Speechpad Review – Scam or Legit? Exposed!

Are you looking for a Speechpad review? But you may wonder if it is a scam.

A reputable platform is essential if you want to make a living transcribing, whether as a full-time job or as a side hustle. As with any other profession, not all transcription jobs are created equal. 

So let’s take a look at Speechpad so you can get the information you need to make a good choice.

As a disclaimer, I’m not affiliated with Speechpad. It means I’m not paid to write this review. So you can rest assured that you will get an honest and unbiased review from me.

At the end of this review, I’ll also tell you the best alternative to Speechpad that has enabled me to make a full-time passive income online.

What Is Speechpad?

Speechpad is an innovative transcription service that converts audio and video recordings into text.

While not the oldest transcription service on the market, the company has been around since 2008 and continues to thrive more than a decade later.

Companies of all sizes use Speechpad, from startups and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

Speechpad combines both manual and automated computer transcription services.

According to Speechpad, this method achieves the highest accuracy.

The human component of Speechpad’s services is handled by independent transcriptionists.

Here are some examples of the different types of transcription services Speechpad offers:

• Transcription for various industries
• Standard and premium captioning
• Foreign language translation services
• Voice to text
• Audio to text
• Speech to text
• Mp3 to text

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What is Transcription?

Do not worry if you have no idea what happens during the transcription process. Transcription is essentially listening to an audio file and typing out what you hear. It becomes problematic if the speaker has an accent, speaks slowly, or can not express themselves clearly. 

This means that you need not only to type, but also to hear well. Still, there are many advantages to working in transcription. Working on business dictation one day and legal dictation the next is nothing unusual.

How Does Speechpad Work?

Since its founding in 2008, Speechpad has been providing transcription services to clients around the world. The company offers additional services such as translation and subtitling.

Speechpad users submit media files such as recordings or videos to the service. Then they can specify more precisely what they need. One of Speechpad’s five thousand or so transcriptionists is then assigned the task.

As a transcriptionist at Speechpad, you can expect to work whenever the company needs you to, because it’s open 24/7. There’s a job board where all available positions are posted. When you log on to the website, you’ve access to the job board. You can even sort it according to your specific criteria. For example, you can search for jobs that have a specific duration or salary.

Click the “Accept Job” button when you find a job that interests you. A word of caution: each job is temporary. If you want to get paid, you must do your work quickly and deliver it on time.

The career board also includes a “Get Qualified” section. Here, Speechpad catalogs the occupations for which you do not yet meet the minimum requirements. Click the button below to see what steps are required to apply for these jobs. The process might include a test.

The Qualified section is clearly marked in color. The green boxes show you where you have already achieved a qualification, while the gray boxes show you where you can apply for it. 

Some qualifications are by invitation only, while others require a background check or require a different writing style. Earning qualifications increases your employability and salary potential.

One type of job that requires an invitation is the “Rush Job” Only users with a score of 96 or higher and 500 minutes of transcribed audio can receive this. Your grade is based on the average of your last ten projects.

So you may not qualify for jobs as a beginner, but it’s important to keep trying because as you gain experience you will eventually qualify for more work.

Speechpad Job Requirements

Although the company is headquartered in California, transcriptionists from all over the world can apply to Speechpad. Speechpad does not have strict technical requirements like many other transcription services.

You need the basics, which are:

• A computer with a stable internet connection
• Headphones (preferably with noise cancellation)
• Audio playback controlled by a foot pedal.

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How Much Can You Earn?

Transcriptionists can earn an entry-level wage of $0.25 per minute of recorded audio at Speechpad. However, there is a possibility of an increase to $2.50 per minute of audio. If you are proficient in a second language, earning $2 – $5 per audio minute as a translator is a great way to supplement your income.

Regardless of how long it takes you to complete the task, you will be paid per audio or video minute. According to Speechpad, there are a number of variables that go into determining your hourly rate. Speech, audio quality and customer satisfaction all play a role.

Payments made through Speechpad are processed through PayPal. You will be required to provide your PayPal information during the application process, so setting up an account in advance is highly recommended.

Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will receive payment immediately. There is also no need to submit a payment request. Payments are sent out twice a week by Speechpad.

Speechpad is one of several similar platforms that offer remote transcription capabilities. 

However, your earning potential is usually limited. If you want to supplement your income, freelance transcription may be a better choice. You can learn the basics with the help of Transcribe Anywhere’s free mini-course.

Speechpad Jobs

Everyone at Speechpad starts as a transcriptionist or typist, but other positions are available. Freelance work includes the following:

• Transcriber – As a transcriber, you are responsible for creating written text from audio recordings.
• Captioner – Part of your job as a captioner is to add captions to videos.
• Reviewer – As a reviewer, you are responsible for revising and improving the work of others.
• Translator – Self-explanatory really, but this project requires freelancers who can translate spoken words into another language.

Speechpad’s Reputation

Because of its long history, Speechpad has gained widespread respect. On Trustpilot, the company receives 4.9 stars, which is an “excellent” rating. However, the vast majority of these comments are from people who have actually paid for transcription services.

SiteJabber or Glassdoor are better options for rating transcription services. On these platforms, SpeechPad has received a 4 out of 5 star rating, while on platforms focused on mobile apps, it has received a 4.2 star rating. Both the accessibility of the jobs and the quality of the customer service were praised by users.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is Speechpad a Scam or Legit?

I assure you that Speechpad is not a scam, but I can understand your skepticism. You cannot be too careful, because there’s a seemingly endless supply of online scams. This is also true when you enter sensitive information like your name, address, and credit card number to open an account.

