The Express Scribe alternative that types the transcript for you

Express Scribe plays your recording while you type every word, with a foot pedal or hot keys. Scriptivox writes the transcript for you, with speaker labels and timestamps, in more than 100 languages.

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Scriptivox vs Express Scribe

What each one gives you, side by side.

	Scriptivox	Express Scribe
Free plan
Free plan	3 files a day, up to 30 minutes each	Free version for home and small-business use: plays MP3, WAV, WMA, AIFF and DCT, no video
Cheapest paid plan
Cheapest paid plan	Pro: $20/month, or $10/month billed yearly	Basic: $159 one-time. Professional: $195 one-time, or $32.49 a quarter
How much it transcribes
How much it transcribes	Pro: no daily or monthly cap, files up to 10 hours	None by itself: you type while it plays the audio (speech recognition needs separate software)

Express Scribe details are from its own pages, checked on October 27, 2026. Prices are the normal US-dollar prices on its purchase page; during October 2026 NCH Software showed sale prices of $129 (Basic) and $139 (Professional). Sources: Express Scribe (NCH Software), Express Scribe Free and Pro (FAQ), Express Scribe pricing.

Why people use Scriptivox instead

Correct a draft instead of typing every word

Express Scribe slows down and replays the audio while you type. Scriptivox transcribes the whole file for you, so you start from a finished draft and fix only what needs fixing.

Speakers and timestamps as it transcribes

Scriptivox labels each speaker and timestamps the transcript, then exports it as PDF, DOCX, TXT or CSV, or as SRT and VTT subtitles.

A free plan that does the transcribing

Express Scribe's free version plays common audio formats while you type. Scriptivox Free transcribes 3 files a day for you, each up to 30 minutes.

When Express Scribe may suit you better

Express Scribe is sold as a one-time license, $159 for Basic or $195 for Professional, and has a free version for home and small-business use. Scriptivox Pro is $120 a year.
It runs on your own Windows PC or Mac and needs the internet only to receive files automatically, so you can work offline.
It is built for typists who produce verbatim transcripts by hand: professional foot pedals, hot keys, variable-speed playback, docking for portable recorders, and encrypted dictation files such as DSS and DCT.

Switching takes a few minutes

Gather your recordings

Use the audio and video files you play in Express Scribe.

Upload them to Scriptivox

Pick the language or let Scriptivox detect it, and turn on speaker recognition.

Review and export

Correct anything that needs it, then download the transcript as PDF, DOCX, TXT or CSV, or subtitles as SRT or VTT.

Scriptivox and Express Scribe: common questions

Is Scriptivox an Express Scribe alternative?

Yes, if you want the transcript written for you. Express Scribe is a playback tool: you type while it plays the audio, controlled by a foot pedal or hot keys. Scriptivox transcribes the recording with AI, with speaker labels and timestamps, and you correct the draft. If you type verbatim transcripts by hand with a foot pedal, Express Scribe is built for that.

Is Express Scribe free?

There is a free version for home and small-business use that plays MP3, WAV, WMA, AIFF and DCT files. Video playback, foot pedals from makers other than AltoEdge, and recorder formats such as DSS need Express Scribe Pro, a one-time $195 license or $32.49 a quarter.

Does Scriptivox join Zoom, Google Meet and Teams meetings?

Yes. Paste a meeting link, or connect your calendar to record meetings automatically. The assistant joins, records and transcribes the call, and can email a summary to the people you choose afterwards.

How much does Scriptivox cost?

The free plan transcribes 3 files a day, each up to 30 minutes long. Pro is $20 a month, or $120 a year, with no daily or monthly cap and files up to 10 hours.