InqScribe

Name: InqScribe
Author: InqScribe

Free plan MacWindows

What InqScribe is

InqScribe is desktop software for transcribing, annotating, and analyzing audio and video. Its automatic speech-to-text processing runs on the user's computer, and the company says data stays there and is not used to train AI models. The editor brings together transcript editing, free-form notes, clickable timecodes, custom snippets, and search-and-replace. Playback can be controlled with keyboard shortcuts or a USB foot pedal. Users can export captions in formats including SRT, WebVTT, SCC, and XML for Premiere, Final Cut Pro, YouTube, and broadcast systems. Automatic transcription covers dozens of languages, with UTF-8 Unicode support. The software handles a range of video and audio formats, including H.264, QuickTime, WAV, AAC, and MP3. Transcript files can be saved locally, and the app does not save copies of source audio or video. InqScribe is available for Windows and macOS. A Free Viewer costs nothing; licenses include a 10.00 USD one-time 10-day option and a 79.00 USD one-time perpetual option with two years of free updates.

Who it suits

InqScribe is aimed at researchers, translators, filmmakers, journalists, transcriptionists, educators, and other professionals working with recorded media. Its foot-pedal and keyboard playback controls may suit users who want to work through recordings while editing transcripts.

What it does well

Speech-to-text runs on the user's computer
Includes clickable timecodes and custom snippets
Playback supports a USB foot pedal
Exports SRT, WebVTT, SCC, and XML captions
Offers a free transcript viewer

What to know first

Available only for Windows and macOS
The 10-day license lasts only 10 days
The perpetual license includes two years of updates

Limits

The free viewer is for viewing InqScribe transcripts and other caption formats. The 10-day license is a one-time purchase and lasts 10 days; one trial is available per user.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free Viewer	view InqScribe transcripts and other caption formats	Free
7-Day Trial	one trial per user	Free
10-Day License	one-time purchase; does not renew · use for 10 days · unlimited AI transcription	$10, paid once
Perpetual License	one-time purchase · 2 years free updates · no expiration · unlimited AI transcription	$79, paid once

As inqscribe.com lists them, read 1 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the InqScribe website.
Download the Windows or macOS version.
Choose the free viewer, 10-day license, or perpetual license.
Install a single license on one laptop and one desktop if you are the only user.

Verdict

InqScribe combines local transcription with editing, playback, and caption export tools. Its license choices differ in duration and purpose, so users should check which option fits their work.

Questions

Is InqScribe free?

A free viewer is available for viewing InqScribe transcripts and other caption formats. The listing also includes a 7-day trial, limited to one trial per user.

How much do the paid licenses cost?

The 10-Day License is listed at $10 a month, billed as a one-time purchase for 10 days. The Perpetual License is listed at $79 a month, billed as a one-time purchase, and includes two years of free updates.

Which platforms does InqScribe support?

InqScribe is available for Windows and macOS.

Does InqScribe transcribe audio in the cloud?

Automatic speech-to-text runs on the user's computer. InqScribe says user data does not leave the computer or train AI models.

Can I install one license on more than one computer?

A single license can be installed on one laptop and one desktop when the license holder is the only user.

Are site licenses available?

Yes. Site licenses require a minimum purchase of five licenses, and volume discounts are available.

Facts from InqScribe's own pages

Caption exports: Captions can be exported in SRT, WebVTT, SCC, XML, and other formats for Premiere, Final Cut Pro, YouTube, and broadcast systems. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Downloads: Version 3.0.1 is available for Windows and macOS. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Editor: The media-savvy editor combines free-form notes, transcript editing, clickable timecodes, custom snippets, and search-and-replace. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Founded: 2001 · inqscribe.com, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · inqscribe.com, 20 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States · inqscribe.com, 28 Sept 2026
Labs uploads: InqScribe Labs can process voluntarily uploaded transcript files for format conversion and says those uploads are not stored on its servers. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Languages: InqScribe supports automatic transcription in dozens of languages and uses full UTF-8 Unicode support. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Licensing: A single license can be installed on one laptop and one desktop when the user is the only user. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Local AI: Automatic speech-to-text transcription runs on the user's computer rather than in the cloud. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Media support: Supported media includes H.263, H.264, MPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, QuickTime, Windows Media, AIFF, WAV, AAC, M4A, MP3, and many AVI formats. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Offline storage: Transcript files are saved locally where specified, and the app does not save copies of users' audio or video content. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Playback control: Users can control playback with keyboard shortcuts or a USB foot pedal. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Privacy: InqScribe says user data never leaves the computer and is never used to train AI models. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Site licenses: Site licenses require a minimum purchase of five licenses, with volume discounts available. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Support: Support is provided through a knowledge base, user guide, blog, Whisper FAQ, and direct contact. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
Target users: The product is presented for researchers, translators, filmmakers, journalists, transcriptionists, educators, and other professionals. · inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026
What it does: InqScribe is digital media transcription software for annotating, transcribing, and analyzing audio and video files. · docs.inqscribe.com, 1 Oct 2026