However, you shouldn’t rely on my word alone.

There are just a few things you should look for to spot a scam.

When I evaluate a company, I always make sure I know how long they’ve been in business. Speechpad has been around since 2008, and while that’s no guarantee of perfection, it does speak to the quality of service.

As a result, you should ensure that adequate means of communication are in place. It may surprise you how often readers engage with a company, encounter issues, and then wonder how they can contact the company by leaving a comment (or writing to us).

What you hear is what you get in Speechpad. They provide you with contact information, including a phone number, email address, and mailing address.

Do not be afraid to contact Speechpad by phone or email if you have concerns about doing business online with an organization of this type. If you have concerns or questions before signing up or providing personal information from an application, it can not hurt to get in touch.

Another point to look out for is proof of a legitimate online presence.

As far as online communities go, Speechpad is not exactly a powerhouse, but it does have a following.

An example of the popularity of its online presence is the 1,500 people who like its Facebook page.

I’ll get into more detail about where to look for real user reviews in a moment, but sites like Glassdoor and SiteJabber are good places to start.

Speechpad, however, is a reputable option if you are looking for a job in the transcription industry.

Although you may come across some negative reviews and comments, such as the low pay, rest assured that you will find the same things about any transcription company.

In addition, the ability to transcribe is rare. It is understandable that new transcriptionists who are struggling may express frustration with the job.

The word “cheat” often pops up in reviews and complaints because people who expected something simple end up spending hours trying to make sense of things like poor audio quality or confusing conversations with multiple voices talking over each other.

However, these problems are found in all transcription services. Transcription is about overcoming these obstacles and creating an accurate transcript. Speechpad is not the only provider that struggles with these difficulties.

Speechpad Transcription Application

The good news is that getting started with Speechpad is easy.

The rudimentary skills of typing quickly and accurately are assumed. For certain positions where you’ll be dealing with sensitive information, you may also need to pass a background check. I’ll go into more detail about the requirements in a moment.

You will need to fill out an application and pass a short quiz to get started. I have heard from other transcribers that the test is more about how fast you can type than how well you can transcribe.

Speechpad is unique among transcription services because it is aimed at beginners. Both inexperienced and experienced transcriptionists are welcome.

However, there is a clear order of precedence. At Speechpad, all new employees are given entry-level positions. If you do well in your position and get promoted, your salary will increase.

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Speechpad Reviews and Complaints

In other words, I have good news. The reviews for Speechpad have been positive. They also did quite well in terms of their scores.

Speechpad Reviews on Glassdoor

Glassdoor has 37 positive and negative reviews for Speechpad, giving it an overall rating of 4.4 stars. Considering the much lower ratings of other transcription companies I have reviewed, I think that says a lot about them.

Freelancers who have worked for Speechpad for a long time (and are still satisfied) have left some positive reviews on Glassdoor.

• Convenient nature of work.
• Availability of a variety of jobs.
• Regular payment.
• The customer service is good.

There will inevitably be negative comments.

The low pay is mentioned, but otherwise there’s not much criticism. However, this is to be expected, especially for inexperienced transcriptionists.

Speechpad Reviews on SiteJabber

I also came across rave reviews on SiteJabber. The current total rating of 34 reviews is 4.55 stars.

This is still a big plus compared to most other transcription services I have tested.

Employees are happy with their salaries and praise the company’s helpful customer service, which is reflected in the reviews.

The complaints I have read about Speechpad this time around all have to do with the star ranking (which some have called unfair and flawed). However, I can not comment on that because I do not know the individual facts that led to that conclusion.

I am impressed by the whole thing. The majority of Speechpad reviews I have seen have been laudatory. The average rating looks even better, considering that dissatisfied freelancers are twice as likely to give a negative review as a positive one.

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Pros of Speechpad

• It is a great platform for newcomers as no prior experience is required to apply as a transcriber.
• Customers who rate orders with 5 out of 5 points can receive bonuses.
• Payouts are made twice a week via PayPal.
• Flexible work from home.
• The application process is easy to use.
• There are numerous positive reviews.

Cons of Speechpad

It is important to weigh the benefits of each service against possible drawbacks before making a final decision.

• Low pay for newcomers: as a Level One transcriptionist, you start at the lowest pay rate of $0.25 per audio minute. This can be frustrating, but if you stick with it, you can be promoted and earn a higher salary.
• Another potential drawback is the scarcity of entry-level jobs. Many jobs on the platform require a higher rating, so it can take some time to move up.
• Ratings system: Most of the complaints on Speechpad seem to be about the rating system. Some users complain that the system is unfair.

Speechpad Review: Final Verdict

With a history that goes back more than a decade, Speechpad has earned a respectable reputation in its field. 

Even though participation is easy, newcomers might get frustrated due to lack of initial success. You’ll need to work your way up from the entry level if you want to advance your career. On the other hand, Speechpad offers tests that can help you get hired at a higher level.

You may have to make do with a $0.25 per minute rate for a while, but once you get promoted, you’ll have access to much more lucrative projects.

Speechpad is a good choice if you want to work as a transcriptionist. However, the chances of making money on such websites are slim. You can earn much more money if you start an online business instead.

Let me tell you the best online business to start in the next section.

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Best Alternative of Speechpad to Make Passive Income

If you want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online.

Affiliate Marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business. 

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.  

In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.

And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.

Wealthy Affiliate has existed for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade.

To give you more examples, here are some of the other inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has free and premium membership.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny. 

So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.

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