Skip to content
iScribe vs CaptionMate: Which App Is Better for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users? (2026)
If you have hearing loss, you have probably come across both CaptionMate and iScribe.
Both apps help deaf and hard of hearing people understand spoken words. But they were built for completely different situations.
Before you download either one, this guide will tell you exactly what each app does, what it costs, who it works for – and which one you actually need.
- Written by: karishma Rautela
- Review by: Mahipal Dosad
CaptionMate vs iScribe - Full Comparison Table
| Feature | CaptionMate | iScribe |
|---|---|---|
| Captions phone calls | Yes | No |
| Captions in-person conversations | No | Yes |
| Live real-time captions | Yes | Yes |
| AI summary of conversation | No | Yes |
| Languages supported | 100+ | 100+ |
| Flip screen mode | No | Yes |
| Captioned voicemail | Yes | No |
| Upload audio files | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth hearing aid support | Yes | yes |
| Export transcripts | yes | Yes |
| Emergency 911 captions | Yes | No |
| Price | Free (FCC-funded, US only) | 7-day free trial, then subscription |
| Works outside US | No | Yes |
What is CaptionMate?
CaptionMate is a free app that puts real-time captions on your phone calls.
When someone calls you – or you call them – CaptionMate shows you the other person’s words on your screen as they speak. You read the captions instead of struggling to hear.
CaptionMate is certified and funded by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). That means it is completely free for people with hearing loss in the United States.
One important thing to know: In November 2024, CaptionMate was acquired by InnoCaption. CaptionMate continues to operate as a standalone app, now supported by the InnoCaption team.
What CaptionMate Can Do
- Real-time captions for phone calls – both incoming and outgoing
- Captions both sides of the call – read what you say and what they say
- AI-powered captioning – fully private, no human operators listening
- Keep your current phone number with call forwarding
- Supports over 150 languages – one of the widest ranges available
- Customizable font sizes, colors, and contrast for easier reading
- Access past call transcripts and voicemail anytime
- Read captioned voicemail messages
- Works on iPhone, Android, tablet, and desktop
- Compatible with Bluetooth hearing aids and cochlear implants
- Spam call filter built in
- Emergency 911 calls with captions
CaptionMate Pricing
Free. For eligible users with hearing loss in the United States.
CaptionMate is funded by the FCC’s Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund. You register and self-certify that you have hearing loss. No doctor’s note needed. No monthly fee.
What is iScribe?
iScribe is a live transcription app for in-person conversations.
When someone is talking to you in the same room – a teacher, a doctor, a friend at a café – iScribe puts their words on your iPhone or iPad screen in real time.
It was built specifically for deaf and hard of hearing people who need to follow what is being said face-to-face, in meetings, in classrooms, or anywhere in person.
What iScribe Can Do
- Live captions for in-person conversations – words appear as someone speaks
- No time limit – runs as long as the conversation goes
- AI summary after every session – key points, decisions, and action items
- Supports 100+ languages
- Flip screen – rotate text 180 degrees so the person across from you can read it
- Big, adjustable text – change font size, color, and contrast
- Save and export transcripts to PDF, text, or any app
- Upload audio and video files for full transcription with AI analysis
- Works on iPhone and iPad
iScribe – Important Limitation
iScribe requires an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to transcribe. It does not work offline. If you are somewhere with no signal, iScribe will not be able to generate captions.
iScribe Pricing
iScribe offers a 3-day free trial with full access to all features.
After the trial, a subscription is required. Plans are available weekly and annually. Learn more at livetranscribe.pro.
The Core Difference Between CaptionMate and iScribe
This is the most important thing to understand before choosing either app: CaptionMate captions your phone calls. iScribe captions in-person conversations.
They were built for different situations. They do not compete with each other – they cover different parts of your daily communication needs.
CaptionMate answers the question: “How do I understand what someone is saying on the phone?”
iScribe answers the question: “How do I understand what someone is saying right in front of me?”
