15 Best Free Transcription Software: Tested and Trusted to Use in 2026

The transcribe software is a tool that converts your conversation, lectures, or office meetings into a neat, well-written text without typing a single word. It works by integrating AI-powered tools that record, listen, understand, and write it out accurately in minutes. 

Whether you are a content creator who wants to transcribe videos, a student taking notes, or a professional recording office meetings, the best free transcription software fosters your overall work efficiency. 

Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable tool for yourself, skim through this article and discover the 15 tested transcribing software that you can use in 2026 without any hassle. 

What are the 5 Best Free Transcription Software?

Below, we have mentioned the names of the top 5 tools that are trusted by thousands of active users. Notably, although these tools are free to use, to unlock their premium features or to extend their conversion limits, you may have to purchase their subscription plans. 

1. oTranscribe

oTranscribe, a completely free online transcription software, is widely used for its robust feature of transcribing recorded interviews. It facilitates the digital space where you can listen to audio and edit text on the same interface, enhancing your overall work efficiency.

Amazingly, it does not require any sign-up process; you can simply visit the website and access its features. Also, oTranscribe is a web-based transcription platform, allowing you to use it anywhere, anytime. 

Pros	Cons
oTranscribe is a free online transcription software that can be easily used without any login process.	Many users have complaints about the accuracy issues while operating this transcribing software.
It enables a smooth import of both audio and video files.
The platform converts the audio into various formats, such as TXT, Markdown, and Google Docs.
It provides a separate section for keyboard shortcuts to simplify its functions.

2. Google Live Transcribe

Google Live Transcribe is an Android application that can be easily installed on any handset. It delivers the real-time spoken-to-text result and is especially designed for people who are deaf or have hearing issues. 

Additionally, this useful app supports more than 120 languages and dialects, covering the massive audience requirements. Along with this, it allows adding custom words in the dictionary section, such as a person’s name, a location, or a common term in a specific place, to get more accurate results.

Pros	Cons
Google Live Transcribe is a free tool.	It only supports Android devices.
It delivers real-time spoken-to-text results, assisting people who have hearing issues.
There is an offline mode available for this tool, so that anyone can use it without an internet connection.
It allows copying and pasting the transcribed text on any other third-party apps.

3. Otter

Otter is an AI-powered platform that helps you record your meeting sessions, podcasts, or lectures and transcribes them into a precise script. 

Moreover, its advanced features summarize the entire recording, highlight the important pointers, and pinpoint the to-do tasks, fostering work accuracy and efficiency. Also, this free transcribing tool offers an AI Chat option that you can use to generate emails, work plans, reports, and the rest to streamline your workflow. 

Pros	Cons
Helps to record or convert their audio files into transcripts.	Many users often have to face technical difficulties, as this tool automatically joins the scheduled meeting on the calendar.
It smoothly syncs with Outlook Calendar and Google Calendar.
The platform contains numerous AI-powered features, fostering team collaboration.
Its AI Chat tool assists its users in recording, summarizing, and highlighting the key points of their audio files.

Plan	Monthly Pricing Details
Basic	There are no charges.
Pro	$8.33
Business	$19.99

4. Notta 

Notta is one of the best audio transcription software programs that helps its users to automatically convert their speech and video files into text in real-time. Notably, there are currently 90K active users, who have reduced their work time by almost 40% by operating this amazing tool. 

Moreover, this platform supports 58 different languages for transcription and takes an average of 5 minutes to convert an hour-long recording.

Pros	Cons
Notta is a free transcription software that delivers a real-time transcript in minutes.	It has a limited free plan with a 3-minute per recording threshold.
It highlights the meeting pointers and shares them in an easily accessible file.
The platform converts hour-long audio or video clips into minutes.
It boosts a smooth integration with hundreds of other apps like Dropbox, HubSpot, Microsoft OneNote, and many more.

Plans	Monthly Pricing Details
Basic	There are no charges.
Pro	$8.17
Business	$16.67

5. HappyScribe 

HappyScribe multilingual notetaker that incorporates AI-driven tools to convert your conversation, meeting pointers, or podcast into a well-written text format. It delivers an excellent integration with several other online platforms like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom to streamline your work quality. 

Impressively, the platform is available in 120+ languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and many others, ensuring a wide range of accents for both human and AI solutions.

Pros	Cons
Happy Scribe is a free transcription software that offers a comprehensive suite of human and AI services.	The platform is partially free.
The platform delivers several useful options like transcription, closed captions, translated transcripts, and converted subtitles, fostering an overall workflow.
With the help of GDPR-compliant and SOC 2 Type II certified, this tool ensures enterprise-grade security.
It also features numerous work productivity tools like file management, API, interactive editors, and more.

