Best Free Transcription Software (2026): Real Limits

Product information checked October 17, 2026. Published by VoiceScriber.

Quick answer: free-to-try private transcription on iPhone

For private recordings and imported M4A, MP3 or WAV files on iPhone, VoiceScriber AI is our recommendation. It transcribes on-device in 100+ languages, works in Airplane Mode and needs no account. It is free to try, not a permanently free app: after the trial, choose weekly ($5.99) or lifetime ($49.99) access. [45] [47]

The best free transcription software depends on whether you need live meeting notes, existing audio files or local processing without a subscription. Otter suits occasional meetings, TurboScribe offers a clearly capped web allowance, and Buzz or MacWhisper suit local desktop work. A free download, however, does not guarantee a complete transcript or a usable export. [25] [26] [22] [1] [5]

What "free" actually means

Permanently free tools have no software subscription, although hardware and storage still cost money. A free tier remains available with usage or feature limits. A free trial ends after time or usage runs out. A free download with paid features lets you install an app but may charge before transcription or export. These are different offers.

Free transcription limits: compare the actual offer

Start with the export column. A complete downloadable transcript is more useful than a generous headline allowance that only reveals a short preview. "No published cap" below means the vendor did not establish a universal numeric limit in the checked documentation; it does not mean every file will work.

