Free Transcription Tools: What Can You Do for $0?

Need to transcribe a meeting, an interview, or a quick voice memo but don’t want to spend a dime? Free transcription tools are accessible and offer a range of features to help you transcribe audio and video files easily.

Whether you’re capturing key points from a brainstorming session or converting audio into text for accessibility, these tools save time and effort without breaking your budget. But how much can you truly get for free? Let’s explore the key features to look for and the top eight tools available.

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Key Features to Look for in a Transcription Tool

Finding a transcription tool that fits your needs—without installing extra software—can make all the difference. Here are the features you should prioritize when choosing a free transcription tool:

Browser-Based Access

Look for tools that work directly in your browser. This saves you time and storage space, letting you transcribe audio or video files without downloads.

Support for Multiple File Formats

Whether you're working with MP3, WAV, MP4, or other common file formats, a good transcription tool should be able to handle diverse inputs.

AI-Powered Transcription

Advanced tools use AI to deliver accurate transcripts, even with background noise or multiple speakers.

Speaker Labels

If you’re transcribing meetings or interviews, it’s important to identify who said what. AI-powered speaker detection is a must-have feature.

Customization Options

Features like adjusting playback speed or foot pedal support can make the transcription process smoother and more tailored to your workflow.

Free Plan Limitations

Check what the free plan offers—some tools may restrict transcription length or number of files, while others might include watermarks or ads.

By considering these features, you can choose a transcription tool that truly delivers value even on a $0 budget.

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Top 8 Free Transcription Tools

Finding the right free transcription tool can feel overwhelming with so many available options. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of eight standout tools that offer solid features at no cost.

1. Tactiq

Tactiq is a browser-based transcription tool for virtual meetings. It integrates seamlessly with platforms like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for capturing live conversations—minus the hassle of note-taking.

Key Features:

• Real-time transcription for meetings on popular platforms.
• AI-powered speaker labels to identify who said what.
• Support for uploading audio and video files to convert them into accurate transcripts.
• Customizable AI prompts to turn meeting notes into summaries, follow-ups, and more.
• Works in-browser—no software installation required.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• 10 transcripts per month.
• AI-generated insights.
• Ability to share transcripts with your team and export files.
• Basic editing tools to refine your notes.

Pricing:

• Pro Plan: $12 per user per month (billed monthly) or $8 per user per month (billed annually). Offers unlimited transcriptions, 10 AI credits per month, advanced transcription controls, and all Free Plan features.
• Team Plan: $20 per user per month (billed monthly) or $16.70 per user per month (billed annually). Provides unlimited transcriptions, unlimited AI credits, priority support, centralized billing, auto-sharing with team members, and all Pro Plan features.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for organizations with 100+ users. Includes all Team Plan features, managed data retention, dedicated spaces, and a dedicated account manager.

2. Otter.ai

Otter.ai is another AI-powered transcription service that makes it easy to transcribe spoken language into text. Whether you're capturing notes from a meeting, lecture, or interview, Otter.ai offers both free and paid plans to meet various needs.

Key Features:

• Real-time transcription for live conversations and meetings.
• AI-powered speaker identification to distinguish and label different speakers.
• Import capabilities for audio and video files to generate accurate transcripts.
• Advanced export options, including formats like PDF, DOCX, and SRT.
• Collaboration tools such as shared custom vocabulary and action item assignment (available in paid plans).

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• 300 monthly transcription minutes with a 30-minute limit per conversation.
• Real-time transcription during meetings or live conversations.
• Speaker identification and labeling for better transcript organization.
• Ability to import and transcribe up to three audio or video files per user.

Pricing:

• Pro Plan: $16.99 per month (or $8.33 per month when billed annually). Offers 1,200 monthly transcription minutes, 90-minute conversation limits, and advanced collaboration tools.
• Business Plan: $30 per user per month (billed annually). Provides 6,000 monthly transcription minutes, four-hour conversation limits, multiple meeting support, and centralized team management features.

3. Sonix

Sonix is an AI-powered transcription platform that delivers fast transcriptions for audio and video files. With support for over 35 languages and a user-friendly interface, Sonix caters to professionals and teams needing quick, collaborative transcription solutions.

Key Features:

• AI-driven transcription for audio and video files.
• In-browser editor with word-by-word timestamps and speaker labels for seamless editing.
• Multilingual support for over 35 languages, ideal for global teams.
• Automated translation and subtitle generation for video content.
• Collaboration tools which allow team members to comment, edit, and manage shared files.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• A 30-minute free trial to explore Sonix's core transcription features and usability.

Pricing:

• Standard Plan: $10 per transcription hour, offering pay-as-you-go flexibility for occasional users.
• Premium Plan: $22 per user per month, plus $5 per transcription hour, with advanced collaboration features.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for high-volume transcription needs, tailored for large organizations requiring additional security and features.

4. oTranscribe

oTranscribe is a free, open-source web application that simplifies manual transcription. It provides an intuitive interface and helpful tools for transcribing audio or video files directly in your browser.

Key Features:

• Integrated media player to play audio or video files without switching applications.
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts for playback controls, making transcription hands-free.
• Interactive timestamps for easy navigation within your transcript.
• Automatic saving to browser storage, preventing data loss.
• Privacy-focused, keeping files and transcripts stored locally on your computer.
• Export options, including Markdown, plain text, or Google Docs integration.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• Full access to all features, including media playback, timestamping, and export tools.
• No limits on the number or size of files you can transcribe.

Pricing:

oTranscribe is entirely free to use. There are no paid plans or hidden costs, making it an accessible option for anyone needing manual transcription support.

