Express Scribe vs noScribe
Express Scribe
nch.com.au
noScribe
noscribe.deSide by side
| Figure | Express Scribe | noScribe |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Transcription Software | 9.2 (#1) | 8.4 (#20) |
| Spec score · AI transcription tools | 9.3 (#3) | 8.3 (#22) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | GetApp user data mentions Google Drive and Microsoft Word as integrations. | Transcripts can be opened in MS Word or LibreOffice and imported into QDA software such as MAXQDA or QualCoder; WebVTT can be used with EXMARaLDA. |
| Intended users | The product page identifies medical, legal and video transcription as use cases. | The project began for qualitative social research and is also used in journalism, medicine, companies, government agencies, and NGOs. |
| Purpose | Express Scribe is a professional audio player designed to help transcribe audio recordings. | noScribe is a desktop app for transcribing interviews and other sensitive audio data with local AI models. |
| Support | The maker provides video tutorials, file and format help, controller setup guidance, FAQs, and a link to contact technical support. | The maker recommends GitHub Issues for help and provides email contact for urgent cases. |
| System requirements | The product page lists Windows 7–11, macOS 10.5 or later, sound support and optional internet, foot pedal and SAPI speech engine. | The current macOS version requires macOS 14 or later; Linux binaries are not yet available for version 0.8, while version 0.7 or manual installation is offered. |
Plans
Express Scribe
- FreeFree
- Professional QuarterlyPrice not published
- Basic AnnualPrice not published
- Professional AnnualPrice not published
- Express Scribe FreeFree
- Express Scribe Professional Quarterly Plan$26.49 a month
- Express Scribe Basic Annual Plan$79.99 a year
- Express Scribe Professional Annual Plan$99 a year
In their own words
Express Scribe
Express Scribe is an audio player designed to support transcription on Linux, macOS and Windows. Its free edition can be used without a time limit and handles common audio formats; timestamps are supported. Playback can vary speed without changing pitch, control multiple channels and play video. Users can operate playback through keyboard hotkeys or supported professional USB foot pedals, and the software works with Microsoft Word and other major word processors. It can receive dictations from FTP, email or a local network, then send completed transcriptions to clients. Speech recognition software can convert audio to text, including SAPI-compliant tools. Express Scribe can also receive encrypted dictation files from Express Dictate or Pocket Dictate. Proprietary recorder formats require the professional version, and the listed professional features include video playback. Paid plans include Professional Quarterly at $26.49 a month, billed quarterly; Basic Annual at $79.99 a year; and Professional Annual at $99 a year. The maker provides tutorials, format and file help, controller guidance, FAQs and technical support contact details.
noScribe
noScribe is a free, open-source desktop app for transcribing interviews and sensitive recordings with AI models running locally on the computer. It uses Whisper-based models for transcription and pyannote for speaker recognition, with support for around 60 languages. Its editor aligns text with audio playback so users can review and correct transcripts. Research tools let users mark pauses and overlapping speech, add timestamps, and choose whether filler words are included. The app accepts almost any audio or video format and exports formatted HTML, plain text, or WebVTT subtitles. Transcripts can be opened in MS Word or LibreOffice, or imported into QDA software such as MAXQDA or QualCoder. The maker estimates a one-hour interview takes about one to three hours to transcribe; NVIDIA CUDA acceleration can reduce processing time. Current versions support Windows 10 and require macOS 14 or later. Linux binaries are not available for version 0.8; users are directed to version 0.7 or manual installation. It is licensed under GPL-3.0.