Free limits, exports and payment triggers. Checked October 17, 2026. Scroll horizontally for all 11 columns.
App / workflow	Free allowance / period	Maximum length	Free export	Type of free	Platform	Live or file	Account required?	Offline?	What triggers payment?	Checked
Recurring free services
TurboScribe [22] [23]	3 files/day; one at a time	30 min/file	TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT	Free tier with limits	Web; computer or mobile browser	Files	Yes	No; cloud upload	More daily files, longer files or faster queue	2026-10-17
Riverside public tool [24]	Repeated free use advertised; no signup	Numeric standalone cap not published	TXT, SRT	Free tier with limits	Web; supported browser	Files	No for public tool	No; upload-based	Paid studio/editor features; separate product limits	2026-10-17
Otter Basic [25] [26] [27] [28]	300 min/month; 3 lifetime imports	30 min/conversation accessible	TXT text export	Free tier with limits	Web, desktop, iPhone, Android	Meetings + files	Yes	No; offline capture uploads later	Longer conversations, more imports or advanced exports	2026-10-17
Rev Free [29] [30] [31]	45 AI min/month; English only	Separate free file cap not published; monthly budget applies	DOCX, PDF, TXT, SRT, VTT	Free tier with limits	Web, iPhone, Android	Recordings + files	Yes	No; cloud service	More minutes/languages; human transcription costs extra	2026-10-17
HappyScribe meetings [39] [40]	Unlimited number of meeting recordings	45 min/meeting	TXT/SRT; other free format claims conflict	Free tier with limits	Web	Meeting recording	Yes	No; cloud processing	Longer meetings, history/features beyond free plan	2026-10-17
Notta Free [32] [33] [34]	120 min/month; 50 uploads/month	3 min/conversation on Free	No transcript download on Free	Free tier with limits	Web, desktop, iPhone, Android	Meetings + files	Yes	No free offline mode	Full-length access and exports; paid desktop local mode is separate	2026-10-17
Fireflies Free [35] [36] [37] [38]	3 default meeting credits; eligible Auto-join removes meeting count cap; 400 min storage (scope differs across docs)	2 h/meeting; uploaded files 150 min/100 MB	Transcript downloads require paid plan	Free tier with limits	Web, desktop, iPhone, Android	Meetings + credit-metered files	Yes	No; processing requires upload	Downloads, credits and larger storage; check Auto-join settings	2026-10-17
Local desktop tools
Buzz [1] [2]	No vendor-metered minute quota	Hardware/model dependent; no universal cap published	TXT, SRT, VTT	Permanently free	Windows, Mac, Linux	Files + microphone	No for local engine	Yes after engine/model setup	None for local open-source app; hosted API use is separate	2026-10-17
Vibe [3]	No vendor-metered minute quota	Hardware/model dependent; no universal cap published	TXT, SRT, VTT, DOCX, PDF, HTML, JSON	Permanently free	Windows, Mac, Linux	Files + microphone/system audio	No for local transcription	Yes after model setup	No local transcription fee; optional hosted AI may cost extra	2026-10-17
MacWhisper Free [5]	No published minute quota for included local models	Hardware/model dependent; no universal cap published	TXT, SRT, VTT	Free tier with limits	Mac	Files + microphone	No transcription account; download/store access differs	Yes with downloaded local model	Pro models/features, batches and advanced exports; optional cloud use	2026-10-17
Anarlog Free [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]	Unlimited local transcription advertised	Model/hardware dependent; no numeric free cap published	Text, Markdown, PDF, Org	Free tier with limits	Mac; Windows/Linux beta with AI-path restrictions	Meeting capture + files	No in fully local mode	Built-in local AI on supported Apple silicon; other builds need setup	Hosted AI, cloud sync/collaboration or external API charges	2026-10-17
whisper.cpp [4]	No vendor-metered minute quota	Model, memory and input-format dependent	TXT, SRT, VTT, JSON and other CLI outputs	Permanently free	Windows, Mac, Linux; developer tooling elsewhere	Files; microphone examples	No	Yes after install/model download	None for local engine; hardware/hosting is your responsibility	2026-10-17
Built-in, dictation and manual tools
Apple Voice Memos [11] [12]	No published monthly transcription quota	No universal numeric cap published	Copy transcript text; recording sharing	Permanently free	iPhone 12+; supported software/language/region	Own Voice Memos recordings; not generic file import	No separate app account for local use	On-device recognition; iCloud/share paths are separate	No feature charge on eligible device	2026-10-17
Google Recorder [14] [15] [16]	No published monthly transcription quota	18 h/recording	TXT; other sharing routes	Permanently free	Pixel 3+ and Pixel Tablet; language varies	Own Recorder recordings	No; Use without an account option	Live recognition on-device; re-transcription, some summaries and optional backup may use cloud	No feature charge on eligible hardware	2026-10-17
oTranscribe [17]	No AI minutes: all typing is manual	Browser/media dependent	TXT, Markdown, OTR	Permanently free	Desktop web browser	Files you listen to and type yourself	No	Local files/text; current cold-start offline behavior needs testing	None; your transcription time is the main cost	2026-10-17
Apple Dictation [18]	No published monthly quota	Not a file-import tool	Text goes into chosen app	Permanently free	Supported Apple devices/languages	Live text entry, not files	No separate Dictation account	On-device in many languages; check device and destination	No feature charge; destination apps can have paid plans	2026-10-17
Google Docs voice typing [19]	No published monthly quota	Not a file-import tool	Save/download the resulting document	Permanently free	Desktop Chrome, Edge or Safari	Live text entry, not files	Google account	Not guaranteed; recognition controlled by browser	No separate voice-typing fee for personal Docs	2026-10-17
Windows voice typing [20]	No published monthly quota	Not a file-import tool	Text goes into chosen app	Permanently free	Windows	Live text entry, not files	No separate transcription account	No; internet required	No feature fee; Windows licence/destination app separate	2026-10-17
Dictanote Free [21]	60 min/day; 50 notes in 1 notebook	No separate session cap stated; mic stops after 20 s silence	PDF, HTML, text	Free tier with limits	Supported desktop browsers, Android Chrome; Safari 26+ on Apple	Live dictation, not files	Yes	Offline notes advertised; offline recognition not established	More notes/dictation, background listening and advanced controls	2026-10-17
Trials and paid-feature boundaries
VoiceScriber AI [45] [46] [47]	Exact current free allowance not published	90 min/recording; import maximum not verified	Copy/share/print-to-PDF documented; trial gating not specified	Free trial / free to try	iPhone; iOS 17.6+	Record + M4A/MP3/WAV imports	No account or card to start trial	On-device; works in Airplane Mode	Paid access: USD5.99/week or USD49.99 lifetime	2026-10-17
Aiko current app [41] [42]	14-day developer trial	No universal numeric duration cap published	Text and subtitle outputs during trial	Free trial / free to try	iPhone/iPad/Mac 26+; Apple Vision	Files + record, then transcribe	No app account; Apple/TestFlight access needed	Yes; model is included in download	USD24 current app after trial; no automatic TestFlight charge	2026-10-17
HappyScribe uploaded files [39]	10 minutes of AI file transcription; one-off trial	Trial budget is 10 min, not 45 min/file	TXT/SRT common to checked free-plan descriptions	Free trial / free to try	Web	Existing audio/video files	Yes	No; upload-based	More file minutes or advanced formats/features	2026-10-17
Transkriptor [43] [44]	90-minute trial advertised; no recurring reset verified	Separate free per-file cap not established	TXT/SRT/Word offered; exact trial export gating not explicit	Free trial / free to try	Web, iPhone, Android	Files + recording/meetings	Yes; advertised no-card trial	No; cloud processing	Trial exhaustion or gated features; subscriptions auto-renew	2026-10-17
Microsoft Word Transcribe [48]	No standalone free entitlement verified; Microsoft 365 required	300 uploaded min/month with standard eligible subscription	Transcript can be added to Word	Free download; feature paid	Word web; eligible desktop versions	Recording + uploaded files	Yes, with eligible subscription	No; cloud/OneDrive workflow	Subscription needed before this transcription allowance applies	2026-10-17

Recurring free services

TurboScribeFree tier with limits3 files/day; 30 min/file; free exports

Free allowance / period: 3 files/day; one at a time
Maximum length: 30 min/file
Free export: TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT
Platform: Web; computer or mobile browser
Live or file: Files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No; cloud upload
What triggers payment?: More daily files, longer files or faster queue
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [22] [23]

Riverside public toolFree tier with limitsNo signup; TXT/SRT; no numeric file cap established

Free allowance / period: Repeated free use advertised; no signup
Maximum length: Numeric standalone cap not published
Free export: TXT, SRT
Platform: Web; supported browser
Live or file: Files
Account required?: No for public tool
Offline?: No; upload-based
What triggers payment?: Paid studio/editor features; separate product limits
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [24]

Otter BasicFree tier with limits300 min/month; 30 min/session; 3 lifetime imports

Free allowance / period: 300 min/month; 3 lifetime imports
Maximum length: 30 min/conversation accessible
Free export: TXT text export
Platform: Web, desktop, iPhone, Android
Live or file: Meetings + files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No; offline capture uploads later
What triggers payment?: Longer conversations, more imports or advanced exports
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [25] [26] [27] [28]

Rev FreeFree tier with limits45 AI min/month; English; downloads included

Free allowance / period: 45 AI min/month; English only
Maximum length: Separate free file cap not published; monthly budget applies
Free export: DOCX, PDF, TXT, SRT, VTT
Platform: Web, iPhone, Android
Live or file: Recordings + files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No; cloud service
What triggers payment?: More minutes/languages; human transcription costs extra
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [29] [30] [31]

HappyScribe meetingsFree tier with limitsUnlimited meeting count; 45 min each; not unlimited imports

Free allowance / period: Unlimited number of meeting recordings
Maximum length: 45 min/meeting
Free export: TXT/SRT; other free format claims conflict
Platform: Web
Live or file: Meeting recording
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No; cloud processing
What triggers payment?: Longer meetings, history/features beyond free plan
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [39] [40]

Notta FreeFree tier with limits120 min/month, but only 3 min/conversation; exports paid

Free allowance / period: 120 min/month; 50 uploads/month
Maximum length: 3 min/conversation on Free
Free export: No transcript download on Free
Platform: Web, desktop, iPhone, Android
Live or file: Meetings + files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No free offline mode
What triggers payment?: Full-length access and exports; paid desktop local mode is separate
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [32] [33] [34]

Fireflies FreeFree tier with limits3 default meetings; conditional unlimited; downloads paid

Free allowance / period: 3 default meeting credits; eligible Auto-join removes meeting count cap; 400 min storage (scope differs across docs)
Maximum length: 2 h/meeting; uploaded files 150 min/100 MB
Free export: Transcript downloads require paid plan
Platform: Web, desktop, iPhone, Android
Live or file: Meetings + credit-metered files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No; processing requires upload
What triggers payment?: Downloads, credits and larger storage; check Auto-join settings
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [35] [36] [37] [38]

Local desktop tools

BuzzPermanently freeNo minute quota; local; TXT/SRT/VTT

Free allowance / period: No vendor-metered minute quota
Maximum length: Hardware/model dependent; no universal cap published
Free export: TXT, SRT, VTT
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Live or file: Files + microphone
Account required?: No for local engine
Offline?: Yes after engine/model setup
What triggers payment?: None for local open-source app; hosted API use is separate
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [1] [2]

VibePermanently freeNo minute quota; local; batch and document exports

Free allowance / period: No vendor-metered minute quota
Maximum length: Hardware/model dependent; no universal cap published
Free export: TXT, SRT, VTT, DOCX, PDF, HTML, JSON
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Live or file: Files + microphone/system audio
Account required?: No for local transcription
Offline?: Yes after model setup
What triggers payment?: No local transcription fee; optional hosted AI may cost extra
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [3]

MacWhisper FreeFree tier with limitsLocal free models; TXT/SRT/VTT; Pro features separate

Free allowance / period: No published minute quota for included local models
Maximum length: Hardware/model dependent; no universal cap published
Free export: TXT, SRT, VTT
Platform: Mac
Live or file: Files + microphone
Account required?: No transcription account; download/store access differs
Offline?: Yes with downloaded local model
What triggers payment?: Pro models/features, batches and advanced exports; optional cloud use
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [5]

Anarlog FreeFree tier with limitsFree local tier; not identical offline support on every OS

Free allowance / period: Unlimited local transcription advertised
Maximum length: Model/hardware dependent; no numeric free cap published
Free export: Text, Markdown, PDF, Org
Platform: Mac; Windows/Linux beta with AI-path restrictions
Live or file: Meeting capture + files
Account required?: No in fully local mode
Offline?: Built-in local AI on supported Apple silicon; other builds need setup
What triggers payment?: Hosted AI, cloud sync/collaboration or external API charges
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

whisper.cppPermanently freeFree local engine; setup required; no app-style paywall

Free allowance / period: No vendor-metered minute quota
Maximum length: Model, memory and input-format dependent
Free export: TXT, SRT, VTT, JSON and other CLI outputs
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux; developer tooling elsewhere
Live or file: Files; microphone examples
Account required?: No
Offline?: Yes after install/model download
What triggers payment?: None for local engine; hardware/hosting is your responsibility
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [4]

Built-in, dictation and manual tools

Apple Voice MemosPermanently freeBuilt-in transcripts on eligible iPhones; copy text

Free allowance / period: No published monthly transcription quota
Maximum length: No universal numeric cap published
Free export: Copy transcript text; recording sharing
Platform: iPhone 12+; supported software/language/region
Live or file: Own Voice Memos recordings; not generic file import
Account required?: No separate app account for local use
Offline?: On-device recognition; iCloud/share paths are separate
What triggers payment?: No feature charge on eligible device
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [11] [12]

Google RecorderPermanently freePixel only; 18 h/recording; TXT export

Free allowance / period: No published monthly transcription quota
Maximum length: 18 h/recording
Free export: TXT; other sharing routes
Platform: Pixel 3+ and Pixel Tablet; language varies
Live or file: Own Recorder recordings
Account required?: No; Use without an account option
Offline?: Live recognition on-device; re-transcription, some summaries and optional backup may use cloud
What triggers payment?: No feature charge on eligible hardware
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [14] [15] [16]

oTranscribePermanently freeFree manual editor, not automatic speech recognition

Free allowance / period: No AI minutes: all typing is manual
Maximum length: Browser/media dependent
Free export: TXT, Markdown, OTR
Platform: Desktop web browser
Live or file: Files you listen to and type yourself
Account required?: No
Offline?: Local files/text; current cold-start offline behavior needs testing
What triggers payment?: None; your transcription time is the main cost
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [17]

Apple DictationPermanently freeLive voice typing; not a saved-recording converter

Free allowance / period: No published monthly quota
Maximum length: Not a file-import tool
Free export: Text goes into chosen app
Platform: Supported Apple devices/languages
Live or file: Live text entry, not files
Account required?: No separate Dictation account
Offline?: On-device in many languages; check device and destination
What triggers payment?: No feature charge; destination apps can have paid plans
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [18]

Google Docs voice typingPermanently freeFree live document dictation; not file transcription

Free allowance / period: No published monthly quota
Maximum length: Not a file-import tool
Free export: Save/download the resulting document
Platform: Desktop Chrome, Edge or Safari
Live or file: Live text entry, not files
Account required?: Google account
Offline?: Not guaranteed; recognition controlled by browser
What triggers payment?: No separate voice-typing fee for personal Docs
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [19]

Windows voice typingPermanently freeWin+H voice typing needs internet

Free allowance / period: No published monthly quota
Maximum length: Not a file-import tool
Free export: Text goes into chosen app
Platform: Windows
Live or file: Live text entry, not files
Account required?: No separate transcription account
Offline?: No; internet required
What triggers payment?: No feature fee; Windows licence/destination app separate
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [20]

