wants to use a sub-par option for anything. When it comes to finding the best transcription service, it is easier said than done. Most companies provide a lot of options. But, before you even get to those choices, you need to pick the right partner.
There is a lot at stake when it comes to transcription services. You need to take into account security, the accuracy of the outcome and value for money. With a lot of audio, costs can pile up pretty quick, and not everyone has the time to invest in reading the details on a dozen company websites. What you need is a quality transcription service at a price that fits.
Luckily, we have a shortcut. Here is our list of the best transcription services in the UK, 2019 edition. This will give you a leg up when it comes to making the right choice. A little information can go a long way.
Types of UK Transcription Services
Before diving into the options, there are two pieces of context that you need to understand. First, automatic speech to text software solutions and human-based transcription services are quite different when it comes to both cost and quality. This list will focus on human transcription services. If you want to learn more about this choice, read our guide to why human transcription services are worth the cost.
Second, like many industries, transcription services use offshore workers, and the ‘location’ of a company does not actually tell you that much about the location of their workforce. There are certain regulatory liabilities (specifically related to the GDPR) that impact all UK-based companies to the benefit of clients. But, for security-conscious users of transcription services, it is worth looking for companies that actually keep their workforce local in order to access the highest possible assurances. For more information, check out our 8 signposts of a secure transcription service.
Transcript Divas: On Time and Accurate Service
Transcript Divas is a company willing to guarantee that you’ll be happy with the service they provide. They offer a 200% accuracy and timeline promise, and that’s not to be ignored. Their service is reliable and easy to use.
A basic interview will cost you as little as £0.90 per minute, and the price is even lower for academic transcriptions. If you don’t want to run the risk of a project taking longer than you anticipated, Transcript Divas is a solid option because of how seriously they take their commitment to finish on time.
McGowan Transcriptions: Proven Track Record
Many people want to use a transcription service that they know has a track record, and that’s one thing McGowan Transcriptions can certainly boast. Since its foundation in 1993, the company has grown and thrived, becoming one of the best regarded and most successful transcription service providers in the UK.
They’re committed to never subcontracting to third parties and they take accuracy very seriously. Confidentiality is also something they highlight as a major priority. If that’s important to you, McGowan might be your service of choice.
GoTranscript: Large Order Specialists
GoTranscript has an army of over 20,000 transcriptionists working for them. Their low rates and fast turnarounds have made them appealing to customers around the world. At the lowest price, you might only pay £0.56 per minute of audio. And the fastest service provides a 6-hour turnaround.
They’re also very good at handling large orders. If you have a lot of transcribing that needs to be turned around on a budget, GoTranscript might be the solution for you. They deliver steep bulk-order discounts that make them an increasingly cost-effective solution the more audio you need transcribed.
TypeOut: Experts Based in the UK
Founded in 2008, TypeOut provides transcription services to companies around the world, offering the best in terms of customer service. It’s also important for them that all of their work is done in the UK. They don’t outsource any transcripts — allowing them to deliver some of the highest security assurances on this list.
The starting fees for TypeOut’s services are actually pretty low compared to industry standards. Each job takes between two and four days, costing between £1.20 and £1.85 per minute of audio, depending on how many people are speaking. That price can go even lower if you’re willing to wait longer to get your transcript returned.
London Transcription: Efficient and Competitive
For 5 years, London Transcription has grown to become a major player in the UK market. With experienced typists and a focus on certain key industries, they’ve managed to prove their work. In particular, they’ve worked with companies in healthcare, the legal sector, education and the media.
They offer services for different types of transcriptions, including interview transcripts, focus groups, corporate meetings and much more. Their rates are competitive, with the fastest and most expensive transcription service only costing £1.30 per minute and the slowest and cheapest costing £0.90.
UK Transcription: UK Based Service with Academic Credentials
This UK-based company doesn’t outsource any of its work overseas, putting them in the upper tier when it comes to security guarantees and allowing you to know that you’re getting a high-quality human transcription service. UK Transcription claims to have transcribed over 5 million minutes of audio since its founding in 2004.
The firm has worked extensively with universities and researchers. If that’s the kind of transcription work you need completing, UK Transcription has a background that should place them high on your list of enquiries. But, they are able to accommodate businesses in every sector — delivering high-quality outcomes no matter the nature of the transcript.
Way With Words: Fun and Dedicated
Way With Words likes to present itself as a fun and playful company, more so than other options on this list. However, they also have the credentials and the dedicated attitude needed for you to feel confident in their professionalism. They’ve worked with a wide variety of clients, including the NHS.
Their service is worldwide and they work with all types of companies, so they’re more than capable of helping yours too. Their list of clients includes Cambridge University, Deutsche Bank and the Home Office. That’s a track record that’s very convincing indeed.
Dictate2us: Responsive and Secure with a Variety of Services
Dictate2us has been around and offering a variety of services since 2006. They focus primarily on transcription and translation, but they also provide interpretation, copy-typing, proofreading, editing, voice-overs and more. If you have multiple types of projects you need completed, Dictate2us gives you a single set of capable hands.
They’re very good at offering a responsive service to customers, allowing you to count on a positive outcome even if circumstances change. They also take privacy and security very seriously, which is never a bad thing.
Picking the Transcription Service That is Right For You
Finding the best transcription service for you starts with assessing your own needs. If you need something that is error-free, or have a complex/poor quality recording, you want to look for a company with a track record and industry-specific experience. You might even want to consider transcript proofreading services.
If security is a high concern, you should look for transcription services that don’t offshore their transcriptionists. That makes TypeOut and UK Transcription good services to consider. But, there are benefits associated with all of the options mentioned here — that is why they made it on our list of the best UK transcription services in 2019.
For example, London Transcription delivers a service that is both efficient and fairly priced while Transcription Divas gives you the most robust turnaround guarantees. Anyone looking to take advantage of a range of different services relating to dictation should consider Dictate2us because they offer more options than other companies on this list.
All in all, there’s a service out there for everyone, you just need to know what your priorities are and then match them up with one of the companies mentioned here. After that, you simply need to pick one of the different types of transcription services offered by most of the companies on this list.
You have been learning about the best UK transcription services in 2019. If you have other questions about what transcription services offer and how to make the right choice when it comes to your transcripts, we have written an Ultimate Guide to Transcription Services just for you!
Originally published at info.takenotetyping.com.
