Free online transcription tools

Free Transcription Tools for Audio and Video

Pick the right workflow for browser microphone recordings, interviews, podcasts, lectures, meeting exports, subtitles, or document exports. Every tool below runs in your browser with no software install.

Upload & transcribe

Transcribe your file now

Upload any audio or video file here. Pick a language and mode, then explore format-specific tools below.

Audio languageUploads & recordings · 100+ languages

Drop audio or video here

MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, MOV, WebM and more · up to 6 GB each · Free: 3/day, first 30 minutes per file. Pro for full text and editing.

Choose files

Record audio

Pause and resume anytime · up to 3 hours

Automatic transcription settings · target 128 kbps

Free: 3/day, first 30 minutes per file. Pro for full text and editing.

  • No credit card required
  • Speaker labels
  • TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT exports for all languages; PDF (basic ASCII only) for plain English text
  • Audio and video files

Supported formats: MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, MOV, WEBM, AAC, FLAC

Private uploads. Files are used to create your transcript and exports.

Built for audio, video, meetings, podcasts, lectures and interviews.

TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT for all languages. PDF (basic ASCII only) for plain English text.

Choose your output

Do you need readable text, a Word document or timed subtitles?

Start with your file and the result you need. The MP4 and MP3 examples let you inspect the same short recording as text or subtitles before uploading your own file.

Audio to Word

Transcribe a recording into an editable Word document. Choose this when your deliverable is a document rather than timed captions.

Video to Text Converter

Start with a video in MOV, WEBM or another supported format and turn its spoken audio into searchable text.

Meeting Transcription

Upload a recorded meeting and review its transcript with speaker labels. This is a recording workflow, not a bot joining your call.

Compare transcription tools

Looking for an Otter.ai alternative for uploaded files?

If your workflow starts with recorded audio or video instead of a live meeting bot, compare VoiceScribe as an Otter.ai alternative for long uploads, DOCX exports, SRT/VTT subtitles, and multilingual transcription.

Compare the Otter.ai alternative workflow

Tool directory

Choose a transcription tool

Transcribe Audio to Text

Upload audio or video and get an automatic transcript with speaker labels and TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT (all languages), or PDF (basic ASCII only) exports.

Best for:
General audio & video
Formats:
MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, MOV
Transcribe audio

Record Audio to Text

Record microphone audio in your browser, pause or resume for up to 3 hours, then transcribe the finished recording.

Best for:
New voice recordings
Formats:
Browser microphone audio
Start recording

Free Audio to Text Converter

Convert MP3, MP4, WAV and more to searchable text online. No credit card required to start.

Best for:
Mixed formats
Formats:
MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, FLAC
Convert free

MP3 to Text

Upload MP3 interviews, lectures or voice memos and turn them into editable transcripts.

Best for:
Audio files
Formats:
MP3, WAV, M4A
Transcribe MP3

Video to Text

Transcribe speech from MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV and WEBM video files with timestamps.

Best for:
Video files
Formats:
MP4, MOV, WEBM, MKV
Transcribe video

MP4 to Text

Transcribe spoken audio in MP4 videos into readable text for notes, quotes and editable documents.

Best for:
MP4 video
Formats:
MP4, MOV
Transcribe MP4

Zoom Recording Transcription

Transcribe downloaded Zoom meeting recordings with speaker labels and export-ready files.

Best for:
Zoom meetings
Formats:
MP4, M4A, WAV
Transcribe Zoom

How to Transcribe Audio Files Free

Step-by-step guide comparing free methods to turn any recording into accurate text.

Best for:
Learning workflows
Formats:
Any audio or video
Read the guide

Otter.ai Alternative

Compare VoiceScribe AI with Otter.ai for uploaded audio, video files, meeting recordings, multilingual transcripts and subtitle exports.

Best for:
Comparing tools
Formats:
Audio & video uploads
See comparison

Meeting transcription

YouTube Transcript Generator from Uploaded Video

Download or export your YouTube video, upload the file here, and generate a searchable transcript with speaker labels and multiple export formats.