5. Temi

Temi is an AI-powered transcription service that converts audio and video files into text quickly and accurately. It’s designed for professionals and students looking for a simple, pay-as-you-go solution.

Key Features:

• Automated transcription using advanced speech recognition algorithms.
• In-browser editing tools with timestamps and speaker identification for easy refinements.
• Multiple export options, including MS Word, PDF, SRT, and VTT formats for flexible use.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• A single transcript of up to 45 minutes, with access to all features during the trial.

Pricing:

• Standard Rate: $0.25 per audio minute, offering a pay-as-you-go model with no subscriptions or hidden fees.
  

6. Rev

Rev is a transcription service offering both AI-powered and human-generated solutions. Rev caters to diverse needs, from quick automated transcripts to highly detailed human transcriptions.

Key Features:

• Delivers 99% accurate transcripts with a typical turnaround time of 12 hours.
• Offers automated transcription with 80-90% accuracy and results in as little as 5 minutes.
• An AI meeting assistant that joins and transcribes meetings on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
• Captures audio from various sources, extracts key insights, and ensures security with SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• Up to 300 minutes of AI transcription per month, with a 30-minute limit per conversation.
  

Pricing:

• Human Transcription: $1.99 per audio minute for high-accuracy transcripts.
• AI Transcription: $0.25 per audio minute for quick automated results.
• VoiceHub Plans:
• Basic Plan ($9.99 per user/month): Includes up to 1,200 minutes of AI transcription per month.
• Pro Plan ($20.99 per user/month): Offers advanced features and higher transcription limits.
• Enterprise Plan (Custom): Custom pricing tailored to high-volume needs.

7. Happy Scribe

Happy Scribe is a transcription and subtitling platform that supports both automated and human-powered transcription. With extensive language support and collaborative tools, it’s designed for professionals who need reliable transcription and editing options.

Key Features:

• Automatic transcription and subtitles powered by AI, supporting over 130 languages.
• Human-made transcription with 99% accuracy, available in 70+ languages.
• Interactive editing tools with timestamps and speaker identification for refining transcripts.
• Multiple export formats, including MS Word, PDF, SRT, and VTT.
• Collaboration tools with customizable workspaces and role-based permissions.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• A free trial offering the first 10 minutes of the first file uploaded to explore the platform’s capabilities.
  

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: $10 per month (billed annually), includes 24 hours (1,440 minutes) of AI transcription, subtitles, and translation per year, watermark-free exports, and access to AI features like summaries.
• Pro Plan: $17 per month (billed annually), provides 60 hours per year, all Basic Plan features, and additional export options.
• Business Plan: $29 per month (billed annually), includes 120 hours per year, team collaboration tools, advanced analytics, and a dedicated account manager.

8. Transkriptor

Transkriptor is an AI-powered transcription service that converts audio and video files into text quickly and accurately. It is designed for professionals and students.

Key Features:

• High accuracy, achieving up to 99% depending on audio quality.
• Fast turnaround, completing transcriptions in minutes.
• Multi-platform accessibility with mobile apps, a Chrome extension, and integrations with platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Speaker identification to distinguish between multiple speakers.
• Editable transcripts within the platform for easy corrections.
• Export options in formats like TXT, SRT, and Microsoft Word.

What You’ll Get from the Free Plan:

• 90 minutes of free transcription upon sign-up to explore the service and its features.

Pricing:

• Pro Plan: $16.99 per month (billed monthly) or $8.33 per month (billed annually at $99.99). Includes 2,400 transcription minutes per month, tools to record meetings and voice, AI-powered summaries, collaboration features, and mobile app access.
• Team Plan: $30 per seat per month (billed monthly) or $20 per seat per month (billed annually at $240). Offers 3,000 transcription minutes per seat per month, shared team spaces, calendar-based auto-recording, centralized billing, and user permissions management.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored to business needs. Includes custom transcription quotas, API access, advanced security, custom workflows, feature development, and white-labeling options.

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Tactiq: More Than a Transcription Tool

While transcription tools help capture conversations, the real value lies in what happens next. That’s where Tactiq sets itself apart—by combining transcription with AI-powered workflows to turn meeting insights into meaningful actions.

AI Workflows as an Added Benefit:

• Automated Meeting Insights: Tactiq’s AI extracts and organizes key points, creating summaries, action items, and structured knowledge from your meeting transcripts.
• Customizable Workflows: Tailor workflows to your team’s unique needs, ensuring that post-meeting tasks integrate seamlessly with your tools and processes.
• Integrated Collaboration: Automatically update CRMs, create task briefs, and notify teams by connecting Tactiq with tools like Slack, Notion, and project management platforms.
• AI-Powered Prompts: Use customizable prompts to automate tasks like drafting follow-up emails or creating tickets, saving time and reducing manual effort.

Tactiq goes beyond transcription—it provides automation that eliminates repetitive tasks and drives productivity. With Tactiq, every meeting becomes a step forward in achieving your goals. Download the Tactiq Chrome Extension today!

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FAQs

What is the best transcription tool for free?

The best free transcription tool depends on your needs. Tactiq is excellent for live transcriptions during meetings, while Otter.ai provides robust collaboration features. For quick file uploads, Temi and Rev’s online recorder are solid options.

Is there an AI tool to transcribe for free?

Yes, tools like Tactiq, Otter.ai, and Happy Scribe offer free plans that use AI for transcription. These plans typically include limited transcription minutes and access to essential features.

How can I transcribe calls for free?

You can use browser-based tools like Tactiq, which integrates with Google Meet and Zoom for live transcription. Alternatively, Otter.ai can transcribe recorded calls when uploaded. Free plans usually have time limits, so check each tool's offerings.