Dictanote FreeFree tier with limits60 min/day; 50 notes; free PDF/HTML/text

Free allowance / period: 60 min/day; 50 notes in 1 notebook
Maximum length: No separate session cap stated; mic stops after 20 s silence
Free export: PDF, HTML, text
Platform: Supported desktop browsers, Android Chrome; Safari 26+ on Apple
Live or file: Live dictation, not files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: Offline notes advertised; offline recognition not established
What triggers payment?: More notes/dictation, background listening and advanced controls
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [21]

Trials and paid-feature boundaries

VoiceScriber AIFree trial / free to tryFree to try, not unlimited free; private iPhone recordings/imports

Free allowance / period: Exact current free allowance not published
Maximum length: 90 min/recording; import maximum not verified
Free export: Copy/share/print-to-PDF documented; trial gating not specified
Platform: iPhone; iOS 17.6+
Live or file: Record + M4A/MP3/WAV imports
Account required?: No account or card to start trial
Offline?: On-device; works in Airplane Mode
What triggers payment?: Paid access: USD5.99/week or USD49.99 lifetime
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [45] [46] [47]

Aiko current appFree trial / free to try14-day TestFlight trial; current app is paid

Free allowance / period: 14-day developer trial
Maximum length: No universal numeric duration cap published
Free export: Text and subtitle outputs during trial
Platform: iPhone/iPad/Mac 26+; Apple Vision
Live or file: Files + record, then transcribe
Account required?: No app account; Apple/TestFlight access needed
Offline?: Yes; model is included in download
What triggers payment?: USD24 current app after trial; no automatic TestFlight charge
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [41] [42]

HappyScribe uploaded filesFree trial / free to try10-minute file trial, not the 45-minute free meeting tier

Free allowance / period: 10 minutes of AI file transcription; one-off trial
Maximum length: Trial budget is 10 min, not 45 min/file
Free export: TXT/SRT common to checked free-plan descriptions
Platform: Web
Live or file: Existing audio/video files
Account required?: Yes
Offline?: No; upload-based
What triggers payment?: More file minutes or advanced formats/features
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [39]

TranskriptorFree trial / free to try90-minute trial offer; verify allowance and export before upload

Free allowance / period: 90-minute trial advertised; no recurring reset verified
Maximum length: Separate free per-file cap not established
Free export: TXT/SRT/Word offered; exact trial export gating not explicit
Platform: Web, iPhone, Android
Live or file: Files + recording/meetings
Account required?: Yes; advertised no-card trial
Offline?: No; cloud processing
What triggers payment?: Trial exhaustion or gated features; subscriptions auto-renew
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [43] [44]

Microsoft Word TranscribeFree download; feature paid300 uploaded min/month is a paid-plan benefit, not free

Free allowance / period: No standalone free entitlement verified; Microsoft 365 required
Maximum length: 300 uploaded min/month with standard eligible subscription
Free export: Transcript can be added to Word
Platform: Word web; eligible desktop versions
Live or file: Recording + uploaded files
Account required?: Yes, with eligible subscription
Offline?: No; cloud/OneDrive workflow
What triggers payment?: Subscription needed before this transcription allowance applies
Checked: 2026-10-17

Official evidence: [48]

TXT is plain text; DOCX is a Word document; SRT and VTT are timed subtitle files. Export formats listed here are the documented free subset, not every format a product advertises.

Four limits worth reading twice

Otter: monthly minutes and lifetime imports are separate. Its Basic plan provides 300 minutes per month, but only three audio/video imports over the lifetime of the account. Deleting an import does not replenish that allowance. Someone recording new meetings has a different free workflow from someone uploading an existing archive. [25] [26] [27]

Notta: 120 monthly minutes do not buy a 120-minute free transcript. The free plan limits each conversation to three minutes, and transcript downloads require Pro or above. The paid desktop Privacy Mode does not turn the free mobile or web plan into offline software. [32] [33] [34]

HappyScribe: meetings and uploaded files have different rules. Its free meeting offer allows an unlimited number of recordings up to 45 minutes each. Existing files instead receive a 10-minute AI trial. The pricing page also gives inconsistent free-format detail; TXT and SRT are the common supported subset used here. [39]

Fireflies: meeting credits, AI credits and storage are different units. New accounts start with a small meeting allowance; eligible Auto-join settings unlock unlimited meeting transcription. Downloads remain paid. Its documentation disagrees about some AI-credit resets and whether the 400-minute storage figure is per seat or team. Verify the allowance shown in your workspace, and review which meetings Auto-join will capture. [35] [36] [37] [38]

The strongest free options by task

These are recommendations by task, not a claim that one service is the most accurate. Prices below were checked October 17, 2026; annual equivalents require annual payment, and local taxes or store prices can differ.

Free meeting transcription: Otter

Otter iPhone app previews showing recording, transcription and collaboration — Otter’s official iPhone App Store preview strip.

Best for: occasional meetings. Key features: meeting capture, editable transcripts and TXT export. Free limit: 300 minutes per month, 30 minutes per conversation and three lifetime file imports. Paid price: Pro starts at US$8.33 per user per month, billed annually. Choose it for connected meetings, not transcription while disconnected. [25] [26] [27] [28]

Free file transcription on the web: TurboScribe

TurboScribe website showing file transcription and export workflow — TurboScribe’s official website and file-conversion workflow.

Best for: a few existing recordings each day. Key features: media uploads and document or subtitle exports. Free limit: three files per day, 30 minutes each, processed one at a time. Paid price: from US$10 per month, billed US$120 annually. Processing is cloud-based; a free account is required. [22] [23]

Free offline transcription on Windows: Buzz

Buzz documentation page listing offline transcription features and TXT, SRT and VTT export — Buzz’s official documentation for offline transcription on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Best for: Windows users avoiding usage charges. Key features: local file and microphone transcription with TXT, SRT and VTT exports. Free limit: no vendor-metered minutes; performance depends on hardware and model. Paid price: no purchase required for the open-source app. Download its engine and model before going offline. [1] [2]

Free offline transcription on Mac: MacWhisper

MacWhisper official Mac transcription interface — MacWhisper’s official Mac product preview.

Best for: straightforward local Mac transcription. Key features: included local models and TXT, SRT and VTT exports. Free limit: no published minute quota for those models. Paid price: Pro is EUR64 once, adding features such as advanced exports and batching. Optional cloud providers are not the same local workflow. [5]

Free built-in phone transcripts: Voice Memos and Recorder

Apple Voice Memos iPhone recording screens — Apple Voice Memos’ official iPhone preview strip.

Google Recorder Android phone preview screens — Google Recorder’s official Android Google Play preview strip.

Best for: recordings made in your phone's built-in app. Key features: on-device transcription and copy or text sharing. Free limit: no published monthly quota; Pixel Recorder caps recordings at 18 hours. Paid price: no feature charge on eligible hardware. Voice Memos transcription needs iPhone 12 or later; Recorder requires a supported Pixel. [11] [12] [14] [15]

Free open-source transcription: Vibe

Vibe website showing on-device transcription downloads for Mac, Windows and Linux — Vibe’s official website for on-device transcription.

Best for: local files and batches across desktop platforms. Key features: Windows, Mac and Linux apps, multiple media inputs and document or subtitle exports. Free limit: no vendor-metered minutes; hardware and storage remain constraints. Paid price: none for local transcription. Download a model, and treat optional hosted AI summaries as a separate data path. [3]

Free multilingual file transcription: Riverside

Riverside free transcription page with a file upload area — Riverside’s official free transcription tool page.

Best for: an occasional multilingual file without account creation. Key features: the public tool advertises over 100 languages and TXT or SRT downloads. Free limit: repeated uploads are advertised, but no numeric file-duration ceiling is established. Paid price: no purchase for this tool; Riverside's paid studio is separate. Mixed-track speaker separation is limited. [24]

Free-to-try private phone transcription: VoiceScriber AI

VoiceScriber iPhone app previews for private recording and transcription — VoiceScriber’s official iPhone App Store preview strip.