Plans	Monthly Pricing Details
Starter	Free Trial for first 10 mins; $12 for an hour
Lite	$9
Pro	$29
Business	$89

In essence, above we have mentioned the top name of 5 free transcription software that come with moderate premium plans, making it a perfect option for students or small businesses. 

What are the 5 Shareware Transcription Software? 

Below, we have listed the best transcribing software that offers a free trial or a limited version to its users, so that they can make informed decisions before making a purchase. Go through this section thoroughly to get their names along with benefits, limitations, and pricing details. 

1. Express Scribe Transcription Software 

Express Scribe is one of the most trusted free transcription software programs that features several beneficial options. It is a professional dashboard that is especially designed for Mac and PC for instant transcribing audio recordings. 

Furthermore, the platform allows its users to use a hot key for mouse-free audio file playback while transcribing directly to Word or any other online tools. Also, Express Scribe supports various audio formats and encrypted dictation, including M4A, MP3, DSS, and the rest. 

Pros	Cons
Express Scribe is the most prominent free audio transcription software, featuring various robust options like foot pedal control, variable speed playback, and many more.	Many users find its user interface a little outdated.
It supports 45+ formats of audio and video files.
The website works with a speech recognition tool to automatically convert your audio file into neat text.
It delivers excellent device compatibility.

Plans	Pricing Details
Professional Annual Plan	$69.95/yearly
Basic Annual Plan	$59.95/yearly
Professional Quarterly Plan (Recommended)	$7.16/monthly

2. Jamie AI 

The next name on the list of best free transcription software is Jamie AI. It is a leading tool that offers cutting-edge transcription results to its users. Along with this, Jamie comes with a user-friendly sitemap available in both light and dark modes. 

Furthermore, this tool supports 90+ languages to convert your lectures, meeting pointers, or podcast sessions accurately. Most importantly, its AI note taker records, listens, and converts the speech in real-time, so that you can maintain productivity in your work. 

Pros	Cons
The Jamie AI is widely recognized for its fast and accurate results.	There is no mobile app available for this platform.
It supports more than 90 languages.
The platform ensures robust online privacy and security for its users.
This voice recognition transcription software generates the summary text from the hours-long audio and video files.

Plans	Monthly Pricing Details
Basic	There are no charges.
Pro	$54.35
Plus	$28.91

3. Trint

Trint is one of the free transcribing software that employs advanced AI-powered tools to automatically transform all kinds of audio and video files into text. It is a multilingual platform that delivers more than 40 languages, such as English, German, Spanish, and others. 

Apart from this, this tool offers a live transcription feature that boosts team collaboration with other online platforms. Whether you want to convert a recorded audio clip or a video file into text, this amazing tool has covered you all. 

Pros	Cons
The Trint delivers AI-powered transcription results, ensuring 99% accuracy.	The accuracy level may drop while using more than two speakers.
This platform offers ISO 27001-certified security to its users.
It supports the collaborative transcription and editing options, so that you can convert your hour-long files in just a few minutes.
The platforms also have a mobile application for both Android and iOS.

Plans	Monthly Pricing Details
Trial	Free to use for 7 days.
Starter 2024	$80
Advanced 2024	$100

4. Sonix

Moving to the next name of the best free transcription software, we have Sonix. It is a perfect tool for those who regularly need to convert hour-long audio and video files into text. The platform searches, records, listens, and converts any sort of speech into words, with the help of its several advanced features. 

Additionally, it translates conversations, meeting pointers, or recorded lectures in more than 54 languages, such as Hindi, English, French, German, and the rest. Notably, there is no need to download any browser extension or apps to operate Sonix; it is a web-based platform that can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. 

Pros	Cons
The Sonix delivers outstanding AI-driven transcript results, ensuring accuracy and reliability.	The platform is not completely free.
It provides automated subtitles to boost the project’s productivity.
The platforms offer several options to share and publish the converted text files easily.
It allows a smooth collaboration with the numerous online platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Zapier, and the rest.

Plans	Monthly Pricing Details
Standard	There are no charges.
Premium	$22

5. InqScribe

InqScribe is a transcription software free program that boosts the entire process of converting audio and video files. It highlights the name, place, date, and assigned task from the speech, so that you can always stay updated and never miss any important things. 

Interestingly, you can edit the time code in the transcript, so whenever you click on that, it will direct you to that section in the audio file instantly. 

Pros	Cons
Converts long-hour speech files into text.	Its pitch lock option is only available in a few formats.
It delivers food pedal support.
The platform has a simple and easy user interface with modern AI-powered features.
It is available for both Windows and Mac devices.

Plan	Pricing Details
Trial	Free for 14 days.
License (Forever)	$99 (for individual)

Additional List of Best Partially Free Transcription Software 

Examine the table below to get more names of transcription tools at your convenience, along with their detailed pros, cons, and pricing details. 

S.No	Transcription Software Name	Pros	Cons	Monthly Pricing Details
1.	MacWhisper	The platform supports Metal and GPU to deliver fast and accurate transcription files. It delivers the subtitle files in various formats, such as .srt and .vtt.	The platform is Mac-centric and does not support any other operating systems.	Native macOS app: There are no charges. Pro License: $68.22
2.	The FTW Transcriber	The tool comes with an easy and intuitive layout. It delivers accurate and reliable transcript results.	The platform does not automatically import time codes that are already added in the video file.	License: $1
3.	Fireflies.AI	This free transcription software offers smooth integration with other online platforms, such as Google Meet, Zoom, and others. It delivers enterprise-grade security featuring compliance with SOC 2 Type II certification and GDPR.	The free version has a storage limitation of 800 minutes and restricted access to AI features.	$10
4.	Riverside	The platform delivers AI-powered results, ensuring high accuracy and reliable results. It automatically backs up your data on the cloud storage, so that you can access your files anywhere, anytime.	Many users may face glitches while operating this tool.	Pros: $24 Live: $34 Webinar: $79
5.	Fathom	This free transcription tool delivers high-quality transcription and uses an AI-driven tool to highlight key points from the long-hour speech clips. It offers top-notch customer service.	There is no mobile app available for this software.	Premium: $16 Team: $14 Business: $20/per user (minimum 2 allowed)

That’s the wrap for the list of the best transcribing software that empowers you to generate a neat and well-written transcript from different kinds of audio and video recordings. 

Read More: Uncover the 3 Effective Ways to Download YouTube Videos to iPhone in 2025

How to Choose Free Online Transcription Software? 

To choose an accurate tool, you must consider several important points, such as its features, accuracy, limitations, and sitemap, among others. Therefore, review the pointers below to gain a more precise understanding of these factors. 

1. Determine Features: Before opting for any software, go through its offering, like export/import options, AI capabilities, integration with other outlets, and language support, ensuring a smooth transcribing process. 

2. Check Accuracy Percentage: Whether you are a student or a professional, accuracy is the basic thing that matters in all sorts of projects. Check how much the tool is promising you and what its review rating is, avoiding potential difficulties in the future. 

3. Limitations of Basic Plans: Free transcription software often comes with certain restrictions, such as a limited number of conversions, total monthly minutes, and file length. Examine these things to be sure whether the tool meets your requirements or not.

4. Overview Sitemap: Mostly, users get confused because of the complicated or cluttered layout of the tool. Take your time, scroll through the entire sitemap to comprehend its options and its operating process. 

5. Speed: Look for the tool that generates results without delay or lagging for a long time to save your time. 

Therefore, while choosing a free transcribing tool for yourself, do not rush, stay calm, and try to understand what does platform is actually offering to you. Also, keep the aforementioned pointers in your mind; this will help you to make an informed decision. 

Suggested Read: 10 Best Word Processing Software in 2025: Advanced Editing and Better Formatting

What are the Benefits and Limitations of the Free Transcription Software? 

Surely, the online transcription software offers a complete suite of AI-powered tools and advanced features to generate a helpful transcript from your audio or video files. But, like any other technology, they also come with some limitations that shouldn’t be ignored. 

Below, we have presented both transcription tool benefits and limitations in a tabular format. Take a quick look. 

Benefits	Limitations
Operating a reliable transcription tool will help you to generate quick, neat, and well-written text from long audio or video files.	Many free transcription software programs lack accuracy, particularly with complex audio, accents, and multiple speakers.
Free transcription software is perfect for students and small-budget projects.	These free services may not match the same level of privacy and security as the paid transcription software.
Many tools are web-based, which means there is no need to install or require any login process, making them easily accessible.	Transcription software may have limitations on file size, types, or formats.
These free transcription software programs enable easy integration with numerous video conferencing platforms, fostering overall workflow productivity.
Free transcription software provides AI assistance to save time and effort by reducing manual work.

Thus, operating free transcription software is a perfect choice for everyday tasks, small projects, note-taking, and content creation. However, they may lack accuracy and advanced features. So, before opting for any tool for your professional work, thoroughly check its offers to avoid any sort of problem in the future. 

Wrapping Up!

In a nutshell, converting your recorded audio or videos into text doesn’t have to be hectic or expensive. There are numerous free transcription software programs available online that not only transcribe your files but also highlight important key points from them. 

The tools we have mentioned in this blog post are easy to use and suitable for students, content creators, professionals, or anyone who is looking for free AI support to manage their transcript projects. 

So, what are you waiting for? Pick any of the free transcribing software from the aforementioned list and start enhancing your work efficiency by employing their AI-powered features! 

Next Read: 10 Best Book Writing Software 2025: Tested and Trusted Tools

Frequently Asked Questions