Everything You Need to Know When Choosing Between GoTranscript and Descript

Christopher Nguyen

Posted in Zoom Jul 6 · 9 Jul, 2025

Everything You Need to Know When Choosing Between GoTranscript and Descript

When it comes to transcription, video editing, and podcast production, two names often come up: GoTranscript and Descript. While both services offer transcription, they cater to very different types of users. This breakdown will help you choose the right tool depending on whether you want production flexibility or ready-to-use professional transcripts.

At-a-Glance Services

Feature	GoTranscript	Descript
Transcription Type	100% human-made, QA-reviewed (up to 99.4% accuracy)	AI-generated transcription (85–90% accuracy)
Price	From €0.87/min, no subscription, free proofreading included	Free tier available; paid plans start at $12/month(Creator)
Turnaround Time	Standard: 6–24 hours; Express: under 6 hours	Instant transcription for most files
Language Support	60+ languages, plus translation, captions, subtitles	English only
Proofreading	Included, done by humans	User edits required; no human proofreading
Security & Privacy	HIPAA, GDPR compliant, NDA-backed, file splitting for confidentiality	Standard cloud protection, no HIPAA compliance
Additional Features	Translations, captions, subtitle formatting, Zapier/API integrations	Video editing, screen recording, overdub, collaboration tools
Ideal For	Businesses, researchers, legal, medical, multilingual content	Creators, podcasters, video editors looking for a do-it-all platform

Accuracy & Quality

GoTranscript delivers 99%+ accuracy, thanks to real human transcribers and a four-step quality assurance process. It’s ideal for legal, medical, research, or client-facing use.

Descript uses AI to automatically generate transcripts. While fast, the accuracy (~85–90%) depends heavily on audio clarity and speaker quality. Editing and correction are left to the user.

Bottom line: GoTranscript is for final delivery-ready text, while Descript is better for in-progress content editing.

Pricing

GoTranscript: Pay-as-you-go, starting at €0.87/min. No subscriptions, no hidden fees. Includes proofreading.
Descript: Free tier includes transcription (with limits). Paid plans start at $12/month, but all transcription is automated.

Best value?
If you need precise transcripts without spending time on corrections, GoTranscript offers better ROI. For those who transcribe regularly for content creation and don’t mind editing errors, Descript's subscription model can work.

Turnaround Time

GoTranscript: 6–24 hours for standard delivery, with a 6-hour express option for short files.
Descript: Offers instant AI transcription, making it perfect for fast edits or live feedback.

Verdict: Descript is faster. GoTranscript is far more accurate.

Language Support

GoTranscript: Transcribes and translates in 60+ languages, with support for subtitles and captions.
Descript: Currently supports English only for transcription and editing features.

Need multilingual support? GoTranscript is the only choice.

Privacy & Security

GoTranscript: HIPAA & GDPR compliant, with files split between transcribers to protect privacy. NDAs in place.
Descript: Offers standard cloud-level data protection, but not suitable for sensitive or regulated content.

If you work with confidential material (medical, legal, corporate), GoTranscript is the safer option.

Additional Features

GoTranscript: Focused on professional transcription and localization (translations, captions, subtitles), plus integrations with Zapier and API.
Descript: Combines transcription with a full video/audio editing suite, including screen recording, multitrack editing, filler word removal, and voice cloning via “Overdub.”

Descript stands out for creators needing a production workspace, while GoTranscript focuses on perfected written content.

GoTranscript vs Descript: Final Comparison

Feature	GoTranscript	Descript
Accuracy	~99.4%, human-made	~85–90%, AI-generated
Pricing	€0.87/min, no subscription	Free + from $12/month
Turnaround	6–24 h, with express in 6 h	Instant
Language Support	60+ languages	English only
Proofreading	Included	Manual edits by user
Security	HIPAA, GDPR, NDAs	No HIPAA compliance
Extra Tools	Captions, subtitles, translations	Video/audio editing, screen recording
Best for	Enterprise, legal, medical, multilingual	Podcasters, video editors, content creators

Which Should You Choose?

Choose GoTranscript if you need:

Human-level accuracy with no editing required
Support for 60+ languages, subtitles, and translations
Secure handling of sensitive content
Polished transcripts for business, academic, or legal use

👉 Place Your Order with GoTranscript

Choose Descript if you want:

Real-time transcription for audio/video editing
A single tool for podcasting or content creation
Built-in editing, screen recording, and voiceover tools

🔗 Try Descript – Sign Up

Conclusion: A Smart Choice for Your Transcription Needs

When deciding between GoTranscript and Descript, it comes down to one key question:
Do you want production flexibility or publishing-ready accuracy?

If you're a content creator, podcaster, or editor who needs fast, AI-generated transcripts paired with built-in editing tools, Descript is an impressive all-in-one platform. It's ideal for rough cuts, drafts, and internal workflows where minor transcription errors are acceptable.
But if you're a business, legal team, researcher, or academic needing 100% human-made transcripts you can trust—especially for publishing, compliance, or multilingual use—GoTranscript is your best choice.

It offers: