Transana
Transana is qualitative analysis software for studying video, audio, image, text, PDF, and survey data on Windows and macOS.
What Transana is
Transana is qualitative analysis software for studying video, audio, image, text, PDF, and survey data on Windows and macOS. It provides automated and manual transcription tools, including keyboard shortcuts for manual work. Users can categorize and code material, then explore coded data through text and graphical reports, searches, and word clouds. Transana Professional supports up to four simultaneous video files and five transcripts, and can import plain text, Word or RTF documents, online survey data, and still images. Professional can use ChatGPT or Claude with non-confidential data, and embedded Ollama models with confidential data. For automated transcription, Speechmatics and Deepgram receive audio only after the user approves sharing for each instance; Faster Whisper processes audio locally. Basic and Professional store data on the user's computer and do not share user files or database information with Transana.com. Multiuser supports simultaneous work on shared data over an internet connection. The limited demo is free; a fully functional, time-limited Professional trial costs $25.00 once and expires one month after purchase. Professional costs $395.00 once.
Good
- Supports coding, searches, reports, and word clouds.
- Offers automated and manual transcription tools.
- Basic and Professional store data on the user's computer.
- Multiuser supports simultaneous work on shared data.
Watch out
- There is no free plan; the demo has tight limits.
- Professional costs $395.00 once.
- The Professional trial costs $25.00 and expires after one month.
- Purchases are final and non-refundable.
Who it suits
It suits researchers and teams analyzing qualitative multimedia, text, or survey material. The available options include single-user desktop licenses and a multiuser collaboration offering.
Verdict
Transana offers several ways to transcribe, code, and explore qualitative data, with privacy and collaboration options that differ by product. Review the demo limits, license terms, and plan-specific capabilities before choosing an edition.
Plans and prices
From Transana's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Transana Demo | Free | Limited demo · Windows or macOS · tight data limits; not intended for real analysis |
| Transana Trial | $25, paid once | Fully functional, time-limited Transana Professional trial · expires one month after purchase |
| Transana Cloud Service | $50 a month | Hosted server subscription for Transana Multiuser · project database and user accounts · 1 month; US $50 total ($50 per month) |
| Transana Basic for Students | $85, paid once | Non-upgradable · personal use · proof of current student status required |
| Transana Basic | $170, paid once | Perpetual per-copy license · one device at a time · single-user · basic video and audio |
| Transana Cloud Service | $360 a year | Hosted server subscription for Transana Multiuser · project database and user accounts · 12 months; US $360 total ($30 per month) · US $50 initial setup fee |
| Transana Professional | $395, paid once | Perpetual per-copy license · one device at a time · up to four simultaneous media files · up to five transcripts |
| Transana Multiuser | Priced on request | Perpetual per-project license · requires a server · 12 authorization codes provided; contact Transana for more |
The facts
Each one read from Transana's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Cloud security
- The Cloud Service page says each project has its own database and user accounts, access requires permission, and all connections are fully encrypted.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Coding and reports
- Users can categorize and code data and explore coded data through text reports, graphical reports, searches, and word clouds.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Transana Multiuser lets team members work simultaneously on shared data over an internet connection.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data import
- Transana Professional supports importing plain text, Word or RTF documents, online survey data, and still images.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Transana Professional can explore non-confidential data with OpenAI ChatGPT or Anthropic Claude, and confidential data with embedded Ollama models.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License terms
- Basic and Professional are perpetual per-copy licenses, while Multiuser is a perpetual per-project license; purchases are final and non-refundable.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The free demo is limited to five episodes, five episode transcripts, five documents, five snapshots, 20 quotes, 20 clips, and 15 keywords; multiple media files and transcripts and media conversion are disabled.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Local data storage
- Transana Basic and Professional store data on the user's computer and the software does not share user data files or database information with Transana.com.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Multimedia analysis
- Transana Professional supports up to four simultaneous video files and up to five transcripts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Transana is qualitative analysis software for analyzing video, audio, image, text, PDF, and survey data.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support and learning
- Transana Basic and Professional include an online tutorial and built-in manual, and the website offers tutorial videos and consultation options.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Transcription
- Transana offers automated transcription and manual transcription tools with keyboard shortcuts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Transcription services
- For automated transcription, the Basic and Professional privacy page says Speechmatics and Deepgram receive audio only after the user approves sharing each time, while Faster Whisper processes audio locally.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Upgrade window
- Most purchasers of Basic, Professional, or Multiuser can upgrade free to a version released within one year of purchase and at a reduced fee to versions released in years two and three.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Madison, Wisconsin, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
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