Tigerfish Review – No Experience Needed Transcription Jobs

Updated October 10, 2026.

One site to use if you want to break into transcription is Tigerfish, a company that has been around since 1989. They do not require that you’ve had any previous transcription experience to get started, although they do ask you to take a test first before you’re “in.”

Please note that Tigerfish’s online application page currently says it is not accepting applications for new transcribers. Its older employment page still has instructions for taking the test.

Even though you can’t apply right now, the following details may be helpful for you if and when they resume hiring:

First – what is transcription?

If you don’t know what transcription is, basically you are listening to an audio file and typing out what you hear.

This isn’t as easy as it sounds. You need to have a good ear and be able to pay very close attention to detail.

Also, different companies have their own specific guidelines and styles you must follow.

Transcription is a potentially lucrative way to earn a living from home, plus it’s possible to break into general transcription without any experience.

However, it helps to understand how general transcription works before applying. My $10 General Transcription Guide covers the basics, pay, equipment, skills, transcription tests, and includes 70 companies that hire.

How much does Tigerfish pay?

Tigerfish doesn’t list their pay rate publicly.

Does Tigerfish hire outside the US?

Not at this time. They only hire people who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

What are the technical requirements to apply at Tigerfish?

You need high speed internet, a Windows based computer, and a phone number where they can reach you. Additionally, you’ll have to download a free program called Express Scribe to take the test.

If you’re accepted, Tigerfish explains you’ll need to buy Start Stop’s Power Play for Windows Media to do the actual work.

What does the test involve?

Tigerfish asks that you download and read their style guide prior to testing.

Then, you have to listen to and transcribe three short audio segments. The company has specific instructions on exactly how to do this on their employment page.

The older employment page instructs applicants to email the completed transcript and indicate how long it took to transcribe each segment.

If you want a little more guidance before taking a test like this, my General Transcription Guide covers that, too.

How long does it take to hear back from Tigerfish?

Tigerfish claims to get tons of emails, and for this reason it might take a little while to hear back (if you do at all). So applying and receiving an immediate response isn’t likely.

I’d recommend not limiting yourself to just Tigerfish, though. There are MANY other transcription companies that hire remote workers you could also consider doing work for.

And because these companies have you working as an independent contractor in most cases, you can certainly do work for more than one.

What do people say about Tigerfish?

I’ve seen some mixed reviews about Tigerfish, including complaints about the difficulty of the transcription test.

There is one review of them on Glassdoor, and it is positive. There are also reviews on Indeed from a former worker who liked the flexibility and an applicant who wasn’t happy with the test.

Do you want to apply?

Visit the Tigerfish application page here to see when they begin accepting new workers again.

Want to Know More About Work at Home Transcription and How to Get Started?

Transcription sounds pretty simple until you start looking at pay rates, equipment, and the tests companies want you to pass. My General Transcription Guide covers all of this so you can decide if it’s something you really want to do.

Here’s what’s inside:

• What transcription work is really like — The good and the bad, the skills you’ll need, and some of the challenges you might not expect.
• How much you can actually earn — Understand pay by audio hour, line, page, or word, and how to tell whether a company’s rates are worth your time.
• What equipment you need — Foot pedals, headsets, transcription software, and other tools, including what you may not need to buy right away.
• How to prepare for transcription tests — Tips for following style guidelines, avoiding mistakes, and giving yourself a better chance of passing.
• 70 transcription companies to research — Including companies that accept beginners and others that require experience, plus additional places to find work.

It’s just $10, and you’ll have all this information in one place instead of spending hours piecing it together yourself.

👉 Get My General Transcription Guide Here