International conferences and cross-border training sessions share one problem: the speaker uses one language, but the audience comes from many countries. Simultaneous interpretation needs rented equipment and interpreters, which small events often cannot afford. HearGlobe takes a different approach: the speaker talks as usual, and listeners read live captions on their own phones.
What HearGlobe offers
- Live captions: captions appear on the listener page as soon as the speaker talks. A draft shows while the speaker is still talking, then changes to the final caption.
- Many languages at once: one event can offer several translation languages, and each listener picks one.
- Synthesized speech: listeners tap the speaker button to hear the translation with headphones.
- Projector and live stream: the display page shows captions on the venue screen; the broadcast URL puts captions on top of an OBS or vMix stream.
- Transcripts: after the event, download the original text and the translations as CSV or JSON.
- Glossaries: add names, organizations, terms and the translations you want before the event, so proper nouns stay consistent.
Speakers and listeners use only a browser. Nobody needs to install an app.
Where it fits
- International conferences and forums: each listener reads the talk in their own language.
- Corporate training: a trainer at headquarters teaches teams in other countries.
- Panels: turn on multiple speakers, and captions show "Speaker 1, Speaker 2".
- Online or hybrid events: add captions to the stream with OBS or vMix.
- Face-to-face conversations: with Chat mode, two people share one phone and each talks in their own language. Good for front desks, clinics and interviews.
How each role uses it
Organizers
- Sign up for HearGlobe and create an organization.
- Add hours. The organization needs at least 10 minutes of hours before a speaker can start recording.
- Create an event: enter a name, choose the languages the speaker will use and the translation languages to offer. Add glossaries, a listener password and a listener cap if you need them.
- Send the speaker link to the speaker, and put the listener QR code in the venue.
When the event is over, click "End event" on the event page. Captions and transcripts stay, and you can reopen the event at any time.
Speakers
The speaker opens the speaker link from the organizer in Chrome or Edge on a computer (a phone also works, but its screen must stay on). When the browser asks for the microphone, click "Allow", then click "Start" and begin.
"Let listeners join" on the speaker page shows the listener QR code full screen, so you can share your screen or project it for the whole room to scan.
Listeners
Listeners scan the QR code with their phone and tap the language they want. Captions start right away, with no sign-up. In the settings, listeners can:
- Change the caption size.
- Choose a view: translation only, translation + original, original only, or all languages.
- Switch between dark and light themes.
- Tap the speaker button to hear the translation (headphones recommended).
How billing works
HearGlobe uses prepaid hours: a one-time purchase with no automatic charges, valid for 12 months. Time counts only while the speaker is recording, billed by the second; pauses and disconnections are not counted. Hours are based on 1 translation language and a listener cap of 500; each extra language uses 10% more. Chat mode uses 1/20 of the hours, and synthesized speech has no extra charge. See the FAQ for the full rules.
Get started
Questions? Write to support@hearglobe.com.