Quality Brailler vs Duxbury vs BrailleBlaster vs Braille2000
Choosing braille transcription software is a long-term decision. This page compares four programs transcribers use: Quality Brailler (ours), Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT), BrailleBlaster from APH, and Braille2000. We make Quality Brailler, so we have tried to use only published facts and link to each vendor's own pages. Each tool has real strengths; the right one depends on how you work.
Competitor details were checked against vendor websites in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm with each vendor before buying.
At a glance
- Quality Brailler: an editor for working directly on formatted braille pages with six-key entry, UEB and Nemeth translation, side-by-side proofreading, macros (Quick Keys), and a built-in Braille Checker. Works on Windows, Mac and iPad, not on phones. Opens Braille2000 .B2K/.BML files. $29/month or $290/year after a 14-day free trial.
- Duxbury DBT: long-established translator for Windows and Mac, sold as a one-time license ($795 single-user, per Duxbury's August 2026 price list).
- BrailleBlaster: free from the American Printing House for the Blind, built around NIMAS textbook files and using the open-source Liblouis translator.
- Braille2000: from Braille2000, LLC (formerly Computer Application Specialties). Several editions, each sold by subscription or as a one-time "premium" license, with Speedbraille macro keys.
Comparison table
| Feature | Quality Brailler | Duxbury DBT | BrailleBlaster | Braille2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Quality Braille Transcriptions LLC (Atlanta, GA) | Duxbury Systems, Inc. | American Printing House for the Blind | Braille2000, LLC (formerly Computer Application Specialties) |
| Price | 14-day free trial (no card), then $29/month or $290/year | $795 single-user license (Windows or Mac); optional software maintenance agreement (SMA) for updates | Free | Subscription from $12/month (Basic) to $40/month (Talking Edition), or one-time $439 to $1,299 (January 2026 price list) |
| Platforms | Windows app (Microsoft Store), Mac app (Mac App Store, United States only); iPad and any modern browser via the web version at app.qualitybraille.com/brailler | Windows and Mac | Downloadable desktop app (check brailleblaster.org for supported systems) | Windows |
| Braille codes | UEB; Nemeth (from LaTeX in Type print, Nemeth regions) | UEB, Nemeth and many other codes/languages (see Duxbury) | UEB and EBAE; single-line math (via Liblouis) | See vendor; Math Tools listed as a separate option |
| Direct six-key entry on braille pages | Yes (F D S / J K L), plus ASCII and on-screen keys | Yes | See vendor | Yes (Direct Entry Edition and up) |
| Macros | Quick Keys: record typing and formatting, replay with one key; save/load as a library | See vendor | See vendor | Speedbraille keys |
| Opens Braille2000 .B2K / .BML | Yes (some settings not read yet) | See vendor | See vendor | Native format |
| Other inputs | BRF, BRL, Word (.docx), Markdown, plain text | Many formats incl. Word | NIMAS and other files | NIMAS and RTF (Document Processing Edition) |
| Proofreading views | Side by side braille/print, interline, print view, PDF of print book alongside | Print and braille views | Print and braille views | Braille-to-print interpreter option |
| Built-in quality check | Braille Checker (unterminated emphasis, Special Symbols page, page numbering and more), PDF report | See vendor | See vendor | See vendor |
| Tactile graphics in file | Tag pages, embed graphics from CorelDRAW PDF, send graphic pages to a graphics embosser | See vendor | Image description tools | See vendor |
| Self-voicing for blind transcribers | Not advertised | See vendor | See vendor | Yes (Talking Edition) |
| Works offline | Partly: the installed app opens, edits and saves braille files offline; translation, print views and the Braille Checker need a QBT account and internet. | Yes (desktop install) | Yes (desktop install) | Key device, or keyless activation needing a sustained connection |
"See vendor" means we didn't verify the feature for this page. It does not mean the program lacks it.
Switching from Braille2000?
Quality Brailler was built by a certified transcriber who works with Braille2000 files every day, so moving over should feel familiar:
- Bring your speed keys with you. Your existing Braille2000 Speedbraille keys come along, so the shortcuts you've built up over years still work. Choose Tools › Quick Keys › Import Quick Keys from a Braille2000 file and pick a .BML or .B2K.
- Quick Keys are macros. Record a run of typing and formatting and replay it with one key. Save your Quick Keys as a library and load it on this computer or another.
- Open your .B2K and .BML files. A .BML opens with its formatting and highlights. Tactile graphic tags in .B2K and .BML files are read when you open them.
- Check them before you emboss them. The Braille Checker reads .B2K, .BML and BRF files and lists errors and warnings you can click to jump to.
Good to know: .B2K files open from their braille pages one paragraph per line, and those lines don't reflow into paragraphs yet. Some .B2K/.BML settings aren't read yet, so a few files may lay out slightly differently.
Who each tool fits best
Quality Brailler
Fits transcribers who edit formatted braille pages directly, want side-by-side proofreading and a built-in checker, and prefer a low monthly or yearly price to a large upfront license. Translation, the print views and the Braille Checker need an internet connection; English only; bold, italic and underline are the only typeforms supported.
Duxbury DBT
A good choice if you want a perpetual license or a wide range of braille codes and languages.
BrailleBlaster
A good choice if budget is the main factor or your work is NIMAS-based textbooks. It's free and backed by APH.
Braille2000
A good choice if you already use it, want a self-voicing Talking Edition, or prefer to pick the edition that matches your work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Quality Brailler cost?
One 14-day free trial per email address, with full access and no card needed. After that, $29 a month or $290 a year. No sales tax is added.
Can Quality Brailler open my Braille2000 files?
Yes. It opens .B2K and .BML document files as well as BRF and BRL. Some .B2K/.BML settings are not read yet.
Does Quality Brailler have macros like Braille2000 Speedbraille keys?
Yes. Quick Keys are macros: record typing and formatting, replay with one key, and save them as a library. Coming from Braille2000, you can bring your existing speed keys with you.
Does Quality Brailler translate UEB and Nemeth?
Yes. Type print to insert UEB; LaTeX math between dollar signs becomes Nemeth. Word, Markdown and plain-text files translate with BANA formats. Always proofread translated braille, especially Nemeth.
Does Quality Brailler work on Mac and iPad?
Yes. It works on Windows, Mac and iPad. Install the Windows app from the Microsoft Store or, in the United States, the Mac app from the Mac App Store. Or use the web version at app.qualitybraille.com/brailler on any computer or iPad, signed in with your QBT account. The iPad app is not released yet.
Is BrailleBlaster free?
Yes. APH offers BrailleBlaster as a free download from brailleblaster.org.
Does Quality Brailler need an internet connection?
Partly. The installed app opens, edits and saves braille files without an internet connection and without signing in. Translation, file import, the print views and the Braille Checker run on the QBT server, so they need a QBT account and an internet connection. The web version always needs both.
Sources
- Quality Brailler product page
- Duxbury Systems price list
- BrailleBlaster (APH)
- Braille2000 price list (January 2026, PDF)
Duxbury, DBT, BrailleBlaster, Braille2000 and Speedbraille are trademarks of their respective owners. Mentioning them does not imply endorsement.