Where CaptionMate Wins
Phone Call Captions – CaptionMate Wins
This is what CaptionMate was built for.
When you make or receive a phone call, CaptionMate shows you real-time captions of what the other person is saying. You can also see captions of your own words – making it easy to review the full conversation later.
iScribe cannot caption phone calls. It only works through your device’s microphone for in-person audio.
Price – CaptionMate Wins
CaptionMate is completely free for eligible users with hearing loss in the United States. iScribe requires a subscription after the free trial.
If you are in the US and budget matters, CaptionMate costs nothing.
More Languages for Call Captioning – CaptionMate Wins
CaptionMate supports over 150 languages for call captioning – including Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, French, and many more. You can even change the app interface language to Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese.
This makes CaptionMate one of the most multilingual call captioning apps available anywhere.
Captions Both Sides of the Call – CaptionMate Wins
CaptionMate captions both what the other person says and what you say. You can read the full conversation on screen, not just one side.
This makes reviewing transcripts after a call much more useful – you have the complete picture.
Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Compatibility – CaptionMate Wins
CaptionMate streams call audio directly to Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants.
You can read captions on screen while listening through your hearing device at the same time. iScribe does not have this kind of integration.
Where iScribe Wins
In-Person Conversations – iScribe Wins
You are in class. Your teacher is speaking. You are at a doctor’s appointment. A colleague is explaining a project.
CaptionMate cannot help here. It only works for phone calls.
iScribe shows live captions of everything said in the room – instantly, as words are spoken. This is what most deaf and hard of hearing people need most in daily life, and iScribe does it better than any other iPhone app.
AI Summary – iScribe Wins
After every conversation, iScribe gives you an AI-powered summary. It pulls out the key points, main decisions, and important action items automatically.
CaptionMate saves call transcripts, but it does not give you an intelligent summary. You have to read through the whole transcript yourself.
For a long doctor’s appointment or a 90-minute lecture, iScribe’s summary saves a lot of time.
Flip Screen for Face-to-Face Communication – iScribe Wins
iScribe has a flip screen button. Tap it – the text on your phone rotates 180 degrees so the person sitting across from you can read it directly.
This makes face-to-face conversations natural. At a pharmacy. At the bank. At a restaurant. Anywhere you talk to someone in person.
CaptionMate has no flip screen. It was not built for face-to-face situations.
Upload Audio and Video Files – iScribe Wins
iScribe lets you upload any audio or video file and receive a full transcript with an AI summary.
This is useful for reviewing recorded lectures, transcribing a meeting you missed, or getting key points from any audio content.
CaptionMate does not transcribe uploaded files.
Works Outside the United States – iScribe Wins
CaptionMate is only available to US residents with hearing loss. It is funded by a US federal program.
iScribe works everywhere in the world. No registration. No eligibility criteria. Just download and start using it.
Real-Life Scenarios - Which App Do You Need?
Scenario 1: Calling the Insurance Company
You need to call your insurance company. The representative is explaining your coverage. You need to follow every word.
Use CaptionMate. Real-time captions of the call appear as the representative speaks. You can review the full transcript afterward to check the details.
iScribe cannot caption phone calls.
Scenario 2: At the Doctor’s Office – In Person
Your doctor is explaining test results and next steps. You need to understand everything right now, in the room.
Use iScribe. Live captions appear as the doctor speaks. Use the flip screen so the doctor can see your typed responses. The AI summary gives you a clear recap to share with family after.
CaptionMate will not work here – it only captions phone calls.
Scenario 3: A 90-Minute University Lecture
Your professor talks for 90 minutes. You need to follow along and have notes to study later.
Use iScribe. Unlimited live captions throughout the lecture. AI summary of key topics at the end. Save and share the transcript. Works as long as you have mobile data or campus Wi-Fi.
CaptionMate cannot caption in-person lectures.
Scenario 4: A Video Conference Call from Home
You have a work video call and need captions to follow the meeting.
