1. Understanding Transcription Formats

When you need your audio or video transcribed, the first question to ask is: what kind of transcript do I need? At Orate, we offer two main transcription styles — verbatim and clean (edited) transcription. Each serves a different purpose, and knowing the difference can help you choose what’s best for your project.

2. What Is Verbatim Transcription?

Verbatim transcription means writing down every single word exactly as spoken — including filler words, stutters, repetitions, and background sounds. It’s a word-for-word capture of what’s on the recording.

“Um, I think we, uh, should probably, you know, reschedule this meeting.”

This format includes:

• Filler words (uh, um, you know, like)
• False starts and repetitions
• Emotional cues ([laughs], [sighs])
• Pauses and interruptions

Best for:

• Legal and court transcripts
• Market research interviews
• Media and documentary production
• Police and insurance investigations
• Academic or psychological studies

Why choose it: Verbatim transcripts preserve authenticity, tone, and emotion — perfect when every detail matters.

3. What Is Clean (Edited) Transcription?

Clean transcription focuses on readability and clarity. Non-essential elements — like filler words, stutters, and background noises — are removed while keeping the speaker’s message intact.

“I think we should reschedule this meeting.”

Best for:

• Business meetings and conferences
• Podcasts and webinars
• Corporate reports
• Public presentations
• Online publications

Why choose it: Clean transcripts are professional, concise, and easy to read — ideal when you’re sharing content with clients, audiences, or teams.

4. Verbatim vs Clean Transcription: The Key Differences

Feature	Verbatim Transcription	Clean Transcription
Includes filler words	✅ Yes	❌ No
Captures emotions/sounds	✅ Yes	❌ No
Readability	Moderate	High
Use case	Legal, research, media	Business, marketing, education
Turnaround time	Slightly longer	Faster
Cost	Slightly higher	Lower

5. Which Format Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your goal:

• Go verbatim when accuracy, tone, and context are critical.
• Go clean when you want clear, professional, and easy-to-read content.

Not sure? The Orate QA team will help you pick the format that fits your project’s purpose — ensuring you never pay for what you don’t need.

6. Why Businesses Choose Orate

At Orate, we go beyond transcription — we deliver insight.

• ✅ Human-powered precision: Every transcript is reviewed by experts.
• ✅ Affordable pricing: Competitive rates starting at just $0.40 per audio minute.
• ✅ Quick turnaround: Receive your files in hours, not days.
• ✅ Global reach: Our transcribers handle diverse accents and industries.
• ✅ Secure & confidential: Your files stay protected at every step.

7. Final Thoughts

Whether you’re documenting a focus group, recording an interview, or creating marketing content, understanding verbatim vs clean transcription helps you get the best results.

At Orate, we tailor our transcription style to your goals — so your message stays accurate, polished, and powerful.

👉 Let Orate transform your audio into words that work for you.