GoTranscript offers the opportunity to make money transcribing (i.e. converting audio files into text), but is it worth applying?
In this GoTranscript review, we'll take an in-depth look at the platform, sharing first-hand job experience, along with reviews, insights, and data from other users and sources around the web.
For detailed info on how GoTranscript works, who can become a transcriber, how much you can expect to earn, and more, keep on reading!
Table of Contents
Key Points ⚡
| Minimum Age | 18 |
|---|---|
| Countries | Worldwide |
| Platforms | Web |
| Avg. $/hour | $3.50 |
| Work Volume | Opportunities are almost always available |
| Ways to Earn | Transcription, transcript editing, subtitling |
| Payout Options | Payoneer, PayPal |
| Minimum Payout | $0.01 |
| Payment Speed | 7 days, paid every Friday |
Review Process
This GoTranscript review was first researched and written by a GoTranscript transcriptionist in the Philippines, who earned around $30 on the platform.
Next, I did a bit of research into the safety, legitimacy, and reputation of GoTranscript, added additional content, and finally edited everything together for this in-depth review. Enjoy!
Since publishing this review, we've interviewed 7 GoTranscript transcribers who filled out a detailed form for us in exchange for a small incentive. This has contributed to the data provided around avg. earnings, pros and cons, and more.
Notice something incorrect or want to add to this review? Leave a comment.
What is GoTranscript?
GoTranscript is a large web-based transcription and translation services company. They've worked with companies like Bose, BBC, Netflix, and more, delivering over 150,000 transcriptions alone.
Company Info
- Founded: 2006.
- Name: Parker Corporation LP.
- Located: 166, College Road, Harrow Middlesex, HA11BH United Kingdom.
- Founder: Peter Trebek
- Socials: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
- Contact details: Contact page | +1 (831) 222-8398 | gotranscript (skype)
Is GoTranscript Legit?
Yes, GoTranscript is legit. Since 2006, they've been delivering valuable services to clients while working with — and paying — transcribers, proofreaders, and editors from around the world. Today, they're one of the most well-known in the transcription space.
This all being said, just because GoTranscript isn't a scam doesn't mean it's necessarily worth your time. Keep reading for more info on what it's like being a GoTranscript transcriber and how much money you can expect to make.
Who Can Apply?
- Age requirement: 18 years old.
- Country requirements: GoTranscript hires worldwide in multiple different languages.
- Device requirements: A PC/laptop and a pair of headphones. GoTranscript states that transcription is possible on mobile devices, but the features of its transcription tool are greatly limited unless you’re transcribing on a PC or laptop.
- Payout requirements: Must have a PayPal or Payoneer account.
- Other requirements: You'll need to be fluent in the language you choose to transcribe (you can transcribe multiple languages if you wish). Having a decent typing speed and good listening skills will help as well. You'll also need to learn how to follow GoTranscript's guidelines.
Safety Inspection
- SSL certificate? Yes.
- Privacy policy: Here.
- Terms of Service: Here.
- Personal data collected from GoTranscript transcribers:
- Name, email address, address, date of birth, payment information.
- Do they sell user data? No.
- Do they ever share user data with third parties? Yes, from their privacy policy: “We will share your personal information with third parties where required by law, where it is necessary to administer the working relationship with you or where we have another legitimate interest in doing so.”
- Do they protect user data? Yes, from their privacy policy: “We have put in place measures to protect the security of your information. When you submit sensitive information via our Website, your information is protected both online and offline.”
- Can you delete your account and data? Yes, in your account settings.
Is GoTranscript Safe for Workers?
Yes, GoTranscript is generally safe to use as a worker/freelancer/transcriber. It's a legit site, signing up is easy and doesn't require sharing a ton of sensitive personal information, your data is protected and never sold, you can choose to accept or decline any jobs as you wish, and you can delete your account at any time if desired.
Most of the information in GoTranscript's privacy policy actually applies to clients ordering transcripts as they're the ones who have more to lose. They're providing payment details (like a credit card) and potentially private audio recordings.
As a transcriber, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Obligatory disclaimer: Anything on the internet is never 100% safe or private. Please take caution and do your own due diligence.
