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 |
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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
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GoTranscript: Pay-as-you-go, starting at €0.87/min. No subscriptions, no hidden fees. Includes proofreading.
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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
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GoTranscript: 6–24 hours for standard delivery, with a 6-hour express option for short files.
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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
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GoTranscript: Transcribes and translates in 60+ languages, with support for subtitles and captions.
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Descript: Currently supports English only for transcription and editing features.
Need multilingual support? GoTranscript is the only choice.
Privacy & Security
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GoTranscript: HIPAA & GDPR compliant, with files split between transcribers to protect privacy. NDAs in place.
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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
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GoTranscript: Focused on professional transcription and localization (translations, captions, subtitles), plus integrations with Zapier and API.
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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 |
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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:
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Human-level accuracy with no editing required
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Support for 60+ languages, subtitles, and translations
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Secure handling of sensitive content
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Polished transcripts for business, academic, or legal use
👉 Place Your Order with GoTranscript
Choose Descript if you want:
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Real-time transcription for audio/video editing
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A single tool for podcasting or content creation
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Built-in editing, screen recording, and voiceover tools
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?
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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.
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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:
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Up to 99.4% accuracy
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Over 60 supported languages
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HIPAA & GDPR compliance
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Built-in human proofreading
And with no subscriptions, you only pay when you need to.