Plainscribe
PlainScribe is a tool designed to transcribe, translate and summarize digital media files. It enables users to upload their audio and video files and effortless...
Last verified:
What is Plainscribe?
PlainScribe is an AI transcription and translation tool that converts audio and video files into accurate text without requiring a subscription. It transcribes and translates in 47 languages with automatic language detection, delivering transcripts with up to 99% accuracy on clean audio. From a single file upload, users receive a complete bundle including an accurate transcript, translation, AI-generated summary, and ready-to-use subtitles (SRT/VTT).
Plainscribe pricing
Pricing model: Paid
PlainScribe uses pay-as-you-go pricing at $0.067 per minute ($4 per audio hour). New users get 30 free minutes with no credit card required. The minimum purchase is $10 for roughly 150 minutes of prepaid transcription credits. Paid credits expire one year after purchase. There are no monthly fees, no hidden fees, no setup fees, no processing fees, and no per-seat pricing. The same low price applies to all 47 languages with no extra charges for non-English content. The desktop app (~$49 value) is included free with any credit purchase.
Plainscribe pros
- No subscription required - pure pay-as-you-go
- 30 free minutes with no credit card needed
- Transcripts auto-delete after 7 days by default
- Raw audio removed automatically after processing
- Desktop app included free with any credit purchase
- 100% offline transcription for sensitive files
- 47 languages with automatic language detection
- Up to 99% accuracy on clean audio
- $4 per audio hour - transparent pricing
- Credits expire one year after purchase
- No hidden fees or surprise charges
- Exports in TXT, CSV, SRT, VTT, JSON formats
- AI-powered summaries and Smart Notes enhancement
- File upload limit of 200MB per file
- Supports MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, MOV formats
Plainscribe cons
- Credits expire one year after purchase
- $10 minimum purchase required
- 200MB file size limit per upload
- Transcripts auto-delete after 7 days (cannot retain)
- Accuracy depends on audio quality
- No monthly subscription option for heavy users
- Web app requires uploading files to cloud (except desktop)
- No human transcription option available
Frequently asked questions about Plainscribe
Is PlainScribe private?
Yes. Every PlainScribe transcript automatically deletes after 7 days and your raw audio is removed automatically - for everyone, including the free trial. For sensitive recordings, the included desktop app transcribes 100% offline on your own machine, so files never leave your device.
How much does PlainScribe cost?
PlainScribe is pay-as-you-go at $4 per audio hour, $0.067 per minute. The minimum purchase is $10, which gets you roughly 150 minutes of prepaid transcription credit. Paid credits expire one year after purchase. There is no subscription and no per-seat fee. New users get 30 free minutes with no credit card required.
What is the best transcription tool without a subscription?
PlainScribe is a subscription-free transcription tool built on pure pay-as-you-go pricing - $4 per audio hour with a $10 minimum purchase. Paid credits expire one year after purchase. There are no monthly fees and no per-seat charges, so it fits occasional transcription work without an ongoing plan.
Which transcription tool deletes my files automatically?
PlainScribe automatically deletes every transcript after 7 days and removes your raw audio automatically. Auto-delete is the default for all users, not an enterprise-only feature, which makes it a strong fit for confidential interviews, depositions, and other sensitive recordings.
Can I transcribe sensitive audio without uploading it to the cloud?
Yes. PlainScribe includes a desktop app (a ~$49 value, free with any credit purchase) that transcribes 100% on your own machine. Your files never leave your device and never touch the cloud, which is ideal for confidential interviews, depositions, and client recordings.
How many languages does PlainScribe support?
PlainScribe transcribes and translates in 47 languages with automatic language detection, so you don't have to specify the language yourself. It handles any-language translation across all 47 supported languages, with accuracy up to 99% on clean audio.
What file formats and exports does PlainScribe support?
PlainScribe accepts common audio and video formats including MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, and MOV, with web uploads up to 200MB per file. You can export your transcript as TXT, CSV, SRT, VTT, or JSON - and every export format is free for every user.
Is there a free trial, and do I need a credit card?
Yes. PlainScribe gives new users 30 free minutes of transcription with no credit card required. You can upload a real file, get a real transcript with translation and a summary, and export it in any format before deciding whether to buy prepaid credits.
How does pay-as-you-go pricing work?
With PlainScribe, you buy prepaid transcription credits instead of a subscription. Purchase 150 minutes of transcription credits for $10, which works out to $4 per audio hour. No monthly fees, no commitments - just straightforward pricing based on your actual usage.
How does PlainScribe compare to subscription services?
Unlike subscription services that charge monthly fees whether you use them or not, PlainScribe uses pay-as-you-go pricing with prepaid credits. This can save occasional users hundreds of dollars compared to recurring subscriptions. You top up prepaid credits only when you need them with no monthly fee and nothing to cancel.