Support Quality
Support on GoTranscript is relatively prompt and helpful. There was one time where they didn’t generate my weekly payment on time, but a quick message through their Contact Us page got me a reply within the same day or so, with the payment generated.
They also have a handy live chat feature on their site. I was able to get in contact with one of the chat operators pretty quickly, and they helped answer a question I had about the transcriber age limit.
How Does GoTranscript Work?
GoTranscript, like many micro job sites, works as a middle-man. They find clients who need audio files transcribed, then they prepare and pass along most of the work to their independent contractors/freelancers.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:
- Client/customer uploads an audio file to GoTranscript
- GoTranscript breaks up the file into smaller, 5-10 minute clips, then distributes the work to freelance transcribers
- Freelance transcribers, while following specific guidelines, convert the short audio files into text using GoTranscript's transcription software
- Freelance editors refine and rate each completed transcript
- The finished transcripts are all put together and sent to the client/customer
For freelancers:
To become a GoTranscript freelancer, you'll first need to apply and pass their transcription test (more details on this below).
Once you're approved, you'll gain access to the transcription jobs dashboard:
Here, you'll be able to see most of the jobs available in your language, along with how much they pay (in USD), how long the audio is, and other important notes. You can also listen to the audio beforehand, which is handy.
Once you accept a job and submit a completed transcript, the earnings will be added to your ‘Stats' page. Payments are sent every Friday via Paypal or Payoneer.
As mentioned, you'll also have your work rated (out of 5) by an editor, who'll leave you some feedback and comments.
- Higher rating = more jobs in your dashboard and potentially higher pay.
- Lower rating = potential termination, lower pay, or even loss of earnings.
At minimum, you'll want to keep a 3.6/5 rating. Any lower and you'll be terminated and unable to do any more work.
If you maintain a rating of 4.5 or higher, you'll eventually have the opportunity to become an editor yourself. This means more work and better pay.
Speaking of…
How Much Does GoTranscript Pay?
GoTranscript claims to pay transcribers up to $0.60 per audio minute, with the average transcriber earning around $150/month.
To give you an idea of what $0.60 per audio minute actually works out to per hour, most experienced transcriptionists will tell you that it takes around 4 minutes to transcribe 1 audio minute. Therefore, at $0.60 per audio minute, quick and experienced transcribers should be able to earn around $0.15/minute, or $9/hour.
That's not great. And keep in mind, $0.60 is the top rate. Some files may pay even less than that.
If you're new to transcription, it'll most likely take you longer to transcribe, which means even lower earnings. On top of that, the quality of audio files on GoTranscript ranges. Poor quality files with background noise, accents, and multiple listeners may pay more, but they also take more time.
Bottom line?
Of the 7 users we've interviewed, average hourly earnings were reported from $1-$9/hour, with an average of $3.50/hour.
Average monthly earnings were reported from $20-$280/month, with an average of $85/month.
If you apply and get approved as an editor, you'll earn more, but we're not sure of the exact pay rate. If you're an editor for GoTranscript, leave a comment and let us know!
How Often is Work Available?
New audio files are added to the GoTranscript dashboard every day. If you were to stay on the site all day on the lookout for available files, you could probably work for around 20-30 hours a week.
If you fluently speak multiple languages, that'll help you receive more work as there's less competition.
Also, as mentioned above, your rating will come into play. The higher your rating, the more work you'll receive. And if you eventually become an editor, that'll give you even more opportunities.
Note: You can only claim one audio file to transcribe at a time.
Payment Proofs
GoTranscript Review and Rating Breakdown
- Earning Potential
- Work Volume
- Payout Options
- Payout Minimum
- Payout Speed
- Accessibility
- Support
- Usability
- Safety
Overall
Summary
GoTranscript offers freelance beginner transcription jobs worldwide, and they have a steady flow of work available, but the pay rate on the site is far too low. It's a good opportunity for learning transcription, but if you're simply looking for side cash, there are easier, better-paying alternatives out there.
Pros and Cons
The Good
- No minimum payout – You can generate payments without having to meet a certain payout minimum, every week.
- Lots of work available – There’s typically always 3-5 audio files (or more) available on the dashboard at any given time.
- Hiring worldwide
- Safe, reliable, and not sketchy – Since it’s a transcription site, it relies on you doing your job instead of answering surveys or doing other things that ask for a ton of personal information.
- Flexible work – You can work when you want, and as much or as little as you want.
- Good for skill-building – If you're new to transcription, GoTranscript is a good place to learn the trade. Editors will give you feedback and you'll experience working with guidelines and a transcription tool.
The Bad
- Low rates – The amount you earn is nowhere near enough to compensate for the amount of work and time you put into transcription. You'll earn far below minimum wage, almost anywhere in the world.
- Bad audio quality in files – Most of the files available for transcription are of terrible quality; unintelligible with lots of background noise and cross-talking.
- Editors can be nit-picky – Some editors will give you low ratings for your transcription with little to no rhyme or reason. There’s definitely been times where an editor provided unnecessary revisions to my work (based off of the guidelines), so sometimes it all comes down to luck.
GoTranscript Reviews From Real Users
To give you an idea of what other GoTranscript freelancers are saying about the job, here are some 2020-2021 reviews of GoTranscript from our own efforts interviewing users (all dollar amounts are in USD).
Further below, we've also included some 2020/2021 reviews of GoTranscript from Trustpilot, Glassdoor, and Indeed.
Ornery-Attorney-9551 (4.5/5)
- From: Uganda
- Age: 30
- User for: 26 months
- Total earned: $70
- Avg. $/hour: $3
- Receives work: A few times a day
- Time to first withdrawal: 7 days
Overall thoughts? I prefer to work with a site that gives a freelancer the ability to work anytime and anywhere. Gotrascript offers that.
Would you recommend it to others? Highly recommend it to freelancers who would like to start working on transcription.
How's the user experience? No bugs detected. The site is fine.
Any safety concerns? Have never experienced safety concerns.
Tips for new users? (1) Choose shorter audios that are not as time-consuming. (2) Always cut long audios. (3) Choose clear audio files.
Pros
- The site has transcription jobs available 24/7
Cons
- The audios have noise which makes things harder to transcribe and results in a lower rating
WorkFromTheBed (1/5)
- From: United States
- Age: 32
- User for: 24 months
- Total earned: $50
- Avg. $/hour: $2
- Avg. $/month: $20
- Time to first withdrawal: 7 days
Overall thoughts? It's a place that is good for countries with a very strong exchange rate from USD. Other than that, I wouldn't recommend it. It's terrible pay and the requirements to stay “hired” are very high. They have a ridiculously high turnover rate.
How's the user experience? It's a pretty straightforward UI.
Any safety concerns? No.
Tips for new users? (1) Use a voice-to-text software or AI to transcribe and then try to edit that.
Pros
- Easy to get started if you know English
Cons
- Very low pay for the amount of work
Anonymous (4/5)
- From: Philippines
- Age: 23
- User for: 5.5 months
- Total earned: $640
- Avg. $/hour: $2.50
- Avg. $/month: $160
- Receives work: Almost always
- Time to first withdrawal: 13 days
Overall thoughts? This site provides decent extra income considering that the job is easy and there are no special skills required. The interface is also very straightforward and user-friendly. I've never encountered any problems or significant delays with regard to receiving payments.
Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a consistent source of extra income, especially those who don't necessarily have the skills and/or time that other higher-paying side hustles require. It lets you earn a decent amount without having to put in much effort.
How's the user experience? The site is very straightforward and user-friendly. I haven't encountered any bugs or glitches.
Any safety concerns? I don't feel like any of my personal info is exposed since we don't directly interact with clients. I've never encountered a security or privacy concern.
Tips for new users? (1) Listen to the first 30 sec of a file before deciding to take them. (2) Work on familiar files as much as you can to avoid boredom since the job is pretty repetitive. (3) Some files pay higher because they are harder to transcribe (background noise, thick accents, etc.). I try to take those files first if I can. I also prioritize video over audio files since it's easier to transcribe when you can see the speaker.
Pros
- The site pays weekly and there is no minimum amount required to cash out.
