iTranscribe App vs iScribe: Which Is the Best Transcription App for iPhone?
Both apps promise to turn your iPhone into a real-time transcription machine. Both offer live captions, audio file uploads, multi-language support, and a 3-day free trial.
So which one actually delivers – and for whom?
This comparison breaks down iScribe and iTranscribe side by side across every factor that matters: accuracy, languages, accessibility, AI features, design, and pricing. By the end, you’ll know exactly which app belongs on your iPhone.
- Written by: karishma Rautela
- Review by: Mahipal Dosad
iTranscribe App vs iScribe - Quick Comparison
| Feature | iTranscribe | iScribe |
|---|---|---|
| Live captions | ✅ (10 min free) | ✅ Unlimited |
| AI summary | ❌ | ✅ |
| Languages | 71 | 100+ |
| Works offline | ❌ | ✅ |
| Flip screen | ❌ | ✅ |
| Translate text | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upload audio files | ✅ | ✅ |
| SRT subtitle export | ✅ | ❌ |
| Built for deaf/HoH users | Partly | ✅ |
| Free trial | 3 days | 7 days |
What is the iTranscribe App?
iTranscribe – Audio to Text is a voice recorder and transcription app for iPhone. It was made by Youdao (Hong Kong) Limited.
Here’s what the iTranscribe app does:
- Records your voice with one tap
- Turns speech into text in real time
- Translates your transcript into another language
- Lets you search for any word inside your notes
- Uploads old audio files and turns them into text fast
- Exports your transcript as TXT, SRT, or audio
- Supports 71 languages
The iTranscribe app is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can download it free from the App Store.
But here’s the thing – the free version has limits. Most of the useful features need a paid subscription.
iTranscribe Pricing – What Does It Cost?
The iTranscribe app is free to download. But live transcription beyond 10 minutes needs a paid plan.
Here’s how iTranscribe pricing works:
Free Plan:
- Basic voice recording
- Simple playback and speed control
- Manage and share recordings
- Search inside notes
- Live transcription: limited to 10 minutes
Premium Plan (Subscription Required):
- Live transcription with no time limit
- Upload and transcribe audio files
- Real-time translation
- Fast transcription – 60 min of audio in under 5 minutes
- Export as TXT, SRT, and more
- Live captioning for accessibility
iTranscribe pricing uses a 3-day free trial – after that, you are charged automatically. The subscription renews weekly or yearly depending on which plan you picked.
Important: Deleting the app does NOT cancel your subscription. You must cancel it manually before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
How to Cancel iTranscribe Subscription (Step-by-Step)
A lot of people search for “how to cancel iTranscribe” because the app keeps charging after the free trial.
Here are the exact steps to cancel your iTranscribe subscription on iPhone:
Method 1 – Cancel Through iPhone Settings (Easiest Way)
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone
- Tap your name at the top
- Tap Subscriptions
- Find iTranscribe in the list
- Tap it
- Tap Cancel Subscription
- Confirm the cancellation
That’s it. Your subscription will stop at the end of the current billing period. You won’t be charged again.
Method 2 – Cancel Through the App Store
- Open the App Store
- Tap your profile picture in the top right
- Tap Subscriptions
- Find iTranscribe
- Tap Cancel Subscription
Important Things to Know
- Canceling does not give a refund. Your access continues until the end of the period you paid for.
- Deleting the app will NOT stop the charges. You must cancel in Settings.
- If you don’t see a “Cancel” button, it may already be canceled. You’ll see an “Expires on” date instead.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before your trial ends to avoid being charged.
Is iTranscribe One of the Best Transcription Apps for iPhone?
The iTranscribe app does a lot of things well. It’s one of the more popular transcription apps on the iPhone.
Here’s what it does better than most:
- Real-time translation – translate as you speak
- Fast file upload – 60 minutes of audio transcribed in under 5 minutes
- SRT export – great for making video subtitles
- 71 languages – covers most major languages
But here’s where iTranscribe falls short:
- 10-minute cap on free live transcription – cuts off mid-conversation
- No AI summary – you get a wall of text, nothing more
- No offline mode – needs internet to work
- No flip screen – can’t show your phone to someone else easily
- Not built for deaf or hard of hearing users
So – is iTranscribe one of the best transcription apps for the iPhone?
It’s good. But it’s not the best for everyone. Especially not for people who need live captions every day.
Meet iScribe - A Better Alternative for iPhone
If you’ve been looking at the iTranscribe app, you should also look at iScribe.
iScribe is a transcription app built specifically for iPhone and iPad. It was designed for deaf and hard of hearing people – but it works great for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to understand spoken words fast.
Here’s what makes iScribe stand out as one of the best transcription apps for iPhone:
Live Captions – No Time Limit
iScribe shows text on your screen as someone speaks. Word by word. In real time.
And it never cuts off. No 10-minute limit. No paywall mid-conversation.
Whether your meeting is 15 minutes or 2 hours – iScribe keeps going.
