The best free transcription online tools

The world of transcription software programs is vast, but luckily, there many free transcription tools, too, that can make your lives significantly easier without wreaking havoc in your wallet.

If you’ve ever had to transcribe a, e.g., 120 min long audio file (or a Zoom meeting), then you know it takes time and effort to make manual transcriptions out of an audio recording. Automatic transcription will surely save you many resources and drastically increase your productivity.

What are online audio transcribers?

Whether you need online audio transcription or online video transcription, there are many tools out there you can use. But how exactly does software that transcribes audio work?

Transcription tools utilize advanced speech recognition algorithms to convert spoken language into written text. By analyzing the waveform patterns in an audio or video file, these tools identify individual words, phrases, and sometimes even the context in which they are spoken. Modern transcription software often incorporates machine learning, allowing it to improve its accuracy over time as it is exposed to more diverse language patterns and accents. Some tools provide real-time transcription, while others process pre-recorded files. Many also offer additional features such as punctuation prediction, speaker differentiation, and the ability to handle multiple languages.

Transcription tools pricing

There are many free tools and online transcriber apps available for getting automatized transcriptions. Regardless of the device and operating system you use—Microsoft Windows, Android, or iOS (iPhone, iPad)—there are tools you can use on your phone, computer, or tablet.

If you’re a professional transcriptionist and need to transcribe hundreds and thousands of minutes per month, be prepared to spend a bit of money.

Nonetheless, even the premium transcribing tools can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 per month, so the pricing naturally varies based on the features available.

There is also free audio transcription software. Free transcribers may fit your needs if you need something short with clear audio transcribed, but if you need a long audio project transcription or your audio quality isn’t super clear, then a free audio transcriber might not be the best choice.

Who can use online transcription tools?

Technically, anyone can online transcription tools. Most commonly, apart from professional transcriptionists, it is marketers who use automatic transcription to improve their SEO. If you’re a salesperson and have multiple phone calls per day, record and later transcribe them to revise your tactics.

Podcast creators can benefit from transcribing, too. When you convert your podcast to txt, you can post it as an interview or a blog on your website and further improve your ranking.

If you’re a student, journalist, teacher, or account manager who attends a lot of meetings, or maybe you would just like to have a textual version of your favorite recorded memory, say goodbye to manual transcription. Improve your workflow—instead of dictation, use automated transcription tools that will catch every note and write it down for you.

The transcribing agony is now over. Meet online transcription tools with advanced transcription software and, most importantly, completely free versions available Read this article and learn more about your options when it comes to free transcription services.

The top free transcription services online

If you’re looking for the best software to transcribe audio online, look no further. From basic to advanced online transcription services, we’re covering the best of the best.

Here are the best free online transcribe tools:

Otter AI

Otter is a great online transcribing tool that enables you to take voice meeting notes and real-time transcriptions. This software uses artificial intelligence to transcribe sharable, searchable notes, and content.

This tool will also provide you with accurate transcripts of different audio formats (e.g., WAV). Additionally, Otter gives you a trial version of the software to try out first, so you can check the tool out in detail before making a purchase.

If you combine Otter with e.g. Scribe tool, you can easily create interactive tutorials with detailed step-by-step instructions and subtitles. But if you just need basic automatic transcription services and audio quality, especially in real-time, Otter is a good choice.

oTranscribe

oTranscribe is a free audio transcript HTML5 app designed for journalists, academics, and everybody who wishes to transcribe audio files and formats. To a certain extent, oTranscribe enables video editing, too.

With good speech recognition features, this tool will allow you to edit, pause, playback and fast-forward any audio/video file (e.g., your most recent Zoom call). oTranscribe supports uploading any audio/video file from your computer or a simple upload of YouTube videos.

FreeTranscriptions

FreeTranscriptions is one of the most popular free online transcription services. It allows you to upload and transcribe up to 300 minutes/month free of charge. As far as advanced transcription goes, this tool offers timestamps and identified speakers.

This transcription program uses advanced audio to text software that will make you dispose of your transcription foot pedal for good.

Apart from generating a transcript, FreeTranscriptions gives you transcript proofing and editing options. So if you monthly have 300 minutes or less to transcribe, this tool could be the perfect fit for you.

Google’s transcription tools

Did you know that you can use Google docs to transcribe audio? Well, there’s a first time for everything, and the same goes for human transcription.

Just open a new document in Docs home, click on Tools, then select Voice Typing. Select the desired language and start transcribing your audio file.

All you need is a Google account to use Google’s free audio transcription online tools.

Descript

Descript is a notable tool that has gained recognition in the realm of audio and video transcription. Offering both free and paid versions, Descript provides users with the capability to automatically transcribe spoken content, turning audio and video files into easily editable text. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for users to edit transcriptions in a manner similar to editing text in a word processor.

In addition to its transcription services, Descript boasts an array of audio editing features, allowing users to craft polished audio content without requiring expertise in professional audio software. The free version offers a taste of its capabilities, making it an attractive option for those looking to transcribe on a budget, while its premium features cater to more professional needs.

Speechify Transcription

Speechify Transcription is part of the larger suite of Speechify Studio, which offers a wide array of AI-enabled content creation tools. Speechify Transcription’s free trial is considered the best free transcription software because it gives you full access to all of its features. Transcribe audio from more than 20 different languages in a matter of minutes. Because it’s powered by AI, Speechify Transcription is extremely fast and accurate.

Transcribe online with Speechify Transcription

All you need to use Speechify Transcription is an audio file, video file, or a YouTube URL. Upload your file or paste the YouTube link, and the transcription app will automatically read and transcribe for you. Once it’s done, all you need to do is click download, and you’ll have an accurate transcription for whatever your needs may be.

Try out free AI transcription today with Speechify Transcription.

FAQ

How do I automatically transcribe audio to text for free?

You can transcribe audio to text for free using the Speechify Transcription free trial.

Does Google have free transcription software?

Yes, it does, and it’s incorporated into Google Docs. To use it, just open a new text document, click Tools, then select Voice typing. Select a language, import your audio file, and that’s it.

Is there a free way to convert audio to text?

You can convert audio to text with a free transcription tool, such as the Speechify Transcription free trial.