- Upon sending a payment request, I usually receive the payment on the same day. The longest I've had to wait is 3 days.
- There are a lot of jobs available most of the time.
- I can choose which files I want to work on before taking them.
- I can freely choose when I want to work and how much time I put in.
- Support team is responsive.
Cons
- Pay is quite low.
- Some files are really hard to transcribe.
- Very strict deadlines and you get zero credit if you don't finish the job on time. There are rare instances where the subtitling jobs have unrealistic deadlines.
Valuable_Ad4888 (3.5/5)
- From: Kenya
- Age: 27
- User for: 9 months
- Total earned: $600
- Avg. $/hour: $9
- Avg. $/month: $65
- Receives work: A few times a day
- Time to first withdrawal: 4 days
- Favorite way(s) to earn: Surveys
- Least favorite way(s) to earn: Offers
Overall thoughts? This site ranks around number 3 in best paying transcription sites with a high approval rate and you can be promoted easily.
Would you recommend it to others? I highly recommend it to any transcriptionist out there.
How's the user experience? Website is stable.
Any safety concerns? The site is secure.
Tips for new users? (1) Never use transcribing software (2) Strive for higher accuracy (3) Always choose clearer audios to score higher in each task.
Pros
- Better pay
- Friendly site
- Pays on time
Cons
- Audio has a lot of background noise
Lyra Linkinson (3/5)
- From: Hong Kong
- Age: 18
- User for: 3 months
- Total earned: $20
- Avg. $/hour: $2
- Avg. $/month: $20
- Receives work: A few times a month
- Time to first withdrawal: 7 days
Overall thoughts? Poor audio quality, long audios, plus freefalling pay means that to me, transcription in general, but esp. on GoTranscript, really isn't worth it anymore. Basically, if you get to the top, it's worth it, but other than that… I'm not so sure.
Would you recommend it to others? I would recommend this site to people who are really desperate. I personally don't think working for 3+ hours of tiring work where you have to concentrate more or less the whole time is worth it, but for some people who are really struggling it might be. It's just a matter of preference, I guess. However, I can say I love the fact that there is no cash-out minimum.
How's the user experience? User experience is pretty great. There aren't really any glitches or bugs, and the support team is always around. The site's easy to use, too, and I think it's well-designed.
Any safety concerns? No, I think that this site is safe to use. You don't really need to input any personal details – all they need to know is your typing speed, and if you passed the test or not.
Tips for new users? (1) Always run your files under grammar & auto-correct checkers once you're done transcribing it, so you don't give the clients a reason to give you a bad rating. (2) Set yourself a goal and do it. Maybe 30 minutes of working = 5-minute rest. Take periodic breaks, it'll help you focus better and you won't feel so overworked.
Pros
- Lots of different jobs. There are usually tons of different jobs from lots of different people, so there's plenty of options.
- If you become an editor, you get paid a lot, from $12 to $50.
Cons
- Many audios you're asked to transcribe are really unintelligible. You can't hear a thing except mumbling, so it actually takes a lot more time than you'd expect.
- The pay is a lot less than minimum wage and has been in freefall for the last couple years. Most of the jobs you get nowadays, the audio is crap and there are few jobs paying above the 30 – 50 cent range.
StudentDoctor1908 (4/5)
- From: United Arab Emirates
- Age: 20
- User for: 2 months
- Total earned: $70
- Avg. $/hour: $5
- Avg. $/month: $30
- Receives work: Almost always
- Time to first withdrawal: 7 days
Overall thoughts? I like the site so far.
Would you recommend it to others? I would recommend it to people if they have the time to contribute to the work. The work is quite tedious for the pay and can be frustrating if you don't enjoy the work. Beginner transcriptionists also earn considerably less due to lack of practice and such. If you are unsure of your listening and typing skills, I wouldn't recommend this job.
How's the user experience? One of my favorite things about the site is how easy it is to use. The interface is clean and simple and so far there have been no glitches or bugs.
Any safety concerns? The site is mostly safe. They do not require much data from the user apart from email addresses and PayPal details.