Use CaptionMate. It works on your desktop browser and can caption video conference calls alongside your phone. You can stream audio to your hearing aids at the same time.
iScribe can pick up audio from the room through your phone’s microphone, but it is not designed for this type of use and will not be as reliable.
Scenario 5: Travelling Internationally
You are in another country and need to caption an in-person conversation. There is no Wi-Fi where you are.
Neither app will work offline – both require an internet connection. In this situation, you would need a different solution. For in-person conversations when you do have a signal, iScribe works internationally. CaptionMate is US-only.
Do You Need Both Apps?
Many deaf and hard of hearing people use both CaptionMate and iScribe – because they solve different problems.
CaptionMate handles your phone calls. iScribe handles in-person conversations – classes, appointments, meetings, and everyday face-to-face communication.
They do not overlap. They work together.
CaptionMate = captions on the phone. iScribe = captions in the room.
Together they cover the two biggest communication challenges deaf and hard of hearing people face every day. You can also explore more options in our full guide:
| Apple Voice Memos vs iScribe | Click |
|---|---|
| Best Google Live Transcribe iPhone Alternative | Click |
| Best Speech to Text App for Deaf Students | Click |
| Deaf Culture and Hearing Culture: Key Differences | Click |
| Complete Lip Reading Guide | Click |
| Hard of Hearing vs. Deaf | Click |
| How to Convert iPhone Voice Memo to Text | Click |
| Ava Alternative for Deaf Students | Click |
| Best Otter AI Alternative for Live Transcribe | Click |
How to Get Started with iScribe
Getting started takes about two minutes:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone
- Search for “iScribe“
- Download and open the app
- Start your 7-day free trial
- Tap record – and start reading
That’s it. No complicated setup. No connecting devices. One tap and the captions start appearing.
The Bottom Line
CaptionMate and iScribe both help deaf and hard of hearing people follow spoken conversations. But they work in very different places.
Need to understand phone calls? Use CaptionMate. It is free, private, supports 150+ languages, and is built for exactly this purpose.
Need to understand people in the room? Use iScribe. Live captions, AI summaries, flip screen, 100+ languages. Built for doctor visits, classrooms, meetings, and everyday in-person communication.
Both apps require an internet connection to work. Neither works offline. Most people need both.
Ready to try iScribe for in-person conversations? Download iScribe free for 3 days – full access, no commitment. Tap record and start following every conversation clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CaptionMate?
CaptionMate is a free app that captions phone calls in real time for people with hearing loss. It is FCC-certified and available at no cost to eligible users in the United States. In November 2024, CaptionMate was acquired by InnoCaption and continues to operate as a standalone service.
Is CaptionMate free?
Yes. CaptionMate is completely free for people with hearing loss in the United States. It is funded by the FCC’s Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund. No doctor’s note is needed – you self-certify your hearing loss during registration.
Does CaptionMate work outside the US?
No. CaptionMate is only available to US residents with hearing loss. It is a federally funded service.
Can CaptionMate caption in-person conversations?
No. CaptionMate captions phone calls only. For in-person conversations, you need a live transcription app like iScribe.
Did InnoCaption buy CaptionMate?
Yes. InnoCaption acquired CaptionMate in November 2024. CaptionMate continues to operate as a standalone app, now supported by the InnoCaption team. Both apps are FCC-certified and free for eligible US users with hearing loss.
What is iScribe?
iScribe (also called Live Transcribe Pro) is a live transcription app for iPhone and iPad. It captions in-person conversations in real time, supports 100+ languages, generates AI summaries, and has a flip screen for face-to-face use. It was built for deaf and hard of hearing users.
Which is better - CaptionMate or iScribe?
They serve completely different needs. CaptionMate is better for captioning phone calls, and it is free in the US. iScribe is better for live in-person conversations at doctor’s visits, classes, meetings, and everyday face-to-face situations. Most deaf users benefit from using both. Read more about how iScribe helps deaf users.
How do I start using iScribe?
Download iScribe from the App Store. Start your 7-day free trial. Tap record and begin your first live transcription. No registration or setup required.
