𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦: 4 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘴🕒
How do our live captions at VoiceBox compare to Zoom’s automated captions?
It’s not a simple question, but here is our short answer.
For VoiceBox’s human live captions, you’re looking at a high accuracy rate and the best option when terminology, trust, and professionalism are critical. Our AI live captions are similar to Zoom’s automated captions in terms of accuracy and output, but with us you get dedicated account management too.
In this blog, we’ll explore each of the key differences in more detail.
The key differences
- Accuracy
- Dedicated support
- Type of live captions
- Delivery flexibility
Accuracy
VoiceBox’s human live captions can reach accuracy rates of up to 98%. One of the reasons why is because, ahead of your event, a live captioner can be provided with speaker names, agendas, slides, terminology, acronyms and more to prepare.
For our AI live captions, accuracy rates can range from 70% to 85%, depending on the accent, audio quality, and glossary provided.
As for Zoom, there is no official figure. On Stanford University website, it reads that the captions provide “approximately 90% accuracy”. Our understanding is that the accuracy is similar to any other AI live captions system.
For cloud recordings, users can edit the automated captions on Zoom for a more accurate transcript.
When things get complicated, such as overlapping speakers, poor audio, accents and jargon, humans are better equipped to understand what’s being said and accurately caption it.
Dedicated support
For both human and AI live captions with VoiceBox, we provide dedicated account management from the start of your journey with us to the end.
As for project management, you will be assigned a specific project manager who can effortlessly slip into your audiovisual team to supply live captions. During a call, we can go through a rehearsal, tech check and speed test.
With our support, you’re not doing it alone. Maybe you’ve never used automated captions before and you want the reliability of it going well. Or, perhaps, you just want someone to manage the process for you.
With Zoom’s automated captions, you are doing it alone. You would be turning them on yourself and checking that it’s working. Granted, it’s not the toughest task, but it’s still another thing added to your plate.
Type of live captions
VoiceBox’s human and AI live captions can be either open or closed captions.
- Open captioning: They are burnt-into a video and can’t be turned off. Best for enforcing accessibility.
- Closed captioning: An extra layer of captions that are added to the video feed. They are an overlay on the video and can be turned on and off. Best for giving audiences the option.
There are some differences in customisations and positioning between the two.
In contrast, Zoom’s automated captions are solely closed captions. They can be turned on or off and aren’t burnt-in, instead showing within the Zoom interface.
Delivery flexibility
Our live captions, whether human or AI, can be delivered within Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, Webex and more.
It’s worth knowing that whether we’re providing in-person or remote captioning services, our live captions are provided in the same way.
On the other hand, with Zoom’s automated captions, you are obviously limited to just Zoom events. That being said, Google Meets and Microsoft Teams have its own build in AI captions if you use those platforms.
As for delivery, Zoom and things like Zoom Rooms can be for in-person or remote events, but only if Zoom is part of the event workflow.
Which is the best solution for you?
There is no overall best solution here, it depends on what your specific situation and needs require.
We asked Head of VoiceBox, Sophie Muller, to give her thoughts on which service suits you best.
Sophie said: “If you have the budget available and your priority is accuracy and professionalism, I would recommend human live captions, completed by a stenographer.
“This is ideal for regulated industries like banking, or if the information and terminology needs to be as accurate as possible in situations like medical conferences or high-profile corporate events.
“Also, it’s the best option if you have the budget to provide a wide audience with accurate captions.
“If you haven’t used live captioning before but you have a smaller budget, I think our AI live captions could be the best solution for you. You get the output and we can talk you through everything and manage the captions for you.
“If you have no budget and you are competent with Zoom, then its automated captions is the best solution for you to provide media accessibility.”
“AI live captions can work well for large-scale events, community sessions, and relaxed internal events.”
Conclusion
Hopefully this helpful blog paints a picture of how VoiceBox’s human and AI live captions compare to Zoom’s automated captions and you now understand the key differences to make an informed decision.
If you do want to lean on our services, contact us today.
FAQs
Yes, we have supplied hundreds and hundreds of live captioning projects for events. In 2025, it was our most popular service.
Our dedicated project management offering is part and parcel of what we do. From the start of your project until the very end, you will be allocated a specific project manager to answer any queries and to provide a rehearsal, tech check and speed test. Also, they can work within clients’ existing workflows and acts as an extension of your production team.
Yes, our live captions work perfectly for hybrid and remote events too, in addition to in-person events. We provide live captions in the same way for every event; it’s just that the stenographer would be on-site if it was an in-person event.