Best for: private recordings and imported M4A, MP3 or WAV files on an iPhone. Key features: local transcription, editing and searchable notes. Free limit: the current trial allowance is not publicly specified; 90 minutes is the recording cap, not a promised free allowance. Paid price: US$5.99 weekly or US$49.99 lifetime. [45] [46] [47]

Two other local options need context. Anarlog has a free local tier, but its Windows/Linux beta availability is not evidence that built-in local recognition works there: the developer identifies supported Apple silicon for that path. whisper.cpp is a free engine for technical users, not a polished app that installs itself. Use the existing Whisper setup guide rather than guessing which build and model you need. [7] [8] [4]

VoiceScriber is free to try, not the free desktop substitute. No account or credit card is required to start its trial. Its current listing supports iOS 17.6 or later and advertises on-device transcription in 100+ languages. Test a fresh import in Airplane Mode before relying on it. The exact free allowance, trial export gating and imported-file maximum need checking in the current app; none should be inferred from the recording cap. [45] [46] [47]

Its documented print/PDF output is useful for notes, but automatic speaker identification is not established by the checked product facts. Choose it when the goal is private, editable iPhone notes rather than a meeting bot, desktop batch processor or subtitle editor. [45] [46]

Free transcription software for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android

Windows

Start with Buzz or Vibe for automatic local transcription of files. Choose oTranscribe when you want a free player-and-editor and will type the words yourself. Windows voice typing is different: it enters live speech into a text field and requires internet. It is not a free file-import service. [1] [3] [17] [20]

Mac

MacWhisper, Vibe and Buzz cover local recognition; check hardware before installing. Current Buzz Mac builds require Apple silicon, with version 1.4.5 the last Intel-compatible release. MacWhisper direct-download and App Store editions have different licensing, so buy or download the edition whose terms you actually checked. For a deeper platform comparison, see offline transcription apps by platform. [2] [5]

iPhone

Check Apple Voice Memos first for recordings already in that app. Its transcript feature requires iPhone 12 or later and supported software, languages and regions; it is not a documented general MP3-import tool. For imported files and a dedicated private notes workflow, VoiceScriber AI is free to try. Aiko is a paid current app with a 14-day TestFlight trial, not permanently free software. Compare the iPhone voice-to-text options for the full device-focused decision. [11] [45] [41] [42]

Android and Pixel

On a supported Pixel, Recorder is the built-in starting point; it is not available as the same native app on every Android phone. You can use it without a Google account, but languages vary by device. Its live recognition is local; "Transcribe again," some summaries and enabled backup can introduce cloud processing. Other Android users can consider web file services or Dictanote for live voice typing, checking browser and export support before recording. [14] [15] [16] [21] [22]

Dictation is not file transcription. Apple Dictation, Google Docs voice typing and Windows voice typing are useful for speaking new text. They do not import an existing interview as an audio file. Playing a recording into a microphone adds a second audio capture step and does not turn voice typing into a dependable file workflow. oTranscribe is different again: it helps a person transcribe manually. [18] [19] [20] [17]

How to avoid a paywall surprise

Open the export menu before the real job. Confirm your free plan can save the required format, not merely display or copy part of a transcript. Check whether speaker labels and timestamps survive the export.
Check every quota separately. Monthly minutes, daily file counts, lifetime imports, per-recording duration, file size, stored minutes and AI credits are not interchangeable. Do not turn a daily allowance into a guaranteed monthly entitlement.
Read the trial and renewal terms. A trial that asks for payment details may renew. Record the cancellation deadline and where to cancel. Aiko's developer explicitly says its TestFlight trial does not charge automatically; that does not establish the policy for another app.
Look for a preview rather than a complete result. Check the end of the transcript, duration covered, any watermark and the downloaded file. A "completed" badge can describe a job that your free plan only partially exposes.
Try a non-sensitive 30-minute recording. Put distinctive phrases near the start, middle and end. Save the source duration, plan name, allowance before/after and the export. If the free plan advertises less than 30 minutes, expect the documented limit; do not label that a malfunction.

The limit distinctions above are visible in the Otter, Notta, TurboScribe and Aiko documentation; they are not hypothetical plan rules. [26] [33] [22] [41]

What a 30-minute file reveals before you upload

Based on each offer's published limits, this is what to expect from a 30-minute file. Your remaining allowance, encoding, file size and the offer shown in your account still matter.

Offer	Documented expectation	What to verify
TurboScribe Free	Within the stated 30-minute file cap, provided a daily slot remains.	Check encoded duration and complete free export.
Otter Basic	At the conversation cap; a remaining lifetime import and monthly minutes are also needed.	A new month does not restore three used-up imports.
Notta Free	Not a complete free 30-minute transcript: three-minute conversation access and paid downloads.	120 monthly minutes do not remove either restriction.
HappyScribe file trial	The one-off file budget is 10 minutes, not 45.	The 45-minute free meeting offer is a different workflow.
Buzz / Vibe local	No vendor minute quota; your setup and hardware must handle the file.	Check completion and exported text, not only the progress bar.
VoiceScriber trial	The 90-minute recording cap does not establish trial or import eligibility.	Use a short first test; verify the offer before a longer import.

