Is HappyScribe Legit or a Scam? (Full Review + Rating)

HappyScribe claims to offer a good way for you to earn extra cash. It says you can enjoy the flexibility of working from home by working as one of its transcribers.

But the question is, is HappyScribe legit or just another scam?

In this HappyScribe review, I will explain how it works, so you will know exactly what to expect from it. Then, you can make an educated decision on whether this opportunity is the right fit for you or not.

So, let’s dive in.

What is HappyScribe, and what does it offer?

Happy Scribe is a popular transcription and subtitling service that offers an opportunity for you to earn extra cash by converting audio and video into text. And to answer your main concern, YES, it is legit because you can really earn by working as a transcriber.

But just because it is legit doesn’t automatically make it worth your while. To find out if you should join, you must first understand how it works. The best way to do that is to examine the earning opportunity it offers, so you will have a clear idea of how much time and effort is needed to earn from it.

So, here’s how to earn from Happy Scribe.

The earning opportunity – Transcription/Translation Jobs

The only way to earn from HappyScribe is to take on transcription or translation jobs. If you get accepted as one of its scribes (transcriber or translator), you will be able to access all the jobs being offered by logging in to the member dashboard.

The files you will have to transcribe or translate will be turned into subtitles, so most of the files you’ll need to transcribe will be videos. From time to time, there will also be jobs that will ask you to transcribe audio files.

When transcribing files, you’ll have to use its browser-based transcription software, which is quite convenient, in my opinion. While transcribing files, you will be paid per audio/video minute you transcribe. This means you’ll need to work quickly and accurately to earn efficiently.

As for the deadline, the usual turnaround time is 24 hours. Some jobs will have a longer turnaround time, but expect them to pay less than the usual jobs.

The platform supports dozens of languages, so you can find jobs that require a language other than English, like Spanish or Portuguese. These jobs tend to pay more than English jobs, from what I’ve observed. So, if you know different languages, it can be worth applying as a transcriber or translator for different languages.

There aren’t that many jobs you can work on when starting, because most jobs will be taken by the more experienced scribes. So, I suggest you don’t cherry-pick jobs to work on if you want to improve your reputation as a reliable scribe.

If HappyScribe sees you as a scribe who can put out quality work, you’ll be given access to more opportunities to earn, which is why it is very important to always submit high-quality work. HappyScribe will be able to identify if you are a reliable scribe because it always reviews the work you submit, and if you submit your deliverables on time and they are accurate, the site will eventually recognize you as one of its reliable scribes.

Recommended: Check Out the Best Transcription Jobs for Beginners

How do you get paid?

As explained above, HappyScribe will pay you by the audio or video minute you transcribe or translate. But the question is, how can you withdraw your earnings?

Well, HappyScribe processes payments twice a week through bank transfer, but it’s not exactly clear which day of the week it will be. Based on my experience with similar sites, it will usually be in the middle and end of the week.

HappyScribe will only process the payment if you manage to hit the threshold, but the website also doesn’t say what it is. If you didn’t manage to hit the threshold during the current pay period, you’ll have to wait for the next period to receive your earnings (if you manage to hit the threshold).

It’s a relatively straightforward process, but it would still have been better if the site had clearly explained how its payout system works.

Now, if you are interested in more sites that use a straightforward and convenient payout method, I recommend you also check out the top sites that pay via direct bank transfer.

How much money can you make?

The amount you can earn from HappyScribe will depend on how many jobs you can complete. As mentioned earlier, when starting, you won’t gain access to a lot of opportunities. But as you improve your reputation as a reliable scribe, you will start getting more opportunities to earn.

On average, most scribes will earn around €450 per month, which is a decent rate, in my opinion. However, when starting, don’t expect to come close to that amount because of the lack of opportunities.

The website says you can earn as much as €3,000 a month from HappyScribe, but that’s not exactly a realistic amount for most people, in my opinion. You’ll likely have to spend a couple of months working on jobs the entire day to earn that much. While it’s technically not impossible, you shouldn’t expect to earn that kind of amount from it.

Overall, I would say it does offer decent earning potential, which is not the main issue with this site, in my opinion (more on this later).

Can you use it on mobile?

While the website is mobile-friendly, you still won’t be able to use it on a mobile device if we are strictly talking about how to earn from it. Since the work you need to do involves typing, you’ll need to sit in front of a computer to earn.

The only thing you can do on your phone is to log in to the dashboard and check if there are jobs available. So, to answer the question above, NO, you can’t.

Who can join HappyScribe?

Now, here’s the biggest issue I found while checking out HappyScribe. Apparently, it is not accepting any new transcriber applications. It will only consider applications from transcribers who can prove that they have multiple years of experience working as a transcriber.

So, it’s not for those who are just trying to get started with this industry. But if you are eligible to join, you can try to apply. Just remember that there’s no guarantee you will be accepted.

To apply, you must fill out the application form and select the desired language you are willing to work with. Then, you must pass the skills assessment phase, where your proofreading skills will be tested.

If you manage to get past this phase, then just wait for HappyScribe to get in touch with you for additional details, like scheduling you for an interview.

I do have to say that HappyScribe is very strict with who they accept as scribes, and the passing rate for the skills assessment test is quite low. So, it’s quite hard to get into this platform, in my opinion.

Can you get support?

HappyScribe’s website lacks certain information regarding the earning opportunity it offers. It has an FAQ section, but it doesn’t discuss a lot of topics for aspiring scribes, so you will find it of little use if you’ve got questions or concerns.

So, to resolve your questions, you’ll need to contact support. And the only way to do that is to click the Message icon at the lower right-hand corner of the website. Then, click the Message option and fill out the necessary fields.

Overall, I would say it does provide the minimum required support since it offers an easy way for you to contact support. However, it would have been better if the website offered more useful information on its FAQ section to reduce the instances of having to contact support.

Final Verdict

HappyScribe is a legit site that lets you earn by working as a transcriber or translator. It has a couple of decent features, but it also has certain limitations you need to consider.

To help you decide, here’s a summary of its pros and cons so you can clearly see an overview of what it offers.

In my opinion, if you have worked for multiple years as a transcriber, HappyScribe can be a potential option to earn extra cash. It pays well, and it lets you work on a flexible schedule.

The only downside is that it is only suitable for those with multiple years of experience working as a transcriber. And even then, there’s no guarantee you will be accepted because it has a rigorous application process.

That’s why I only suggest you go for it if you are confident that you fit the bill of who they are looking for. Otherwise, you are better off checking out the best transcription jobs for beginners instead, in my opinion.

Now, if you are looking for a great way to earn a full-time income, one of your best options is to set up your own online business. To learn how to do it, you can check out my guide on how to build your own online business.

It will teach you how to set up your online business from the ground up, so you can potentially earn extra cash even when you sleep.

If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with HappyScribe, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.