PlainScribe vs Otter: Which Transcription Tool Fits Your Workflow?

Choosing between transcription tools is less about brand names and more about workflow fit. This comparison helps you decide based on how you work and what you need the output to do.

TL;DR

• Pick the tool that matches your workflow: meetings vs file-based transcription.
• Look for the right export formats if you need captions or documents.
• If you want pay-as-you-go transcription with translation and summaries, PlainScribe is a strong option.

What to compare

Use this checklist to compare tools on the things that matter most:

| Criterion | What to check | Why it matters | | --- | --- | --- | | Input type | Live meetings vs uploaded files | Different tools optimize for different sources | | Output formats | TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT | Captions and docs require specific exports | | Language support | Transcription and translation | Multilingual teams need coverage | | Workflow | Upload -> transcribe -> edit | Simpler flows save time | | Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go vs subscription | Cost predictability | | Collaboration | Sharing, comments, exports | Team usage impacts workflow |

When PlainScribe is a good fit

PlainScribe makes the most sense if you:

• Prefer a pay-as-you-go model
• Work primarily with uploaded audio or video files
• Need translation or summaries alongside transcripts
• Want quick exports for captions and documents

When a meeting-first tool might fit better

If your workflow is centered on live meetings and real-time notes, consider a meeting-first transcription tool. These are often built around calendars, live capture, and post-meeting summaries.

A practical decision flow

1. Are you transcribing live meetings or uploaded files?
2. Do you need captions (SRT/VTT) or only notes?
3. Do you need translation or summaries?
4. How do you prefer to pay: usage-based or subscription?

FAQs

Is one tool more accurate than the other?
Accuracy depends on audio quality and the specific model used. Always test with your own audio.

Can I use both?
Yes. Some teams use one tool for meetings and another for file-based transcription and captions.

Do I need captions or just text?
If you publish video, captions are essential. Choose a tool that exports SRT or VTT.

Summary

Pick the tool that matches how you work. If you need file uploads, translation, summaries, and pay-as-you-go pricing, PlainScribe is designed for that workflow.