Open tool

Zoom Transcription from Exported Recordings

Upload your exported Zoom recording and get a searchable transcript with speaker labels. VoiceScribe does not connect to Zoom directly—you upload the file you already saved.

Open tool

Google Meet Transcription from Exported Recordings

Upload your exported Google Meet recording and generate a transcript with speaker labels. VoiceScribe works from files you download—not direct Meet integration.

Open tool

Microsoft Teams Transcription from Exported Recordings

Upload your exported Teams meeting recording and generate a transcript with speaker labels. VoiceScribe transcribes uploaded files rather than connecting to Teams directly.

Open tool

Bot-Free Meeting Transcription

Record an in-person meeting through your microphone or upload an exported Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, or Webex recording. No meeting bot joins the call.

Open tool

Lecture Transcription for Recorded Classes

Upload recorded lectures from classrooms, LMS platforms, or online courses and convert them into readable transcripts for studying and note-taking.

Open tool

Interview Transcription with Speaker Labels

Upload recorded interviews and generate transcripts that separate interviewer and subject voices. Export editable documents for articles, reports, and analysis.

Open tool

Podcast Transcription for Episodes and Show Notes

Upload podcast audio or video exports and generate transcripts for show notes, quoting, subtitles, and searchable episode archives.

Open tool

Which tool should I use?

Match your file type or goal to the best starting page.

  • I want to record new audio now

    Use Record Audio to Text to capture your microphone and transcribe it after recording finishes.

    Go to tool →
  • I have an MP3 or voice memo

    Start with MP3 to Text for a focused audio workflow.

    Go to tool →
  • I need a readable transcript from an MP4

    Use MP4 to Text for a text-first workflow with TXT or DOCX downloads.

    Go to tool →
  • I downloaded a Zoom recording

    Use Zoom Recording Transcription for meeting files.

    Go to tool →
  • I need SRT subtitles for an MP4 video

    Use MP4 to SRT for timed captions, then import the subtitle file into your editor or video platform.

    Go to tool →
  • I need to convert an MP3 to SRT

    Use MP3 to SRT for a focused subtitle workflow from audio-only files.

    Go to tool →
  • I am comparing Otter.ai

    Read the Otter.ai alternative comparison if you need uploaded audio/video transcription instead of live meeting notes.

    Go to tool →

Common transcription workflows

Three paths most teams follow after uploading a file.

  1. 1

    Upload and transcribe

    Drop an audio or video file, pick a language or use auto-detect, and get a transcript in minutes.

  2. 2

    Review with speaker labels

    Read the transcript with synchronized playback. Speaker diarization separates who said what.

  3. 3

    Export text or subtitles

    Download TXT, DOCX (all languages), or PDF (basic ASCII only) for documents, or SRT and VTT for video editors and streaming.

Transcription tools FAQ

What is the best free transcription tool on VoiceScribe AI?

Use Record Audio to Text when you need to capture new microphone audio. For existing files, Transcribe Audio to Text or the Free Audio to Text Converter are the best general starting points.

Do I need to install software?

No. Every tool on this page runs in your browser. You can record microphone audio or upload an existing file without downloading desktop software.

Which formats are supported?

VoiceScribe AI accepts MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, MOV, WEBM, AAC, FLAC and other common audio and video formats across the tools listed above.

Can I transcribe Zoom recordings?

Yes. Download your Zoom recording and use the Zoom Recording Transcription page to upload MP4, M4A or WAV files.

Is there an Otter.ai alternative?

Yes. VoiceScribe AI supports long uploaded audio and video, multilingual transcription, speaker labels, DOCX exports and SRT/VTT subtitles. See the Otter.ai alternative comparison for details.

Open your transcription dashboard

Free daily transcription tasks. Upload files, review transcripts and export to TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT (all languages), or PDF (basic ASCII only).

Go to dashboard