Tips for new users? (1) Practice touch-typing and improve typing speeds to keep up with the audio. (2) Type all you can hear in the first draft, go back and re-hear the audio, and then make edits. Do not waste time listening to one section of audio over and over, context clues pop up as you listen to more of the file. (3) Before choosing a file, first listen to the preview provided and then the complete audio file. If it is clear and all accents are understandable, pick the job. (4) Do not pick jobs that pay more if the quality is terrible. It is likely your rating will drop and the jobs available to you will decrease. (5) Complete tasks immediately after taking them because other files from the same audio clip may be still available.
Pros
- Easy user interface. Website is easy to navigate.
- Jobs have clear instructions and usually decent audio quality.
- Payment is quick and has a clear procedure.
Cons
- Hard to clarify doubts in certain cases, the website encourages taking a guess which is considerably riskier.
France (3/5)
- From: Philippines
- Age: 18
- User for: 1.5 months
- Total earned: $29.04
- Avg. $/hour: $1
- Avg. $/month: $20
- Receives work: Almost always
- Time to first withdrawal: 5 days
Overall thoughts? At the end of the day, GoTranscript is a legitimate and reliable way to earn money. Atrocious as the rates may be, for those of us with little to no alternative options, making some money is better than none at all. Overall, there are just enough pros to outweigh the cons.
Would you recommend it to others? I’ve actually recommended GoTranscript to a few of my friends (who are students, just like me) and they’ve made money out of it as well. For those who are looking for low-effort, high-reward methods to earning money, I wouldn’t recommend it. This is pretty much the exact opposite of that. For what it’s worth though, I don’t think it would hurt to send in an application; who knows? You might luck out.
How's the user experience? Their built-in transcription tool can get quite buggy. There have been times when the transcription tool hasn't saved my progress.
Any safety concerns? None from me.
Positive Reviews
- “I've been working for this company for a few days, it's been a good time, plus I'm making some good money these days, pretty good service” – User from Ecuador
- “Lots of audio to transcribe, editors mark your work fairly. Audio qualities do vary, but you can select the recording that's easiest for you to transcribe.”
- “Easy job to make some side money. You can work at any time, so it is flexible. It is a job for improvement. You do not need a degree but good English skills.”
Average Reviews
- “I've been working as a freelancer for [GoTranscript] for a month and I find it to be an easy and entertaining job overall. However, if you live in the United States the pay rate is surprisingly low.”
- “Good pay [with no experience required]. Not easy to maintain the 3.6+ rating.”
Negative Reviews
- “They don't pay. Now, when I try to cash out, it is not possible. The audio is the cheapest ever seen, and they pay cents, or actually to be honest they don't pay at all because after you finish work they will find hundreds of reasons [to not pay you]. They might say: you didn't bold some words, so you won't be paid. Or they can just send a message that took back the audio after you have done all the work… Even if you need some pocket money, don't waste time on this site… because they are not going to pay you.” – User from Moldova
- “The worst company for the employees. Treats their worker like dogs. Not a good [hourly rate]. No support. They're there to only fill their own pocket” – User from Bangladesh
- “The pay is low for transcriptionists. They pay higher for editors but I haven't passed that test yet.”
Summary
Here are the aggregate ratings for GoTranscript at the time of writing:
- Glassdoor – 174 reviews, 4.1/5.
- Trustpilot – 572 reviews, 4.5/5 (note: many of these reviews were from customers, not freelancers)
- Indeed – 27 reviews, 3.4/5.
Overall, people enjoy the flexibility, work volume, and beginner-friendliness of GoTranscript, but the low pay, bad quality audio files (although this is just a part of being a transcriber), and strict rating system are commonly mentioned on the cons side of things.
One strange thing I noticed while going through their Trustpilot reviews were a lot of short, one-sentence 5-star reviews — many seeming to be copy/pastes of each other. That's pretty sus.
Note: Want to help? If you're a GoTranscript freelancer, leave a review below!
Is GoTranscript Worth It?
If you're looking to get a taste of what transcription work is like and you don't care how much you're getting paid, GoTranscript might be worth it. They hire worldwide, don't require previous experience, provide an easy-to-use platform, and they'll give you feedback on your work. Good for training.