Sources: [22] [26] [32] [33] [39] [1] [3] [45]

For a local test, download the app and model first, save the recording locally, then disconnect before processing a file the app has never seen. Turn Wi-Fi off explicitly: Airplane Mode can still allow Wi-Fi. Export locally and reopen the result while disconnected. A pass demonstrates that tested workflow, not every summary, backup or later synchronization feature. See the offline verification guide and free no-upload file guide for more detail. [54]

Free vs paid: when is paying worth it?

Need	Stay free when...	Consider paying when...
Volume	A daily web allowance or unmetered local engine covers the workload.	You need bigger files, faster queues or reliable team capacity.
Accuracy and review	You can listen back and correct the transcript yourself.	Vocabulary tools, better workflow or human review save enough correction time. A subscription alone does not guarantee accuracy.
Privacy and control	A free local engine meets your device and policy requirements.	Convenient local mobile capture or organization controls solve a real need. Paying does not automatically mean local processing.
Exports and collaboration	Plain text or subtitles are enough.	Your work needs paid export formats, shared workspaces, meeting integrations or managed retention.

Compare the time to a corrected, usable transcript, including upload, waiting, cleanup and export. A no-cost local tool may beat a subscription for an archive; a paid mobile workflow may be worthwhile when it removes repeated transfer steps. Our broader transcription-app guide covers paid and free choices by job, and the Otter alternatives comparison covers meeting replacements.

Free does not decide confidentiality. A cloud tool can charge nothing and still upload your audio. A local tool avoids a transcription-server upload but still needs appropriate device security, backup choices and permission to record. Read the developer-provided App Store privacy details alongside the vendor's retention and sharing terms. [55]

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free transcription software?

It depends on the job. TurboScribe gives existing files a clear free allowance of three files daily, up to 30 minutes each, and Buzz and Vibe are strong free local desktop choices. For private recordings and imports on iPhone, we recommend VoiceScriber, which is free to try rather than permanently free. Choose by the complete transcript and export you can get without paying.

Is there completely free transcription software with no limits?

Buzz, Vibe and whisper.cpp do not meter local transcription by paid minutes. That does not mean literally no limits: storage, memory, model support and processing time still matter. A free web service with a daily allowance is a different offer from an unmetered local engine.

What is the best free transcription software for Windows?

Buzz is a practical starting point for local file and microphone transcription, with TXT, SRT and VTT export. Vibe is another local option. Windows voice typing is free to use as a built-in feature, but it requires internet and is not a tool for importing existing recordings.

What is the best free transcription app for Android?

Google Recorder is a useful built-in choice on supported Pixel devices, not all Android phones. Its live transcription is on-device, with TXT sharing, while some re-transcription and summary features may use the cloud. On other Android devices, assess a web file service or browser dictation tool for the specific job.

Which free transcription software works offline?

Buzz, Vibe and whisper.cpp support local processing after setup. MacWhisper includes free local models. Compatible Apple and Pixel features can recognize speech on-device. Download required models first and test a fresh file with every network connection disabled; cloud summaries, sharing and backups remain separate questions.

Does Otter have a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes. Otter Basic includes 300 transcription minutes per month, up to 30 minutes per conversation and three lifetime audio/video imports. The import count does not reset monthly. TXT export is available on Basic; other export formats and features can require payment. Offline recording is not offline transcription.

Can I transcribe a long audio file for free?

Often, with an appropriate local tool and enough hardware resources. Buzz, Vibe and free local MacWhisper models have no published per-minute billing quota. TurboScribe Free caps each file at 30 minutes. Do not assume a trial or an unlimited meeting count permits a complete long-file transcript and export.

Is free transcription safe for confidential recordings?

Price alone does not establish privacy. Check processing location, retention, sharing and your permission to record. Local recognition can avoid a transcription-server upload, but backups and destination apps may still transfer data. Test with a non-sensitive recording first.

Sources

The numbered references link to first-party pages checked on October 17, 2026. Pricing, allowances and documentation can change by region, tax and checkout; confirm the current plan before paying.

Best Free Transcription Software and Apps: What Is Actually Free