AI Summary After Every Conversation
When the conversation ends, iScribe gives you a smart summary.
It shows you:
- The main topics
- Important decisions
- Key action items
You don’t have to read the whole transcript. iScribe reads it for you. That’s something the iTranscribe app simply cannot do.
100+ Languages
iScribe supports over 100 languages – more than iTranscribe’s 71.
If your language isn’t on iTranscribe’s list, chances are iScribe has it.
Flip Screen
iScribe has a flip screen button. One tap and the text flips upside down – so the person sitting across from you can read it.
This is huge for face-to-face conversations. At a pharmacy. At the bank. Ordering food. Talking with a new friend.
The iTranscribe app doesn’t have this feature at all.
Big, Clear, Readable Text
iScribe lets you make the text as big as you want. You can change the colors, the contrast, and the font style.
This was designed for people with low vision and hearing loss. It’s easy to read in bright sunlight or a dark room.
Save and Share Anytime
Save your transcript as a PDF or text file. Share it to any app – Notes, WhatsApp, email, anything.
This is useful for:
- Sharing doctor visit notes with family
- Sending meeting summaries to teammates
- Keeping a record of important conversations
iScribe Pricing – What Does It Cost?
Just like iTranscribe pricing, iScribe offers two flexible subscription plans designed for different user needs:
- Weekly Plan: Priced at $7.99 and includes a 3-day free trial
- Yearly Plan: Available at $49.99 after a 28% discount, with a 7-day free trial
- Both plans include 3 free transcriptions per day for users
During the trial, you get full access to everything – live captions, AI summaries, offline mode, flip screen, all of it.
After the trial, a subscription is required to keep using the premium features.
How to Cancel iScribe Subscription
Canceling iScribe works the same way as canceling iTranscribe:
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Tap your name
- Tap Subscriptions
- Find iScribe
- Tap Cancel Subscription
- Confirm
Same rules apply – cancel at least 24 hours before your trial ends. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription.
Which One Should You Pick?
Pick iTranscribe if you:
- Need to translate between languages in real time
- Make YouTube videos and need SRT subtitle files
- Upload pre-recorded audio files for fast turnaround
- Are a journalist, lawyer, or researcher
Pick iScribe if you:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing and need live captions daily
- Need captions that never cut off – not after 10 minutes
- Want an AI summary to save time after long conversations
- Need your app to work without internet
- Talk face-to-face and want to use the flip screen
- Speak a language not covered by iTranscribe
iScribe is the stronger choice for anyone who needs reliable live transcription for hearing loss or daily accessibility. You can also read more about how iScribe compares to other top transcription apps.
The Bottom Line
The iTranscribe app is a solid tool. It records, transcribes, and translates. It’s good for journalists, researchers, and video creators.
But if you need an app for real daily conversations – one that never cuts off, works without Wi-Fi, and actually explains what was said – iScribe is the better pick.
And if you need to cancel? Simple. Go to Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions and cancel from there. Remember: deleting the app does not stop the charges.
Ready to try the better option?
Download iScribe free for 3 days – full access, no credit card tricks. See for yourself why it’s rated one of the best transcription apps for the iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the iTranscribe app?
iTranscribe – Audio to Text is a voice recorder and transcription app for iPhone and iPad. It can record your voice, turn speech into text in real time, translate transcripts, and upload audio files. It supports 71 languages and is free to download, but most features need a paid subscription.
How do I cancel my iTranscribe subscription?
Go to Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions → iTranscribe → Cancel Subscription. You can also cancel through the App Store. Do this at least 24 hours before your trial or billing date to avoid being charged. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription.
How much does iTranscribe cost?
iTranscribe is free to download. The free version has basic recording and 10 minutes of live transcription. Premium features need a paid subscription. A 3-day free trial is available before charges begin.
What happens after the iTranscribe free trial?
After 3 days, iTranscribe will charge you automatically based on the plan you selected (weekly or yearly). If you don’t want to pay, cancel the subscription before the trial ends.
Can I get a refund from iTranscribe?
Refunds are handled by Apple, not iTranscribe directly. You can request a refund through Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com. Apple decides whether to approve refunds case by case.
What is the best transcription app for iPhone in 2026?
For live captions and accessibility, iScribe is the top pick. It has no time limit, works offline, gives AI summaries, and has a flip screen for face-to-face conversations. For translation and video subtitle files, iTranscribe is a strong choice. See the full list of best transcription apps for iPhone here.
Does iScribe have a free trial?
Yes. iScribe gives you a full 3-day free trial with access to all features – live captions, AI summaries, offline mode, and flip screen. No commitment needed.
Which app is better - iTranscribe or iScribe?
It depends on what you need. iTranscribe is better for translation and SRT subtitle files. iScribe is better for daily live captions, accessibility, AI summaries, and offline use. For most iPhone users – especially those with hearing loss – iScribe is the stronger app.