On the other hand:
If you're looking for a decent online job that pays you what you're worth, GoTranscript is definitely not worth it. The work is difficult and time-consuming but pays terribly. You're better off trying alternative options.
Tip: Want to learn more about transcription before making any moves? Take this free transcription mini-course.
How to Get Started + Tips and Notes
If you still want to give GoTranscript a shot, getting started is easy. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1. Apply for a transcriptionist position
Here's the application page. Pick your desired language and create an account.
Note: You can only have one account per IP address. That means if someone else in your house is working for GoTranscript, you probably won't be able to.
Next, just follow the instructions that they lay out. Take the test carefully and read the guidelines to make sure you don't make any mistakes.
You'll need at least 95% accuracy to pass. Don't worry too much though, you can re-take the test if you fail the first time.
Once you're done, it's waiting time. It can take up to 60 days to receive your test results.
Step 2. Fill out your profile and payment info
If you're accepted, fill out your profile to make sure you get paid on time!
Step 3. Start transcribing
Once you’ve been accepted as a transcriptionist, you’ll find a new tab called “Work” at the top of your screen.
Here, you can view which audio files are available for transcription, as well as your stats (ratings from editors), earnings for each file, and more.
On some audio files, they’ll attach a comment with specific requirements, like if they’re looking for someone who specializes in legal transcription. Be sure to read everything carefully before taking a job.
Tips:
- Carefully listen to the audio sample before transcribing – Make sure you can actually decipher what they’re saying. Sometimes the pay just isn’t worth the extra effort. Remember, your rating needs to stay above 3.6 as well to avoid getting terminated.
- Try the 5-minute audio files – They typically pay a little more ($1.33 for 5 minutes vs $2.33 for 10 minutes) per audio minute.
Once you're ready to start transcribing a file, claim it with the “Make my job” button. This will bring you to the transcription tool:
Tips:
- Learn and use the keyboard shortcuts – Within the GoTranscript transcription tool, you can transcribe way more efficiently using their keyboard shortcuts! You can customize them as well to your liking. This makes timestamping and noting speaker changes much breezier.
- Use a foot pedal (if accessible) – Foot pedals are compatible with the GoTranscript transcription tool and help when it comes to pausing and playing your audio file hands-free. One less keyboard shortcut to worry about!
Step 4. Withdraw your earnings
After you've completed some files and earned a bit of moolah, once Friday rolls around you'll receive an email letting you know your payment has been generated.
Head over to your ‘Stats' page to request a withdrawal and you should receive it within a couple of days.
(Optional) Step 5. Apply for an editor position
This is going to be down the line, but, as mentioned above, transcriptionists on GoTranscript who turn in consistently high-quality work may get the opportunity to apply as an editor.
The only requirements for this position are:
- A minimum average rating of 4.5 (which is actually quite tough to reach)
- A record of at least 20 transcriptions.
Once you’ve unlocked that metric, you can apply by heading over to your dashboard and checking if you’re qualified to apply as an editor. The test job resembles the initial transcriptionist test, except this time you have to look over the provided transcription and revise as needed.
GoTranscript Alternatives and Similar Opportunities
For more opportunities like GoTranscript, check out all of these Beginner Transcription Jobs from Home.
For other money-making opportunities and ideas, check out these guides:
- Paid usability testing sites – Full list of sites that pay you to test websites and apps.
- Micro job sites – Full list of sites offering paid tasks and other small jobs.
- Paid survey sites – Full list of the top survey sites.
- GPT (Get Paid To) Sites – Ultimate list of sites that will pay you to do a variety of tasks.
- Focus groups – These offer some high payouts for easy work but they're infrequent. Try Respondent.io or User Interviews.
- Ways to make extra money – Tons of other ideas on how to make extra cash on the side!
Want to work from home full-time? Read my guide on how to start working from home.
Final Thoughts
Hope you found this review helpful. If you did, please consider sharing it!
If you've freelanced for GoTranscript before, please click here to leave your own short GoTranscript review (or thoughts/feedback) in the comments. Thanks! It helps a lot.
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