Do file and live transcription use the same balance?

Both modes use the same character balance, but their rates are listed separately. In Billing, compare the uploaded-audio and microphone rows under Speech to Text for your plan’s characters per minute. File transcription shows a quote before you start. Live transcription shows estimated usage as you record. If a rate has not loaded, check again rather than treating a blank as zero.

The Free label beside Speech to Text means free accounts can use it. It does not mean that transcribing a file or live audio always costs zero characters. Choose file or live microphone transcription, then check the rate for that mode and plan and your available balance.