Tigerfish
Tigerfish (a US transcription company in business since 1989) hires freelance transcribers as independent contractors to render a wide variety of recorded material — single-subject interviews, focus g
Quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Transcription & Captioning |
| Platform type | Freelance transcription platform |
| Website | tigerfish.com |
| Pay unit | Per task |
| Payout methods | PayPal |
| Payout cadence | Weekly |
| Minimum age | Adult implied by the US citizen/legal-resident independent-contractor relationship; explicit minimum age UNVERIFIED on official pages. |
| Countries | 1 tracked — United States only — official: 'In order to transcribe for Tigerfish, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.' Long-tenured transcribers include people working from abroad as they travel (US persons overseas). |
| Languages | en |
| Equipment | Computer, Stable internet |
| Experience needed | Beginner friendly |
| Identity verification | Application collects name, phone, email, and street address (US); US citizen or legal resident status required; applications accepted via email only (no calls — reception staff cannot answer application questions); no stated background check or document ID verification — UNVERIFIED. Independent-contractor relationship; transcribers set their own schedules. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-08 |
In one paragraph
Tigerfish pays for audio transcription — billed per task, paid via PayPal. Available: united states only — official: 'in order to transcribe for t. Minimum age Adult implied by the US citizen/legal-resident independent-contractor relationship; explicit minimum age UNVERIFIED on official pages..
Visit TigerfishPros & cons — facts only
Pros
- Rated beginner friendly — open to newcomers.
- Pays via PayPal.
- Payout cadence: Weekly.
Cons
- Minimum payout not published — verify before your first cash-out.
- Single-market availability.
- Entry gated by qualification/identity checks.
How to join Tigerfish
- Read the Tigerfish Transcription Style Guide (PDF); download the 3-segment test audio (AFG001 focus group — clarity/speaker identification; BMP002 medical presentation — edited for clarity with researched medical spellings; CAP003 art — verbatim answers, paraphrase questions only); transcribe each segment (~20 minutes each), tracking time spent; submit by email to inbox@tigerfish.com with subject 'Transcription Test [Your name]', per-segment times, address, phone, and a brief note describing yourself as a writer, what you read, education, and relevant experience. An equivalent online form exists at production.tigerfish.com/applicants/new (paste transcripts, minutes-to-transcribe, specialized vocabulary checkboxes — medical/technology/legal/finance — optional languages, desired weekly hours 1-10 through 40+, and a rush-availability calendar). Successful candidates are contacted directly after periodic application reviews.
Signup involves: Sign up · Qualification test · Portfolio or resume · Approval or waitlist
Pay & payouts
- Billed per: Per task
- Payout methods: PayPal
- Payout cadence: Weekly
- Minimum payout: Not published
Requirements
- Minimum age
- Adult implied by the US citizen/legal-resident independent-contractor relationship; explicit minimum age UNVERIFIED on official pages.
- Languages
- English
- Identity verification
- Application collects name, phone, email, and street address (US); US citizen or legal resident status required; applications accepted via email only (no calls — reception staff cannot answer application questions); no stated background check or document ID verification — UNVERIFIED. Independent-contractor relationship; transcribers set their own schedules.
- Skills
- Quick, accurate typing (third-party guides suggest 45-60+ WPM to start and over 100 WPM for top pay), a good ear for spoken language and accents, strong writing/grammar, research skills for terminology spellings, and the discipline to meet turnaround requirements (many assignments due in a day or more; occasional rush projects). Entry-level applicants accepted; Tigerfish demands the highest quality of work while being known for friendliness and flexibility — many transcribers have stayed over a decade.
- Equipment
- Windows-based computer required — 'Macs unfortunately are not compatible with the video timecoding software we use'; high-speed internet access (no dial-up); a telephone number where you can regularly be reached; Express Scribe transcription software (free download) for the test and evaluation period, with a purchased copy of Start Stop's Power Play for Windows Media required if you continue transcribing long-term (third-party review estimates ~$230 total for premium software). Headphones not specified — UNVERIFIED.
Where it's available
United States only — official: 'In order to transcribe for Tigerfish, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.' Long-tenured transcribers include people working from abroad as they travel (US persons overseas).
Restrictions: Non-US persons (non-citizens/non-legal-residents) cannot apply. Applications are reviewed on a periodic basis and successful candidates are contacted directly; due to application volume, immediate responses are not guaranteed.
- United States
What kind of work
- Audio transcription
- Legal transcription
- Medical transcription
Transcription gear
- Desktop computer
- Transcription software
Tigerfish FAQ
Is Tigerfish legit?
Yes — Tigerfish is a real, operating platform. We verified its signup, payout, and policy pages directly on 2026-09-08 using 5 sources.
How does Tigerfish pay out?
Via PayPal. Payout cadence: Weekly.
Who can join Tigerfish?
Minimum age Adult implied by the US citizen/legal-resident independent-contractor relationship; explicit minimum age UNVERIFIED on official pages.. United States only — official: 'In order to transcribe for Tigerfish, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.' Long-tenured transcribers include people working from abroad as they travel (US persons overseas). Application collects name, phone, email, and street address (US); US citizen or legal resident status required; applications accepted via email only (no calls — reception staff cannot answer application questions); no stated background check or document ID verification — UNVERIFIED. Independent-contractor relationship; transcribers set their own schedules.
How do I sign up for Tigerfish?
Read the Tigerfish Transcription Style Guide (PDF); download the 3-segment test audio (AFG001 focus group — clarity/speaker identification; BMP002 medical presentation — edited for clarity with researched medical spellings; CAP003 art — verbatim answers, paraphrase questions only); transcribe each segment (~20 minutes each), tracking time spent; submit by email to inbox@tigerfish.com with subject 'Transcription Test [Your name]', per-segment times, address, phone, and a brief note describing yourself as a writer, what you read, education, and relevant experience. An equivalent online form exists at production.tigerfish.com/applicants/new (paste transcripts, minutes-to-transcribe, specialized vocabulary checkboxes — medical/technology/legal/finance — optional languages, desired weekly hours 1-10 through 40+, and a rush-availability calendar). Successful candidates are contacted directly after periodic application reviews.
What skills does Tigerfish require?
Quick, accurate typing (third-party guides suggest 45-60+ WPM to start and over 100 WPM for top pay), a good ear for spoken language and accents, strong writing/grammar, research skills for terminology spellings, and the discipline to meet turnaround requirements (many assignments due in a day or more; occasional rush projects). Entry-level applicants accepted; Tigerfish demands the highest quality of work while being known for friendliness and flexibility — many transcribers have stayed over a decade.
Sources & verification
Facts on this page were verified against 5 sources. Last full check: .
- production.tigerfish.com officialchecked
- tigerfish.com officialchecked